Having turned the creaky old stage melodrama Way Down East into a money-spinning film, director D.W. Griffith set about to perform the same magic with the barnstorming theatrical piece The Two Orphans. Adolphe Philippe Dennery's play told the story of two orphaned girls, one blind, who are separated early on and undergo innumerable deprivations before their tearful reunion. Though the play took place in France, it had nothing whatsoever to do with the French Revolution; this didn't stop Griffith from plunking the storyline ...
Read More
Having turned the creaky old stage melodrama Way Down East into a money-spinning film, director D.W. Griffith set about to perform the same magic with the barnstorming theatrical piece The Two Orphans. Adolphe Philippe Dennery's play told the story of two orphaned girls, one blind, who are separated early on and undergo innumerable deprivations before their tearful reunion. Though the play took place in France, it had nothing whatsoever to do with the French Revolution; this didn't stop Griffith from plunking the storyline smack dab in the middle of that late-18th-century maelstrom, allowing him full scope for the spectacular scenes which had brought him worldwide fame. Lillian Gish plays Henriette, the sighted sister, while Dorothy Gish is cast as the visually impaired Louise. Henriette brings Louise to Paris, in search of a surgeon who might be able to restore her sister's sight. Henriette is kidnapped by a lascivious nobleman, leaving Louise to wander helplessly about until she too is "stolen" by a family of beggars. Rescued by kindhearted aristocrat Chevalier de Vaudrey (Joseph Schildkraut), Henriette begins the arduous search for her lost sister. Just before the film's intermission, Henriette hears Louise begging on the streets. Before they can be reunited, Henriette is arrested by minions of the evil nobleman who'd earlier tried to seduce her. Released from the Bastille by the revolutionaries, Henriette resumes her search, only to be arrested again--this time because she has consorted with the aristocracy, and is therefore a candidate for the guillotine. The stage is thus set for a thrilling "race to the rescue" climax, and of course the reuniting of the two orphans. Orphans of the Storm was filmed at Griffith's east coast studio in Mamaroneck, New York, which explains why the exteriors are always so overcast. In an effort to be topical, Griffith took every opportunity possible to equate the French revolution with the recent Bolshevik rebellion in Russia, and to warn his audience of the dangers of mob rule (this from a man who glorified the Ku Klux Klan in Birth of a Nation!) The film opened to excellent reviews and great business; Griffith, who always placed art above commerce, poured virtually every penny of profit into his "smaller" project, Isn't Life Wonderful, which died at the box office. Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Orphans of the Storm to cart. $17.99, new condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2003.
Add this copy of Orphans of the Storm to cart. $18.62, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Alpha Video.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Creighton Hale, Frank Puglia, Sheldon Lewis, Lucille La Verne, Morgan Wallace, Katherine Emmet, Frank Losee, Joseph... New. 1921 Run time: 118. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Add this copy of Orphans of the Storm (the Film Detective Restored to cart. $19.51, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by The Film Detective.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Joseph Schildkraut, Dorothy Gish, Lillian Gish. New. 1922 Run time: 150. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Add this copy of Orphans of the Storm to cart. $31.02, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2002.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Lillian Gish; Dorothy Gish; Joseph Schildkraut; Frank Losee; Katherine Emmett. New. Run time: 190 mins. New in new packaging. USA Orders only! Brand New product! please allow delivery times of 3-7 business days within the USA. US orders only please.
Add this copy of Orphans of the Storm (1921) to cart. $32.26, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2002 by Kino Video.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Creighton Hale, Frank Puglia, Sheldon Lewis, Lucille La Verne, Morgan Wallace, Katherine Emmet, Frank Losee, Joseph... New. 1921 Run time: 150. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Nothing more can be written and nothing more should be. This is a must see for any film enthusiast or anyone who enjoys romance, adventure, tragedy - during the French revolution. A must see.
