|
Love Among the Roses
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 983 feet
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cast: Henry B. Walthall [the lord], Marion Leonard [the lady], Dorothy West [the handmaiden], Arthur V. Johnson [the gardener], Mary Pickford [the lacemaker], Kate Bruce [the lacemaker’s mother], Charles H. West (Charles West) [a footman], Alfred Paget [a footman], Francis J. Grandon [a footman], Claire McDowell, Mack Sennett
Biograph Company production; distributed by Biograph Company. / Scenario by [?] Stanner E.V. Taylor? Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer and Arthur Marvin. / © 12 May 1910 by Biograph Company [J141266]. Released 9 May 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In the Kingdom of Never-Never Land there live a great Lord and Lady, each presiding over their own domain. This great Lord goes for a stroll through his estate and coming to the border of his own land he is struck by the entrancing beauty of the contiguous estate, so like his own, that the inclination to intrude is irresistible. His peregrination is halted by the appearance of the great Lady, who is indeed as fair as the flowers that clothe her land. He introduces himself and invites her to stroll with him in his gardens. She is in like manner entranced by the beauty of his possessions. How alike in beauty are they; a veritable fairyland. If they were only one, for it seems they should be. This thought is mutual, and the Lord proposes a way, a marriage, and so a betrothal of convenience ensues. They know nothing of love and so are content in the anticipation of being Lord and Lady of all Never-Never Land. Little do they dream of the subtle workings of fate, which is, of course, the natural egotism of humankind, but, nevertheless, the lines are being drawn, for as we have viewed the paradisaical side of life, we now go to the homely side, by visiting the sad house in Never-Never Land. Here we find sorrow, toiling and want, and yet we find as in the other a betrothal of convenience between the poor little lace-maker and the humble gardener. They reason that their lot may be more bountiful by joining their meager fortunes. The gardener secures a position in the gardens of the Lady and the lace-maker goes out to find purchasers of her handiwork. The Lord meets the pretty lace-maker and is attracted by her beauty, for he learns for the first time what love is. The Lady meets the gardener and is struck by his rugged, manly beauty and herculean strength, so different from the Lord, her neighbor. She also realizes the power of love, for her inclination to be near the gardener is irresistible. Despite the apparent misalliance in such a step, the Lady confesses she can only be happy with the humble gardener. This intelligence the Lord receives with ill-concealed delight, as it leaves him free to marry the pretty lace-maker.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 21 May 1910, page ?] “What is love?” may well be asked after seeing this picture. Yet one might be disposed to agree with the turn affairs finally took. Whether it was intended as a species of criticism of marriages of convenience, or whether it worked out that way in the telling, is a question which sets one pondering. It would seem perfectly natural for the lord and lady to wed. Such marriages of convenience have been consummated since the dawn of history. The gardener and lacemaker but followed the example of others better situated than themselves. Many have done the same thing before under similar circumstances. But here fate, or some other equally perverse influence, intervenes and both the lord and lady fall in love, but not with each other. Eventually the picture works out for the best good of all. The chief interest in this picture is in the sociological questions involved, and the long vista of speculation which opens ahead of one as the actors tell their story.
Survival status: Prints exist in the Library of Congress film archive (paper print collection) [35mm paper positive]; and in the Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education film collection [35mm duplicate negatives].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 9 September 2023.
References: Barry-Griffith p. 42; Eyman-Pickford p. 325; Spehr-American p. 2 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb; Website-Legacy; Website-Pickford.
Home video: DVD.
|
