The Song of the Wildwood Flute
About The Song of the Wildwood Flute
Gray Cloud, played by Dark Cloud, courts Dove Eyes, played by Mary Pickford, and brings her to his tent. A jealous rival, Dell Henderson, follows him on a hunt. Gray Cloud falls into a pit, and the rival leaves him there. Dove Eyes sickens when he does not come back. The rival gives in, pulls Gray Cloud out, and the couple are together again.
Cast & crew
More about The Song of the Wildwood Flute
D. W. Griffith directed. Billy Bitzer photographed it. Biograph released it. The story credit is Mrs. James H. Ryan's 'Legend of We-No-Nah.' Wikidata gives the length as 17 minutes. Dark Cloud, Pickford, and Dell Henderson lead. Kate Bruce and Francis J. Grandon are also billed.
Themes
Background
Biograph's 1910 program was still one reel. Indian-subject shorts that year often cast Dark Cloud when the studio wanted a Native lead.
Making
Griffith used the Biograph stock company for a one-reel legend: Pickford as the bride, Henderson as the rival, and Dark Cloud in the lead rather than as a background figure.
Look
Billy Bitzer photographed the courtship, the hunting pit, and the return to the tent.
Notes
- Dark Cloud, a Native performer, plays Gray Cloud opposite Pickford's Dove Eyes.
- Henderson is the rival who first abandons Gray Cloud in the pit and then rescues him.
- The source story is titled Legend of We-No-Nah.
- Mack Sennett and Alfred Paget are in the Biograph company on this reel.
- The reunion happens because Dove Eyes is ill, not because the rival is caught.
Scenes
- Gray Cloud brings Dove Eyes home to his tent.
- He falls into a pit on the hunt and Henderson leaves him.
- Henderson pulls him out after Dove Eyes falls ill.
Influenced by
- Mrs. James H. Ryan's story Legend of We-No-Nah
