The Eternal Mother
About The Eternal Mother
John leaves his wife Martha for Mary, and Mary leaves her husband for him. Mary dies after the baby is born. Martha takes the child and will not see John. Years later he is ill. She comes, and she forgives him.
Cast & crew
More about The Eternal Mother
D. W. Griffith wrote, produced, and directed it for Biograph. G. W. Bitzer photographed it. Edwin August plays John. Blanche Sweet plays Martha. Mabel Normand plays Mary. Biograph released it on 11 January 1912. It runs 17 minutes. It was shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey. A viewing copy runs 11 minutes 10 seconds.
Themes
Look
G. W. Bitzer photographed the Fort Lee exteriors and the room where Martha takes the baby.
Preservation
The film survives. A viewing copy runs 11 minutes 10 seconds.
Notes
- Charles Hill Mailes plays Mary's father. Kate Bruce plays an old woman. Donald Crisp and Jeanie MacPherson appear in a field scene.
- Guy Hedlund and J. Jiquel Lanoe play friends.
- The short is a Biograph release from the Fort Lee period.
Scenes
- Mary dies after the birth, and Martha takes the baby.
- She refuses John at the door.
- She comes back when he is ill.
Also available
- Wikimedia Commons (The Eternal Mother (1912).webm)
