Lena and the Geese (1912)

Lena and the Geese Poster

A first-born baby girl is sent away and placed in the care of Gretchen, a trusted peasant woman, who is the widowed mother of a child about the same age. The two children grow up as sisters. Later, upon her deathbed, the noble lady repents and sends for her child to reinstate her. Gretchen takes this opportunity to make a great lady of her own daughter Lena, the goose girl, by sending her to court instead of the real heiress. Hence Lena is taken before the noble lady, happy in the belief that she has made reparation. Lena is now a great lady, but the title does not fit well-- She longs to be back with Gretchen and her "geeses".

Intro
"Lena and the Geese" is a 1912 quiet short film including Mary Pickford in the titular function. The film, directed by D.W. Griffith and produced by Biograph Company, was filled with emotional depth and simplistic storytelling that made it incredibly popular during the quiet era.

Plot Overview
The story revolves around the eponymous character Lena, depicted by Mary Pickford, who takes care of her family's flock of geese. She lives in a small, rural village with her ill father. The household's income is modest, relying heavily on the income that the geese offer. Their hard financial circumstance aggravates when Lena's dad becomes ill and is unable to work, leaving the concern of preserving the home on young Lena's shoulders.

Dispute and Resolution
During the course of the film, one of Lena's geese mysteriously disappears. This leads her on a journey to discover the missing bird. The discovery of the goose has actually been taken by a rogue burglar ravages Lena, particularly due to the precarious nature of their income. Nevertheless, she does not quit and fearlessly chooses to find the thief and obtain her stolen goose.

After a series of experiences and fights, Lena finally manages to reclaim what is truly hers, the missing out on goose. This marks a monumental success for Lena, not simply in terms of recuperating her lost bird, but likewise in dealing with adversity and increasing against the difficulty.

Performances and Final Thoughts
Mary Pickford, typically known as "America's Sweetheart," gives a notable efficiency as Lena. In spite of being a quiet movie, her facial expressions and body movement wonderfully articulated the character's wide variety of feelings - from innocence and vulnerability to guts and decision. It is one of her earliest films, and it set a benchmark for her renowned profession in Hollywood.

Apart from Pickford's strong efficiency, the film likewise got appreciation for its reputable representation of rural life and socio-economic issues. Director D.W. Griffith's storytelling skills utilized movie as a powerful medium to reflect on societal conditions at that time.

"Lena and the Geese" is a simple yet insightful story of a girl's struggle and bravery. In spite of it being released over a century back, the universal themes of courage, perseverance in the face of adversity, and the significance of family resonate even today. This movie is a classic example of early 20th-century American silent movie theater that highlighted the extreme truths of poverty and survival.

Top Cast

  • Mary Pickford (small)
    Mary Pickford
    Lena
  • J. Jiquel Lanoe
    Lena's Sweetheart (as Jacque Lenor)
  • Kate Bruce (small)
    Kate Bruce
    Gretchen
  • Mae Marsh (small)
    Mae Marsh
    The 'Adopted' Daughter
  • Edwin August (small)
    Edwin August
    Lena's Father
  • Claire McDowell (small)
    Claire McDowell
    Lena's Mother
  • W. Chrystie Miller (small)
    W. Chrystie Miller
    Courtier
  • Christy Cabanne (small)
    Christy Cabanne
  • William A. Carroll (small)
    William A. Carroll
  • Grace Henderson
  • Harry Hyde