Fanchon the Cricket
| Fanchon, the Cricket | |
|---|---|
 Newspaper advertisement | |
| Directed by | James Kirkwood |
| Written by | James Kirkwood (scenario) Frances Marion (scenario) |
| Based on | La Petite Fadette 1849 novel by George Sand |
| Produced by | Daniel Frohman |
| Starring | Mary Pickford Jack Standing |
| Cinematography | Edward Wynard |
Production company | Famous Players Film Company |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Fanchon the Cricket is a 1915 American silent drama film produced by Famous Players Film Company and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is based on a novel, La Petite Fadette by George Sand. It was directed by James Kirkwood and stars Mary Pickford, at the time working for Adolph Zukor and Daniel Frohman. A previous film version of the story was released in 1912 by IMP (later Universal Pictures) and directed by Herbert Brenon.[1]
Fanchon the Cricket is the only film to feature all three Pickford siblings: Mary (in the lead role), Lottie Pickford and Jack Pickford. Milton Berle, Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire are also listed among the cast. Astaire biographer Tim Satchell maintains that the film is the only one to feature the dancing duo of Fred and Adele Astaire. Fred Astaire later said he had no recollection of working on the film.[2] All three roles have yet to be positively confirmed.
For years it was known only to survive as an incomplete nitrate print held by the British Film Institute, but a nitrate duplicate was found within La Cinémathèque française in 2012.[3] The organizations partnered with The Mary Pickford Foundation and hired L’ Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory of Bologna, Italy to photochemically and digitally restore the film to 4k high definition. The missing English intertitles were reconstructed by translating the French versions found on the dupe. The Pickford foundation also commissioned a new score to accompany the reconstructed film (released in 2018), which was composed by Julian Ducatenzeiler and Andy Gladbach.[4]
Plot summary
[edit]![[icon]](https://homes.ragamutama.com?out=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2023) |
Fanchon is a free-spirited young woman who lives in the countryside with her grandmother, Old Fadette. Set in 18th-century rural France, the story follows Fanchon, who is viewed with suspicion by the local townspeople due to her unconventional ways and her grandmother's reputation as a healer. The superstitious villagers believe that both women practice witchcraft, leading to their social isolation.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Fanchon courageously rescues a young boy from drowning in the local river. This heroic act brings her into contact with Landry Barbeau, a handsome young farmer who witnesses her bravery. Despite the social barriers between them and the townspeople's prejudices against Fanchon, the two young people fall deeply in love.
When Landry confesses his feelings and proposes marriage, Fanchon, though equally smitten, demonstrates wisdom beyond her years. She asks him to wait one full year before making such a life-changing decision, wanting to ensure that their love is genuine and lasting rather than merely infatuation. This request reflects her understanding of the serious social obstacles they would face as a married couple.
True to his word, Landry returns exactly one year later, his feelings unchanged and his commitment unwavering. However, fate intervenes when he arrives to find Fanchon caring for her beloved grandmother, who has fallen gravely ill. Torn between her love for Landry and her devotion to the woman who raised her, Fanchon chooses to postpone their wedding to tend to Old Fadette during her final days.
The situation becomes more complicated when Old Fadette passes away, leaving Fanchon grief-stricken and alone. In a cruel twist of fate, Landry himself then falls seriously ill, possibly from the same ailment that claimed the grandmother. Drawing upon the healing knowledge passed down from Old Fadette, Fanchon uses her skills as a healer to nurse Landry back to health. Through her devoted care and the power of their love, she successfully restores him to full health.
The film concludes with the triumph of love over superstition and adversity, as Fanchon and Landry are finally able to unite in marriage, having proven that their bond can withstand the test of time, loss, and societal prejudice.
Cast
[edit]- Mary Pickford as Fanchon
- Jack Standing as Landry Barbeau
- Lottie Pickford as Madelon
- Gertrude Norman as Old Fadette
- Russell Bassett as Landry's Father
- Richard Lee as Didier
- Jack Pickford as the unnamed bully
Release
[edit]The film was released in New Zealand in late 1915, playing in Wellington at the People's Picture Palace in mid-December,[5] and playing through January in Greytown.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Braff, Richard E. (1999). The Universal Silents: A Filmography Of the Universal Motion Picture Manufacturing Company, 1912–1929. McFarland. p. 142. ISBN 0-7864-0287-3.
- ^ Levinson, Peter (2009). Puttin' On the Ritz: Fred Astaire and the Fine Art of Panache, A Biography. Macmillan. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-312-35366-7.
- ^ "Fanchon the Cricket with Rosita". Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - Timeline. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Preservation Work". Mary Pickford Foundation. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ People's Picture Palace. Evening Post. Volume XC. Issue 146. 17 December 1915. p 2. Retrieved 13 June 2016
- ^ Amusements. Wairarapa Daily Times. Volume LXX. Issue 14474. 7 January 1916. p 3. Retrieved 13 June 2016