Ramona
Plot
Ramona, a young orphan of mixed Scottish and Native American heritage, lives on a wealthy Spanish rancho in California under the care of her adoptive mother, Señora Moreno. She falls deeply in love with Alessandro, a Native American sheepherder, but Señora Moreno vehemently opposes their union due to her prejudice against Native Americans. Despite this opposition, Ramona and Alessandro elope and begin a life together, facing extreme hardship, discrimination, and systematic injustice from white landowners who dispossess Native Americans of their ancestral lands. Their happiness is shattered when their infant daughter dies, and Alessandro is eventually murdered by a white man over a land dispute. The film concludes with Ramona finding solace by marrying Felipe, Señora Moreno's son, and returning to the rancho where she is finally accepted.
About the Production
This was one of D.W. Griffith's early Biograph films during his most prolific period, where he was developing many cinematic techniques that would later define his career. The film was shot on location in California, which was somewhat unusual for the time as many productions still relied on studio sets. Mary Pickford was already demonstrating the star quality that would make her 'America's Sweetheart' and one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood.
Historical Background
'Ramona' was produced in 1910, during a transformative period in American cinema when films were transitioning from novelty attractions to narrative art forms. The film industry was still centered primarily on the East Coast, but filmmakers like Griffith were increasingly drawn to California for its favorable weather and diverse locations. This was also a time of significant social change in America, with growing awareness of civil rights issues, though the treatment of Native Americans remained problematic. The novel on which the film was based had been influential in bringing attention to the mistreatment of Native Americans in California, though its romanticized perspective reflected the paternalistic attitudes of the time. The film emerged just a few years before Griffith's controversial masterpiece 'The Birth of a Nation,' which would demonstrate both his technical genius and his problematic racial views.
Why This Film Matters
'Ramona' represents an early attempt by American cinema to address social issues, specifically the mistreatment of Native Americans and the racial prejudices prevalent in California's history. The film adaptation of Jackson's novel helped perpetuate the romanticized image of California's Spanish past that would become a recurring theme in Hollywood productions. It also demonstrates D.W. Griffith's early interest in socially conscious storytelling, before his more controversial racial depictions in later works. The film contributed to the myth-making of the American West and helped establish California as a premier filming location. Mary Pickford's performance in 'Ramona' further solidified her status as one of America's first true movie stars, demonstrating the growing cultural influence of cinema in American society.
Making Of
The production of 'Ramona' occurred during D.W. Griffith's transformative period at Biograph, where he was developing many of the cinematic techniques that would later define his career. Griffith was known for his insistence on shooting on location rather than using studio sets when possible, and for 'Ramona,' he took his cast and crew to California to capture the authentic atmosphere of the Spanish rancho setting. Mary Pickford, who was 18 at the time, was already demonstrating the screen presence that would make her 'America's Sweetheart.' The film was made during a period when Biograph was releasing multiple films per week, creating a demanding production schedule. Griffith's attention to detail and his emerging directorial style are evident in this early work, which shows his interest in social issues and his ability to elicit emotional performances from his actors.
Visual Style
The cinematography in 'Ramona' was typical of Biograph productions of the era but showed Griffith's emerging attention to visual storytelling. G.W. Bitzer, Griffith's frequent collaborator, likely served as cinematographer. The film utilized the natural California landscapes to create authentic atmosphere, a practice Griffith championed over studio backdrops. The camera work was relatively static by modern standards but included some movement and varied angles that were innovative for the time. The use of location shooting in natural light gave the film a visual authenticity that distinguished it from many contemporary productions. The cinematography effectively captured the contrast between the opulent rancho and the harsh wilderness where Ramona and Alessandro struggle to survive, using visual elements to reinforce the narrative themes.
Innovations
While 'Ramona' doesn't feature the groundbreaking technical innovations that would characterize Griffith's later work, it demonstrates several technical aspects that were advancing cinema in 1910. The film's use of location shooting rather than studio sets represented a commitment to visual authenticity that was still relatively uncommon. The editing techniques, while basic by modern standards, showed Griffith's developing sense of narrative pacing and his ability to build emotional impact through shot selection and sequence. The film's two-reel length (approximately 16 minutes) was substantial for the period and allowed for more complex storytelling than the typical one-reel productions of the era. The technical craftsmanship in 'Ramona' reflects the transitional period of cinema, moving from the simple actualities of the early 1900s toward more sophisticated narrative filmmaking.
Music
As a silent film from 1910, 'Ramona' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical exhibition. The specific musical score is not documented, but theaters typically used compilation scores drawing from classical pieces, popular songs, and stock musical cues appropriate to the film's mood and setting. For a romantic drama like 'Ramona,' the music would likely have included sentimental melodies, Spanish-themed pieces, and dramatic musical interludes to enhance the emotional impact of key scenes. Some theaters might have employed small orchestras, while others used a single pianist or organist. The music would have been crucial in conveying the film's emotional arc, particularly during the tragic elements of the story.
Memorable Scenes
- The emotional first meeting between Ramona and Alessandro at the rancho
- Ramona's defiance of Señora Moreno's objections to her relationship with Alessandro
- The elopement scene where Ramona and Alessandro run away together
- The harsh winter sequence showing the couple's struggle to survive in the wilderness
- The tragic death of their infant child
- Alessandro's murder at the hands of a white landowner
- Ramona's return to the rancho and her eventual acceptance by the family
Did You Know?
- This was one of the earliest film adaptations of Helen Hunt Jackson's popular 1884 novel 'Ramona'
- The film was part of D.W. Griffith's prolific period at Biograph, where he directed hundreds of short films between 1908-1913
- Mary Pickford, who played Ramona, was only 18 years old but already becoming a major star
- The film is now considered lost, like approximately 90% of American films made before 1920
- The novel 'Ramona' was extremely popular and had already been adapted for the stage multiple times before this film version
- The story deals with themes of racial prejudice and the mistreatment of Native Americans, which were controversial topics for 1910
- Henry B. Walthall, who played Alessandro, would later star as the Little Colonel in Griffith's controversial 'The Birth of a Nation' (1915)
- The film was released during a period when California was romanticizing its Spanish and Mexican past
- This was one of the first films to address social issues regarding Native American rights in American cinema
- The film's two-reel length was substantial for the period, allowing for more complex storytelling than typical one-reel productions
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews of 'Ramona' were generally positive, with critics praising the film's emotional power and the performances of its leads. The Moving Picture World, a leading trade publication of the time, commended the film for its faithful adaptation of the popular novel and its ability to convey the tragic romance effectively. Critics noted the authenticity of the California locations and the film's successful evocation of the novel's atmosphere. Modern film historians view 'Ramona' as an important example of Griffith's early work, demonstrating his developing directorial skills and his interest in social themes. However, contemporary scholars also critique the film's romanticized portrayal of Native Americans and its perpetuation of stereotypes, viewing it as a product of its time's limited understanding of racial issues.
What Audiences Thought
'Ramona' was well-received by audiences of 1910, many of whom were already familiar with Helen Hunt Jackson's popular novel. The film's tragic romance and exotic California setting appealed to moviegoers of the era. The story's emotional impact resonated with audiences, and Mary Pickford's growing popularity helped draw viewers to theaters. The film's success contributed to the increasing public appetite for narrative feature films and helped establish the commercial viability of adapting popular literature for the screen. However, like most films of this period, specific box office figures and detailed audience reaction data are not well-documented. The film's popularity also reflected contemporary American fascination with the romanticized Spanish past of California, a theme that would continue to appear in Hollywood productions for decades.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Helen Hunt Jackson's 1884 novel 'Ramona'
- Previous stage adaptations of the novel
- Contemporary literary traditions of sentimental romance
- The social reform movement of the Progressive Era
- D.W. Griffith's growing interest in socially conscious storytelling
This Film Influenced
- Later film adaptations of 'Ramona' (1928, 1936)
- Other early films dealing with racial and social issues
- The romantic Western genre
- Films dealing with Native American themes
- D.W. Griffith's later socially conscious works
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Film Restoration
'Ramona' (1910) is considered a lost film. Like many early Biograph productions, particularly those from before 1912, the original nitrate negatives and prints have not survived. The film is listed as lost in the American Film Institute catalog and other film preservation databases. No known copies or fragments of the film exist in major film archives such as the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, or the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The loss of 'Ramona' represents a significant gap in the documented filmography of both D.W. Griffith and Mary Pickford, particularly as it was one of Pickford's early starring roles and demonstrated Griffith's interest in socially conscious themes.