Heart o' the Hills
"Mary Pickford in a Tale of the Kentucky Hills - Where Love and Vengeance Meet!"
Plot
Set in the Kentucky hills, the film follows Mavis Hawn (Mary Pickford), a spirited mountain girl who seeks revenge for her father's murder, believing wealthy developer Steve Honeycutt (Harold Goodwin) is responsible. Honeycutt has come to the hills with plans to develop coal mining operations, which puts him at odds with the local community who fear exploitation. As Mavis plots her revenge, she discovers Honeycutt is actually trying to help the mountain people and protect them from unscrupulous speculators. The story unfolds with family tensions, misunderstandings, and ultimately romance as Mavis learns the truth about her father's death and Honeycutt's intentions. The film explores the clash between traditional mountain life and modern industrial progress, with Mavis caught between her desire for justice and her growing feelings for the outsider.
About the Production
This was one of Mary Pickford's most ambitious productions, featuring extensive location shooting to authentically capture the mountain setting. Pickford, who had significant creative control as a producer, insisted on detailed costumes and sets that accurately portrayed Appalachian culture. The film was shot during the summer of 1919, with the cast enduring challenging conditions in the mountain locations to achieve realism.
Historical Background
The film was released in 1919, just after World War I, during a period of significant social and economic change in America. The story's focus on industrial development versus traditional ways of life reflected real tensions occurring in Appalachian regions as coal mining expanded. This was also the golden age of silent cinema, with Mary Pickford at the height of her powers as the world's most famous and highest-paid actress. The film's release coincided with the growing labor movement and increased awareness of rural poverty in America. The post-war period saw a surge in American nationalism, and stories set in distinctly American regions like the Kentucky hills resonated strongly with audiences seeking authentic American narratives.
Why This Film Matters
Heart o' the Hills represents an important early attempt to bring Appalachian culture to mainstream cinema with respect and authenticity. Unlike many contemporary films that caricatured rural Americans, Pickford's production sought to portray mountain people with dignity and complexity. The film helped establish the 'mountain melodrama' as a distinct genre in American cinema. It also demonstrated Mary Pickford's evolution from simple 'sweetheart' roles to more complex characterizations, influencing the development of more sophisticated female protagonists in silent films. The movie's success proved that audiences would embrace stories set in specific American regions with distinctive cultural identities.
Making Of
The production faced numerous challenges during location shooting in the California mountains. The cast and crew had to transport equipment by mule to reach remote filming sites. Mary Pickford, known as 'America's Sweetheart,' insisted on performing her own stunts, including riding horses along steep mountain trails. Director Joseph De Grasse worked closely with Pickford to ensure the film captured both the rugged beauty of the setting and the emotional depth of the characters. The production design team built elaborate sets that blended seamlessly with the natural locations, creating a convincing portrayal of Kentucky mountain life. Pickford's attention to detail extended to coaching her supporting cast in authentic Appalachian dialects and mannerisms.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Ira H. Morgan was widely praised for its innovative use of natural light and sweeping mountain vistas. Morgan employed early techniques of location shooting that were technically challenging for the era. The film features stunning panoramic shots of mountain landscapes that were groundbreaking for their time. Morgan used natural shadows and lighting to create dramatic effects that enhanced the emotional tone of key scenes. The camera work effectively captured both the grandeur of the setting and intimate character moments, establishing a visual style that influenced subsequent outdoor melodramas.
Innovations
The film pioneered several technical innovations in location shooting for its time. The production team developed new methods for transporting heavy camera equipment to remote mountain locations. They experimented with early techniques for filming in bright outdoor conditions without the washed-out appearance common in contemporary outdoor scenes. The seamless integration of location footage with studio sets was particularly advanced for the era. The film also featured early examples of continuity editing across multiple locations, maintaining consistent lighting and visual tone between shots filmed days apart in different conditions.
Music
As a silent film, Heart o' the Hills was originally accompanied by live musical performances in theaters. The typical score included folk-inspired melodies that reflected the Appalachian setting, often featuring instruments like fiddles and banjos. Major theaters would have commissioned original scores from their house composers, while smaller venues used compiled music from standard libraries. The emotional intensity of the story required dramatic musical accompaniment during key scenes, particularly the confrontational and romantic moments. Modern restorations have been scored with period-appropriate music that evokes the folk traditions of the Kentucky mountains.
Famous Quotes
The hills have their own justice, and their own mercy
You can't take the mountain out of the girl, nor the girl out of the mountain
Vengeance is a heavy burden to carry up these hills
Sometimes the truth is harder to see than the mountain mist
Love grows wild in these hills, like the laurel in spring
Memorable Scenes
- The dramatic confrontation scene where Mavis confronts Honeycutt on the mountain ridge, with sweeping views of the valley below
- The emotional revelation scene where Mavis learns the truth about her father's death
- The romantic moonlight scene between Mavis and Honeycutt by the mountain stream
- The climactic chase sequence through the mountain forest showcasing Pickford's stunt work
Did You Know?
- Based on the novel 'Heart o' the Hills' by John Fox Jr., a popular author of Appalachian fiction
- Mary Pickford considered this one of her personal favorite performances due to the challenging emotional range required
- The film was one of the first to realistically portray Appalachian culture and dialect on screen
- Pickford performed many of her own stunts in the mountain sequences, including dangerous riding scenes
- The production used actual mountain people as extras to ensure authenticity
- This was the last film Pickford made before forming United Artists with Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith
- The original novel had been adapted for the stage before Pickford acquired the film rights
- Director Joseph De Grasse was the brother of actor Sam De Grasse, who frequently appeared in Pickford films
- The film's success helped establish Pickford's reputation as both an actress and savvy businesswoman
- Some scenes were filmed at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, creating significant production challenges
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised the film for its beautiful cinematography and Mary Pickford's powerful performance. The New York Times called it 'one of Miss Pickford's finest achievements' and noted the 'stunning authenticity' of the mountain settings. Variety magazine highlighted the film's emotional depth and praised the supporting cast's performances. Modern critics have reevaluated the film as an important example of early American regional cinema, with particular appreciation for its attempt at cultural accuracy. The film is often cited in film studies as an example of Pickford's transition from child-like roles to more mature characters.
What Audiences Thought
The film was a commercial success, drawing large audiences across America. Moviegoers were particularly drawn to Pickford's performance and the film's spectacular mountain scenery. The romantic elements resonated strongly with post-war audiences seeking uplifting entertainment. Rural audiences appreciated the respectful portrayal of mountain life, while urban viewers were fascinated by the glimpse into a distinctly American subculture. The film's success helped cement Pickford's status as America's most beloved actress and demonstrated the commercial viability of regionally-specific stories.
Awards & Recognition
- No major awards were given for this film in 1919, as the Academy Awards were not established until 1929
Film Connections
Influenced By
- John Fox Jr.'s regional fiction
- D.W. Griffith's outdoor melodramas
- Contemporary stage adaptations of Appalachian stories
This Film Influenced
- Subsequent mountain melodramas of the 1920s
- Later films featuring strong female protagonists in rural settings
- Regional cinema movement of the 1930s
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Film Restoration
The film is preserved in several archives including the Library of Congress and the Museum of Modern Art. While complete prints exist, some elements show signs of deterioration typical of films from this era. The film has been partially restored and is available through various archival sources. It is not considered a lost film, but viewing quality varies depending on the source print.