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Short summary

Young Hugh Jordan, the nephew of the man who robbed the Winthrop children, is earning his living out west when he comes into the millions of his thieving old uncle. Hugh goes east and ... See full summary
Young Hugh Jordan, the nephew of the man who robbed the Winthrop children, is earning his living out west when he comes into the millions of his thieving old uncle. Hugh goes east and settles down to a life of ease and enjoyment. He is entertaining a stag party at his home when the butler announces the arrival of the Misses Winthrop. A letter left by their father told them to go to Hugh Jordon, as he held a mining claim in trust for them. Penelope, the oldest girl, shows the letter to Hugh and he invites the orphans to remain until he has investigated the matter. It is all plain sailing after that, and Hugh marries Penelope and the fortune is kept in the family. There is a slight underplot involving a handsome widow, who tries to capture Hugh, and a most despicable specimen of the wealthy class who tries to ruin Penelope.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Agarus
    After their father's death, Penelope Winthrop ( Alice Terry ) and her two young sisters are left penniless. One day Penelope discovers a letter written by her father implying that he was cheated out of his fortune by his mining partner. The girl decides to demand a claim for the money with the crooked partner's nephew, Hugh Jordan ( Harry T. Morey ). Hugh is attracted to the beautiful Penelope, and he happily allows her and her sisters to stay in his home during the investigation. Mrs.Beaumont ( Florence Deshon ) sets her sights on Hugh and asks Larry Kendall ( Denton Vane ) to help get rid of Penelope, by telling her that she and Hugh are engaged. In love with Hugh and disappointed, Penelope is about to leave when Hugh offers to give her the fortune. Penelope refuses the money, but happily accepts Hugh's offer of marriage.

    This Vitagraph Company of America drama, released in April 1918, sadly remains a lost silent film.
  • comment
    • Author: INvait
    There isn't the slightest trace of suspense in "A Bachelor's Children," a five-part Vitagraph Blue Ribbon Feature written by William Addison Lathrop and directed by Paul Scardon. The story unfolds itself after the manner of a simple but pleasing little novel and, save for a brief moment at the end when the hero takes the villain by the throat and gives him the good shaking you know all the time is coming to him, the action wanders along without any attempt to stir the blood. The touch of drama is forced into the plot and strikes a jarring note, but the main motive appeals to the better side of human nature. An orphan girl with two small sisters and an empty purse win the sympathy when they are first introduced, and to see them transferred from their one bare room to the fine country home of the man who had robbed them of the fortune left by their father is an agreeable sight. Some of the scenes with Hugh and the two small girls are charming, and he doesn't forget to send Penelope a set of his pajamas to wear the first night she stops at the Jordon home. This has now become a convention among screen dramatists. Paul Scardon has directed the picture cleverly. Harry Morey is a most satisfying Hugh Jordon, and, after Penelope's battle with the world, no one will blame her for wanting such a well built, kindly and capable looking husband to do the fighting for her. Alice Terry plays Penelope naturally and appealingly, and the smallest sister is a real little artist. Good work is done by Florence Deshon, Denton Vane, William Shea and Jessie Stevens. – The Moving Picture World, May 4, 1918
  • Cast overview:
    Harry T. Morey Harry T. Morey - Hugh Jordan
    Florence Deshon Florence Deshon - Mrs. Beaumont
    Alice Terry Alice Terry - Penelope Winthrop
    Denton Vane Denton Vane - Larry Kendall
    William Shea William Shea - Whiskers O'Brien
    Jessie Stevens Jessie Stevens - Mrs. Clancey
    Aida Horton Aida Horton - A Child
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