The Old Folks' Christmas - Production & Contact Info

The Old Folks' Christmas (1912)
Short | Short, Drama

Primary photo for The Old Folks' Christmas

The Old Folks' Christmas (1912)

Short | Short, Drama

On the day before Christmas, little Helen's brother Bobby breaks the head of her old bisque doll. She goes to her daddy and asks for a new doll for Christmas, but daddy has just been laid off and has no money. That night she can't sleep ...See moreOn the day before Christmas, little Helen's brother Bobby breaks the head of her old bisque doll. She goes to her daddy and asks for a new doll for Christmas, but daddy has just been laid off and has no money. That night she can't sleep and decides to write God a letter. Climbing out of bed, she finds a pencil and a dirty piece of paper and commences to write, but when she's done she doesn't have a stamp, so with Bobby's help she raises the window and tosses the letter out with a prayer. The slamming shut of the window startles their parents and they rush into the room. Daddy asks for an explanation and Bobby is about to tell, but Helen warns him to keep quiet, so the parents kiss them and put them back to bed. The old folks are a wealthy couple who lost their only child long ago. The old lady comes across a baby's stocking; the old man picks up the baby's shoe. They meet in the library and each sees what the other is holding. He takes her into his arms, their old lips meet in a kiss, and he walks her outside so they might forget. It's cold and windy and a piece of paper blew past; he is about to throw it away but writing on it catches his eye. It is the little girl's note to God, and this is His delivery. When the man tells his wife the contents, she stays his hand when he tries to throw it away and they walk off deciding to make a child happy on Christmas. That night the Bradleys are surprised by a knock on the door, for no one ever calls but the landlord. Bradley answers the knock and the old folks come in, followed by men carrying a Christmas tree and all kinds of toys and food. They explain about finding the note and start decorating the tree. A few hours later little Helen is awakened by the beating of a drum. Hopping out of bed, she runs the door, peers through the keyhole, and jumps with a cry to her brother. She pulls him out of bed and drags him into the other room. She looks over the presents and, not seeing anything for daddy or mother, she asks the one she thinks is God, how about daddy or mother? He lifts her and kisses her, and as he puts her down he hands her a roll of bills. She kneels to pray, finds her brother standing, and catches him by the coat to pull him to his knees. Bradley attempts to thank the old folks, but the old man pulls off the Santa wig and beard and with a tear-dimmed eye raises his hand to heaven. Then he takes the old lady in his arms and they pass through the doorway. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
9 cast members

Name	Known for
William R. Dunn Frank Dobson (as William Dunn) Frank Dobson (as William Dunn) See fewer	Beyond the Law (1918)
Jane Fearnley Mrs. Frank Dobson Mrs. Frank Dobson See fewer	The Black Stork (1917)
Edith Haldeman The Dobson Daughter The Dobson Daughter See fewer	Let No Man Put Asunder (1912)
Joe Moore The Dobson Son The Dobson Son See fewer	The Golden Web (1926)
Frank Smith Grandfather Grandfather See fewer	A Strange Disappearance (1915)
Mary Walker Grandmother Grandmother See fewer	The Old Folks' Christmas (1912)
Robert Z. Leonard Mr. Bradley (unconfirmed) Mr. Bradley (unconfirmed) See fewer	The Great Ziegfeld (1936)
Margarita Fischer Mrs. Bradley (unconfirmed) Mrs. Bradley (unconfirmed) See fewer	Molly of the Follies (1919)
J. Farrell MacDonald Actor (unconfirmed) Actor (unconfirmed) See fewer	Sunrise (1927)