The Mermaid

Plot

John Gary, a struggling hotel owner, desperately seeks a way to revitalize his failing business. After reading newspaper reports of a mermaid sighting, he devises a clever publicity stunt by convincing his daughter Ethel to pose as the mythical creature. He arranges for a newspaper reporter to witness and photograph the 'mermaid' in the hotel's waters, creating a sensational story that quickly spreads. The publicity stunt works brilliantly, drawing crowds to the hotel and making it a local attraction. Eventually, Ethel appears before the hotel guests in her mermaid costume, revealing the joke but having already achieved her father's goal of saving the business.

Historical Background

1910 was a pivotal year in American cinema, marking the transition from short novelty films to more complex narrative storytelling. The film industry was still largely centered on the East Coast, with Philadelphia's Lubin Manufacturing Company being one of the major players alongside Edison Studios and Biograph. This period saw the rise of the star system, with actors like Marie Eline becoming recognizable to audiences. The film's themes of media manipulation and publicity stunts reflected the growing sophistication of American marketing and the increasing power of newspapers in shaping public opinion. The hotel setting also spoke to the rise of leisure culture in early 20th century America, as tourism and hospitality became important industries.

Making Of

The production of 'The Mermaid' took place during a transformative period in American cinema. The Lubin Manufacturing Company, based in Philadelphia, was one of the pioneering studios that helped establish the film industry on the East Coast before the migration to Hollywood. Director Barry O'Neil worked extensively with Lubin and was known for his efficient shooting methods. The film's special effects, particularly the mermaid sequences, would have required innovative solutions for the time, possibly using glass tanks, underwater photography techniques, or clever editing. The cast included Violet Heming, who would later have a successful stage and film career, and Frank Hall Crane, another prominent actor of the silent era. Child actress Marie Eline, though her specific role isn't detailed in surviving records, was already a well-known figure in early cinema.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'The Mermaid' would have utilized the standard techniques of 1910, including stationary camera positions and basic editing. Any underwater or mermaid sequences would have required special effects techniques such as double exposure, matte shots, or filming through glass tanks. The visual style would be characteristic of the transitional period between the 'cinema of attractions' and classical narrative cinema, with more attention to staging and composition than earlier films but still lacking the sophisticated camera movement of later years.

Innovations

While not a technical landmark, the film likely employed some innovative effects for its mermaid sequences. These could have included early underwater photography techniques, special costuming, or editing tricks. The production by Lubin Manufacturing Company would have benefited from their relatively advanced studio facilities and equipment for the period. The film represents the ongoing refinement of narrative storytelling techniques that were rapidly developing in American cinema during this era.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Mermaid' would have been accompanied by live music during its theatrical exhibition. The score would typically have been provided by a pianist or small theater orchestra, using popular songs of the era and classical pieces appropriate to the mood of each scene. No original composed score would have been created specifically for this short film, as was standard practice for productions of this type and budget level in 1910.

Memorable Scenes

• The reveal of Ethel in her mermaid costume to the hotel guests, where the deception is finally exposed but met with amusement rather than anger, demonstrating the film's lighthearted approach to its themes of deception and publicity.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of 'The Mermaid' is difficult to document due to the limited survival of film trade publications from 1910. However, films from the Lubin Manufacturing Company were generally well-regarded in their time for their technical quality and entertainment value. The Moving Picture World, a major trade publication of the era, often reviewed Lubin releases positively. Modern film historians view such early comedies as important artifacts that demonstrate the rapid evolution of cinematic language and storytelling techniques in the early 1910s.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception information for specific 1910 releases is scarce, but comedy shorts were extremely popular with early cinema audiences. The premise of a mermaid sighting would have been particularly appealing during a time when such stories were common in newspapers and popular culture. The film's combination of fantasy, humor, and a relatable business success story would have resonated with working and middle-class audiences of the period. The novelty of seeing a 'mermaid' on screen, even as a comedy element, would have been a significant draw for early filmgoers.

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