A Sweet Revenge (1909)

After being jilted for another, a woman sends her lover's old letters to the new fiancée and looks forward to the reaction. But when she spots her old lover's glove left behind, she has a change of heart and repents.

A Sweet Revenge: Overview
"A Sweet Revenge" is a silent brief film from the early era of movie theater, released in 1909 throughout a period when movie was still a relatively new form of entertainment. As a work from over a century ago, it shows the storytelling and filmmaking strategies of its time, often defined by melodramatic plots, overstated acting for expressive purposes, and no integrated tape-recorded sound. Regrettably, given the age of the movie and the fact that lots of works from that period are lost to time, detailed specifics about this specific film, such as plot complexities, cast names, and directorial touches, may not be readily offered or well-documented.

Plot Summary
Given the common themes of silent films from the 1909 era, "A Sweet Revenge" most likely revolved around a remarkable and uncomplicated story, potentially including styles of love, morality, and retribution. The title itself suggests a story where a character looks for and possibly attains retribution, possibly in the context of a romantic betrayal or social oppression.

In typical 1909 plotlines, the lead character might have been mistreated in some style, either by an enthusiast, an organization associate, or a rival. This would set the stage for a tale of restitution, with the main character plotting to accomplish justice or revenge. The 'sweet' element of the revenge might imply that the protagonist's vengeance is either justified, leads to a positive result, or is carried out in a creative, non-violent manner-- turning the tables on the villain without resorting to ruthless means.

Secret Characters & Acting
The main figures in "A Sweet Revenge" might consist of the victim of the preliminary wrongdoings, the criminal(s) of those actions, and maybe a love interest or other crucial side characters. The acting in quiet movies was normally more physical and expressive than what modern audiences are used to, emphasizing gestures and facial expressions to convey feelings and plot points without spoken dialogue.

Actors likely needed to convey a vast array of feelings, from betrayal and rage to cunning and fulfillment, using their talents in a form of visual storytelling, supported by title cards that provided audiences with necessary narrative info and dialogue.

Production Design and Cinematography
Silent films of this age frequently used practical sets and backgrounds, such as interior spaces, streets, or countryside places, to depict their stories. "A Sweet Revenge" would be no exception, and the production design would have included period-appropriate costumes, props, and modest scenery to develop a persuading story for early 20th-century audiences.

Cinematography was a developing art kind and was normally more fixed compared to contemporary filmmaking. Electronic camera motions were limited, and scenes often consisted of single, broad shots that caught the actors performing practically as if they were on a phase. There might have been innovative usages of close-ups or medium shots to highlight important objects or minutes within the story.

Tradition and Preservation
As with many films from this age, "A Sweet Revenge" deals with the possibility of being a lost movie, a typical fate for early cinema, as the volatile nitrate film stock and the lack of proper archival methods caused widespread deterioration and damage of prints. If preserved, it likely resides in a museum or archive, waiting for remediation or digitization for contemporary audiences to see.

The tradition of these early movies is substantial, as they set the structures for the story and visual language of modern movie theater. Viewing a film like "A Sweet Revenge" would offer insight into the evolution of screen storytelling and the universal styles that have actually captivated audiences for generations. It contributes to our understanding of cultural history and the development of entertainment innovation.

Top Cast

  • Arthur V. Johnson (small)
    Arthur V. Johnson
    Paul Hiller
  • Marion Leonard (small)
    Marion Leonard
    Paul's Fiancee - The Jilted One
  • Jeanie Macpherson (small)
    Jeanie Macpherson
    Alice Baross - 2nd Fiancee
  • Frank Powell
    Alice's Father
  • Robert Harron (small)
    Robert Harron
    On the Bridge
  • Mary Pickford (small)
    Mary Pickford