PamelaShort
The loss of the first film adaptation of Anne of Green Gables is a tragic one for silent film historians and Mary Miles Minter fans. Produced in 1919 by Realart Productions inc.( Paramount Pictures Corporation ) and directed by William Desmond Taylor, it was filmed on location in Dedham, Massachusettes replicating Anne's beloved Prince Edward Island, home of Green Gables. Although Mary Miles Minters considered Anne her favourite film and one of her best, Lucy Maud Montgomery was not happy with the actress's depiction of her Anne. She was too 'sugary sweet'- not a scrap like my gingery Anne declared Montgomery, however she was pleased with Frederick Burton playing the part of Matthew Cuthbert and Marcia Harris was a good Marilla Cuthbert with Paul Kelly playing a passable Gilbert Blythe, but on the whole the picture made her furious. Evidently the producers thought it had to be 'pepped up' and no doubt it was with the help of genius screen writer Frances Marion. For instance Montgomery was angry with having this bit of absurdity injected into the story. Anne is at the door of her schoolhouse, a shotgun in hand, standing off a crowd of infuriated villagers who were bent on mobbing her because she had whipped one of her pupils!.The film followed Anne from her arrival to Green Gables as the spunky orphan through to her becoming a charming young lady. Audiences at the time were thrilled with the film and Mary Miles Minter made personal appearances at the opening of the film in theatres across the country. It remains a tragedy the loss of such a classic story, with all that survives to tease fans are lovely production stills and beautiful movie posters of Mary Miles Minter as Anne. Silent film enthusiasts can only hope a copy of this lost treasure someday resurfaces.
