Faithful

Faithful (1910)

*** (out of 4)

Pleasant comedy from D.W. Griffith about a rich man who accidentally hits a tramp named Faithful (Mack Sennett) with his car. Feeling bad, the man buys the tramp a new outfit but then can't get rid of his as the tramp follows his every move hoping for more gifts. Most of Griffith's comedies have been misses but this one here hits all the right notes. I've never seen Sennett be better as he does a great job playing his character lovable. There are a few nice laughs but the sappy ending doesn't help much.

When we think of D.W. Griffith, we think of his epic features; or perhaps we think of the short melodramas. We don't think about the comedies he directed, and this is puzzling to me. Even his unhappiest dramas had their touches of humor.

In the four hundred or so films that Griffith directed for Biograph, he turned out a fair number of comedies, often using Mack Sennett. Here, Mack Sennett plays the title role, of a too-loyal friend who hangs around when he's not wanted.

Of course it all ends with a chase. Griffith didn't quite invent the movie chase, the rush to rescue whoever it is that needs rescuing, but he certainly perfected it. Here we have a lovely variation, as Adonese keeps trying to run away, but Sennett keeps turning up. Very amusing.

Arthur Johnson (as Adonese) is driving home after a date when he sideswipes simple-minded pedestrian Mack Sennett (as Faithful). Mr. Johnson feels awful, and takes the shaken, but unwounded, tramp out shopping. Mr. Sennett is so taken with Johnson's generosity, he attaches himself to his handsome new friend. At first, Johnson feels guilty; and, he lets Sennett hang around. Eventually, Johnson grows tired of having the adoring Sennett play Siamese twin, and throws the bum out. It doesn't last, however, as "Faithful" Sennett returns with a flower for his benefactor. Poor Johnson can't even spend time alone with his fiancée Florence Barker; understandably, she doesn't want to share her beau with his new companion…

Sennett's comic pathos makes this a very effective film; this time, he plays extraordinarily well with director D.W. Griffith, and his ideal leading man, Johnson. Sennett is especially sweet when he brings Johnson a flower; he is too simple-minded to mind being roughed up by Johnson. Although he is annoying, Sennett's "Faithful" elicits much sympathy. This is also a very nicely paced film, with a pleasant balance of comedy, drama, and suspense. As a bonus, look for a generous amount of early Hollywood location footage (around Biograph's Pico studio).

****** Faithful (3/21/10) D.W. Griffith ~ Mack Sennett, Arthur V. Johnson, Florence Barker

Adonese is wooing a young lady. After meeting the lady, he and his driver end up running down the village idiot. However, Adonese tries to make good--giving the guy some money for his troubles and even buying him a new suit. However, the simpleton gets the idea that Adonese is his new best friend and won't let him alone for a second! After a while, Adonese does everything he can do to get rid of the guy--but he keeps showing up! Finally, at the end, something happens that ends up cementing their friendship for good!

The film has very funny moments and is worth seeing. As for the structure of the film, it is a bit archaic, even for 1910. But this can be overlooked since the overall product is quite nice.

The future director of countless slapstick comedies, Mack Sennett, plays the simpleton. He got his start with Biograph and D.W. Griffith and played in a variety of shorts and began directing for the studio before he eventually went his own way and started Keystone Studios.

One of D. W. Griffith's better comedies - which admittedly isn't a particularly high hurdle to clear - thanks largely to a near-perfect showing from Mack Sennett, and the seamless interplay with dapper fellow star Arthur V. Johnson. With his too-tight clothing and clumsy manner, Sennett provides a prototype for many of the comic characters that would soon fill the silent screen. Much of the film makes good use of the streets and surrounding hillsides of Griffith's new Californian home.