The New York Hat

Excellent early film, expertly featuring "legendary" director D.W. Griffith and "legendary' actress Mary Pickford before they became "legendary". When Ms. Pickford's mother dies, she is despondent. Her mother (Kate Bruce) didn't have much, but managed to leave Pickford enough money to buy some "finery"; the money is bequeathed to the local Pastor (Lionel Barrymore).

When Pickford admires "The New York Hat" in a downtown shop window, Minister Barrymore decides to buy it for her -- which ignites gossipers; they link Mary and the Minister in a "romantic" scandal.

Watch Pickford act before, with, and after "The New York Hat". Her performance is great; she plays her part as a young woman, not a little girl, simply and effectively. Her emotions are extraordinarily well-conveyed, for G.W. Bitzer's camera, under Griffith's direction.

A charmer.

********* The New York Hat (12/5/12) D.W. Griffith ~ Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore, Charles Hill Mailes, Kate Bruce

I viewed this short film in my film class and I was quite impressed with it considering it's age. It is easy to understand the story although there is no voices but it's still well defined by the music. And the characters are well defined as well.

Young minister Lionel Barrymore's gift of an expensive hat to Mary Pickford sets tongues wagging in their small town, but there is an innocent explanation behind it all. D. W. Griffith delivers an indictment of small-town prejudice and discrimination with a clear eye and a growing confidence towards the technical aspects of film-making.

A wonderful old film that is still enjoyable ninety years later. One of the better shorts from Griffith's Biograph period with fine performances from Lionel Barrymore and Mary Pickford. Miss Pickford always seems to brighten up a film. Wonderful actress!

A picture of a few human beings. They live in a small country town and seem to center around the village church. It doesn't shut its eyes to the frailties of mortal flesh; but it is optimistic, good-natured and leaves a pleasant taste, indeed, it is a picture among pictures to entertain, encourage and amuse. It is wonderful how the Biograph producer gets his many different characters, for hardly can the players be recognized so sure are they in their assumption of the peculiarities and semblance of people not themselves. One marvels that they are; but seeing them, he is not astonished to find them acting humorously. The scenario behind this picture of the little girl (Mary Pickford), of a miserly father for whom the minister bought a new hat, because her dying mother, knowing the father's stinginess, had given him a little money to get her a "few bits of finery," isn't strong in its primary idea; but it has been mighty well worked up. Then the motivation of the characters is so clearly drawn and the humor of them so often convinces laughter that the audience gets satisfaction. Clair McDowell plays an old spinster, Mae Marsh has an unimportant part. - The Moving Picture World, December 21, 1912