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How Bella Was Won
(1911) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: George Soule Spencer [John Harmon]
[?] Edison Manufacturing Company or Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated? production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / From the novel Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Historical.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? The first scene shows John Harmon arriving in London. Stopping at a small clothing store on the banks of the Thames, a character, who seems to belong to the docks, slips in and examines the papers in Harmon’s pocket. Among them is the will, a section of which indicates that Harmon must marry a certain Bella Wilfer in order to inherit the property, which otherwise will go to old servants of his family, the Boffins by name. Harmon discovers him. Both men fight their way to the back of the store, where they fall through a railing into the Thames. The next scene shows a placard announcing the death of John Harmon. Harmon decides to let the fates have their way and to become acquainted with Bella Wilfer under another name. We see him, as John Rokesmith, engaging lodgings at the Wilfers’. Then comes the ad of the Boffins, who have by this time inherited the fortune; they are in need of a secretary and Bella suggests the Harmon apply. Thus Harmon and Bella are under the same roof. Bella is now an heiress. Finally Harmon proposes and is refused by the girl and in his despair sits down before the fire in an attitude which recalls to Mrs. Boffins his childhood days, and she at once recognizes him. Admitting his identity, he tells them of Bella’s refusal and that he fears her character has been warped by the wealth thrust upon her. They decide to try her temper and find out how she really feels; consequently they start abuse and disparagement of the secretary, which she rather resents, and finally when she shows a little pity and he responds with love-like attention again, old Boffins discharges him for daring to presume to the hand of his ward. This is too much for Bella, and throwing aside all her false pride, she announced to the Boffins that she loves John Harmon and that she refuses to see him abused any longer.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Authors: Charles Dickens
Listing updated: 6 January 2025.
References: Kobal-Fifty pp. 4, 7, 10 : Website-IMDb.
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