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  • A Father's Heart (1914)
  • Short | 22 min | Drama, Short
A Father's Heart (1914)
Short | 22 min | Drama, Short

Anna Hoffman, daughter of the burgomaster of a German village, is engaged to be married to Christian Marek, an honest blacksmith. Her beauty and charm attract the attention of the son of a nobleman, and he determines to take her for his ...See moreAnna Hoffman, daughter of the burgomaster of a German village, is engaged to be married to Christian Marek, an honest blacksmith. Her beauty and charm attract the attention of the son of a nobleman, and he determines to take her for his wife. The advantage of a connection with a noble house appeals to the burgomaster and he commands his daughter to marry the rich suitor. The lovers decide to elope, but the girl's father catches her in the act and locks her in her room. Then he and the father of the nobleman-suitor arrange for a speedy wedding. Meanwhile the young nobleman's father meets Christian and taunts him. Christian, in an outburst of temper, loses control of himself and assaults the tormentor. He is captured by soldiers and they take him to the castle. There the old nobleman retaliates by precipitating Christian through a trap door from the council room into the dungeon below. Then he writes a note to the burgomaster, telling him that Christian is a prisoner. The burgomaster shows the note to his daughter and leaves it with her. She studies it and discovers that by a skillful mutilation it can be turned into an order for the prisoner's release. The day of the wedding arrives. While the bridegroom and his party await, Anna escapes from an upper window and hurries to the castle. Presenting her order, she secures the release of her lover and together they flee. Happily married they live for five years in a distant village. A daughter is born to them and the family emigrate to America. The former suitor, to avoid a gambling scandal, is also sent to America, On the steamer. Anna and her former suitor meet again. Christian has never before seen the young nobleman and Anna, knowing her husband's quick temper, is afraid to disclose the nobleman's identity. The two men strike up a friendship which the nobleman takes advantage of by making secret love to the wife. After landing he continues the practice and his persistence, coupled with the poverty that follows Christian's futile search for work, accomplishes his purpose. Anna and the child desert Christian and go with him. He becomes a drunkard and drinks himself into his grave, leaving Anna with the child. She soon succumbs and Amelia, the child, is placed in an orphan asylum. Fifteen years later Amelia has become a motion picture actress in Los Angeles. Her aged father drifts across the continent and gets a job in the studio. Her resemblance to his dead wife impulses him, but her professional name deceives him. Sweeping out her dressing-room one day he discovers an old tintype of himself, his wife and Amelia as a child. Then he knows, but keeps his secret. He soon discovers that one of the actors is annoying her with unwelcome attentions and on one occasion follows to the dressing-room, where he sees the man attempt to kiss her. He rushes in and seizing a heavy vase, fells him with a blow. The actor, in revenge, causes him to lose his job. The prospect of being separated from his daughter so unnerves him that it breaks down his resolve. He tells Amelia who he is and to his surprise she manifests pride. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Edit Released
Updated Apr 15, 1914

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Apr 15, 1914 (United States)

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7 cast members
Name Known for
Lee Shumway
Duke Waldheim's Son (as Leon C. Shumway) Duke Waldheim's Son (as Leon C. Shumway)   See fewer
Dolly Larkin
Anna Hoffman Anna Hoffman   See fewer
Edwin Harley
Peter Hoffman Peter Hoffman   See fewer
Georgia Sherart
Frau Hoffman Frau Hoffman   See fewer
William Parsons
Christian March (as William E. Parsons) Christian March (as William E. Parsons)   See fewer
Doris Baker
Amelia March Amelia March   See fewer
Sid Hayes
Duke Waldheim (as Sidney Hayes) Duke Waldheim (as Sidney Hayes)   See fewer
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