Title: An Arcadian Maid Year: 1910 Runtime: Approx. 15 minutes Studio: Biograph Company Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Director: D. W. Griffith Writer: Stanner E.V. Taylor Cinematography: G. W. Bitzer Genres: Drama, Romance, Silent Film, Short --- Overview: An Arcadian Maid is an early silent short directed by D. W. Griffith, featuring Mary Pickford in one of her first starring roles. Set in a rural American landscape, the film follows the tale of a naive maid entangled in deception and morality, showcasing Griffith’s pioneering use of cinematic techniques and storytelling economy. --- Plot Summary: Mary Pickford plays Priscilla, a young woman working as a maid on a farm. Her quiet life takes a turn when a traveling peddler, played by Mack Sennett, arrives and charms her. Unbeknownst to her, he is a conman who convinces her to steal from her employer under the guise of helping him repay a debt. As guilt gnaws at her, the consequences of her trust and choices unfold in a series of dramatic turns, highlighting innocence, temptation, and redemption. --- Notable Features: Mary Pickford’s performance captures the emotional nuance that made her “America’s Sweetheart.” Griffith employs innovative editing techniques for the time, including cross-cutting and close-ups to heighten tension. A moral fable rooted in Victorian values, reflecting early 20th-century concerns about female virtue and deception. Cinematographer G. W. Bitzer’s use of natural light and pastoral settings enhances the film's idyllic yet emotionally fraught tone. --- Historical Significance: One of Mary Pickford's earliest starring vehicles, helping establish her iconic screen persona. An example of how D. W. Griffith was refining the language of film years before The Birth of a Nation (1915). Reflects the transition from theatrical tableau to cinematic storytelling, particularly through emotive acting and visual composition. --- Curated Hashtags: #AnArcadianMaid #MaryPickford #DWGriffith #SilentFilm #1910Cinema #EarlyHollywood #BiographCompany #GWBitzer #VintageDrama #SilentRomance #FilmHistory #ClassicShortFilm #AmericanSilentCinema #VictorianMoralTale #PreHollywoodEra