The House in the Woods (1913)
Country gentleman Major Morris proposes to leave his fortune to his adopted daughter Marian Lane. His nephew George Morris is in love with Marian--actually, with Marian's prospective wealth. Wishing to obtain a portrait of her, Morris engages young artist Alfred Earle. The picture is painted in the style of a famous masterpiece. A speedy attachment springs up between Marian and Earle. Jealous, George comes upon Marian's picture one day at its completion, takes a knife, Earle declares his love, the major consents and Earle and Marian are married. The major gives them a pretty bungalow on his estate, called "The House in The Woods." They take possession, and for a time all goes well. Then George begins the machinations whereby he effects an estrangement between his uncle and Marian. A famous portrait in the major's library mysteriously disappears, George, who has himself stolen it, convinces his uncle that it was taken by Earle and sold for a large sum. Morris in indignant, accuses Earle, Earle, equally indignant, denies, and he and Marian, deeply wounded, leave "The House in the Woods." Five years later, unsuccessful Earle is living with his wife and child in a garret, struggling financially. George sends a false telegram to his uncle, saying Marian is dead. The major turns to George for solace and makes him his heir. George now enters upon a life of depravity, which hurries him to an untimely end. Meanwhile, Marian, seeing that Earle is breaking under the strain, decides to take their little boy and secretly return to "The House in the Woods," hoping for a reconciliation with Morris. One day while Earle is working, unobserved she slips off with the child. She goes to "The House in the Woods." Rumors spread that the place is "haunted." Morris seeking an explanation, offers Sam, his negro butler, ten dollars to spend the night there. The negro agrees, and, comfortably settled, is enjoying a supper, when the door opens and a white robed figure stands on the threshold. Sam makes a dash for the window and disappears. Determined to solve the mystery, the next night Morris himself goes to the little house. As he reads he falls asleep. The door opens. A beautiful child enters, approaches and lays its hand on the major's knee. Startled, the major wakes. Again the door opens. Marian enters; she goes timidly toward him. Before he realizes that she is not a spirit, a carriage arrives. Earle springs out, enters, and rushes to his wife and child. He has sold his great picture and is rich and famous. He hands the major a letter; it is a dying confession of George's guilt and of Earle's innocence. Morris reads the letter and grasps the hand of Earle; he draws Marian to him, tenderly kisses her, and reaching down, lifts the child in his arms.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Eleanor Talbot Kinkead | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Ormi Hawley | |
| Guy D'Ennery | |
| Irving White | |
| Jim Moore |
