The Heart of a Mermaid - Production & Contact Info

The Heart of a Mermaid (1916)
Short | Short, Drama

Primary photo for The Heart of a Mermaid

The Heart of a Mermaid (1916)

Short | Short, Drama

Bailey Dryden, a young millionaire, collects together his chums for a last voyage on his yacht before becoming a Benedict, the yacht is anchored near Mermaid Rock. There is a legend about the rock of a young mermaid who lives there and can...See moreBailey Dryden, a young millionaire, collects together his chums for a last voyage on his yacht before becoming a Benedict, the yacht is anchored near Mermaid Rock. There is a legend about the rock of a young mermaid who lives there and can assume human form every hundred years if she desires. The young men are delighted with the tale, and as Bailey stares at the rock the mermaid rises out of the water and beckons to him to come. Bailey, dumbfounded, calls his chums, but when they have reached his side the mermaid disappeared. The next day Bailey visits the rock himself and finds the mermaid asleep with her arm about a baby seal. As the young millionaire approaches the sea myth, she throws her arms around him, and then suddenly disappears. He returns to the boat, but will not explain his strange actions to his friends, and fearing he is unbalanced, they send word to his fiancée to come at once. Next day by means of a fish the mermaid sends him a message asking him to meet her at full moon on the rocks. His friends, sure that his mind is affected keep close watch upon him, and when he steals out that night to keep the engagement, his chum, Taber, tries to stop him. A struggle ensues and he is forced to gag and tie Taber to keep him quiet. Bailey and the little mermaid meet, and she tells him that she can assume human form and live with him always until he tires of her. She then, assumes the shape of a human being, and Bailey carries her back to the yacht. He tells Taber and the captain he found her on the rocks. There are no feminine costumes on the yacht so Bailey borrows a loose suit from the Chinese butler and she dresses in the Chinese costume. Next morning the mermaid is introduced to the young men, who are enchanted with her. She refuses to wear shoes of any kind, and she is happy in the new mode of living. In the midst of her joy Dora and her mother arrive. In a panic the men try to hide Algae, but when she sees Bailey kiss his fiancée she is filled with jealousy and throws herself past the men into Bailey's arms. Bailey explains matters to the mother and daughter, and asks Dora to lend the girl a few of her gowns. The Dryden fortune is too large to risk losing, so Dora, at her mother's mention, agrees to Bailey's request. Algae does not understand why Dora is permitted to go about in a diminutive bathing suit, while Bailey covers her up hurriedly when she appears in a bodice and short skirt. Her last escapade brings down Bailey's wrath upon her. She has refused to wear shoes and stockings that evening although dressed in an evening gown, and when pursued by the irritated Bailey, she dives overboard, ball gown and all. Bailey punishes her by refusing to speak to her, and sends her to her room to change her gown. To punish her further he purposely makes love to Dora just outside the porthole of Algae's room. Algae hears him, believes he has tired of her, and without stopping to question, the little mermaid casts off the dresses she wears and dives back into the sea nevermore to assume human form. Too late, Bailey discovers he loves her. She is gone. He is forced to set sail without her. On the rocks the little mermaid sobs her heart out while he stands gazing out at sea. Taber lays a hand on his shoulder, and with a start he awakens; it has all been a dream. With a sigh at the charm of his dream he finished the letter to his fiancée, and then thinks once more of the little mermaid whom he loved and lost. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Mary Fuller Algae - the Little Mermaid Algae - the Little Mermaid See fewer	The Huntress of Men (1916)
Glen White Bailey Dryden Bailey Dryden See fewer	Camille (1917)
Paul Panzer Tommy Taber Tommy Taber See fewer	The Black Book (1929)
Sydell Dowling Dora Wainwright Dora Wainwright See fewer	Temptation and the Man (1916)
Marie Shotwell Mrs. Wainwright - Dora's Mother Mrs. Wainwright - Dora's Mother See fewer	Enlighten Thy Daughter (1917)