Sunday, August 14, 2011

Just a Shabby Doll - 1913



Just a Shabby Doll: One reel, approx. 1,000 feet, released March 11, 1913. Print source: British Film Institute, 14 minutes, 40 seconds.
A romantic story utilizing flashback sequences, featuring Harry Benham, Mignon Anderson and Helen Badgley.
Cast: Mignon Anderson (the wife), Harry Benham (the husband), Lila Chester (the governess), Helen Badgley (little daughter who listens to her father's tale), Marie Eline (little girl of long ago), David H. Thompson (drayman).
Original music composed and performed by Ray Brubacher thanhouser.org/​people/​Rayb.htm.
A relatively complex original romantic story is squeezed onto only one reel, but this was the last year that such a constraint was taken for granted. Of special interest here are the 1913 New York City backgrounds. In 1913 the inter-titles became more frequent and, for the first time, primarily represented dialogue. This narrative is unusual in its fluid use of flashback (complete with anachronisms!).

Source: www.thanhouser.org
For futher information on films by Thanhouser, visit the site above. Let’s keep memories of this great studio alive.

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