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Just Pretending 1912

50 min📅 1912-07-05

In *Just Pretending* (1912), the silent-era comedy unfolds with a mischievous twist on childhood imagination gone awry. Eight-year-old Albert Mills, spooked by newspaper tales of child abductions, decides to stage his own dramatic "kidnapping"—but his target isn't a person.

Cast

Jerold T. Hevener
Jerold T. Hevener
Mr. Mills - the Father
Eleanor Caines
Eleanor Caines
Mrs. Mills - the Mother
Albert Hackett
Albert Hackett
Albert Mills - the Little Boy
Henrietta O'Beck
Henrietta Mills - the Little Girl
John Barrymore
John Barrymore
The Policeman (as Jack Barrymore)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Just Pretending (1912) about?

A young boy stages a fake kidnapping to scare his sister, writing a ransom note and hiding her dolls as part of an elaborate prank. The short silent comedy turns sibling rivalry into a humorous tale of youthful mischief and overactive imagination.

Who directed Just Pretending?

Director information is not available.

Who stars in Just Pretending?

The film features Jerold T. Hevener, Eleanor Caines, Albert Hackett, and Henrietta O'Beck in key roles.

Is Just Pretending (1912) worth watching?

As a silent-era comedy, *Just Pretending* offers a charming glimpse into early film humor and childhood antics. While it's not as polished as later works, its short runtime and playful theme make it a fun watch for silent film enthusiasts. Just don't expect high-stakes drama—it's all about the laughs.

How long is Just Pretending?

The movie runs for 50 minutes.

About Just Pretending (1912) — A Silent Comedy About Childhood Mischief and Imaginary Threats

In *Just Pretending* (1912), the silent-era comedy unfolds with a mischievous twist on childhood imagination gone awry. Eight-year-old Albert Mills, spooked by newspaper tales of child abductions, decides to stage his own dramatic "kidnapping"—but his target isn't a person. Instead, he crafts a ransom note demanding $4,000 under the porch stone, threatening to dangle his little sister Henrietta's dolls "by the hair" in a nod to Bluebeard's gruesome legend. The short film blends slapstick humor with early 20th-century anxieties about child safety, all wrapped in the playful chaos of sibling rivalry.

Director unknown, the 50-minute silent comedy leans into its era's love for lighthearted pranks and exaggerated threats. Jerold T. Hevener and Eleanor Caines bring the mischief to life, while Albert Hackett and Henrietta O'Beck anchor the sibling dynamic with youthful energy. The atmosphere is one of innocent chaos, where a child's overactive imagination collides with the absurdity of adult fears.