One Hundred Years Ago (1915)
Humphrey Lane is a gentleman of the old school and a lifelong friend of his neighbor, Mr. Gilbert. Their favorite idea is to perpetuate their friendship by a marriage between Lane's son Rodney and Gilbert's daughter Evelyn. The son and daughter have no objection, as they already love each other without waiting for their parents' sanction. While the two fathers drink to the proposed marriage, the young people stroll in the garden. The old Black butler summons them to hear the old mens' plan and a betrothal follows. After a celebration supper, the couple wanders off while the fathers discuss politics. They disagree, quarrel violently, and ruthlessly declare that the couple shall not marry. Evelyn implores her father to relent, but in vain. Sorrow-stricken, she returns to her rooms, where she falls unconscious, overcome with grief. As the days go on she grows weaker and weaker. She implores her father to let her see Rodney, but he is obdurate. Downstairs the old man writes in his diary the record of his obstinacy and says that his pride will not let him yield. He keeps the diary in a secret panel in the chimneypiece. A week later, after a scene with his father in which he tries to change his resolve, Rodney takes matters into his own hands and goes to Gilbert to apologize in his father's stead. But he comes too late: Evelyn has succumbed to her grief and her father can only tell Rodney that she is dead. In his misery, Rodney wildly curses Gilbert who, overwhelmed with remorse, shoots himself as the clock strikes 12, after recording the outcome of his pride in his diary and leaving a warning for his descendants. 100 years later Edythe Gilbert, his descendant and heiress to the old home, where she lives with her father, is in love with young Arnold, but her father prefers someone else for her. Edythe and Arnold plan to elope, but as she meets him that night in his automobile she is seen by her father's choice, who hurriedly summons him, and they start off in another automobile in pursuit of the couple. Edythe and Arnold reach the minister's house and Arnold goes in to arrange their marriage, leaving Edythe in the car. Her father and his favorite arrive while Arnold is gone, and insist upon her returning with them. Arnold comes out, sees them, and follows them home. In the hall of the old house Edythe runs to him and an angry scene is about to happen when the clock strikes 12. The shadow of the Gilbert ancestor appears. He goes to the secret panel and reveals the diary. Hardly able to believe his eyes, Edythe's father takes the book and reads there the warning against obdurate pride. He gives way, and the lovers are restored to each other.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Rupert Julian | Director |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Rupert Julian | |
| Dorothy Davenport | |
| Elsie Jane Wilson |
