The Fairy and the Waif
Encyclopedia
The Fairy and the Waif is a 1915
silent film
directed by Marie Hubert Frohman and George Irving
. The film was the debut of actress Mary Miles Minter
, who was twelve years old by the time of the release.
and leaves Viola in care of his attorney Mr. Nevinson. He sends the Nevinsons $30,000 to spend on Viola. When word reaches town Mr. Drayton has been killed in the war, the Nevinsons decide to keep the money for themselves.
Viola now lives in drudgery and one day runs away after harsh treatment. She joins the chorus of a musical comedy, but yet again is treated brutally. She leaves the theater, still dressed in her fairy costume. A waif notices her and thinks she is a real fairy. He takes her under his care. Later, it appears Mr. Drayton is still alive. The Nevinsons reach out a reward for the one who returns her. They eventually have to pay back Mr. Drayton. Meanwhile, a police man notices Viola and reunites her with her father.
1915 in film
The year 1915 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 8 : D.W Griffith's The Birth of a Nation premieres at Clune's Auditorium Los Angeles and breaks box office and film length records, running at a total length of 3 hrs 10 minutes.* June 18 : The Motion Picture Directors...
silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
directed by Marie Hubert Frohman and George Irving
George Irving (American actor)
George Henry Irving was an American film actor and director who made over 200 films in his lifetime. Some of his best known movies were Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Hearts Divided, A Night at the Opera, Son of Dracula, Hangmen Also Die!, Once Upon a Honeymoon, and Maid's Night Out.-Death:Irving...
. The film was the debut of actress Mary Miles Minter
Mary Miles Minter
Mary Miles Minter was an American film actress of the silent film era.-Early life and rise to stardom:Born Juliet Reilly in Shreveport, Louisiana, Minter was the daughter of Broadway actress Charlotte Shelby...
, who was twelve years old by the time of the release.
Plot
Viola Drayton is a girl with a fascination for fairies. Her father goes off to England to help soldiers in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and leaves Viola in care of his attorney Mr. Nevinson. He sends the Nevinsons $30,000 to spend on Viola. When word reaches town Mr. Drayton has been killed in the war, the Nevinsons decide to keep the money for themselves.
Viola now lives in drudgery and one day runs away after harsh treatment. She joins the chorus of a musical comedy, but yet again is treated brutally. She leaves the theater, still dressed in her fairy costume. A waif notices her and thinks she is a real fairy. He takes her under his care. Later, it appears Mr. Drayton is still alive. The Nevinsons reach out a reward for the one who returns her. They eventually have to pay back Mr. Drayton. Meanwhile, a police man notices Viola and reunites her with her father.
Cast
- Mary Miles MinterMary Miles MinterMary Miles Minter was an American film actress of the silent film era.-Early life and rise to stardom:Born Juliet Reilly in Shreveport, Louisiana, Minter was the daughter of Broadway actress Charlotte Shelby...
- Viola Drayton, the Fairy - Percy HeltonPercy HeltonPercy Helton was an American film and television actor.One of his most memorable supporting roles was playing a drunken Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street. He also appeared in small but memorable roles in Criss Cross , The Set-Up , Kiss Me Deadly and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid...
- The Waif - Will Archie - Sweetie
- William T. Carleton - Major Drayton
- Hubert Wilke - Mr. Nevinson
- Ina Brooks - Mrs. Nevinson
- Frank GillmoreFrank GillmoreFrank Gillmore was an English American playwright and a stage and early film actor...