Where Are My Children?

Plot

Richard Walton, a successful District Attorney, desperately wants children but remains unaware that his wife Edith and her socialite circle have been secretly undergoing abortions to maintain their luxurious lifestyles. After successfully defending an author charged with publishing indecent literature about birth control, Walton becomes increasingly aware of social issues. When his sister-in-law dies from a botched abortion, Walton begins investigating the practices of local physicians, leading him to discover his own wife's multiple abortions. The film culminates in a powerful courtroom sequence where Walton prosecutes the doctors responsible, while Edith is left barren and remorseful. The story concludes with Walton receiving a vision of the souls of unborn children, including his own, as he grapples with the moral and social implications of his discoveries.

Historical Background

Made during the Progressive Era, 'Where Are My Children?' emerged at a time when birth control and women's reproductive rights were hotly debated topics. The 1915-1916 period saw the rise of the birth control movement led by Margaret Sanger, who was arrested for distributing contraceptive information. The film reflected growing concerns about urbanization, changing sexual mores, and the role of women in society. World War I was raging in Europe, though the United States had not yet entered the conflict. The film's release coincided with the height of the silent film era's artistic ambitions and the film industry's move toward longer, more complex feature films. Censorship boards were gaining power across the country, making the film's bold subject matter particularly risky.

Making Of

Lois Weber approached this project with missionary zeal, believing cinema could be a force for social reform. She spent months researching medical and legal aspects of abortion and birth control, consulting with doctors and lawyers. The controversial nature of the subject caused tension with Universal executives, who initially refused to distribute it. Weber reportedly financed portions of the production herself to maintain creative control. The courtroom scenes were filmed in a single day with actual legal professionals serving as extras. The special effects sequence featuring the souls of unborn children was achieved through innovative double exposure techniques that took weeks to perfect. Weber insisted on using real medical instruments and authentic courtroom procedures to lend credibility to the production.

Visual Style

The cinematography by William G. Canfield employed innovative techniques for its time, including sophisticated use of lighting to create moral contrasts between scenes. The film featured groundbreaking special effects, particularly in the sequences depicting the souls of unborn children, which used double exposure and matte techniques. Canfield utilized deep focus photography in the courtroom scenes to capture the full scope of the proceedings. The lighting design emphasized the moral dichotomy between the bright, wholesome world Walton desires and the shadowy world of secrets his wife inhabits. The film's visual style combined realism in the courtroom and medical scenes with ethereal, dreamlike sequences that represented spiritual themes.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical innovations, particularly in special effects. The sequence showing the souls of unborn children represented one of the earliest uses of double exposure for supernatural elements in narrative cinema. Weber employed sophisticated editing techniques to create parallel action sequences, cutting between the courtroom drama and flashbacks. The film's use of location shooting in actual courtrooms and medical facilities added authenticity rarely seen in studio productions of the era. The makeup effects for the dying sister-in-law were considered remarkably realistic for 1916. The film also featured innovative title card designs that incorporated statistical information about infant mortality and abortion rates.

Music

As a silent film, 'Where Are My Children?' featured no recorded soundtrack but was accompanied by live musical performances in theaters. Universal provided a detailed musical cue sheet suggesting appropriate pieces for various scenes. Recommended music included classical works by Chopin, Beethoven, and Wagner to underscore emotional moments. The cue sheet specifically suggested 'Moonlight Sonata' for the scenes of marital tension and more dramatic pieces for the courtroom sequences. Some theaters employed small orchestras while others used solo piano accompaniment. The musical accompaniment was crucial in conveying the film's emotional weight and moral themes to audiences.

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic courtroom sequence where Walton prosecutes the abortionists while discovering his wife's complicity, featuring powerful performances and authentic legal proceedings
• The ethereal vision sequence where Walton sees the souls of unborn children, including his own, using groundbreaking double exposure effects
• The deathbed scene of Walton's sister-in-law following a botched abortion, which was considered shockingly realistic for its time
• The confrontation between Walton and his wife Edith when he discovers her secret, featuring intense emotional performances
• The opening sequence establishing Walton's desire for children and his happy marriage, before the dark secrets are revealed

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film's courage and technical excellence. The New York Times called it 'a powerful and important work of cinema' while Variety noted its 'unflinching honesty and remarkable artistry.' Modern critics have reevaluated the film as a complex work that both advances and limits women's perspectives. The Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1994, calling it 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.' Film scholars now view it as a crucial example of early social problem cinema and evidence of women's significant contributions to early filmmaking. The film's moral complexity continues to generate scholarly debate about its ultimate stance on reproductive rights.

What Audiences Thought

The film was a massive commercial success, drawing record crowds in major cities. Audience reactions were reportedly intense, with many women reportedly weeping during the courtroom sequences. The film sparked heated discussions in newspapers and social gatherings about its controversial themes. Some women's groups praised the film for addressing important issues, while others criticized its anti-abortion stance. The film's success led to increased public awareness of birth control and reproductive health issues. Contemporary accounts describe audiences leaving theaters in deep contemplation, with the film becoming a topic of conversation for weeks after viewing. The film's emotional impact was so strong that some theaters provided discussion guides for audience members.

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