As well as an illustrious career as a screenwriter, Frances Marion is credited as sole director on two feature films, including this rare example of a 1920s film with a woman officially occupying the director’s chair.
On New York’s ghettoised Lower East Side, impoverished widow Ma Birdsong, is decent, hardworking, and devoted to her two children – Jimmie and Essie (played by Sigrid Holmquist "the Swedish Mary Pickford”). Ma wishes nothing more than to see her daughter marry a “good man” who will look after her, and for Jimmie to get an honest job. But Essie’s naivety leaves her vulnerable to a caddish suitor who threatens to dash their mother’s hopes. This unabashedly sentimental drama about maternal love and the trials of navigating a man’s world is a tantalising glimpse of another dimension of Marion’s unparalleled gift for movie making.
Dir. Frances Marion | US | 1921 | N/C PG | 1h 20m
With: Margaret Seddon, Lewis Sargent, Sigrid Holmquist
Performing live: Maud Nelissen
Screening material courtesy of Library of Congress / Eye Filmmuseum
Create an account to save upcoming events and classes, and get recommendations tailored for you.
Already have an account? Log in
Enter your basic account information below. You'll use this to sign-in in future and on different devices.
Let us know your interests to get started on recommendations, and receive our top picks via email. Email preferences can be tailored in your account dashboard.
You're all set! You can now use the heart icon to save events and classes to remember for later. Use the heart icon in the header to access your account.
Please sign-in to see your saved events and recommendations.
No account? No problem! Get started
Please enter your email address and password.
has been added to your preferences.
has been removed off your preferences.
This is your basket area and allows you to add film, event and theater bookings and then checkout and pay all in one place.
New Customer?
Welcome - simply create your account today.
Existing Customer?
Great - simply browse through our range of items and add them to your basket.
No problem! If you've already registered with us, simply enter your email address and we'll email you a brand new one.
Once you've pressed, "SEND PASSWORD" check your email, copy and paste the details the next time you sign in.