Peg Woffington

A pictorial presentation of the long popular story by Charles Reade. Technically excellent, it is a notable addition to the already long list of Edison picture dramas. Whether it was that we were imbued with a sense of Edisonian greatness after witnessing such successes as "The Stars and Stripes," to cite a recent example, our imagination was keyed up to such a pitch as to what they could do with the dramatic possibilities in the story of the fascinating and erratic actress, that we regret to say we felt some disappointment. Not that they did not acquit themselves well but others agree with us that here was a chance for a masterpiece and "well enough" was not sufficient. The adapter of the story was the first offender and he or she was not improved upon by the stage director. The novel is a brilliant one, full of dramatic suggestion. Wealth and penury are contrasted; scenes of riotous extravagance change to those of hunger and misery; charity and goodness of heart is Peg's character at one moment, the next she is selfish and arrogant. But the point to have brought out was that, with all her faults, Peg Woffington was at heart a good woman. Now the Edison version only mildly brings out the costly dinners lavished on Peg by her admirers; the dramatic effect of the contrast between wealth and poverty is lost by presenting the poor playwright Triplet as too well- fed a character and in too comfortable surroundings. The contrasting qualities in Peg's character are not brought out strongly enough. So while we enjoyed the pictures, having read the book, and admired some of the clever work, yet the audience received it in silence, which would not have been the case had the dramatic moments been brought out with more intensity. - The Moving Picture World, August 6, 1910