The Broken Locket (1909)

The Broken Locket Poster

George Peabody is a young man who has been giving free rein to his inclinations, the principal one being drink. One might have concluded he was lost, but there was the chance which the hand of Providence always bestows in the person of pretty little Ruth King, who had secretly loved George since their childhood days. She succeeds in persuading him from his reckless life, and he determines to cut off from his old loose companions by going out West and making a man of himself. Bidding Ruth and her mother good-bye, he realizes that he loves his little preserver and promises to return worthy of her love and confidence. They plight their troth with their first kiss and a heart shaped locket, which Ruth wears, she breaking it in two, giving George one side while she retains the other, which symbolized the reunion of their hearts with his return.

Introduction to "The Broken Locket"
"The Broken Locket" is an early quiet short movie launched in 1909. Due to the passage of time and the film's age, thorough details concerning the plot and production might be sporadic, but the film became part of a growing market where filmmakers were try out narrative storytelling in a visual medium. Produced during a time when the film market was still in its infancy, "The Broken Locket" reflects the stylistic and technical constraints of its age. Given the period, this would include no integrated sound, fundamental editing methods, and a reliance on title cards to convey discussion and important plot details.

Plot Overview
As it is common with lots of quiet films of the early 20th century, the specific plot details of "The Broken Locket" are difficult to obtain, and it's possible that a copy of the movie does not make it through to today day. However, we can theorize from the title and the standards of melodrama at the time to picture what the film might have included. Normally, melodramas would concentrate on psychological stories typically involving romantic concerns, misunderstandings, and the ethical virtue of characters.

The story most likely focused on a romantic relationship represented by a locket. Lockets at the time were frequently utilized as mementos to store a portrait or a lock of hair from a loved one. A damaged locket in a movie could have symbolized a rupture in a relationship, perhaps due to a misconception, a conflict, or even betrayal.

The plot would have involved the characters' subsequent feelings and actions, leading them through a series of significant scenarios as they seek to fix the relationship mirrored by the meaning of the locket being repaired or remaining in its broken state.

Characters and Performances
The cast would have depended on exaggerated body movement and facial expressions to communicate the feelings and nuances of the story, as quiet movies did not have the benefit of spoken dialogue. The primary characters may include star-crossed fans, one of whom owns the locket, and secondary characters could include member of the family, competitors, or confidants.

The actors, whose names are lost to time, would have been entrusted with bringing depth and pathos to their functions, making the audience bought the narrative regardless of the lack of verbal communication.

Filmmaking Techniques and Style
In 1909, filmmaking innovation and strategy were still in their developmental stages. "The Broken Locket" would have used static camera shots, with each scene generally taking place in a single frame. Modifying would have been simple, frequently including a linear sequence of events without the complex montage or cross-cutting that became typical in later years.

Using title cards sprinkled amongst the recorded series would have offered the essential exposition, character discussion, and commentary to direct audiences through the story. Lighting would have been basic, most likely natural, or primary studio illumination, with costumes and sets developed to convey setting and social status within the silent, black-and-white palette of the film.

Cultural and Historical Significance
The film reflects the social and cultural worths of the early 1900s, where themes of love, virtue, morality, and redemption were commonly represented. "The Broken Locket", like numerous films of its time, would have been a graph of the values and difficulties faced by society during that era.

Conclusion
"The Broken Locket" remains an important piece of movie theater history. Though we might not have access to its content, it stands as a representation of early cinematic storytelling. Movies like this laid the groundwork for the narrative intricacy and technological improvements that have actually identified the century of filmmaking that followed.

Top Cast

  • Frank Powell
    George Peabody
  • Mary Pickford (small)
    Mary Pickford
    Ruth King
  • Kate Bruce (small)
    Kate Bruce
    Ruth's Mother
  • Robert Harron (small)
    Robert Harron
    Outside Company Office
  • Dell Henderson (small)
    Dell Henderson
  • Arthur V. Johnson (small)
    Arthur V. Johnson
    Mr. Joplin
  • James Kirkwood (small)
    James Kirkwood
    At Bar Table
  • Marion Leonard (small)
    Marion Leonard
    Mexican Woman
  • Owen Moore (small)
    Owen Moore
    At Bar Table / Outside Company Office
  • George Nichols (small)
    George Nichols
    Doctor / Outside Company Office
  • Anthony O'Sullivan
    Outside Company Office