The Idler's primary photo
  • The Idler (I) (1914)
  • Short | 11 min | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Idler
The Idler (I) (1914)
Short | 11 min | Short, Drama

A poor mother of five children offers the youngest for adoption. The newspapers hear of it and publish it as an unusual case. Mrs. Upton reads the article. She and her husband are wealthy and childless, and she persuades her husband to go ...See moreA poor mother of five children offers the youngest for adoption. The newspapers hear of it and publish it as an unusual case. Mrs. Upton reads the article. She and her husband are wealthy and childless, and she persuades her husband to go with her to see the child. They find the tenement where Mrs. O'Flynn lives. The mother tells them Victor's father was a good man, not dissipated, but inclined to idleness. Mrs. Upton is immediately charmed with the child and after arrangements are made, Mrs. O'Flynn parts tearfully with it. Jim O'Flynn, in the meantime, returns home, learns his youngest child has been adopted, takes what little money the poor woman has left and departs in an ugly mood. Victor is showered with every attention and soon becomes a spoiled child. Fifteen years later, his foster-father receives notice that his son failed to pass his college examinations. Victor is sent home. Mr. Upton gives him a position in his office. He displays some of the characteristics of his father. He then puts Victor to work in the machine shop, where he will not have time to idle. He has a quarrel with the foreman. His father, angry and disappointed, writes out a check for $5,000, hands it to Victor and tells him, "When that's spent, you needn't come back.'' Victor loses the money gambling and wires his mother for more. Mr. Upton learns the import of the message and telegraphs him a refusal. Victor, unable to find work, is homeless and penniless. Incidentally, he meets his own father, who is a veritable hobo, and to his horror, learns the truth. The boy decides to ask Mr. Upton for another chance. Mr. Upton, seeing that Victor has learned a lesson, receives him cordially. Victor conquers his inherited tendency and shows his gratitude to his foster-parents, proving himself a valuable business man and an everlasting credit to those who have cared for him. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Director
Writer
Elaine S. Carrington (story) (as Elaine Sterne)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Mar 19, 1914

Release date
1914 (United States)

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Cast

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6 cast members
Name Known for
S. Rankin Drew
Victor O'Flynn as an Adult Victor O'Flynn as an Adult   See fewer
Tefft Johnson
Jim O'Flynn Jim O'Flynn   See fewer
Rose Tapley
Mrs. O'Flynn Mrs. O'Flynn   See fewer
Julia Swayne Gordon
Mrs. Upton Mrs. Upton   See fewer
Darwin Karr
Mr. Upton Mr. Upton   See fewer
Bobby Connelly
Victor O'Flynn as a Child Victor O'Flynn as a Child   See fewer
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