"Romance of the Redwoods" produced and directed by Cecil B. De Mille stars filmdom's first female super star Mary Pickford. The petite, attractive Ms. Picford was at or near the peak of her popularity when this film was made in 1917. She was still young and able to play convincingly, the vulnerable child like heroines for which she became famous.
In New England, Jenny Lawrence (Pickford) has just lost her grandmother and plans to move west to live with her Uncle John Lawrence (Winter Hall). While Jenny is en route, her uncle is attacked and killed by Indians. Road Agent "Black" Brown (Elliot Dexter) comes upon the scene and takes on the late uncle's identity to escape from the law.
Brown presents himself as John Lawrence in the gold mining town of Strawberry Flats (I think I've got that right). He is a boozing, gambling no account. Jenny arrives and goes to "Lawrence's" cabin finding the place a mess. Brown arrives and Jenny discovers the deception. Having no where else to go, she decides to stay. She begins to tidy up the place and sleeps out in the shed with the horses.
Brown takes her to the local saloon to show her what kind of life he leads. She meets the corrupt sheriff (Walter Long), townsfolk Sam Sparks (Tully Marshall), Jim Lyn (Charles Ogle), Dick Roland (Raymond Hatton and the "ladies" of the town. Roland tries to have his way with Jenny but Brown steps in.
The gruff Brown begins to soften as he starts to fall in love with Jenny and she with him. He even lets her sleep inside while he takes the shed. Brown abandons his trade for the present and tries to make a go of it. To help support them, Jenny takes in laundry.
Going to a picnic one day aboard the stagecoach, the coach is held up by Brown and Jenny thinks she recognizes the bandit. Later, she discovers Brown's road agent mask and puts two and two together. Brown decides to pull one last job and robs Roland's partner of his gold dust. Roland incensed, goes to the sheriff but is killed by the lawman. Roland had earlier apologized to Jenny for his earlier discretion so Jenny is distraught over news of his death.
Jenny makes Brown promise to send his booty to Roland's mother and he agrees. But as luck would have it, "Lawrence" is identified as "Black" Brown and the sheriff and townsfolk come to his cabin to arrest him and...................................................
Although it's hard to imagine that Brown and Jenny carried on a platonic relationship under the circumstances, the ending suggests that there may have been more to their relationship than met the eye.
Mary Picford was often cast with much taller leading men and villains to emphasize her petite stature and innocent beauty. She also played many waif like young girl type roles but this was not one of them. She is lost and vulnerable here to be sure, but innocent? Hmmmmmmm. Oddly enough "America's Sweetheart" was actually a Canadian, born in Toronto.
Mary Picford at her best.
In New England, Jenny Lawrence (Pickford) has just lost her grandmother and plans to move west to live with her Uncle John Lawrence (Winter Hall). While Jenny is en route, her uncle is attacked and killed by Indians. Road Agent "Black" Brown (Elliot Dexter) comes upon the scene and takes on the late uncle's identity to escape from the law.
Brown presents himself as John Lawrence in the gold mining town of Strawberry Flats (I think I've got that right). He is a boozing, gambling no account. Jenny arrives and goes to "Lawrence's" cabin finding the place a mess. Brown arrives and Jenny discovers the deception. Having no where else to go, she decides to stay. She begins to tidy up the place and sleeps out in the shed with the horses.
Brown takes her to the local saloon to show her what kind of life he leads. She meets the corrupt sheriff (Walter Long), townsfolk Sam Sparks (Tully Marshall), Jim Lyn (Charles Ogle), Dick Roland (Raymond Hatton and the "ladies" of the town. Roland tries to have his way with Jenny but Brown steps in.
The gruff Brown begins to soften as he starts to fall in love with Jenny and she with him. He even lets her sleep inside while he takes the shed. Brown abandons his trade for the present and tries to make a go of it. To help support them, Jenny takes in laundry.
Going to a picnic one day aboard the stagecoach, the coach is held up by Brown and Jenny thinks she recognizes the bandit. Later, she discovers Brown's road agent mask and puts two and two together. Brown decides to pull one last job and robs Roland's partner of his gold dust. Roland incensed, goes to the sheriff but is killed by the lawman. Roland had earlier apologized to Jenny for his earlier discretion so Jenny is distraught over news of his death.
Jenny makes Brown promise to send his booty to Roland's mother and he agrees. But as luck would have it, "Lawrence" is identified as "Black" Brown and the sheriff and townsfolk come to his cabin to arrest him and...................................................
Although it's hard to imagine that Brown and Jenny carried on a platonic relationship under the circumstances, the ending suggests that there may have been more to their relationship than met the eye.
Mary Picford was often cast with much taller leading men and villains to emphasize her petite stature and innocent beauty. She also played many waif like young girl type roles but this was not one of them. She is lost and vulnerable here to be sure, but innocent? Hmmmmmmm. Oddly enough "America's Sweetheart" was actually a Canadian, born in Toronto.
Mary Picford at her best.