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Inspired by Will Carleton's lachrymose 19th century poem about parental sacrifice, Over the Hill stars Mae Marsh as the mother of two children. Marsh gives her boys everything their little hearts desire, at great cost to herself. She is forced to work in one menial job after another so that her children will never go without. Marsh's efforts are "rewarded" by callous indifference; her grown-up son (Olin Howlin) connives to ship her "over the hill" to the poorhouse. The stooped, white-haired woman is finally rescued from her miserable existence by her kinder, more compassionate son, played by James Dunn. The third film version of this moth-eaten tale, Over the Hill is elevated by the artistry of 38-year-old star Mae Marsh, who'd been a film actress since 1912.