Poor Old Mother's primary photo
  • Poor Old Mother (1913)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for Poor Old Mother
Poor Old Mother (1913)
Short | Short, Drama
Mrs. Engle, a woman of about forty-five, motherly, kind, loves her home and her children, Harry and Rose, who would marry were it not for poor old mother, whom they think, needs them. Her son, Harry, has written to Daisy, his sweetheart, ...See moreMrs. Engle, a woman of about forty-five, motherly, kind, loves her home and her children, Harry and Rose, who would marry were it not for poor old mother, whom they think, needs them. Her son, Harry, has written to Daisy, his sweetheart, deploring the fact that he can't ask her to marry him. Because his mother knows nothing of the world and needs him. Mrs. Engle is sorely distressed at this discovery. Shortly afterward, she overhears a conversation between her daughter, Rose, and her sweetheart, Tom, in which Rose says, "I cannot marry you, Tom, because mother is old and unaccustomed to the ways of the world, so I must stay." Mrs. Engle resolves to disillusion her children and show them that she is capable of taking care of herself. Mother writes a letter to Tom to the effect that he can marry Rose, on one condition only, that he will obey her in everything. When Tom receives the letter he is much mystified, but resolves to obey. When he calls the following evening he is surprised to see, not the quiet, motherly little woman, but a stunningly dressed, charming and dashing woman of apparently about thirty years of age. He almost collapses when he recognizes her as Mrs. Engle, but she quickly makes him acquainted with her little plot, and he readily agrees, as he sees a lot of fun and happiness ahead of him. Together they go to the dinner and dance. Her son Harry and the two girls are already there. They almost faint when they see Mrs. Engle sweeping into the room accompanied by Tom, Harry and the girls are almost wild. Mrs. Engle and Tom go into the ballroom and dance constantly together, the turkey trot, bunny hug and other up-to-date dances. Later Tom and Mrs. Engle dash down the front steps and into a waiting automobile. They ride swiftly away, but Harry and the girls dash after them in another auto. Tom and Mrs. Engle ride to the railway station and just catch a departing train. Harry and the girls miss the train. They shout, "Great heavens, they are eloping," Tom and Mrs. Engle arrive in another town and go to a hotel. Tom has her shown to a room and then waits outside for the coming storm. He sees Harry and the girls dashing up the street. They have arrived on another train. Tom rushes into the hotel. Harry and the girls go to the office, look over register, and are shown to Mrs. Engle's rooms. They frantically slam the door, open and see, Mrs. Engle dressed as we first saw her, in slippers and spectacles, calmly reading a book, the same loving, motherly, woman they have always known. Tom enters unobserved. After their astonishment, Harry and the girls ask the meaning of it all. Mrs. Engle smiles and explains her hoax she played on them. She says, "Go ahead, get married and be happy children. I guess poor old mother can take care of herself." Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Oct 13, 1913
Release date
Oct 13, 1913 (United States)

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