HuntleyFilmArchives's video: Lillian Gish and Richard Bartlemess in D W Griffith East End of London drama Archive film 10634

D. W. Griffith movie set in the East End of London and starring Lillian Gish and Richard Bartlemess. The riverfront scene, the man sawing, fog or steam swirling. Intertitle: 'The Girl. When not serving as a punching-bag to relieve the Battler's feelings, the bruised little body may be seen creeping around the docks of Limehouse.' The girl, in long skirt, shawl, and wide-bimmed felt hat, walks round a man standing leaning on a wooden post, smoking a pipe; she looks down and around, then walks off R. The riverfront scene; the man sawing is at L, the leaning man in centre, the girl walking to the R. Close-up of her as she sits on a coil of thick rope beside a gnarly wooden post. Close-up of her, looking sad and wistful. Intertitle: 'Lucy's surroundings have not been the most cheerful. - A marriage acquaintance has told her ' Scene of domestic poverty, standing mother scrubbing washing at L, children and squawling baby at R, as Lucy enters with small jug, putting it down at L as she converses with the mother. Close-up of the hard-pressed mother talking to the receptive Lucy, who looks round at the children. The five children and the baby, th eldest daughter picking nits from a younger sister's hair. The gruff-looking father, speaking angrily. The woman, giving advice to Lucy. Intertitle: '"Whatever you do, dearie, don't get married."' The sorrowful mother dispenses her advice, then bends over to her scrubbing, as Lucy shakes her head and looks round again. The domestic scene, the mother scrubbing hard, the washing in a galvanized tub. Intertitle: 'Warned as strongly by the ladies of the street against their profession.' Two over-dressed prostitutes at a street corner as Lucy walks up; one drops something, and Lucy bends over, picks it up, and returns it; she thanks her. Close-up of the two prostitutes talking kindly to Lucy. Lucy responding, sad and innocent. The two prostitutes giving her advice. The three of them, as Lucy turns away and walks off R. Lucy sitting reflectively on the coil of rope. The riverside scene, the man sawing at L. Intertitle: 'In every group there is one, weaker than the rest - the butt of the uncouth wit or ill-temper. Poor Lucy is one of these.' Lucy creeps round the corner to the door to her house; a man is doing something at L; she enters. The seated Burrows, in the kitchen, pours a drink and knocks it back as she enters. Intertitle: 'Lucy, as usual, receives the Battler's pent up brutishness.' Close-up of Burrows looking at her angrily. Close-up of Lucy, fearfully fingering her shawl. Burrows snaps at her, beckoning her closer. She approaches in trepidation. She puts a metal jug down on the table, then closes the door as he gets up; his hands in his pockets, he takes two steps towards her, he walks round the table towards her, but she walks round it away from him. Intertitle: '"Don't whip me - don't!"' He pursues her round the table, then stops. Intertitle: '"Please, Daddy! - Don't!"' She cowers as he bangs angrily on the table, then pursues her further round the table, his finger pointing accusingly. Close-up of the angry father. Close-up of the terrified daughter, nodding. The father. Intertitle: '"Put a smile on yer face, can't yer?"' He turns away from her. Intertitle: 'Poor Lucy, never having cause to smile, uses this pitiful excuse instead.' Tearful Lucy forces her mouth into a smile, using two fingers. The menacing father. The terrified daughter backs away. He pursues her round the table to the corner, where she puts wood on the range, as he returns to the table, picks up the jug, dips his finger in and shakes it, then drinks straight from the jug; he puts it down again, and sits. Close-up of the angry man, who picks up a fork and plays with it, then turns to throw it at her. He throws it, and she looks round as he turns away as if he'd done nothing. Close-up of him sniggering to himself. He picks up half a loaf of bread from the table, tears off a chunk and takes a bite, crossing his legs and scratching his head. Intertitle: 'She has to wait - '. He sits at the table, eating his dinner with his knife, as she stands over the table. He shovels two knife-fulls in, then reaches for a cup, in which a spoon sits. She speaks to him, resignedly. Intertitle: ' - he can't stand poor table manners.' While still chewing, he stirs his tea and swigs, then scrapes sugar out of the bottom of the cup and spoons it into his mouth, then picks food out of his teeth with his finger and eats the pickings; he stands up. He stands, and dons his check cap, walking round the table and feinting an attack on her, as she backs off. His hands in his pockets, his jacket spread to show his tartan waistcoat, he smiles smugly. Intertitle: 'He orders his tea for five o'clock.' He issues the order. She responds, sad but compliant. He asserts himself again. He stares at her. She tries to force a smile, again using her hand to force her lips with her fingers. For more see www.huntleyarchives.com