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The Hopes of Blind Alley
(1914) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Allan Dwan
Cast: M.J. MacQuarrie (Murdock MacQuarrie) [Jean Basse], Pauline Bush [Pauline, Jean’s granddaughter], George Cooper [the little janitor], William C. Dowlan [the unsuccessful artist], Lon Chaney [the vendor], William Lloyd [a townsman], Antrim Short [a child], Gertrude Short [a child]
New York Motion Picture Corporation production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [101-Bison]. / Scenario by Allan, from a screen story by Grace Johnson and M.J. MacQuarrie (Murdock MacQuarrie). Cinematography by Lee Bartholomew. / Released 4 July 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Old Jean Basse makes a meager living for himself and granddaughter, Pauline, by peddling his miniature statuary. Pauline is in love with an unsuccessful artist who lives on the floor above. Every character who lives in the alley is shown, with his or her troubles and joys. Above everything else, it has been old Jean’s ambition to possess a high silk hat. One day he receives a letter from an attorney advising him that he has fallen heir to the estate of a distant relative. It creates a commotion in the alley because all think that they are going to lose Jean. But in his heart the good old man decides that he will divide his wealth with his friends. On the strength of the legacy Jean buys a handsome silk stovepipe hat. It is a proud day for him when he strolls into blind alley thus spruced up. The attorney calls to see him the next day and leads him to his inheritance, the contents of a small cottage. But everything has been attached by creditors, save a few worthless odds and ends in the attic. The only thing he considered worth taking home is a dust-covered painting. Jean, feeling that he cannot now afford the silk hat, sadly sells it back to the haberdasher. Jean’s homecoming is not as sad as might be supposed, for his friends rejoice that their little colony will not lose him. However the old man’s legacy is worth more than he at first realized. The artist, Pauline’s lover, no sooner sets eyes on the old painting than he declares it to be an original Van Dyke. Jean takes the painting to a successful artist, who attempts to buy it for two dollars. Jean, however, refuses it. The famous artist then tries to steal the masterpiece. Failing in this attempt he tries to mislead Jean by admiring Pauline. But all his schemes are defeated. Pauline’s sweetheart begins selling his pictures, and on the day they are married, the couple present Jean with a swell silk hat. But for the old man the end has come; he lies sick unto death. As a wedding gift he gives Pauline the painting, and as his life flickers away he insists on wearing the silk hat.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 14 January 2025.
References: Spehr-American p. 100 : Website-IMDb.
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