The Adventures of Dollie (1908)

On a warm and sunny summer's day, a mother and father take their young daughter Dollie on a riverside outing. A gypsy basket peddler happens along, and is angered when the mother refuses to... See full summary »

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writer:

Stanner E.V. Taylor

Stars:

Arthur V. Johnson, Linda Arvidson, Gladys Egan

Cast

Cast overview:
Arthur V. Johnson	...	Father
Linda Arvidson	...	Mother
Gladys Egan	...	Dollie
Charles Inslee	...	Gypsy
Mrs. George Gebhardt	...	Gypsy's Wife (as Madeline West)

Storyline

On a warm and sunny summer's day, a mother and father take their young daughter Dollie on a riverside outing. A gypsy basket peddler happens along, and is angered when the mother refuses to buy his wares. He attacks mother and daughter but is driven off by the father. Later the gypsy sneaks back and kidnaps the girl. A rescue party is organized but the gypsy conceals the child in a 30 gallon barrel which he precariously places on the tail of the wagon. He and his gypsy-wife make their getaway by fording the river with the wagon. The barrel, with Dollie still inside, breaks free, tumbling into into the river; it starts floating toward the peril of a nearby waterfall . . .

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Plot Keywords:

gypsy | barrel | waterfall | lost child | melodrama | 

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Genres:

Action | Short

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 July 1908 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dollie kalandjai

Filming Locations:

Sound Beach, Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Mutoscope & Biograph

Technical Specs

Runtime:

12 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Directorial debut of D.W. Griffith.

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Connections

Featured in A Century of Cinema (1994)

User Reviews

Hello, Dollie!

The first known film directed by D.W. Griffith; it's just so-so. Arthur V. Johnson and Linda Arvidson like to take their little girl Dollie (Gladys Egan) out for afternoon walks and such. One day, vagrant Charles Inslee tries to sell Ms. Arvidson a basket. When she shines the tramp on, he gets belligerent; then, Mr. Johnson beats him up. Seeking revenge, Mr. Inslee kidnaps the little girl.

The "exciting climax" is when the barrel tumbles down a waterfall and along a river. It's not all that exciting; the falls should have been nearer to the end of the rolling on the river... By "Way Down East" (1920), Mr. Griffith had the waterfalling excitement correctly presented. "The Adventures of Dollie" is more silly than adventurous.

** The Adventures of Dollie (7/14/08) D.W. Griffith ~ Arthur V. Johnson, Linda Arvidson, Charles Inslee