The Cricket on the Hearth (1909 film)

The Cricket on the Hearth is a 1909 silent short film directed by D. W. Griffith.[1] It is based on the famous novella The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens.[2]

The Cricket on the Hearth
Directed byD. W. Griffith
Produced byAmerican Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Written byFrank E. Woods
Based onThe Cricket on the Hearth
by Charles Dickens
StarringOwen Moore
CinematographyBilly Bitzer
Arthur Marvin
Distributed byBiograph Company
Release date
May 27, 1909
Running time
10 minutes
CountryUSA
LanguageSilent/English titles

Synopsis

Opening in the home of Caleh Plummer, the old toymaker, we see his son, Edward, departing for the sea. A tender farewell to father and blind sister, Bertha, takes him to the road where he bids adieu to his sweetheart, Mary Fielding. There is then a lapse of three years and we find honest John Pereyhingle the husband of Dot. Mrs. Fielding has gotten into moderate straits and consents to the marriage of Old Tackleton, the grouch, to May. Of course this is repugnant to May whose heart is for Edward. Edward returning stops on the way at the inn where he learns of the approaching nuptials of Tackleton and May. Being a disguise from a strolling Merry Andrew, he goes in the garb of an old wayfarer on John’s cart to see Dot and find out the truth. John, prompted by Tackleton, watches the pair and not recognising Edward, assumes he is a lover and the first cloud shrouds the little home. Edward upon learning from Dot how inimical the match is to May resolves to carry off May, which he does with the assistance of Dot. They are married in the roadway just as the much perturbed Tackleton appears. Well, John discovers what a fool he has been in doubting Dot, Tackleton realises what an unpopular grouch he has been and decides to change, while Bertha and Old Caleb are overjoyed at the return of Edward. It goes without saying that the happiest couple in the village are Edward and May who are now Mr. and Mrs. Edward Plummer, if you please.[3]

Cast

See also

References
  1. The Cricket on the Hearth at silentera.com
  2. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films:The Cricket on the Hearth
  3. Moving Picture World (Jan-Jun 1909) p682 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.


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