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  • The Closing Chapter (1915)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Closing Chapter
The Closing Chapter (1915)
Short | Short, Drama
Hamilton Walker, an elderly widower, is living with his unmarried sister, Martha. As the story opens, the Colonel receives a letter from his daughter-in-law, appealing to him on behalf of his grandchild, Beulah. The letter refers to the ...See moreHamilton Walker, an elderly widower, is living with his unmarried sister, Martha. As the story opens, the Colonel receives a letter from his daughter-in-law, appealing to him on behalf of his grandchild, Beulah. The letter refers to the fact that the Colonel had disinherited his son, John, Jr., some sixteen years before for having married a poor girl, and that John, Jr., too proud to ask his father's assistance in time of trouble, had died of worry and overwork. The wife supported herself and the child during the following years, but now, being broken in health, she appeals to the grandfather to provide for Beulah. Martha finds the letter before the Colonel sees it, and suspecting its source, she opens it. As a result of the Colonel's break with his son (which was due largely to the influence of Martha), the Colonel has willed all of his property to Martha, and Martha, now fearing that by some possibility her brother might be influenced in favor of the grandchild, is determined to thwart the possibility and is about to destroy the letter when she is interrupted by the announcement of a caller. The maid finds the letter and returns it to the Colonel, who is greatly disturbed by its contents, and finally determines to aid his grandchild. He has never seen Beulah, and he writes a note to the mother asking that Beulah call to see him However, not to be thwarted in her selfish designs, Martha promptly interferes, and through the exercise of her sinister influence over the Colonel she convinces him that Beulah's mother is a designing woman, bent upon gaining a hold on him. She persuades him to destroy the letter he has written her and to absolutely Ignore her. Beulah is a winsome girl of about fifteen. Her mother is a gentle, refined woman, unable longer to work. Failing in her appeal to the Colonel, she now tells Beulah for the first time how desperately strained they are. Beulah thereupon impulsively determines to make a personal appeal to her grandfather. She calls at the house. Martha intercepts her without giving her an opportunity to see the Colonel. She tells her that her grandfather will have nothing to do with her and warns her never to come near the house again. A day or two later Beulah and the Colonel meet by accident in the park. Neither knows the other. The mother and the Colonel meet later and suddenly recognize each other. All is thereupon forgiven and the Colonel folds his grandchild to his breast. Unknown to Martha, Beulah and her grandfather become devoted friends. Carefully concealing the fact from his sister, the Colonel calls frequently at the little bungalow home of Beulah and her mother and spends many happy times with his beloved Beulah. The love for his grandchild brings a new light and joy into the Colonel's otherwise lonely life. Martha notes the change in her brother, but is unaware of its meaning until one day she discovers a postcard photograph of the Colonel and Beulah taken together on the occasion of one of their happy clandestine outings to the beach. The Colonel provides liberally for Beulah and her mother, and determines now to change his will in favor of Beulah, so that she may be provided for in the event of his death. For this purpose they call together at the lawyer's office. Martha follows them there and attempts to interfere. But for the first time in his life, the Colonel asserts his independence and refuses point-blank to listen to his sister. He arranges to return to the lawyer's office the following day and sign the new will. But the next day he is suddenly stricken with a fatal illness. The lawyer goes to the house to have the will signed, but Martha refuses to allow him to see the Colonel. The doctor, who is in love with Martha and in collusion with her in her determination to gain her brother's property, likewise positively refuses. However, by a subterfuge the lawyer manages to get the Colonel's signature. Beulah, impelled by a premonition that something is wrong with her grandfather, hastens to the house in spite of her fear of Martha. Martha refuses to allow her to see her dying grandfather. The Colonel hears Beulah's voice and calls to her to come to him. She eludes Martha and runs into the Colonel's room in time to throw herself into his outstretched arms and kiss him goodbye. Happy and contented, the Colonel sinks back upon his pillow and as the picture fades he and the girl think of the many happy days to follow for the now happy family. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Writers
Clifford Howard (story) | Harry G. Stafford (scenario)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jul 11, 1915
Release date
Jul 11, 1915 (United States)

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Cast

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7 cast members
Name Known for
Murdock MacQuarrie
Hamilton Walker - the Grandfather Hamilton Walker - the Grandfather   See fewer
Modern Times (1936)
Adele Farrington
Martha Walker - Hamilton's Sister Martha Walker - Hamilton's Sister   See fewer
Too Much Johnson (1919)
Charles Alexander
John Walker - Hamilton's Son John Walker - Hamilton's Son   See fewer
A Father's Sacrifice (1912)
Mark Fenton
The Lawyer The Lawyer   See fewer
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)
James O'Shea
Hamilton Walker Jr. Hamilton Walker Jr.   See fewer
The Yankee Way (1917)
Betty Nathan
Beulah Walker - Hamilton's Granddaughter Beulah Walker - Hamilton's Granddaughter   See fewer
Why Love Is Blind (1916)
Cynthia Kellogg
Beulah Walker - Hamilton's Daughter-in-Law Beulah Walker - Hamilton's Daughter-in-Law   See fewer
The Closing Chapter (1915)
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