The Chimes
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Herbert Blaché
Tom Terriss
Faye Cusick
Alfred Hemming
Clarence Harvey
Harry Hitchcock
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Trotty Veck refuses to allow his daughter Meg to wed Richard after Alderman Cute advises him that it is a sin for the poor to marry. One day, he meets William Fern and his infant daughter and invites the impoverished family to his home for the night. As the baby falls asleep in the soft-hearted Trotty's lap, Trotty begins to dream. In his dream, Trotty sees his daughter as she might become, living in poverty and caring for Fern's daughter, called Lil. Fern is imprisoned for demonstrations against the rich. Richard, out of disappointment, has become a drunkard. Lil gives herself to Sir Joseph Bowley, a wealthy man who promises to free her father. Bowley mistreats Lil and eventually throws her and her infant child out. After Lil dies Meg must care for the baby, but in her despair she goes to a bridge with the infant and attempts to commit suicide. After Trotty's dream ends, he rescinds his decision not to allow Meg to marry. He also persuades Fern, through the pleas of his little daughter, not to demonstrate against Bowley. Finally, Richard and Trotty induce Bowley to sign a paper giving the poor their rights.
Director
Herbert Blaché
Cast
Tom Terriss
Faye Cusick
Alfred Hemming
Clarence Harvey
Harry Hitchcock
Robert Vivian
Milly Terriss
Vinnie Burns
William Terriss
Eliza Mason
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
An English production of The Chimes made in two reels by Hepworth and starring Warwick Bucklaw as Trotty Beck was released in the U.S. in late August 1914. Tom Terriss was a famous British actor who specialized in stage presentations of Dickens' work. William Terriss was his brother. Some sources give other first names for some of the actors who were part of Terriss' company of Dickens players.
