|
Virginia
(1916) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Cleo Madison
Cast: Cleo Madison [Virginia Clerson], Margaret Whistler [Laura Clerson], Ray Hanford [John Clerson], William V. Mong [Frank Clerson], Edward Hearn [Frederick Piper]
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Rex]. / Produced by Cleo Madison. Scenario by Harvey Gates; from the short story “Virginia” by Ida M. Evans. / © 15 May 1916 by [?] The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated? Released 23 May 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The story was subsequently filmed as The Path She Chose (1920).
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Virginia Clerson, eighteen, hated what little she knew of the world, and thought that every man was against her. Her father was a drunkard and a dope fiend and her mother ill and overworked. Virginia was the youngest of four children. Her two brothers were typical slum characters; one, while prepossessing in appearance, had no morals or principles. Her sister, Laura, being frequently beaten by her father, in turn would beat the younger sister. Laura one day leaves with a slum character. Virginia determines to leave her home; stealing a small sum of money from her brother’s pocket, she departs. She secures work in a department store, of which Frederick Parker is the manager. Knowing they are always in need of girls, Frederick tells the girl to see the forelady. Virginia makes a place of her own among the girls, and is soon respected. Three years pass. She has learned to be neat in dress, and she improves in health and appearance. Parker admires her, and when the forelady quits, the latter pleads with Parker to give the position to Virginia. He agrees and she is placed in charge of the department. Virginia makes good. One night as she is working late the scrubwomen come in to clean up. Among them is one who seems familiar. Fearing it is her sister, Virginia hastily leaves. The next night she recognizes the woman as her sister, Laura. Virginia speaks to her and is recognized. Laura, while only thirty years old, has the appearance of a broken woman of sixty. She has consumption and is slowly fading away. Virginia takes her in charge. Frank, the brother, sees them and follows them to Virginia’s room. He suggests that the three live together, but Virginia opposes the idea. He threatens her. Frank determines to punish Virginia, and calls upon Parker next day with a made up story about Virginia. Parker believes him and calls Virginia in to explain. She refuses to explain and is about to leave, when they are interrupted by the entrance of Laura, who denounces her brother and tells the true family history. Virginia tries to stop her, but Laura is determined. Parker realizes the baseness of the brother, and getting the two women out of the office proceeds to give him a good thrashing. Frank escapes. Laura, exhausted with her efforts, is about at the end of her life. Parker confronts Virginia and tells her that in spite of her past he is willing to take her as his partner, and the two start their life anew.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 15 October 2023.
References: AFI-F1 n. F1.3376; Braff-Universal n. 8712 : Website-IMDb.
|
