Trouble Makers (1917)

movie

Country: USA
Genres: Drama
Release: 1917-12-09
Director: Kenean Buel
Writers: Kenean Buel
Language: None
Stars: Lillian Concord , Jane Lee , Katherine Lee , Richard Turner , Robert Vivian , William T. Hayes , Stuart Sage , Frances Miller
Runtime: 70 min
Awards: N/A
AKA: Trouble Makers (United States of America) , Trouble Makers , Troublemakers (United States of America)
Plot: Mrs. Lehr, a young widow who grew up in Cuttleback, decided, after her husband's death in the west, to return, with her children, Katherine and Jane, to Cuttleback, and make her home on the old family estate, which, during her absence, had been looked after by Job Jenkins, caretaker, in the Lehr family's employ since boyhood. Job had been the sole occupant of the estate for so many years that he regarded it as part and parcel of his life, and he was disturbed when he learned that his mistress was coming back with her two children. Daniel Whitcomb, Cuttleback's leading attorney, read with interest the notice in Cuttleback's newspaper about Mrs. Lehr's intended return, and pondered the romance that had connected his and her life before she left for the west. He wondered if her return would awaken the old-time affection he felt she once entertained for him. He remembered that before she left Cuttleback she had asked him to see her, which he was prevented from doing by reason of his mother's desperate illness. He had written, but his letter miscarried, and did not reach her until she had become the wife of another. She replied informing him of her marriage and hinting at her disappointment in his not having seen her before she left, but absolving him from any intention to purposely slight her. It happened that Mrs. Lehr and Mr. Whitcomb did renew their old love story. While this was going on Jane and Katherine were making things hum around the Lehr estate and old Job's patience was taxed to its limit. The kiddies formed a warm attachment for an odd job, handy man, of slow wit, "Manny," who while doing chores about the place, found time to amuse the youngsters and became their faithful attendant. One day Job's belongings had been removed from his room and the faithful old gardener had dropped out of sight. This happened on a day when a barn on the Lehr estate was destroyed by fire. A charred skull found in the ruins formed the basis for a charge of murder preferred by the town constable against dull-witted Manny. Mrs. Lehr believed him guiltless, but couldn't prove his innocence, and the children "just knew" he never killed Job or anybody else, but, like their mother, couldn't prove it. Mrs. Lehr sought Daniel Whitcomb's aid, but not only did he refuse her plea, but stated it as his belief that "Manny" was guilty. His decision brought about a break in his love affair with Mrs. Lehr and earned for him the dislike of Jane and Katherine. "Manny" was tried and convicted, wholly upon circumstantial evidence, and he was being led to the electric chair, when Jane and Katherine arrive on the scene with the supposed murdered man, Job, whom accidentally they had found and who knew nothing about "Manny's" predicament. Of course, everything was cleared up, and Jane and Katherine got a new daddy.
IMDB:tt0008702