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The Test of Friendship
(1908) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 775 feet
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cast: Arthur V. Johnson [Edward Ross], Florence Lawrence [Jennie Colman], Harry Solter [the butler; and the foreman], George Gebhardt [the valet], Linda Arvidson [a woman at the wigmaker’s; and a guest], Marion Leonard [a woman at the wigmaker’s; and a guest], Robert Harron [a man leaving the factory], Charles Inslee [the employer; and a guest], Gertrude Robinson [a guest], Mack Sennett [a man in the fight; and a guest], Jeanie Macpherson, Herbert Miles, [?] Violet Mersereau?, [?] Tom Moore?
American Mutoscope & Biograph Company production; distributed by American Mutoscope & Biograph Company. / Scenario by [?] D.W. Griffith? Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer. / © 10 December 1908 by American Mutoscope & Biograph Company [H119491]. Released 15 December 1908. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Young millionaire Edward Ross, always surrounded by a host of fawning friends (?) decides to test their sincerity. He arranges a dinner at his mansion and invites them all. During the day he wrote a letter to himself to be delivered to him when the entertainment was at its height. This letter, purporting to be from his attorney, tells that he has been reduced to bankruptcy by his agents' failure. Aha. Now he'll see who his friends are. He was all right while he had it, but now--now they all leave him to his apparent fate. "So this is what they call friendship. Well, it is as false as sin. But there is true friendship to be found, and I'll find it." So saying, he leaves behind his life of ease and enlists in the army of the low born. Securing a position as porter in a factory, he sees the other side of life: how those poor devils have to struggle for a livelihood, and yet how honest and open-hearted. None of that cringing deceit of his own set. At the factory a number of girls are employed. When the overseer insults Jennie Coleman, one of the prettiest ones, Ross knocks him down for the affront. Jennie's heart goes out at once to her protector and they are friends, for true friendship is love refined and purged of all its dross. They are often seen together. But the factory's arduous duties soon tell on Ross, and severe illness throws him flat on his back. In a poorly-furnished room he lies, without those necessities so essential to his recovery. Here faithful Jennie visits him; finding him penniless and without food or other comforts, she leaves him and rushes to a hairdressing establishment, where she sells her wealth of blonde hair, her crown of beauty of which she was pardonably proud; with the proceeds she purchases food and medicine. When Ross sees the terrible sacrifice the girl has made he deeply regrets going so far, and prays for life and strength to return materially this friendship. He is granted his wish, for they are married, and at the conclusion of the ceremony she is transported into what to her seems fairyland, clothed in gorgeous raiment and bedecked with jewels, with lackeys and servants in attendance. "True friendship is one soul inhabiting two bodies."
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 17 December 2024.
References: Barry-Griffith p. 41; Spehr-American p. 3 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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