Fanchon the Cricket

Due to the fact that I'd never watched "Fanchon the Cricket" (1915) with Mary Pickford, I remembered that I had bought the Blu-Ray/DVD set last year - so - I watched it last night. Based on the magnificent 19th century (1849) French novel La Petite Fadette, a superior read even now and very much still in print (new translation by Gretchen van Slyke available from Penn State University Press), written by Amartine-Lucile-Aurora Dupin who went under the nom de plume George Sand, the book was rather drastically changed by director James Kirkwood and scenarist Frances Marion into the film that remains. Considered when released "an adult fairy tale", that's the best way to accept it. Gorgeously photographed by cinematographer Edward Wynard, the recently released Flicker Alley combo Blu-Ray/DVD is still stunningly beautiful, with wonderfully toned and frequently tinted frames that draw the viewer into the scene with the players. The blue-toned shots of the rock cliffs in particular are geologically spellbinding and photographically stunning. Scenes filmed among leafy foliage somehow capture the rural essence of the mise-en-scene in an inviting way, and the people in these shots look like works of art. However, there's a lack of creativity in set-up shots and variety - in this case, I think the director's overseeing, not the cinematographer's fault necessarily - especially a huge lack of any sort of close-up shots - except for Mary. Director James Kirkwood is obviously not a director of much artistic creativity, though he tells the story - as written - in a nice perfunctory way that suits Mary Pickford's rambunctious waif characterization. We can figure from the beginning that she'll change the tide that's against her from the outset. It's strictly my opinion, but what struck me most about the minus parts of the movie is the editing: it's eccentric. Too much time spent on some scenes and not enough on others. But, one thing that struck me immediately about this film more than many other Mary Pickford films struck Kevin Brownlow the same way, for he wrote for the book Mary Pickford Rediscovered in 1999, "She is extraordinarily beautiful; the first close-up of her face among the glistening leaves comes as almost physical shock."

In the book the waif becomes rather wealthy through an inheritance after her grandmother's death. Here, the fairy tale telling has the poor girl remain always in the rural existence, and poor, until...well, I'll not give the full elements of the plot. As I said, it's an adult fairy tale.

When Mary died in 1979 she thought this film was lost, and, as it had always been a fine memory for her, that was obviously a disappointment. Now found - from two sources - this is a wonderful addition to the Pickford canon. Also in the cast besides Mary are her sister Lottie, her brother Jack, Jack Standing, Gertrude Norman, Russell Bassett, Dick Lee, Alexander Gaden, and others.

I hate to leave such a review as I truly love silent films and was so excited to see this one as it was one I had never watched before but I had to turn it off after only 8 minutes of viewing. The music that has been chosen to accompany this classic is so awful and distracting that I couldn't stand it any longer than that. I could have muted my television but I feel the music is needed to help set the mood of and add interest to the scenes. I hope whomever is in charge of such things replaces the horrible 1960s B movie soundtrack with something more appropriate to the era and genre of this film.

In spite of the one star review over on Allmovieguide, I really enjoyed this long-lost Mary Pickford classic.

I saw an airiing on TCM for their Silent Sunday Night feature where the host explained the movie was long considered lost and in fact was still lost at the time of Mary Pickford's death in the '90's. Tragic as it was the only film she starred in with her two siblings.

The plot is quite simple, and is described as an adult fairy tale which I think is accurate. Nothing much comes of Fanchon and her grandmother supposedly dabbling in witchcraft.

For a film that has been restored, I thought it looked quite nice and the print was far better than some others I have seen from the silent era. I like the color changes to represent times of day. The last shot is great.

I, for one, enjoyed the music. Sure, it is way more contemporary sounding than what would have accompanied the movie at the time but I thought the soundtrack did a good job of making it more enjoyable for the modern viewer. I guess I am in the minority here judging by the other reviews.

In short, Mary Pickford is still lovely. The story is simple, but it looks pretty nice and never wore out it's welcome. I'd recommend for anyone interested in Mary Pickford or the silent film era.

"I'll do anything you ask of me." "Then, kiss me!"

It's sad to learn that Pickford died thinking this film was lost, heartbroken because it was the only one in which she appeared with both her sister Lottie and brother Jack. It's heartwarming to see her playing the young waif, reaching across the years with her larger than life screen presence, and I could watch her cavort about and cause mischief for hours. What an amazing woman she was, to have the magnetism she did on the screen, and the business savvy off of it.

She has many wonderful moments in this film:

• Pretending to run away from leading man (Jack Standing) so that he can catch her.

• Dancing in the moonlight and watching her shadow, with the camera angled down on her marvelously.

• Facing away with outstretched arms at the water's edge, and then lying down on the rocky shore.

• Her expression and little squeezing of the eyelids when he kisses her hand near the end.

• Emerging from the waving field of grain to say hello and goodbye to the audience at the very end.

Such a list doesn't really do her playful energy and the feelings she conveyed justice, but suffice it to say she's impossibly cute and every bit as captivating today as she was then. It's a shame the story is kind of simple and not much is made of the fact that her old grandma is reputed to be a witch, but the film is well-paced and the scenes have a lot of life to them, thanks mostly to Pickford. The modern score from Julian Ducatenzeiler and Andy Gladbach is a little controversial but I thought it pretty nice, fitting the tone of the scenes and making me feel the link between the ages all the more; in 2021 watching a film from 1915 based on a novel from 1849. Then again, Pickford transcends time very well, all by herself.

This is a really interesting film, to bad Mary Pickford never saw it, she thought itl was lost.

Seen other of her films but this one really shines for her. She is a beautiful lady. In so many scenes she radiates. The story is a adult fable of sorts. Wild girl gets the handsome gentry kind of thing. Not all is good though. Not going to spoil it but it gets interesting. So I watched the digital restoration it very well done. But I hate the added soundtrack. It reminds me of a sort of Grateful Dead fever dream. What should it of been ? More grandiose but in the spirit of the time period of the film. So really watch with the sound down or maybe your favorite stk. I even tried Cocteau Twins and it kind of worked.