A Sister of Six

Plot

In this gripping 1916 Western drama, a young woman and her five younger siblings are suddenly orphaned when their father is brutally murdered by greedy neighbors who discover gold on his ranch. Determined to protect what is rightfully theirs, the seven children band together to defend their homestead against the ruthless claim-jumpers who will stop at nothing to seize the valuable property. The eldest sister must assume the role of protector and provider for her young brothers and sisters while navigating the dangerous frontier justice system. As tensions escalate and violence looms, the siblings' bond is tested in their desperate fight for survival and justice. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation where the children must use their wits and courage to outsmart their adversaries and preserve their father's legacy.

Historical Background

The year 1916 was a pivotal time in American cinema, occurring during the transition from short films to feature-length productions. The United States was dealing with the ongoing World War I in Europe, though the country had not yet entered the conflict, creating a climate of uncertainty that made stories of American resilience and family unity particularly appealing to audiences. The film industry was rapidly consolidating, with major studios like Triangle Film Corporation (parent company of Fine Arts Film Company) beginning to dominate production. This period also saw the rise of the star system, with actors like Bessie Love becoming household names. The Western genre was evolving from simple action stories to more complex narratives exploring themes of justice, family, and civilization versus wilderness, reflecting America's ongoing identity formation as a nation.

Making Of

The production of 'A Sister of Six' took place during a transitional period in American cinema when studios were beginning to recognize the commercial potential of longer narrative films. Director Chester M. Franklin, working with his brother Francis, had developed a reputation for effectively directing child actors, a skill that was crucial for this production. The casting of Bessie Love in the lead role was significant, as she was one of the few actresses of the era who could convincingly portray both vulnerability and strength. The film was shot on location in the hills surrounding Los Angeles, with the production crew facing the challenges of early outdoor filming, including unpredictable weather and the need to transport heavy camera equipment to remote locations. The child actors required special attention on set, with production often needing to work around school schedules and child labor laws that were just beginning to be enforced in the film industry.

Visual Style

The cinematography, typical of 1916 productions, utilized natural lighting for outdoor scenes and basic studio lighting for interior sequences. The camera work was largely static, with movement limited to occasional pans to follow action across the frame. The film made effective use of the California landscape, using the natural topography to create a sense of isolation and danger for the orphaned family. The visual storytelling relied heavily on composition and blocking rather than camera movement, with careful arrangement of actors within the frame to convey emotional relationships and power dynamics. The black and white photography created strong contrasts that emphasized the moral clarity of the story, with the family often positioned in light and their adversaries in shadow.

Innovations

While not technically groundbreaking, 'A Sister of Six' employed standard production techniques of 1916 that represented significant advances from earlier cinema. The film used the continuity editing system that had become standard by this period, creating smooth narrative flow between shots. The production likely utilized the Mitchell camera, which was becoming the industry standard for its reliability and quality. The film's outdoor sequences demonstrated improved location filming capabilities compared to earlier Westerns, which were often shot entirely on studio backlots. The intertitles, used to convey dialogue and narration, were integrated smoothly into the narrative flow, reflecting the sophisticated understanding of film language that had developed by the mid-1910s.

Music

As a silent film, 'A Sister of Six' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during theatrical exhibition. The typical score would have been provided by a theater organist or small orchestra, using popular classical pieces and original compositions matched to the on-screen action. Emotional scenes would have been underscored with romantic or dramatic music, while action sequences would have featured more energetic compositions. Theaters often used cue sheets provided by the film distributor to guide musicians in selecting appropriate pieces for each scene. The music was essential in conveying emotion and building tension, particularly in scenes where the children faced danger from their greedy neighbors.

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic confrontation where the seven children band together to face their greedy neighbors, using their wits and courage to protect their home.
• The emotional scene where the eldest sister promises her dying father that she will protect the family and their land.
• The tense moment when the children discover the gold on their property, realizing both its value and the danger it brings.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews from 1916 praised the film's emotional storytelling and strong performances, particularly noting Bessie Love's compelling portrayal of the protective sister. Critics of the period appreciated the film's moral clarity and its focus on family values, which were seen as wholesome entertainment for all ages. The trade publications of the era, such as Moving Picture World, gave the film positive notices for its effective use of outdoor locations and its well-paced narrative. Modern critics have had limited opportunity to evaluate the film due to its uncertain preservation status, but film historians recognize it as a representative example of the family Western subgenre that flourished before the genre became dominated by male action heroes in the 1920s and 1930s.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1916 responded positively to the film's blend of Western action and family drama, finding the story of siblings banding together against adversity both exciting and emotionally resonant. The film's themes of protecting family property and standing up to bullies appealed to the values of working-class and middle-class moviegoers of the period. The presence of child actors in the cast made the film particularly appealing to family audiences, and theaters often programmed it as part of double bills with other family-friendly features. Box office receipts, while not precisely recorded, were reportedly strong enough to justify the continued production of similar films by Fine Arts Film Company.

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