Just Pretending (1912)

Little Albert Mills, eight years old, reads in the paper the accounts of the abduction of children and holding them for ransom. He conceives the idea of playing the game on his little sister, Henrietta. He writes a note reading, "I have your children. Put four thousand dollars under the stone on front porch and I will bring them back. They are now hanging by the hair. Blue Beard." He then tells Henrietta to look the other way, and he takes her dolls out of the doll buggy and hides them in the garden. Then he places the note in the rural delivery mailbox at the front gate. A little later a young fellow brings an auto up to the gate and the children plead for a ride. After a little hesitancy he consents and the children are carried away to the park. Mrs. Mills misses the children and finds the note in the mail box. She takes the matter seriously, and gathering a lot of neighbors and a policeman, gives chase to the auto.

Introduction
"Just Pretending" is a 1912 silent movie directed by George D. Baker and generated by the Vitagraph Company of America. The film is a melodrama that focuses on the lives of a couple and also how their marital bond is reinforced with a series of mishaps and also misunderstandings. The movie's cast includes Charles Kent, Florence Turner, and also Kate Price.

Story Synopsis
The movie starts with Charles as well as Mary Livingston, couples that lately relocated right into a brand-new home in the suburban areas. As they resolve right into their brand-new lives with each other, they uncover how little they know about each other's routines and quirks. One day, when Mary suddenly finds a love letter under her partner's pillow, she faces Charles about his obvious adultery, only to find out that the note was a love letter he had actually contacted her prior to their marriage. This revelation reinforces their bond, as well as they vow to be more open and also understanding with each various other.

Not long after, Charles gets a promo at work and also his lengthy hours away from home start to take a toll on their relationship. Mary, feeling lonesome as well as ignored, seeks the company of her old close friend, Richard Lane. Richard, that covertly nurtures sensations for Mary, visits her often, as well as their relationship remains platonic. Noticing his spouse's newfound relationship, Charles comes to be questionable and starts to doubt his spouse's fidelity.

At the very same time, Richard's sis Eloise is engaged to Edward Jenkins, a male that is believed of being a bettor. Upon listening to these rumors, Richard as well as Charles decide to investigate Edward's background. Charles persuades his good friend to use his better half Mary as lure, so that Edward would certainly reveal his true purposes. Richard, against his much better judgment, consents to the plan.

The story enlarges when Charles' mom pays a shock browse through to her kid's residence. She ends up being persuaded that her daughter-in-law Mary is ripping off on Charles with Richard. In an initiative to reveal the affair, she shares this info with Charles, who chooses to adhere to Mary and catch her in the act.

Climactic Confrontation
Charles chooses to disguise himself as a thief and also breaks into his very own residence at night, wanting to witness Richard as well as Mary's rendezvous. On the other hand, Mary, who had no purpose of meeting with Richard that night, is surprised by the intended trespasser. She howls, waking up Kate Price, the Livingstons' housemaid.

The housemaid handles to capture the "robber" and also ropes him to a chair, prior to Richard gets here. Seeing Charles locked up as well as disguised as a burglar, Richard exposes himself as Mary's protector as well as very defends her honor. Charles is caught unsuspecting by Richard's dedication to his other half and becomes a lot more persuaded of an event in between both.

In that moment, Mary exposes the fact about the entire situation, describing that she had agreed to meet Edward to assist discover his secret life as a bettor. Charles, incredulous yet relieved, stops presuming his better half and finds out to trust her completely.

Final thought
As the movie ends, Charles says sorry to his wife and also Richard for questioning their intentions. Richard admits that he had actually always enjoyed Mary, yet because of his commitment to Charles, he never ever went across the line. The Livingstons integrate, as well as the pairs part ways with newfound trust fund and also understanding.

"Just Pretending" is an appealing and classic story of love, depend on, as well as the intricacies of human connections. It provides a dazzling photo of very early 20th-century society as well as the challenges encountered by couples browsing their newly-minted duties as husband and wife. Also over a century after its launch, the movie stays a pertinent and thought-provoking research study of the fragile balance in between love and also uncertainty in a marital relationship.

Top Cast