Peter Lane lives by himself in an old houseboat. During a storm one night, a woman and her small son Buddy seek shelter with Lane. The woman dies the next day from exposure, and when the attending physician assumes the woman and Buddy are Lane's wife and son, Lane does not correct him. One day, a tramp named Booge tries to take off on the boat while Lane is looking for food. Lane stops him, then decides to take on Booge if he helps with the chores. Together, the two men take care of Buddy. Lane uses his jack-knife to carve wooden animals for Buddy, while Booge amuses the boy with songs and woodwork. Complications ensue when the town's Justice of the Peace, Briggles, tries to take Buddy away from Lane.
This is a sweet film, and highly recommended. It is unfortunate the print on YouTube is mediocre, but the film is still watchable. The acting is solid across the board. Kelso is very cute. All the main performers were in their 40s, 50s and, in the case of Lane, 60s, and yet this seems like a film to be enjoyed by all ages. King Vidor's wife Florence has a small but pivotal role near the end of the film.
There is also an amusing subplot involving the Widow Potter (well-played by Lillian Leighton) and her attempts to hook Lane. An unforeseen twist late in the film makes the final scene at fadeout very poignant and bittersweet.
This is a sweet film, and highly recommended. It is unfortunate the print on YouTube is mediocre, but the film is still watchable. The acting is solid across the board. Kelso is very cute. All the main performers were in their 40s, 50s and, in the case of Lane, 60s, and yet this seems like a film to be enjoyed by all ages. King Vidor's wife Florence has a small but pivotal role near the end of the film.
There is also an amusing subplot involving the Widow Potter (well-played by Lillian Leighton) and her attempts to hook Lane. An unforeseen twist late in the film makes the final scene at fadeout very poignant and bittersweet.