Getting Even
Plot
In a lively mining camp, all the young men compete for the attention of the beautiful Lucy, leaving Bud, the youngest and least experienced suitor, completely overlooked. Desperate to gain Lucy's attention, Bud devises a clever plan for the upcoming dance by disguising himself as a woman. The scheme works perfectly - all the men immediately abandon Lucy to flirt with the mysterious new 'woman' in town. When Bud's disguise is accidentally revealed, the other suitors are so thoroughly embarrassed that they dare not approach Lucy again. Bud triumphantly spends the rest of the evening dancing with Lucy, having successfully gotten even with his rivals and won the girl's affection.
About the Production
This was one of hundreds of short films D.W. Griffith directed for Biograph during their prolific 1908-1913 period. The film was shot quickly in one or two days on Biograph's New York studio sets or nearby outdoor locations, typical of the factory-like production system of the era. The mining camp setting was likely created on a studio backlot rather than filmed at an actual mining location.
Historical Background
1909 was a pivotal year in American cinema, marking the transition from simple actualities and trick films to more complex narrative storytelling. The nickelodeon boom was at its peak, with thousands of small theaters across America hungry for new content weekly. D.W. Griffith was in the process of revolutionizing film language, developing techniques like cross-cutting, close-ups, and more sophisticated editing that would define narrative cinema. The film industry was still centered in New York and New Jersey, with Hollywood not yet established as the film capital. This period saw the rise of the first movie stars, though studios initially tried to keep actors anonymous to prevent them from demanding higher salaries.
Why This Film Matters
This film represents an important example of early American comedy and the development of gender-based humor in cinema. The cross-dressing premise reflects vaudeville traditions that heavily influenced early film comedy. As one of Mary Pickford's early works, it documents the beginnings of her journey to becoming one of the most powerful and influential figures in Hollywood history. The film also exemplifies the simple, effective storytelling that made Biograph films popular with working-class audiences. Its mining camp setting contributed to the romanticization of the American West in popular culture, a theme that would dominate American cinema for decades.
Making Of
The film was made during D.W. Griffith's incredibly productive period at Biograph, where he was directing multiple films per week. The cast worked under the studio system where actors were paid weekly salaries and appeared in numerous films without specific billing. Mary Pickford, though still early in her career, was already showing the star quality that would make her the most famous actress in the world. The cross-dressing sequence would have required Billy Quirk to work with the costume department to create a convincing female disguise, a common challenge in comedy films of the era. The dance scenes were likely choreographed quickly and shot in long takes to save time and film stock, which was expensive in 1909.
Visual Style
The cinematography was typical of Biograph films from 1909, featuring static camera positions and wide shots to capture the full action. The film was likely shot by Biograph's regular cameramen such as G.W. Bitzer or Arthur Marvin, who worked with Griffith during this period. Lighting would have been natural or simple studio lighting, as sophisticated lighting techniques were not yet developed. The camera work emphasized clarity and the ability to see all the characters' actions, crucial for the comedy to land effectively with audiences.
Innovations
While not technically innovative, the film represents the solid craftsmanship of Biograph's production system. The effective use of editing to reveal the disguise at the right moment demonstrates the growing sophistication of narrative techniques in 1909. The film's clear storytelling and visual gags show how filmmakers were learning to use the medium's unique capabilities for comedy.
Music
As a silent film, it had no synchronized soundtrack. The music would have been provided live by the theater's pianist or organist, who would select appropriate pieces from their repertoire to match the action on screen. Upbeat music would accompany the dance sequences, more dramatic music for the romantic moments, and comedic music for the disguise scenes. Some theaters might have used sound effects like bells or whistles to enhance the comedic moments.
Famous Quotes
(Silent film - no dialogue quotes available)
Memorable Scenes
- The reveal scene where Bud's disguise is discovered at the dance, causing shock and embarrassment among the other suitors who had been flirting with him, followed by his triumphant dance with Lucy as the other men retreat in shame.
Did You Know?
- This film represents one of Mary Pickford's earliest screen appearances before she became known as 'America's Sweetheart'
- Cross-dressing comedy was a popular trope in early silent cinema, with male stars frequently donning women's clothing for comic effect
- The film was shot on 35mm film at Biograph's unique 68mm format before being reduced for distribution
- D.W. Griffith directed over 450 short films in his career, with this being one of his early comedies before he revolutionized cinematic storytelling
- Billy Quirk was one of Griffith's favorite comedy actors during this period, appearing in dozens of Biograph shorts
- The film was released during the height of the nickelodeon era, when short films like this were the primary entertainment in small theaters
- Like most Biograph films of this period, it was released without individual credits, with actors and crew only identified through later research
- The mining camp setting reflects the popular fascination with the American West in early 20th century entertainment
- This film was part of Biograph's strategy to release multiple new films each week to satisfy the insatiable demand of nickelodeon theaters
- The dance sequence would have been accompanied by live music in theaters, typically piano or organ music selected by the theater's musician
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception for short films like this was minimal, as most trade publications focused on the business aspects of the film industry rather than artistic merit. The film likely received brief mentions in trade papers like The Moving Picture World or Variety, noting its release and perhaps commenting on its entertainment value. Modern film historians view this film as a typical example of Griffith's early comedy work, demonstrating his ability to craft effective short narratives even before his more ambitious dramatic projects.
What Audiences Thought
Nickelodeon audiences of 1909 would have found this film highly entertaining, with its simple comedy, romantic elements, and the surprise of the cross-dressing reveal. The seven-minute runtime was perfect for the varied programming of nickelodeon theaters, which typically showed multiple short films along with live acts. The film's straightforward plot and visual gags would have been easily understood by the diverse, often immigrant audiences who frequented early movie theaters. The presence of Mary Pickford, even before she was a major star, would have been an attraction for regular filmgoers who were beginning to recognize favorite performers.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Vaudeville comedy traditions
- Stage comedies of disguise
- Earlier Biograph shorts
- Shakespearean comedy elements
This Film Influenced
- Later cross-dressing comedies
- Other early romantic comedies
- Films featuring disguise as a plot device
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Film Restoration
The preservation status of this specific film is unclear, as many Biograph films from 1909 have been lost. However, the Library of Congress and other archives hold extensive collections of Biograph films, and some prints may exist in film archives or private collections. The film's survival would depend on whether any nitrate copies were preserved before they deteriorated or whether paper prints submitted for copyright purposes survived.