The Poor Little Rich Girl

Plot

Gwen (Mary Pickford) is the only daughter of incredibly wealthy parents who are emotionally neglectful and materialistic. Her father is obsessed with business ventures while her mother prioritizes social status and appearances, leaving Gwen lonely and unhappy despite her immense wealth. The servants either ignore her or mistreat her, and she longs for genuine love and attention. After a careless servant accidentally gives Gwen an overdose of sleeping medication, she falls into a feverish dream state where she experiences fantastical visions that help her understand what she truly values. This near-tragic incident serves as a wake-up call for her parents, forcing them to reevaluate their priorities and recognize the importance of love and family over wealth and social standing.

Historical Background

The Poor Little Rich Girl was released during World War I, a time when American cinema was beginning to assert itself as a dominant cultural force. 1917 marked America's entry into the war, and films like this provided escapist entertainment while also reflecting changing social values about family and wealth. The film industry was transitioning from the East Coast to Hollywood, with Fort Lee, New Jersey still being a major production center. This period saw the rise of the star system, with Mary Pickford being one of the first actors to achieve true international fame and leverage that fame into production power. The film's themes of wealth versus happiness resonated with audiences during a time of great social upheaval and growing income inequality in America.

Making Of

The production was groundbreaking as it was the first film where Mary Pickford had complete creative control through her own production company. She hand-picked Maurice Tourneur to direct, impressed by his artistic sensibility and European training. The fantasy sequences required innovative special effects techniques, including double exposure and matte photography, which were extremely difficult to achieve with 1917 technology. Pickford was deeply involved in every aspect of production, from script approval to casting decisions. The film's success proved that stars could produce their own films profitably, paving the way for future independent production companies. The relationship between Pickford and Tourneur was highly collaborative, with the director encouraging her to explore the emotional depth of her character beyond the typical melodramatic acting style of the era.

Visual Style

The cinematography by John van den Broek and Lucien Andriot was highly innovative for its time. The film featured sophisticated lighting techniques that created mood and atmosphere, particularly in the fantasy sequences. Tourneur and his cinematographers used soft focus and backlighting to create dreamlike effects that were revolutionary in 1917. The fantasy dream sequences employed groundbreaking double exposure techniques and in-camera effects to create magical visuals. The cinematography also made effective use of depth and composition, with Tourneur bringing his European artistic sensibility to American cinema. The contrast between the cold, formal world of Gwen's wealthy environment and the warm, emotional fantasy worlds was achieved through careful lighting and camera work. The film's visual style influenced many subsequent productions and demonstrated the artistic possibilities of cinematic storytelling.

Innovations

The Poor Little Rich Girl featured several technical innovations that were groundbreaking for 1917. The fantasy dream sequences utilized sophisticated double exposure techniques that were extremely difficult to achieve with the equipment of the time. The film also employed innovative matte photography to create magical effects that blurred the line between reality and imagination. Tourneur and his technical team developed new methods for creating smooth transitions between different visual states, particularly effective in the fever dream sequences. The film's production design included elaborate sets that could transform to represent different psychological states. The lighting techniques used to create mood and atmosphere were particularly advanced, with the cinematographers using artificial lighting in ways that were still experimental at the time. These technical achievements helped establish new possibilities for visual storytelling in cinema and influenced subsequent developments in film technology.

Music

As a silent film, The Poor Little Rich Girl was accompanied by live musical performances during its theatrical run. The original score was composed by James C. Bradford, who created different musical themes for the various characters and moods in the film. The music shifted dramatically between the formal classical pieces accompanying Gwen's wealthy world and the lighter, more whimsical melodies for the fantasy sequences. Theater orchestras were provided with detailed cue sheets indicating which music should be played during specific scenes. The emotional impact of the film was greatly enhanced by its musical accompaniment, with contemporary reviews specifically noting how effectively the music supported the storytelling. The score was considered sophisticated for its time and helped establish the importance of musical accompaniment in enhancing silent film narratives.

Memorable Scenes

• The fever dream sequence where Gwen imagines herself in a magical garden, showcasing innovative special effects and double exposure techniques that were revolutionary for 1917
• The emotional climax where Gwen's parents finally realize their neglect and rush to her bedside, featuring powerful performances that moved audiences to tears
• The opening scenes establishing Gwen's lonely existence in her mansion, contrasting the physical luxury with emotional poverty
• The transformation of the cold, formal mansion into a warm, loving home after the family's reconciliation
• The fantasy sequence where Gwen imagines different lives she could have lived, demonstrating the film's innovative visual style

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised The Poor Little Rich Girl as one of the finest films of 1917. The Motion Picture News called it 'a masterpiece of screen art' and particularly lauded Pickford's performance as 'sublime and touching.' Variety noted the film's 'originality and charm' while The New York Times praised its 'beautiful sentiment and artistic execution.' Modern critics have reassessed the film as an important transitional work in Pickford's career and a significant example of early American cinematic art. Film historian Kevin Brownlow has called it 'one of the most sophisticated American films of its decade,' particularly praising Tourneur's direction and the innovative fantasy sequences. The film is now recognized as a key work in the development of family drama and a showcase of Pickford's remarkable talent.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enormously popular with audiences upon its release, breaking box office records across the United States. Theater owners reported that the film drew unprecedented crowds, with many venues running it for weeks due to demand. Audiences were particularly moved by the emotional story and Pickford's performance, with many reports of viewers being moved to tears during screenings. The film's themes of neglected children and the emptiness of wealth without love resonated strongly with contemporary audiences. Letters to movie magazines and newspapers praised the film's message and Pickford's ability to convey deep emotion. The film's success was such that it helped establish Mary Pickford as the most popular and beloved film star in America, with newspapers referring to her as 'the girl who has captured the heart of the nation.'

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