The Bond of Womanhood (1914)
Nell Rogers, wife of a wealthy broker, leaves him because of his affairs with other women, setting out one morning without his knowledge as he lies in a drunken stupor. She intends to visit relatives in a nearby city, but her auto is wrecked and a limb is broken. She is found by Mary Jenks, the poorly-clad girl-wife of a rough fisherman. With "Granny" Wilkes' aid, Mary carries Nell to her shack. She has just been in a case parallel to Nell's: her brute of a husband left in a rage to meet with his drinking pals. During the weeks of illness that Mary nurses the "lady from the city," a bond of sympathy springs up between the two women; Nell is grateful for the devotion bestowed upon her. As friendship ripens, the women exchange confidences. About this time a babe is born to Nell. One day Nell, from the cabin window, sees an auto containing her husband and some carefree women pass along the road and she realizes that her husband hasn't changed. The same day, Mary's husband shows up directing brutal threats at Mary. Then the bond of womanhood develops: each wife, unknown to the other, resolves to seek the offending husband and cause a reconciliation. Mary secretly sets out on foot to see Rogers. She reaches the mansion exhausted and finds him throwing a lawn party. Undaunted, she pursues Rogers amid the merrymaking and delivers her simple sermon despite the guests' derisive laughter. She describes Nell's mental and physical suffering so vehemently, and scores Rogers so unmercifully ,that he wilts under her volleys of indignation. Soon Mary has persuaded him to return to the forest hut and go back to Nell. Meanwhile, Nell has performed a similar mission by seeking out Jenks in a river hut. Although his drunken threats intimidate her at first she scores him so tellingly for his abuse of Mary that she conquers the brute in him and leaves him repentant. Humiliated, embarrassed and ashamed. Rogers sets out for the hut. Here he is reconciled with Nell over the cradle in which the tiny body of their infant rests. Nell pleads with the forest girl to return with them. Mary realizing her helplessness, is about to yield when Jenks appears in the doorway, ready to receive Mary's forgiveness. The city man and his wife leave with the baby. Jenks turns to Mary with the first show of tenderness he has ever exhibited and announces his intention to make amends.
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Domestic
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International
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Joseph W. Smiley | Director |
| Shannon Fife | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Justina Huff | |
| William W. Cohill | |
| Lila Leslie | |
| Joseph W. Smiley |
