The Little Darling (1909)

This might be termed a comedy of errors, for the overzealousness of a lot of good-hearted simple folks places them in a rather embarrassing position. Lillie Green, who keeps a boarding house, receives a letter from her old school chum, Polly Brown, whom sin hasn't seen in years, to the effect that as Lillie has never seen her little darling daughter, she will send her for a few days' visit, asking that someone meet the child at the 3:40 train. Lillie's boarders are a bunch of kind-hearted bachelors, who at once prepare to give the "Little Darling" the time of her life, buying a load of toys, etc., for her amusement, also procuring a baby carriage with which to meet her at the train. You may imagine their embarrassment when they find that Tootsie, instead of being a baby, proves to be a handsome young lady of seventeen, whose tastes run rather to garden gates, shady lanes and quiet nooks, than toys. (Moving Picture World)

Film Overview
"The Little Darling" stands as a significant contribution to early cinema, launched in 1909 by the popular American movie production business, Biograph. Directed by D. W. Griffith, a pioneering figure in the American film industry, "The Little Darling" is a quick, yet influential brief movie.

Plot Summary
This short movie with a running time of about 10 minutes offers an intimate glance into the everyday life has a hard time faced by a lady, her young child, and the regrettable circumstances they find themselves in. The plot starts with the woman taking part in her everyday chores while her daughter, invigorated by childlike innocence, plays with a much-loved doll, unconcerned to the actuality of their distressing living conditions.

Their peaceful morning is interfered with when the property manager, a rather unsympathetic character owing to their failure to pay the lease, evicts them. Homeless and defenseless, the mom designs a strategy that necessitates her leaving her child in a park while she endeavors to seek work.

Notable Scenes
The minute the mother leaves her little darling at the park is enormously gut-wrenching and served to show the desperation of their circumstance truly. The director made the viewers witness to the contrast in between the kid's innocent play and the mother's anxiety-filled job search efficiently customizing the drama.

A popular scene from "The Little Darling" occurs when a rich female, stirred by the sight of the unattended kid, embraces her. The female instantly takes the kid, christening her as "The Little Darling", and provides her with a love-filled, reassuring environment conducive to a child's growth.

Emotional Climax
The climax of "The Little Darling" touches the psychological chord of the audience as the desperate mom upon returning from her job hunt finds her daughter missing out on. Seen desperately browsing throughout the town, the mom collapses into misery only to be awakened by the sight of her daughter, driven back house by the wealthy female.

Conclusion and Impact
Upon recognizing the child, the rich female likewise acknowledges the mother's plight, and in an incomparable act of generosity, decides to offer both of them. The movie ends on a heartfelt note, embodying an engaging commentary on the powerful styles of motherhood, hardship, empathy, and human kindness.

"The Little Darling", despite its brief duration, is successful in leaving an enduring impression on its audience. In a period where film-making was still primary, D. W. Griffith handled to craft a simple yet powerful story, utilizing subtlety, heartfelt emotion, and an unique narrative design. As "The Little Darling" concludes, viewers are left reflecting on the profound struggle the characters had actually withstood, offering a stark pointer of the bleak realities of poverty and an equal emphasis on the transformative power of kindness.

Top Cast

  • Mary Pickford (small)
    Mary Pickford
    Little Darling
  • Robert Harron (small)
    Robert Harron
  • Mack Sennett (small)
    Mack Sennett
    In Boarding House
  • Billy Quirk (small)
    Billy Quirk
    In Boarding House
  • John R. Cumpson
    In Boarding House
  • Arthur V. Johnson (small)
    Arthur V. Johnson
    In Boarding House
  • Owen Moore (small)
    Owen Moore
    In Boarding House
  • James Kirkwood (small)
    James Kirkwood
    In Store
  • Henry B. Walthall (small)
    Henry B. Walthall
    In Boarding House
  • Charles Avery (small)
    Charles Avery
    In Boarding House
  • Verner Clarges
    In Boarding House