A Slice of Life's primary photo
  • A Slice of Life (1914)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for A Slice of Life
A Slice of Life (1914)
Short | Short, Drama

Young physician Boyd Harte loves his neighbor Betty Morse. Mrs. Morse approves of the match, as does Betty's cousin Tom, Chief of Police. Betty likes Boyd, but does not love him. Betty has ambitions to write. She takes a story to Long, an ...See moreYoung physician Boyd Harte loves his neighbor Betty Morse. Mrs. Morse approves of the match, as does Betty's cousin Tom, Chief of Police. Betty likes Boyd, but does not love him. Betty has ambitions to write. She takes a story to Long, an editor, who tells her the style is good, but her story has no real plot, and tells her to write a bit of real life, and he will take it. Betty wonders where she can find this "slice of life." She appeals to her cousin Tom for help, and accordingly visits the police station, and asks to be shown through the cells. Betty is a favorite with the force, and takes with her a huge bunch of roses to distribute among the officers and prisoners. Some time before this a man had been found wandering about the city streets and apparently suffering from memory loss, as he was unable to account for himself. The policeman brought him to the station, and the man, Jim, was placed in a cell to await inquiries. The sergeant shows Betty through the prison. She becomes greatly interested in Jim, and gives him the last rose of her bunch. Betty appeals to Boyd, and he visits the station with her, and is given charge of Jim. Jim is taken to the hospital. As he grows better he is given light tasks to perform as an aid to growing memory. Apparently possessed of all his mental faculties, except that he cannot remember who he is, where he came from, he is given in charge of his office work. One day Jim feels the touch of returning genius, is in the grip of inspiration and works furiously on the typewriter. Strolling about the hospital yard, Boyd again declares his love to Betty. She gently refuses him. They return to Boyd's office, and find Jim writing away. Betty's rush forward is checked by Boyd, who recognizes the scene before him as part of the reorganizing of his patient. Jim finishes, seems like a man awakening from a dream. When Boyd and Betty question him he explains how he suddenly felt like writing, Betty looks over the written matter, and announces that Jim had written a masterpiece. She tells them she is going to take it to an editor. Boyd keeps Jim with him. Betty takes Jim's story to Long, who agrees with her judgment. On being told the story, she tells him she has unearthed a genius. Betty takes Long's check for the story back to Jim. Jim and Betty write together, and are successful. Mrs. Morse does not approve of it, as she does not want her daughter to marry a man without a name. Boyd is forced to look on as she gives her heart to another. For Jim is a man. As the story unfolds we have seen a woman and her two little children turned out of a home by a brutal landlord. Jessie takes her children to a tenement room. She is unable to work. The baby falls ill. The only money brought in is made by 7-year-old Bobby, who sells papers and goes hungry to purchase medicine for the baby. One day Betty sees Bobby trying to sell his papers and is touched by the brave little figure. She questions him, learns of the sick baby, and accompanies him home. There she finds Jessie quite ill herself, with no food in the house. Betty hurries away and returns with Boyd and a basket of food. Later, thinking to get material for writing, Betty takes Jim with her and visits the tenement. Jessie sees Jim and springs to meet him, crying, "Jim, my husband." Jim's memory surges back. Betty has found her slice of life. Jim is reunited with his family. Betty allows Boyd, who understands, to place his ring on her finger. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Directors
Tom Ricketts (as Thomas Ricketts) | William Desmond Taylor
Writer
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Nov 9, 1914

Release date
Nov 9, 1914 (United States)

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Cast

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9 cast members
Name Known for
Winifred Greenwood
Betty Morse Betty Morse   See fewer
Edward Coxen
Jim (as Ed Coxen) Jim (as Ed Coxen)   See fewer
George Field
Boyd Harte Boyd Harte   See fewer
Charlotte Burton
Jessie - Jim's Wife Jessie - Jim's Wife   See fewer
Albert Cavens
Bobby Harte (as Cupid Cavens) Bobby Harte (as Cupid Cavens)   See fewer
John Steppling
Tom - Chief of Police Tom - Chief of Police   See fewer
William Bertram
Long - City Editor Long - City Editor   See fewer
Edith Borella
Betty's Mother Betty's Mother   See fewer
Perry Banks
Police Sergeant Police Sergeant   See fewer
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