The Little Clown

The Little Clown is a 1921 American silent comedy film directed by Thomas N. Heffron and starring Mary Miles Minter, adapted by Eugene B. Lewis from a comedy play by Avery Hopwood.[1] It is one of approximately a dozen of Minter's films which still survive today.[2] A copy of the film was found in the Dawson Film Find in 1978[3] - although other copies survived in various holdings - and a few brief frames from this copy can be seen in 2016 documentary Dawson City: Frozen Time.

The Little Clown
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Directed byThomas N. Heffron
Screenplay byEugene B. Lewis
Based onThe Little Clown
by Avery Hopwood
StarringMary Miles Minter
Jack Mulhall
Neely Edwards
CinematographyFaxon M. Dean
Production
company
Realart Pictures Corporation
Distributed byRealart Pictures Corporation
Release date
  • March 1921 (1921-03)
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot
Mary Miles Minter in "The Little Clown" (1921)

As described in various film magazine reviews,[4][5][6][7] Pat (Minter) has been born and brought up in a travelling circus. Her parents died when she was young, and Toto the clown (Edwards), who acted as her adoptive father when she was younger, now hopes to marry her as she has come of age.

When the circus stops in a Southern town, Dick Beverly (Mulhall), a young man from an aristocratic family, falls in love with Pat. Having recently argued with his father, he runs away to join the circus with her as a rider. His parents see him performing in the circus and insist that he returns home with them, which he refuses to do until Pat is allowed to join him.

Dick's snobbish parents do not regard Pat as a suitable match for their son, but they agree to his request, hoping that Pat will struggle to adapt to an upper-class lifestyle and that Dick will thus realise that she will not make a good wife. Pat tries her best to rise to the demands of the strict social rules imposed by her prospective parents-in-law, but their lack of approval is clear.

One day when Dick's parents are out of the house, Pat's circus "family" calls to visit her. Dick's younger brother Roddy (Coffey) adds liquor to their drinks, and when Dick's parents return they are appalled by the drunken behaviour and throw the circus folk out of the house. Indignant at the way that the Beverleys have treated her friends, Pat goes with them.

Pat is at the point of accepting Toto's proposal when Roddy confesses to his prank on the circus folk. Dick chases after Pat to confess his love and beg her forgiveness, and Toto gives up his claim on her, leaving Pat and Dick free to wed.

The April 9th, 1921 edition of Motion Picture News lists a musical cue sheet for the film.[8]

Cast
Lantern Slide for "The Little Clown"

References
  1. "Unusual Animal Scenes Photographed For Mary Miles Minter's Production". Exhibitors Herald. Chicago: Exhibitors Herald Co. 12 (14): . April 2, 1921.
  2. The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Little Clown
  3. Film, Video and Sound - Database: The Little Clown
  4. "Reviews: The Little Clown". Wid's Daily. New York: Wid’s Film and Film Folks inc. 16 (10): 6. April 6, 1921.
  5. "The Complete Plan Book: The Little Clown". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 23 (17): . April 16, 1921.
  6. "Newest Reviews and Comments: The Little Clown". Moving Picture World. New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company. 49 (8): . April 23, 1921.
  7. "Reviews: Mary Miles Minter in The Little Clown". Exhibitors Herald. Chicago: Exhibitors Herald Co. 12 (13): . March 26, 1921.
  8. "Music: The Little Clown". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 23 (16): . April 9, 1921.
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