Daddy-Long-Legs (1919)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Marshall Neilan

Writers:

Jean Webster (novel)
Agnes Christine Johnston (adaptation)

Release Date:

11 May 1919 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Wealthy Jervis Pendleton acts as benefactor for orphan Judy Abbott, anonymously sponsoring her in her boarding school...

Plot Keywords:

Benefactor | Orphan | Boarding School | May December Romance | Young Girl

Cast

Mary Pickford	...	Jerusha 'Judy' Abbott
Milla Davenport	...	Mrs. Lippett
Percy Haswell	...	Miss Pritchard (as Miss Percy Haswell)
Fay Lemport	...	Angelina Gwendolin Rosalind 'Angie' Wykoff
Mahlon Hamilton	...	Jarvis Pendleton
Lillian Langdon	...	Mrs. Pendleton
Betty Bouton	...	Julia 'Julie' Pendleton
Audrey Chapman	...	Sallie 'Sally' Mc Bride
Marshall Neilan	...	Jimmie Mc Bride (as Marshall A. Neilan)
Carrie Clark Ward	...	Mrs. Semple

Also Known As:

Daddy Long Legs (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

85 min (1998 restored version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Company:

Mary Pickford Company

Trivia:

This was the first film of Mary Pickford's new production deal. The part of the deal that clinched it was she was finally able to have approval over the final film edit, which she had been unable to get before. It was predicted by some to be a risky deal, but this proved to be a big success for Pickford.

Quotes:

Jerusha Abbott: Mrs Semple, what is Love?
Mrs. Semple: Love is a bad habit -- it's much safer to have the measles -- they aint near as painful.

Movie Connections:

Version of Curly Top (1935)

Well-constructed story about an orphan...

1st watched 10/21/2001 - 7 out of 10(Dir-Marshall Neilan): Well-constructed story about an orphan and her pursuit for happiness and her changing relationship with a character that she calls ‘daddy-long-legs' that helps her throughout her life anonymously and final reveals himself at the end of the movie.(I'll keep this secret so that you can find out who it is for yourself when you watch the movie.) Tauted as one of Mary Pickford's best movies and considering this is the first I've seen of her's I will agree. The movie is great not entirely because of her but because of the story. She does a good job of molding into this character step by step but without the interesting storyline she would not have opportunity to show her talents. Agnes C. Johnson wrote the script and it is based on a novel by Jean Webster. It is no surprise that this work is used to create another four movies including the Shirley Temple movie 'Curly Top' and and a fifties musical. Starts out similar to the ‘Annie' story but really spans the character much further in her life and shows the ups and downs of being an orphan in a much greater way than that film. Another good silent-movie viewing experience for those who are patient enough to read and pay attention a little more closely while watching a film. This one is worth the effort.