The Mother Instinct - Cast

The Mother Instinct (1915)
Short | 30 min | Short, Drama

The Mother Instinct (1915)

Short | 30 min | Short, Drama

Marion Summers, in love with Curlew, comes to the notice of Gordon Barnes, who is much impressed with her. Curlew is intimate with Mamie We Voux. a demimondaine. When he informs her of his engagement to Marion, Mamie is very angry at being...See moreMarion Summers, in love with Curlew, comes to the notice of Gordon Barnes, who is much impressed with her. Curlew is intimate with Mamie We Voux. a demimondaine. When he informs her of his engagement to Marion, Mamie is very angry at being thus cast aside, and determines to make trouble. She, accordingly, brings Curlew's true character to the knowledge of Marion, who orders him out of the house. Marion, to get away from it all, accepts a friend's invitation to join a party on a yachting cruise. Barnes happens also to be one of the party. Marion thinks continually of Curlew and for that reason has no more than a passing interest in the gentlemanly Barnes. A storm arises and the yacht is wrecked. The only survivors are Marion and Barnes. They are cast upon a desert island and Barnes constitutes himself a guardian of Marion in the barren wilderness. He constructs a rude shelter, which they occupy, and both daily scan the horizon for a ship to take them back to civilization. Curlew hears of the loss of the yacht with all on board and is much affected by the news, for he really loves Marion Summers. The lonely pair remain upon the island for two months without a sign of an approaching sail. Barnes learns to love Marion, but she will have nothing to do with him. Finally one evening, being unable to control his passion for his beautiful companion, Barnes seizes Marion and covers her face with feverish kisses, against which she is unable to defend herself. When he again approaches her she seizes his knife and threatens to do him injury if he repeats his actions. Marion from that time on develops an intense hatred for Barnes. Months roll by and finally Marion informs Barnes of a life that is to come. Marion's hate continues to grow after the child is born. Barnes begs to be allowed to hold and fondle the baby, but Marion repulses his every advance with scorn. Curlew, meanwhile, leaves on an exploring expedition and by chance they land on the island of which Marion, Barnes and the baby are the only inhabitants. Marion is planning to kill Barnes, but at the last moment realizes she will be afraid to be alone, and controls her hatred. Curlew discovers Marion and tries to question her, but she is silent. She makes an appointment to meet him that night, however, and leaves him mystified. Curlew keeps the appointment, but Marion does not come. At last she sees Barnes holding their baby in his arms and is torn with conflicting emotion; whether to flee with the man she believes she loves, and to tell him of the child, or to turn to the man who has forcibly made her his wife. Marion keeps her appointment later and Curlew finally begs her to come with him. She tells him that if her campfire is left burning it shall be the sign to him that she will leave the island with him. Curlew accepts the ultimatum and watches for the appointed signal. Marion, returning to their little camp, has a struggle with herself. After waiting for some time, Curlew seeks her out and tries to force her to come with him. Barnes appears and the two have a hand-to-hand struggle. Curlew's companions join in the fight and Marion, desperate and realizing that, after all, it is Barnes she loves for the man that he is, runs into the hut and returns with their baby. Curlew, at sight of it, leaves abashed. Later, Curlew sends Marion a note, promising to care for her and the child if she will keep the appointed signal and leave with him. She hands it to Barnes. He expects that she will accept, but she only smiles, then deliberately picks up the loose earth and smothers the camp fire. Then, turning to him she gives herself into his arms. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Cleo Madison Marion Summers Marion Summers See fewer	Her Bitter Cup (1916)
Joe King Gordon Barnes Gordon Barnes See fewer	Smashing the Money Ring (1939)
Edward Sloman Norbert Curlew Norbert Curlew See fewer	The Mantle of Charity (1918)
Bess Meredyth Madame de Voux Madame de Voux See fewer	Wonder of Women (1929)
John Gilbert Secondary Supporting Role Secondary Supporting Role See fewer	The Big Parade (1925)