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  • The Struggle Upward (1915)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Struggle Upward
The Struggle Upward (1915)
Short | Short, Drama

So that she might interest him in settlement work, Marjorie Atwood introduces her cousin, Philip Atwood, to Helen Turner, a prominent charity worker. Helen and Philip are at once attracted to each other, and the former promises to visit ...See moreSo that she might interest him in settlement work, Marjorie Atwood introduces her cousin, Philip Atwood, to Helen Turner, a prominent charity worker. Helen and Philip are at once attracted to each other, and the former promises to visit the settlement with Philip the next day. In the home of Mrs. Morton, a gloomy atmosphere pervades the squalid flat. Jack, a shiftless, idle fellow, thinks more of his friends than his hard-working mother, and leaves with Jim Riley to hang out and waste more time with the gang on the corner. Little Artie, lame as the result of an injury to his foot, is lying on the couch, helpless. On one of her missions, Helen visits the Morton home. Jack is impressed by her and resolves to better himself. The following day he has occasion to prove to Helen that he has some manhood in him, by rescuing her from a gang which started to annoy her, after she remonstrated with them for fighting with a storekeeper. Philip in reality is an arch crook and gambler in his own world. While in his gambling room, making "books" on the races, the police enter and it is with difficulty that Philip escapes. Within an hour he is in the midst of the children at the settlement. Helen and Philip are married. Jealousy has changed Helen in Philip's eyes. He is cruel and inconsiderate, and she begins to see him as he really is. On one occasion, when Jack is endeavoring to make a convert, and is standing at the settlement door with him, Helen and Philip enter. The young tough recognizes Philip as the man who beat him out o£ several bets and mentions that the gang is about to "get" him. Jack informs Helen of this, and the result of it is that Philip decides to move away where they are not known. Jack has successfully resisted all temptation to return to the gang and is studying for the ministry. Subsequently, he is ordained and is assigned to a church far from his native town. After a few years Helen decides to seek advice from someone as Philip's abuse of her is terrible. She goes to see the new curate and finds it to be Jack. As the two are leaving the chapel, Philip, who has followed her, swears revenge. Thrusting his pistol through the window at Jack's rectory he shoots, but a little book Helen had given Jack saves his life, Philip then takes his own life despairingly. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated May 14, 1915

Release date
May 14, 1915 (United States)

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Cast

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4 cast members
Name Known for
Margaret Prussing
Helen Turner Helen Turner   See fewer
Herbert Prior
Philip Atwood Philip Atwood   See fewer
Pat O'Malley
Jack Morton (as Patrick O'Malley) Jack Morton (as Patrick O'Malley)   See fewer
Marie La Manna
Marjorie Atwood (as Maria La Manna) Marjorie Atwood (as Maria La Manna)   See fewer
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