JohnHowardReid
An even earlier Pickford outing, available as a bonus on the 10/10 Milestone DVD, Heart o' the Hills, is the delightfully comic western, M'liss (1918), in which Mary is supported by Thomas Meighan. In fact, it's rather surprising to find a movie as sophisticated as this at such an early date. The acting is natural yet heartily ingratiating with wonderful performances from the whole cast, particularly Pickford, Theodore Roberts (her dad), Charles Ogle (the stage driver, Yuba Bill), Tully Marshall (the judge), Val Paul and Winifred Greenwood (the villains), and William H. Brown (the sheriff). Writer Frances Marion not only delivers fully rounded characterizations, but some really deft insert titles. One note of caution, however, is that director Marshall Neilan and his cutter use a grammar which some people may find difficult to master. I had to switch the movie off halfway through and watch it again from the beginning, as I'd missed half the information the director was so deftly putting across to audiences who were paying attention. None of this pandying to boobs and idiots that modern movies go for, with essential information constantly repeated. If you don't store the M'liss info the first time you read or see it, you'll miss out. That's the way to make a picture! Lavishly produced, beautifully photographed and set, M'liss is both a revelation and a delight.
adt125
This is a little fun piece by Mary and it allows her to let go to a chirpy carefree girl. Pickford always seems to leave a few precious moments in all her movies and you always get the feeling they are spontaneous and, there are a number of them here as well.Her climbing on table to give a hug to big grown men showing just how small she is, but so cute and fun. There is a point where Mary stalks the teacher just prior to trying to hopelessly hide behind a very small tree. The long shot of the teacher in front and Mary stalking behind is just so Monty Python - and is just one of those small pieces that builds the overall feeling of this little movie.There are few points where you can read Mary's lips very clearly and it was intended which gives momentary intimate feeling with her.The support cast were just great especially the old man who almost up-stages Mary.The plot line doesn't kick in until well into the movie and so you get the feeling of just floating around having some fun until the movie 'starts'. Not a great story line or plot development however the performance of all the characters are in fact the movie.There is always something to see in a Pickford movie.
caldoni
I have little or anything to add the comments of others who have spotted this movie for what it is, a story-vehicle for Mary Pickford, which is okay.The story itself isn't worthless but it feels a little worn in. I did however appreciate the messages ingrained in about families not being traditional, it's mediations on alcoholism, vigilantism and even pedophilia are interesting peaks into a time and a place we missed, but they don't occupy a lot of screen time. Some of the cinematography is great, but really the supporting cast is excellent, in particular the drunk old dad.The most relevant story convention is that of the indigent people ousted by cruel capitalist bent on their land, but that story is told better in both "Tess of the Storm Country" and "Heart O' The Hills" (this movie is featured on Milestone's "Heart O' The Hills DVD release.)
burntoutsquid
It may not be Pickford's best movie, but it's definitely her cutest. I can't help but be a little biased, however: I always felt that her melodramas were a little too dated, and the ones that really last are these scantily plotted, silly comedies that don't take themselves too seriously.It's priceless to see her "hold up" a stagecoach with a sling shot, or wonder what "-??-" means when put between "none of your" and "business." (They already showed a willingness to print "damn," so that narrows it down.)The inter titles are funny, although in a silent film they don't have to be, and the supporting characters are just as fun to watch as Mary. It's on the "Heart o' the Hills" DVD that came out in '05 as only a special feature, but it's the more enjoyable of the two.
AD
