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  • Helping Mother (1914)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Helping Mother (1914)
Short | Short, Drama

When the story opens, Agnes and her husband and son are living with her mother; when poverty overtakes the family, Agnes decides to accept when she is offered her old position as maid to Beatrice Merrill--despite her husband's objections. ...See moreWhen the story opens, Agnes and her husband and son are living with her mother; when poverty overtakes the family, Agnes decides to accept when she is offered her old position as maid to Beatrice Merrill--despite her husband's objections. As Beatrice's maid, Agnes observes an opportunity for securing the position of family chauffeur for her husband. The matter is suggested to Beatrice, and she intercedes successfully with her father. The husband first attends a chauffeur's school, and later becomes the rich girl's driver Beatrice's father is a wealthy banker who has become very attached to his young secretary. During the preceding action, he has quietly urged his daughter to encourage his secretary's advances, but she refuses, failing to see anything romantic in the secretary. On the other hand, she becomes interested in her maid's husband, the chauffeur, and he, an impressionable chap, readily responds to her encouragement; shortly, Agnes finds herself deserted. Enthralled with the passion of romance, her husband and mistress have eloped. Agnes returns home, crushed, to support herself and her son as best she can. Beatrice's father soon dies of grief at his daughter's action and leaves all his wealth to his secretary. This secretary possesses real manhood; as a looker-on, he has seen the whole tragedy as it progressed, and in his heart he has experienced sympathy and deep friendship for the little maid. He tries to help her financially, but is repulsed. On the street he discovers the son with his toy automobile posted out for rent, an action suggested by his elders as a means to help his mother. The secretary hires the boy's machine for $5 a day, keeping his identity secret. This money is carried to the puzzled mother. At this time fate plays her hand: Beatrice and the chauffeur with whom she eloped are caught in an automobile explosion. The chauffeur, Agnes's husband, is killed and Beatrice is mortally wounded. An account of the accident finds its way into the press. Beatrice, dying in the hospital, is visited by the secretary. She asks to see Agnes that she may beg forgiveness. Agnes responds to the secretary's urging and goes to Beatrice, and as the unfortunate girl dies, she is forgiven by the woman she has so unjustly and, perhaps, unwittingly wronged. From here on we are carried into the romance which springs up between the secretary and the maid, Agnes. It is the little son who suggests to the secretary that he marry his mama so she could accept money from him. But the suggestion was only an echo of the man's own feelings. As the picture fades out the one-time maid submits herself to the arms of the man with genuine, living romance promised her in the days to follow. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Writer
Lois Weber (scenario)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Sep 10, 1914

Release date
Sep 10, 1914 (United States)

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Cast

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5 cast members
Name Known for
Lois Weber
Agnes Agnes   See fewer
Phillips Smalley
Merrill's Secretary Merrill's Secretary   See fewer
Beatrice Van
Beatrice Merrill - the Wife Beatrice Merrill - the Wife   See fewer
Joe King
Joe - Agnes's Husband Joe - Agnes's Husband   See fewer
Georgia French
Actress Actress   See fewer
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