The Fool's primary photo
  • The Fool (1916)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Fool
The Fool (1916)
Short | Short, Drama
Hugh Hardy, who works in a factory at night, struggles in the attic of his tenement home by day in order to perfect an invention. He cares nothing for wealth himself, except to gratify his wife's craving for luxury and pleasure. As he is ...See moreHugh Hardy, who works in a factory at night, struggles in the attic of his tenement home by day in order to perfect an invention. He cares nothing for wealth himself, except to gratify his wife's craving for luxury and pleasure. As he is about to start for the factory he finds Toots, his four-year-old daughter, talking to Ruth Lane, the girl who lives across the hall. Ruth is a student of social welfare and writes on kindred subjects. The moment that Hugh is gone Lola, his wife, gives Toots a hasty supper of bread and milk and then hurries the child to bed. She then dresses herself in stunning evening attire and leaves for the white light district, where she meets her lover, Reggie Travers. Under the influence of wine, time passes quickly, but Lola believes herself to be perfectly safe, as her husband is at work in the factory. Unfortunately, about ten o'clock that evening something goes wrong with Hugh's machine at the factory, and he is relieved for the night. At home he finds Ruth attending to Toots, who became alarmed on account of a bad dream. Ruth tells Hugh that she met Lola going out and Hugh wonders what has become of her. Ruth returns to her apartment across the hall, and after getting Toots asleep, Hugh goes up to his attic room, where he becomes so interested in his invention that it is nearly three o'clock before he looks at his watch. On coming downstairs he is amazed to find that Lola has not returned. He prepares to retire. Shortly afterward Lola returns with Travers in a car. Lola endeavors to enter her apartment, but finds the door locked. Hugh flings open the door and Lola steps up to him in a semi-intoxicated condition. He points to her elaborate gown and she says defiantly: "Yes, these things are mine. They weren't bought with your money. You don't make that much in six months. You may guess how I got them. I am through with this poverty; through with you. Good-bye." Thereupon she flounces out of the door with the intention of leaving Hugh forever. She goes straight to the apartment of her lover, who receives her with open arms. Ruth takes charge of the deserted child, and Hugh becomes more and more impressed with the fact that they would have a hard time to get on without her, but he refrains from making love to her, as he has not sought to obtain a divorce. Meanwhile Travers begins to tire of Lola. One evening Lola is sitting in the apartment Travers has provided for her. Later Travers staggers into his apartment. He has been dining with another woman. Lola pours out the vials of her wrath upon him. Then she pleads with him for forgiveness, but he tells her that he wants to get rid of her. She leaves him. Visions of her child come to her. She turns her steps to her former home. Finding the door open, she reaches the bedroom. Toots awakens in her crib and cries out in fear. Ruth comes running in from across the hall and sees the child struggling to get from the arms of her mother. Ruth takes the child in her own arms and soothes her. Realizing the hopelessness of her case, Lola commits suicide. At breakfast the next morning Hugh unfolds his paper and reads that a woman who has been found drowned has been identified by her wedding ring as the wife of a factory workman. He is shocked at Lola's death, but time brings surcease of sorrow, and as the days go by, he succeeds in perfecting his invention. The patents for his machine are duly granted and three captains of industry approach him with a view to purchasing all rights for it, telling him that he may make his own figure, as the machine will do the work of fifty men. Hugh asks the capitalists what will become of the fifty men and their families after they have put his machine in operation. The capitalists are unable to give him a satisfactory answer and Hugh has visions of the misery and starvation that will be caused by his labor-saving device. Thereupon he picks up a sledge hammer and demolishes his machine. Ruth looks at him with love and admiration. The capitalists depart, muttering "The fool." After their departure Ruth and Hugh speak of their love for each other. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Director
Ben F. Wilson (as Ben Wilson)
Writer
William Addison Lathrop (scenario)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jun 25, 1916
Release date
Jun 25, 1916 (United States)

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5 cast members
Name Known for
Ben F. Wilson's primary photo
Ben F. Wilson
Hugh Hardy (as Ben Wilson) Hugh Hardy (as Ben Wilson)   See fewer
The Power God (1925)
Jean Stewart's primary photo
Jean Stewart
Lola Hardy Lola Hardy   See fewer
The Seven Sisters (1915)
Lois Alexander's primary photo
Lois Alexander
Little Toots Hardy Little Toots Hardy   See fewer
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916)
Edna Hunter's primary photo
Edna Hunter
Ruth Lane Ruth Lane   See fewer
The Unchastened Woman (1918)
Tony Merlo's primary photo
Tony Merlo
Reggie Travers (as Anthony Merlo) Reggie Travers (as Anthony Merlo)   See fewer
Seventeen (1916)
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