Helen's Babies

1924 Comedy 85 minutes Directed by William A. Seiter

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About Helen's Babies

Uncle Harry Burton, played by Edward Everett Horton, has written a book on raising children and does not like them. His sister Helen and her husband Tom leave Toddie and Budge with him and go abroad. Baby Peggy plays Toddie and Jeanne Carpenter plays Budge. The girls wreck his holiday. He comes around to them, and to Alice Mayton, played by Clara Bow. The film ends on Harry and Alice kissing.

Cast & crew

More about Helen's Babies

William A. Seiter directed. Sol Lesser produced it, and Principal Distributing released it on 12 October 1924. The script comes from John Habberton's 1876 novel. AFI lists 5,620 feet, six reels. Principal photography began the week of 22 March 1924 at Principal Pictures Studios and was reported finished in the 12 May 1924 Film Daily. William H. Daniels was director of photography, with Glen MacWilliams as additional photographer. Owen Marks edited.

Themes

  • A child-rearing book
  • Nieces left with a bachelor
  • A neighbor named Alice
  • Uncle Harry
  • Toddie
  • Budge
  • Baby Peggy
  • Clara Bow

Look

William H. Daniels photographed the comedy at Principal Pictures Studios, with Glen MacWilliams shooting additional footage.

Notes

  • Claire Adams plays Helen Lawrence and Richard Tucker plays Tom Lawrence.
  • Exhibitors Herald placed the start of shooting in the week of 22 March 1924.
  • Motion Picture Magazine reported that Draper Daugherty, son of former Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty, worked as a background player.
  • The novel dates from 1876. One later notice says 1878.

Scenes

  • Helen and Tom leave the moment Harry arrives.
  • Harry and Alice kiss at the end.

Influenced by

  • John Habberton's novel Helen's Babies (1876)

Also available

  • Internet Archive (silent-helens-babies)

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