True Heart Susie & Hoodoo Ann (1919)

In 1918-1919 D. W. Griffith turned from spectacles such as The Birth of a Nation Intolerance and Hearts of the World to smaller films which he called his "short story series." Among these is True Heart Susie. "There are those of us who consider True Heart Susie to be Griffith's masterpiece" writes Tom Gunning in his notes for a 2006 screening at the Pordenone Silent Film Festival. He goes on to praise the "narrative structure and point of view as well as the fine details of performance framing and even the use of intertitles that makes a seemingly modest film such as this appear nearly incandescent in its confessional and emotional power." In an almost mythical American arcadia Lillian Gish portrays a pure prim girl who so loves her childhood sweetheart (Griffith's most charming boyish hero Robert Harron) that she sells the family cow to anonymously finance his higher education only to lose him to a more "modern" woman (Clarine Seymour) when he comes home. Gish's performance is among her best her face what Gunning calls a "battleground of emotions staging complete and progressive dramas of realization recognition and despair."As a bonus feature we offer Hoodoo Ann. This light comedy is Griffith-supervised and scripted (using the pseudonym Granville Warwick) although the actual direction is by Lloyd Ingraham. Mae Marsh is paired with Robert Harron; the actors had been often partnered since Biograph days concurrently were in the modern story of Intolerance and continued to play leads together until Miss Marsh left the company at the end of 1916. Although the plot is a tangle of unlikely coincidence the performers make it work and "it is filled with those little touches for which Fine Arts pictures are famous" in the words of an original review.System Requirements:Running Time: 86 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 014381384628 Manufacturer No: ID3846DSDVD Product Description

True Heart Susie: Lillian Gish silent movie

This is a movie consistent with the old morals and ethics of that early time frame. It is a morality play teaching about looking for character in a spouse, and the results of not choosing character over looks. I liked Lillian Gish as an actress much better than Mary Pickford, in that she was more subtle in her expression and acting and consequently more realistic. September 6, 2008

Nice minor Griffith work

I've never understood why "True Heart Susie" has been held in such high esteem by some silent movie fans. It's a very good film, no doubt about it, but director D.W. Griffith made much better pictures, many in fact. Even from this period - "The Greatest Question", for example (and that's not even considering "Broken Blossoms"). This film tells a sweet story and Gish is at her near-best, but it seems like Griffith isn't terribly interested. At any rate, this is a terrific quality print and certainly worthwhile. "Hoodoo Ann", the other film on offer here, wasn't directed by Griffith, which is probably a good thing, as it's not much of a movie. Entertaining, yes, but not one you'll want to watch over again.
Image has done great work in delivering excellent quality prints of silent classics, and they have done right by us here too. Hopefully though they'll release the truly great Griffith films which aren't available on dvd yet ("Isn't Life Wonderful", "Judith Of Bethulia", "The Struggle", "Sorrows Of Satan", "Lady Of The Pavements", etc.) April 25, 2008

great film but the dvds are damaged

i got this dvd new from amazon when it arrived i checked the surface as i do with all dvds and the surface was scratched and scuffed up and far from new mint condition that should be expected when buying a new item so i requested a replacement from amazon was sent another copy and it was far worst than the first so i sent both back ordered it again and still damaged. dont get me wrong this film is 5 stars all the way but consider yourself to be purchasing an x rental condition dvd because thats what you will likely get unless your one of the fortunate few who get a disc that wasnt handled abusively by the manufacturer buyer beware September 21, 2007

Charming old-fashioned double feature

This DVD is a special treat for silent film enthusiasts and anyone who longs for some good old-fashioned, sentimental and charming love stories of days gone by. Both "True Heart Susie" and the second film on this disc, "Hoodoo Ann" were written and produced by `the father of film' D.W. Griffith who is generally remembered today as the director of landmark epics such as "Intolerance" and "Birth of a Nation", so it might come as a pleasant surprise to some to see this other side of Griffith's work. "True Heart Susie", which Griffith also directed, is completely different from his historic epics of only a few years earlier, showing that he also had depth, sensitivity and compassion in filming this story of a simple country girl's unwavering love for her childhood sweetheart. The simple essence of the story is about true love, and that the girls who use "paint and powder" are only temporary flirtations or mistakes men make, but true hearts like Susie's remain faithful and wait for their one and only true love. Along with superb acting by screen legend Lillian Gish whose face and demeanour suit innocent girl roles so well, Griffith brings out many delicate details and touching moments in the film, making it one of his best ever films next to another 1919 production also starring Lillian Gish, namely "Broken Blossoms". It is fitting, therefore, that this DVD presents a beautiful, near-perfect remastered print of "True Heart Susie" along with a wonderful orchestral musical score by the highly-acclaimed Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, which greatly adds to the overall charm and tender mood of the story.

The second film, "Hoodoo Ann" also features experienced actors regularly used by Griffith in many earlier films, namely Mae Marsh and Robert Harron, who both starred in "Intolerance" in the same year, 1916. In this light-hearted story of another sweet and innocent country girl, Mae Marsh is just as convincing as Lillian Gish with her girly manner, and Robert Harron is dependable and reliable as usual, playing Hoodoo Ann's suitor who is puzzled when Ann says she can't marry him. But her reasons are all an amusing set of circumstances and misunderstandings, which make "Hoodoo Ann" simply a joy to watch. Once again, attention to detail is important in this clever, light comedy romance, and everything fits together smoothly along with Mae Marsh's fine performance making Hoodoo Ann a believable character. Picture quality is again extremely good, and it has a standard but very good piano accompaniment. For anyone who'd like to escape to a simpler, idyllic past without heavy drama, these two easy-to-watch early silent films won't disappoint, and in fact, might increase appreciation for both D W Griffith's varied works and silent films generally.
September 14, 2007

Finally Professionally Restored!

I won't go into the plot of this movie, but is should suffice for me to say that this has to be one of the top, if not THE top Griffith film. Griffith was famous for his epics. Often, these were racist and very melodramic movies. There is none of that in this little gem of the silent era. Every thing in the story is simple and it flows along like a smooth, country stream. Nothing controversial here, and we are treated to a story of young love set in an America that has all but disappeared. The country setting, the daily activities of old time folk, all of this makes this movie a piece of old time Americana that silent film lovers cannot miss. Who hasn't been in love and been hurt? Ah, this film tugs at the heart strings!

I first discovered this wonderful gem twenty years ago when I bought a vhs copy from VideoYesteryear. The print used was bad...dark, blurry. I couldn't understand why none of the major video companies had not realeased a restored edition. I used to hound KINO and MILESTONE Films about working on this movie. Hats off to Image. The print quality is excellent. The music is good and goes well with the film, but I have to admit that I enjoyed the Rosa Rio score from my old YesterYear vhs copy. If you love the silent era as much as I do, please treat yourself to what will become one of your favorite films. August 30, 2007

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