The Girl and Her Trust (1912)

Some tramps assault the telegraph office trying to rob $2000 delivered by train. The telegraphist girl, trying to help, telegraphs the next station and then the men are captured.

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writer:

George Hennessy

Stars:

Dorothy Bernard, Wilfred Lucas, Edwin August

Cast

Credited cast:
Dorothy Bernard	...	Grace, the Telegraph Operator
Wilfred Lucas	...	Jack, Railroad Express Agent
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Edwin August	...	Younger Tramp
Christy Cabanne	...	Baggage Handler (as W. Christy Cabanne)
William A. Carroll	...	Engineer
Charles Gorman	...	Older Tramp, Next to Train
Robert Harron	...	Telegrapher's Companion / Remote Station Worker
Walter Long	...	Grace's Bashful Suitor
Charles Hill Mailes	...	Remote Telegraph Operator
Anthony O'Sullivan	...	(unconfirmed)
Alfred Paget	...	Tramp
W.C. Robinson	...	Simple Suitor
Charles West	...	Telegrapher

Storyline

Some tramps assault the telegraph office trying to rob $2000 delivered by train. The telegraphist girl, trying to help, telegraphs the next station and then the men are captured.

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Plot Keywords:

tramp | train | product placement | railway | female hero | 

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Genres:

Short | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1912 (USA)

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Biograph Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

17 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the 2 tramps are taking the express trunk for the station, it is dark outside when they open the door. Looking through the window next to the door, it is light outside. It's also light outside when tramps get outside of the station. The same happens when the telegraph operator leaves the station.

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Connections

Remake of The Lonedale Operator (1911)

User Reviews

Another Operator Guards Her Trust

Dorothy Bernard (as Grace) is a railroad telegraph operator, admired by all, especially by men. Though men like W.C. Robinson try to tickle her fancy, she prefers Wilfred Lucas (as Jack). After the two flirt, Ms. Bernard receives word that a $2,000 payroll will be arriving by train, and placed in her trust. This attracts some bad elements; specifically, tramps Edwin August and Alfred Paget; they are plotting steal the $2,000...

Director D.W. Griffith's "cross-cutting" makes "A Girl and Her Trust" an exciting early silent, improving on the his earlier "The Lonely Villa" (1909); however, the story situation is not nearly as good as the forthcoming "An Unseen Enemy" (1912), with the Gish sisters, which also improves on "The Lonedale Operator", which this film is practically a re-make of... Bernard performs very well as the heroine; Mr. Lucas steals both her heart, and co-acting honors. Griffith's cast of "extras" is always extraordinary. Though memorable, the way Bernard uses: a bullet, a keyhole, and scissors as a gun may have you shaking your head.

***** A Girl and Her Trust (3/12/12) D.W. Griffith ~ Dorothy Bernard, Wilfred Lucas, Edwin August