Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch

The second screen version of this durable weeper. Although it lacks the charming goofiness of the 1934 version -- provided by W.C. Fields and Zasu Pitts -- it tells the story with enough flourishes to keep you wondering how everyone is going to get out alive and in some semblance of happiness. Watch for a very young May McAvoy in a supporting role.

Lovey Mary lives in an orphanage, and has a rivalry with Maggie Duncan. Maggie eventually leaves the orphanage, but returns a few years later with a baby son she cannot support. She leaves the baby, and Mary bonds with the little boy. When she discovers that Maggie is returning to claim the child, Mary takes the boy and runs away from the orphanage. She seeks refuge in the home of the widow Mrs. Wiggs, who has her own children. The remainder of the film deals with the efforts of the orphanage to track down Mary and the boy.

Still, it is worth a look since so few of Clark's films have survived. And her scenes with the little boy are very sweet. Clark is supposed to be in her upper teens in this film; in reality, she was 36 at the time, but doesn't look it. This version bears no resemblance to the novel upon which it is based. This was clearly designed as a vehicle for Clark, whose character (Lovey Mary) is not even in the book; nor is there any mention of an orphanage in the novel. There is an amusing subplot in the film, involving a spinster named Miss Hazy and a rascal named Hiram Stubbins, whom she buys from a matrimonial agency.

This film isn't anything too special but it's a fun way to spend an hour. The fact that it stars the beautiful, sweet, and charming Marguerite Clark automatically makes it a must-see. So few of her films survive, what a shame.

This movie is available through Grapevine and even though their tapes aren't usually in good shape, this one certainly is. I was shocked by how good the print looked. There were nice tints, and everything.

The story reminds me of a Mary Pickford film in a way. Lovely Mary (Clark) is an orphan at an orphanage. She takes care of a young boy there and raises him as her own. When the boy's mother comes back to claim him, Mary takes the young boy and elopes. She ends up living in the care of a kindly old woman named Mrs. Wiggs. I will not say too much about what happens next, I encourage you to see it for yourself! You won't be sorry.

Lots of light-hearted funny moments, make this a perfect film for when you're feeling a little blue.