The Secret Garden (1919)
Drama | 12 January 1919
Director:
G. Butler CloneboughWriter:
Marion FairfaxProduction Company:
Famous Players-Lasky Corp.The scenario was based on the 1909 novel, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Production at the Famous Players-Lasky Studio in Hollywood, CA, began in late summer of 1918, as stated in the 14 September 1918 Motion Picture News.
The December 1918 Motion Picture noted that lead actress Lila Lee proved herself a capable impressionist in a scene that required her to mimic co-star Fay Holderness. Also joining the cast was French actress Madame Rose Dione in her screen debut. According to the 28 September 1918 and 12 June 1920 issues of Motion Picture News, Dione had been a prominent member of the theatrical troupe led by renowned stage star Sarah Bernhardt. The feature was directed by character actor Gustav Von Seyffertitz, using the pseudonym G. Butler Clonebough to hide his German heritage during World War I.
An article in the January 1919 Picture-Play included still photographs from the feature, depicting Lila Lee swimming in a pond, which was described as a “mudhole.” After the sequence was completed, the teenaged actress was said to be excited over the prospect of making mudpies. The August 1920 issue later revealed that the seemingly natural setting was created in the studio at the edge of an enormous water tank. Production was completed by late September 1918, as noted in the 12 October 1918 Motion Picture News.
The Secret Garden was released on 12 January 1919, preceded by openings on 22 December 1918 at the New Folly Theatre in Oklahoma City, OK, and on 26 December 1918 at ...
The scenario was based on the 1909 novel, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Production at the Famous Players-Lasky Studio in Hollywood, CA, began in late summer of 1918, as stated in the 14 September 1918 Motion Picture News.
The December 1918 Motion Picture noted that lead actress Lila Lee proved herself a capable impressionist in a scene that required her to mimic co-star Fay Holderness. Also joining the cast was French actress Madame Rose Dione in her screen debut. According to the 28 September 1918 and 12 June 1920 issues of Motion Picture News, Dione had been a prominent member of the theatrical troupe led by renowned stage star Sarah Bernhardt. The feature was directed by character actor Gustav Von Seyffertitz, using the pseudonym G. Butler Clonebough to hide his German heritage during World War I.
An article in the January 1919 Picture-Play included still photographs from the feature, depicting Lila Lee swimming in a pond, which was described as a “mudhole.” After the sequence was completed, the teenaged actress was said to be excited over the prospect of making mudpies. The August 1920 issue later revealed that the seemingly natural setting was created in the studio at the edge of an enormous water tank. Production was completed by late September 1918, as noted in the 12 October 1918 Motion Picture News.
The Secret Garden was released on 12 January 1919, preceded by openings on 22 December 1918 at the New Folly Theatre in Oklahoma City, OK, and on 26 December 1918 at the Regent Theatre in Rochester, NY. The scenario was adapted as a short story by Jerome Shorey for the December 1918 Photoplay, and by William Emory Cheesman for the February 1919 Photo-Play Journal.
Two other screen versions of Burnett’s novel were released in 1949 and 1993 (see entries.)
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
British soldier Captain Lenox and his wife die in India during a cholera epidemic, leaving their daughter, Mary, an orphan. Mary is sent to England to live with her appointed guardian, Archibald Craven, a man who has become extremely bitter since the death of his wife. Archibald considers Mary a burden, especially since he already is saddled with an invalid son, Colin. While Archibald is in Egypt, the children are left in the care of his brother, Dr. Warren Craven, who stands to inherit the family estate following Colin's death. Warren forces Colin to wear a heavy brace that saps his energy, but Mary removes it and improves the boy’s condition. When the doctor tries to poison Colin, Mary frustrates this plot as well. She then reopens the secret garden that has been locked since the death of Colin's mother. Upon his return, Archibald finds his son in excellent health, restoring his faith in humanity, and Warren makes a hasty ...
British soldier Captain Lenox and his wife die in India during a cholera epidemic, leaving their daughter, Mary, an orphan. Mary is sent to England to live with her appointed guardian, Archibald Craven, a man who has become extremely bitter since the death of his wife. Archibald considers Mary a burden, especially since he already is saddled with an invalid son, Colin. While Archibald is in Egypt, the children are left in the care of his brother, Dr. Warren Craven, who stands to inherit the family estate following Colin's death. Warren forces Colin to wear a heavy brace that saps his energy, but Mary removes it and improves the boy’s condition. When the doctor tries to poison Colin, Mary frustrates this plot as well. She then reopens the secret garden that has been locked since the death of Colin's mother. Upon his return, Archibald finds his son in excellent health, restoring his faith in humanity, and Warren makes a hasty exit.
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