A Fool There Was (1915 film)

For other adaptations and versions of the work this is based on, see A Fool There Was.

William Fox
Presents
A Fool There Was

A Psychological Drama
by Porter Emerson Brown

 

Picturized by Roy L. McCardell
Produced by Frank Powell

Controlled by the Box Office Attraction Co.

A fool there was and he made his prayer
 (Even as you and I)
To a rag and a bone and a hank of hair
 (We called her the woman who did not care)
But the fool, he called her his Lady Fair
 (Even as you and I)

We called her the woman who did not care,
But the fool, he called her his lady fair
 (Even as you and I.)

The Child, . . . . . . . . Miss Runa Hodges

The Wife, . . . . . . . . Miss Mabel Frenyear

The Husband . . . . . . . . . . . Edward José

The Wife's Sister, . . . . . . Miss May Allison

The Friend, . . . . . . . . . Mr. Clifford Bruce

The Vampire, . . . . . . . . Miss Theda Bara

One of her victims, . . . . . Mr. Victor Benoit

"Some day you will regret that."

The Doctor, . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Frank Powell

The Doctor's Fiancee, . . . Miss Minna Gale

The sunset of happiness.

The next day.

Private

Western Union
Telegram
Theo. N. Vail, President

 

Hon. John Schuyler,

14 Wall Street, New York.

The President directs me to inform you that you are named for Special Representative of the U. S. Government to England. You understand the mission is one of the utmost importance. Upon receipt of documents you will sail tomorrow.

Sheehan,

Secretary of State.

"Certainly baby and I can go with you! And tomorrow you must sail?"

Innocence breakfasts.

The next morning.

---

High Honors for John Schuyler

---

Wealthy Lawyer and Statesman is Selected by President as Special Envoy to Settle Claims With Great Britain. He Sails Tomorrow on the "Gigantic."

---

It will be remembered that he did very commendable service for his country many times and a better man could not be chosen for the mission. The [...] may be assumed that he

"My dear John, I cannot leave sister; you must go to London alone. It will only be a month."

"You have ruined me, you devil, and now you discard me!"

"It was but a ruse to test your love. Why should I sail abroad and leave you?"

"Tom, you bring them to the boat. I have an hour's work in the city before I can go aboard!"

"Storm and darkness! Is it an omen?"

"Cheer up, Kate, the storm and darkness are passing now!"

"She leave you. She go Europe. Catch man, plenty money."

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1914

 

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1914

 

3066

"See what you made of me, and still you prosper, you hell cat!"

NY
1914

 

3121

"I might have known you'd follow her, Parmalee! Our predecessor, Van Dam, rots in prison through her! Look what she has done for me-- Look what she is doing to you!"

"Kiss me, my Fool!"

"Only a boy he was, Sir, and she standing there and laughing like a devil."

"It was just some ship noise. Come on deck now,--Jack may be here any moment."

Two months later.

Oh, the years we waste and the tears we waste
And the work of our head and hand
Belong to the woman who did not know
 (And now we know that she never could know)
And did not understand.

My darling husband

Are you ill? Your letters are becoming vague and infrequent. I asked your secretary, who returned, does not seem to be frank with me. What does it matter (illegible text)

"Why are your thoughts in America, when you say your heart is in Italy?"

"There's John Schuyler!"

Owing to Schuyler's disgraceful conduct, the Doctor's wife refuses to stay at the same hotel.

received serious attention.

There is no reason why labor should not have the same right to combine to meet such combinations of capital, yet it has been denied that right by the construction placed upon the law, which it is now sought to correct.—Samuel Untermyer.

 

The Town Tattler.

 

A certain millionaire reformer, who was sent abroad as a special ambassadorial envoy some months ago, has fatuously fallen under the spell of a certain notorious woman of the vampire species, not wholly unconnected with the dramatic suicide of young Reginal Parmalee aboard the Canarder "Gigantic" the day it sailed with millionaire-reformer-special

(And now we know that she never knew why,
 And did not understand.)

"You men shield each other's shameful sins. But were it a woman at fault, how quick you'd be to expose and condemn her."

"Mamma, is a cross a sign for love?"

"Yes, dear; and love often means a cross."

A Fool there was and his goods he spent,
Honor and faith and a sure intent.

Western Union
Cablegram
Theo. N. Vail, President

 

London

John Schuyler

Larchmont N.Y.

home to you and baby [...] love

London

Mrs. John Schuyler

Larchmont N.Y.

Am sailing home to you and baby. With love from the woman I am with whom I love more than any one in the world.

The fool

"The time has come, Kate, when you must know the dreadful truth. I will no longer be silent. You, too, have guessed at something and have sorrowed in silence!"

and I must tell you that we saw him with the notorious woman again in Sorento, Italy. They were evidently (illegible text) deserted, and were (illegible text) (illegible text) in the inn (illegible text). In London their conduct was so highly disgraceful that it was rumored the British high officials refused to hold any conversation with her. He has disgraced his wife, his country, and himself.

Oh, the toil we lost and the spoil we lost,
And the excellent things we planned.

Western Union
Telegram
Theo. N. Vail, President

 

Hon. John Schuyler,

Hotel Savoy,

London, England.

On account of your undignified actions you are hereby dismissed.

Sheehan,

Secretary of State.

Their return.

"That woman is with him!"

The housekeeper at the Schuyler's townhouse receives the new mistress.

"This lady will be your mistress!"

"Papa, dear, I want you!"

"Why did you act afraid and ashamed? You should have bowed and smiled, as I did."

The following week.

"Kate, I have sent for our lawyer; you must tell him all, and be divorced!"

"Tom, you were the best man for Jack at our wedding. What do you say?"

"Your promise was 'till death do us part.' Stick, Kate, stick!"

Six months afterwards.

"Mr. Schuyler, in view of the circumstances, I hereby tender my resignation as your Secretary."

"I am not surprised, rats always desert a sinking ship."

"He is worse than ever, but it is true the woman has left him."

"If he is as you say, then my place is with him."

22

"His friend and secretary were at the house. The friend is going to bring his wife to him."

"Stop me if you dare! I will scream, and the town shall ring with more scandal about John Schuyler!"

The following week.

". . . . and bless mamma and, dear God, p-please s-send m-my p-papa home to m-me!"

"We must watch Kate. I fear she will do something rash!"

The next day.

"As a last appeal I will take his child to him!"

"Is papa home, mamma?"

The Fool was stripped to his foolish hide.

So some of him lived, but the most of him died.

 (Even as you and I.)

The End.