Mother's Portrait (1910)

Jack Desnoyers having been without employment for a long time, decides that he will no longer be dependent upon what little his wife is able to earn, and bidding his loved wife and little ... See full summary »

Storyline

Jack Desnoyers having been without employment for a long time, decides that he will no longer be dependent upon what little his wife is able to earn, and bidding his loved wife and little girl a sad farewell, starts for America, hoping to find better fortune on the other side of the great Atlantic. Some time afterwards, Mrs. Desnoyers' employment ceases, and being unable to pay her rent, she is obliged to leave her home and seek poorer quarters. From exposure and hunger, the poor woman falls ill. A doctor is called in, who prescribes a very expensive medicine, which he states is the only thing which will restore the sinking woman. The little daughter, German, ponders what she can dispose of to obtain the necessary money, and at last decides to part with Mother's Portrait, as that is the only thing left of any value! She makes her way to a Picture Dealer, and tearfully parts with her loved portrait for five francs! The medicine is procured, and gradually the mother regains her strength...

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Genres:

Short | Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

9 January 1911 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mother's Portrait

Company Credits

Production Co:

Société Française des Films Éclair

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

The story is clearly told, and the photography is excellent

Forced by untoward circumstances, a father leaves his wife and child, and goes to America. The mother falls ill, and it is necessary that she have expensive medicine. To procure it, the child sells the mother's portrait. Returning home, the gentleman finds his family gone. While wandering aimlessly about, he sees the portrait, and buys it, but the dealer is unable to supply any information regarding it, except that a child brought it. The child, returning to the window to look at it, discovers it gone, but this proves the basis of all their future happiness, because she finds that the man who bought the picture was her own father, and the little family is reunited, with all poverty and suffering gone. The story is clearly told, and the photography is excellent. - The Moving Picture World, January 21, 1911