The Old Kent Road - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Bill Simmonds is a poor coster with a large family. His wife is a good woman, but with rather a short temper. Their eldest daughter Sue is their great comfort and the family peacemaker when things go wrong. The first pictures show the ...See moreBill Simmonds is a poor coster with a large family. His wife is a good woman, but with rather a short temper. Their eldest daughter Sue is their great comfort and the family peacemaker when things go wrong. The first pictures show the Simmonds' family life, and Harry Gettings, a young coster who is paying court to Sue, with her parents' consent. One day, to the old Kent Road comes Mr. Mallett, a lawyer, who tells Bill that his uncle at Camberwell has quarreled with his only son, and dying, has left his house, a yearly income and his donkey and "shay" to Bill. Joy reigns in the Simmonds household. With money that Mallett advances they buy fine clothes, and Bill, in a new corduroy suit, drives the family in his newly-acquired "shay," much to the admiration and envy of the Road. But Bill does not now think that Harry is good enough for his daughter, and breaks off the match, to poor Sue's great unhappiness. They remove to the cottage at Camberwell and put on great airs, but alas, pride goes before a fall. In an old desk, Sue comes across a package addressed to Mr. Mallett, the lawyer. It proves to be a later will of old Mr. Simmonds, leaving all to his son, and so poor Bill, after his taste of greatness, goes dejectedly back to the Old Kent Road. But to Sue, misfortune brings happiness, for the faithful Harry is again received as her suitor and Bill and his wife try to make the best of things in contemplating their child's happiness. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less