Timothy's Quest

TIMOTHY'S QUEST was based on a novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin, most famous for REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM.

Here, two orphans escape the city slums after the death of their "mother." They hop a freight car headed for Maine in search of the "white house" Timothy (Joseph Depew) has seen in a dream. They land in a town called Pleasant River and wander the dirt roads until they come upon a house called the White Farm. But the bitter old lady there, Avilda Cummins (Marie Day), turns them away as beggars. Her housekeeper (Margaret Seddon) hears the commotion and goes out to see what's going on. Of course she takes to the kids, especially the little girl (Helen Rowland) who is oddly named Lady Gay.

The town is soon abuzz, especially once the town gossip, Hitty Tarbox (Vivia Ogden) gets hold of the story. It seems that scandal has visited the White Farm once before when old Avilda's younger sister apparently "got in trouble" and went away to the city where she died. But the housekeeper eventually talks the old lady into taking in the kids who start to heal all the old wounds in the town.

The kids are solid here as are the major actresses. Ogden is best remembered as the town gossip in WAY DOWN EAST. The film was shot in Hollis, Maine, where Wiggin had her summer home which poses here as the White Farm. Wiggin apparently supervised the filming to ensure it remained true to her book and is a snapshot of country life in Maine.

Nice little 80min film about timothy trying to find a 'kind lady' that's willing to adopt him and gay or gay alone.

I watched the blackhawk films version and something felt off. It's hard to explain and might not even be worth complaining about but regardless, the image looked somewhat flat. Maybe it was due to some compression issues or the original film's tint was applied too aggressively. I can't tell what's wrong and i just accepted it but my friend found it highly off putting.

The film itself is competently crafted and simple. There's nothing to complain about regarding the camera work which is more than i can say about tons of high budget films released in the same period. Again, it is simple but competent and that applies to the story as well, plot threads aren't long or complex, neither are the characters and many details are left to the viewer's imagination. The acting is also pretty decent.

I guess the interesting question to ask is whether you personally prefer a well made simple film or one that tries to reach for the sky and falls flat. How "negative" being simple is to you? You won't be wowed watching this film but I personally find simple stories somewhat heart warming even if it's unlikely i'll be taken aback by one.