Introduction and Plot Overview"Johanna Enlists" is a 1918 silent comedy and drama movie directed by William Desmond Taylor, starring Mary Pickford who is extremely acknowledged as the "Queen of Adorable Charmers". The motion picture is based on Rupert Hughes' unique "Private Pettigrew's Girl".
The movie informs the story of Johanna Renssaller, a farmer's daughter from a little American town. Despite leading a dull and lonesome life, Johanna withstands the attachment to Seth Landers, a dull suitor from her village.
Story DevelopmentEverything changes when a military program begins its encampment on the lands of Johanna's dad. Her dull life quickly gets a burst of excitement with the arrival of army soldiers. The Regiment Captain's beauty attracts Johanna who starts sensation unique about his attention.
Driven by her fascination, Johanna decides to tend for the soldiers to get more familiarized with the soldiers, specifically the Captain. She makes food, refreshments, and other small services available for the soldiers. Soon, the Regiment's needful guys make her the "child of the Regiment", even more catching Johanna's heart and love.
The Love Conflict and ResolutionDespite her growing affection for the Captain, Johanna finds herself in a complicated love triangle. Personal Vibbard, another soldier, falls in love with Johanna. When Vibbard saves Johanna from a raving fire, the courageous act captivates her additional, resulting in a shift of her affection from the Captain to Vibbard.
Meanwhile, when the precious Captain leaves for France due to an abrupt order, Johanna recognizes that her heart truly came from Vibbard who stayed by her side till the very end. She ultimately chooses to reciprocate Vibbard's unexpressed feelings.
ConclusionVibbard gets promoted as the commander, and he expresses his love for Johanna. The motion picture ends with Johanna happily in love with Vibbard, the new Captain, and Seth Landers, the overlooked suitor, regretfully watching the delighted couple from afar.
Reception and Significance"Johanna Enlists" successfully showcases how life can substantially change regardless of routine scenarios. It also provides Pickford's flawless performance that embodies her dignified charisma and sophistication. She reduces the difficult and complex romance to a pleasant and fairly persuading trifle. Even after a century, Pickford's tremendous skill and her charm's withstanding evidence makes Johanna's character in "Johanna Enlists" an interesting watch. It is a prime example of early Hollywood melodramas that made use of the war belief of that age.
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