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They Would Elope
(1909) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel / 572 feet
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cast: William A. Quirk (Billy Quirk) [Harry], Mary Pickford [Bessie], James Kirkwood [her father], Kate Bruce [her mother], Robert Harron [the boy at the stable], Harry Solter [the man at the stable], Anthony O’Sullivan [the butler], [?] ? [sister], [?] ? [maid], Owen Moore [man in car], Arthur Johnson [Reverend Mr. Wiffles], Mack Sennett [the man with a wheelbarrow], [?] ? [person at the dock], William J. Butler [a man at the party], Gladys Egan [a girl at the party], John R. Cumpson [a man at the party], Henry B. Walthall [a man at the party], Gertrude Robinson [a woman at the party]
Biograph Company production; distributed by Biograph Company. / Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer and Percy Higginson. / © 10 August 1909 by Biograph Company. Released 9 August 1909; in a split-reel with Jones’ Burglar (1909). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The production was shot on 24-25 June and 15 July 1909 in the Biograph New York studio, and on-location at Little Falls, New Jersey. The first film in the “Harry and Bessie” series.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [Biograph Bulletin, number 264, [?] ? August 1909, page ?] Love has ever laughed at locksmiths, but on this particular occasion the laugh is on Cupid, for that chubby archer certainly miscalculated in arranging the program of the romance of Harry and Bessie. Still the episode will be looked upon in after days as a decidedly strenuous page in their life’s history, and one need not be possessed of an excessively keen sense of humor to appreciate its comedy value. Harry and Bessie loved each other with all the impetuosity of youth, and during one of the many occasions when they pledge undying affection, are surprised by Papa, who, in spirit of jest, pretends to be highly enraged at their presumption, apparently treating them as mere kids. Papa out of the way, they resent being treated as children and plan to elope. Leaving a note to this effect, they decamp, and engage the services of a horse and carriage, which appears to be an 1850 model, to put them beyond apprehension until the knot is tied, but the pursuers cometh not. They haven’t gone far when the vehicle breaks down, and in panic they scamper along the road until they meet an automobile, and as all the world loves a lover, they easily enlist the chauffeur’s aid — but the pursuers cometh not. Everything is going fine, and they are hitting only the high places in the road when — Bang! s-s-s-l-l — meaning something’s “busted” — auto out of business. Again they are forced to skedaddle until poor little Bessie drops exhausted. Harry secures a wheelbarrow and does the strong man act, and pushes the precious freight to the lakeside, where they jump into a canoe and are soon skimming the placid aqua — yet the pursuers cometh not. Smoothly and swiftly, they glide until over goes the craft, and the cool water has a chilling effect on Bessie, who, struggling to the bank, refuses to go any further, and turns homeward. Furthermore, what’s the use of eloping when you’re not pursued. Here’s the reason: When Papa read the note, he at once gets everybody busy at preparing a feast and decorating the place in manner fitting their return as bride and groom. It is upon this scene of gayety [sic] they burst bedraggled, wet and muddy, to inform the folks that despite the adventure they are still unmarried. However, Rev. Mr. Wiffles is present and does the deed, so the feast is not wasted. // Additional synopsis available in Usai-Griffith-3 p. 17.
Survival status: Prints exist in the Library of Congress film archive (American Film Institute / Mary Pickford collection) [35mm nitrate negative] and (paper print collection) [35mm paper positive]; and in the Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education film collection [35mm reversal duplicate].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Animals: Horses - Domestics: Butlers, Maids - Elopements - Marriages - Religion: Preachers - Transportation: Automobiles, Carriages - USA: New Jersey: Little Falls
Listing updated: 15 October 2011.
References: Barry-Griffith p. 41; Blum-Silent p. 13; Eyman-Pickford pp. 47, 324; Spehr-American p. 4; Usai-Griffith-3 pp. 2, 16-18 : Website-Pickford.
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