A Christmas Story (1913)

Though her father forbids her to marry poor young artist Jack Harvey, Molly Wilson becomes his wife and goes away with him to another town. Her older sister Bessie, an attractive widow with two baby boys and a baby girl, pleads with her father on Molly's behalf but he is obdurate. At Christmastime two years later, Bessie surprises her father kissing a photograph of Molly, and she writes her sister to come home for Christmas, saying, "I believe Father would be glad to see you." Jack Harvey, in his garret studio, shares Molly's happiness over the letter. They leave almost immediately with their baby. At a certain point they must change trains and buy new tickets. Jack discovers that he has lost his wallet, so he and Molly strike out bravely along the lonely snow-covered road through the winter-bleak country, cheered on by the hope of a kind reception ahead. At the Wilson home the Christmas tree is decorated and toys are heaped about the room. Upstairs, Bessie puts her children to bed and tells them the story of "Christ at the Manger." She is sad because she does not expect to see her sister this Christmas. It is very late when Jack and Molly, exhausted, come to the town and seek admittance at the inn. All of the rooms are taken and they cannot get accommodations, so they go on to the Wilson home. Seeing all dark within, they decide to spend the night in the barn, sleeping on the hay. Early the next morning, the little children sneak out to the barn to see if Christ is there. They find Molly and Jack and the baby. They tiptoe out and returning to the house, load themselves down with toys from the Christmas tree and go back to the barn. Bessie with her father discovers the absence of the children and tracks them to the barn. The father tries to be stern with his daughter, but he forgives her when Jack shows him their baby. A merry time around the Christmas tree reunites the family in love and happiness.

All Releases

Domestic
International
Worldwide
Summary Details
GenresDrama Short
FilmmakersRole
James W. Castle Director
Tefft Johnson Director
Alice A. Methley Writer
CastRole
Tefft Johnson
Carlotta De Felice
James Morrison
Ethel Lloyd