James Kirkwood Movies
Durable American actor James Kirkwood opened up his film career at the Biograph studios in 1909 and closed it out with 1962's The Ugly American. The curly-haired, dependable-looking Kirkwood (described in an early Photoplay article as "one of those regular film 'troupers' who never fall down") occasionally interrupted his acting career for a spot of directing; in 1912 alone, he wielded the megaphone for nine pictures featuring Mary Pickford. Lacking the drive and organizational skills to excel as a director, Kirkwood willingly switched back to acting full-time by 1918. His silent film acting credits include D.W. Griffith's Home, Sweet Home (1914) and That Royale Girl (1926), costarring with W.C. Fields in the latter picture. Among Kirkwood's talking films were Over the Hill (1931), Charlie Chan's Chance (1933) and Joan of Arc (1949). His talkie roles frequently found Kirkwood on the wrong side of the law, as in the Tom Mix western My Pal the King (1932), wherein Kirkwood trapped boy-king Mickey Rooney in a rapidly flooding cellar. James Kirkwood's third wife was actress Lila Lee; their son was James Kirkwood Jr., co-author of the Broadway long-runner A Chorus Line. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1909
D.W. Griffith's Fools of Fate was filmed in Cuddebackville, New York, back to back with the same director's Leather Stocking. Advertised by Biograph as a "Contemporary Melodrama," the film begins as a young trapper bids his wife farewell before heading to the woods. Later on, the trapper is rescued from a watery grave by a fisherman, whereupon the two men swear eternal loyalty. Still later, the fisherman happens upon the trapper's cabin. He begins flirting with the trapper's wife, not realizing that he is betraying his best friend. Upon discovering his wife in a compromising situation, the husband refuses to listen to his friend's explanation and promptly commits suicide. Henry B. Walthall, Frank Powell and Marion Leonard were the leading players in this one-reel domestic tragedy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1909
Indian maiden Clear Eyes (Marion Leonard) makes the mistake of marrying a white man, Bud Watkins (Arthur Johnson), who leaves her for a rich white girl (Linda Arvidson). Happily, an old flame, Indian Brave Comata (James Kirkwood), brings her back home to the Black Hills of Dakota. This early Biograph one-reel Western melodrama was filmed at Cuddebackville, New York, in early August of 1909 and has been preserved in the paper print collection of the Library of Congress. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1909
D.W. Griffith's Renunciation is a comedy western, filmed in the wilds of Shadyside, New Jersey. Fascinated by a pair of handsome cowboys, the heroine flirts shamelessly with both men. It isn't long before the two old pals of the saddle are bitter enemies. As they prepare to square off in a knife battle, the girl breaks up the fight by introducing her real boyfriend, a limp-wristed "pansy" type. Astonished that the girl would choose a sissy-boy over them, the two cowpokes vow eternal friendship and swear off women for good (or, at least, for now). Mary Pickford, Billy Quirk and Harry Salter are starred in this one-reel trifle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1909
"A contemporary comedy" was the Biograph Bulletin's description of D.W. Griffith's Getting Even. The scene is a small mining town, where all the local boys are stuck on pretty Mary Pickford. A young stranger arrives in town and is likewise smitten by the girl. In retaliation, the miners subject the poor fellow to a public humiliation. As a means of revenge, the young hero attends a costume ball in female garb, immediately entrancing the gullible miners. After forcing his tormentors to make fools of themselves to gain his (her?) attention, the young man drops his masquerade and has the last laugh. The location scenes in Getting Even were lensed in Edgewater, New Jersey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1909
D.W. Griffith's Indian Runner's Romance represented one of the director's first forays to Biograph's facilities in Cuddebackville, a village in the Orange Mountain region of New York State. Arthur V. Johnson, James Kirkwood and Mary Pickford were among the Biograph "regulars" featured in this western melodrama. Upon discovering a valuable gold mine, an Indian brave (Kirkwood) is targeted by a gang of white bandits. The villains torture the brave's young wife (Pickford) to force her to reveal the whereabouts of the mine. She refuses to talk, whereupon the bad guys carry her off to parts unknown. Upon learning of his wife's abduction, the Indian gives chase on foot, negotiating steep cliffs and raging rapids in his pursuit of the bandits. Ultimately, our hero catches up with the heavies and kills them both, rescuing his wide-eyed bride in the process. Singled out for praise by the Variety critic at the time of the film's release was the breathtaking location cinematography of Billy Bitzer. Technical advice for Indian Runner's Romance was provided by Native American Mrs. James Youngdeer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1909
Biograph's The Convict's Sacrifice was lensed by D. W. Griffith on location at Fort Lee, New Jersey. Released from prison, a convict (Henry B. Walthall, in his first Griffith film) is shunned by society. Unexpectedly, he is befriended by a common laborer, whereupon the convict swears eternal devotion to his benefactor. Later on, the convict lands back in jail but is able to make a quick escape, hiding out in the home of his friend, the laborer. Discovering that his pal has a sick daughter who will die unless medicine is purchased, the convict tries to persuade his friend to turn him in for the reward money. The friend refuses, forcing the convict to deliberately pick a fight, which he has no intention of winning. When the authorities arrive, it appears as though the laborer has subdued the convict, whereupon he is instantly handed a huge reward. Before the laborer can explain what has really happened, the convict has been shot and killed in another escape attempt, nobly taking his secret to the grave. Featured in the cast were such Biograph stalwarts as Linda Arvidson (Mrs. D.W. Griffith) and future comedy king Mack Sennett. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1909
Directed by D.W. Griffith, Change of Heart was a standard-issue Biograph subject. The film begins on a sordid note, as a group of rapacious young men draw up a pact to "deflower" an innocent country girl. The boys hoodwink the heroine with a phony marriage, with one of the conspirators posing as the minister. At the last moment, the phony cleric finds he can't go through with it, and confesses all to the girl. His example is followed by his friends, who instantly display remorse for their wicked ways and promise to reform. Out of gratitude, the girl marries her "savior" in a genuine wedding ceremony. Location scenes for this one-reel morality play were shot in Greenwich, Connecticut. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
