Home Sweet Home (1914)

Synopsis: One of silent film pioneer D.W. Griffith's first feature length films is the story of John Howard Payne (Henry B. Walthall), author of the titular song that features the timeless phrase "Be it ever... One of silent film pioneer D.W. Griffith's first feature length films is the story of John Howard Payne (Henry B. Walthall), author of the titular song that features the timeless phrase "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." In addition to his biography, Griffith includes three vignettes that chronicle the miraculous effect of this famous tune on the lives of plain folk. In "The Apple Pie Bride," the song rekindles lost love between a coal miner (Robert Harron) and a hardworking waitress (Mae Marsh). In "The Brothers Who Hate," an aggrieved mother takes comfort in the song after her sons (Donald Crisp and James Kirkwood) kill each other. "The Marriage of Roses and Lillies" tells the tale of a cheating wife (Blanche Sweet) who goes back to her husband (Courtenay Foote) when Payne's immortal song reminds her where "the heart is." Though certainly effective storytelling, even co-star Lillian Gish allegedly felt things got a bit too maudlin with this picture, even by Griffith standards. Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable example of the master director at a turning point in his career; the following year he would change cinema forever with THE BIRTH OF A NATION. [More]

Starring: Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, Henry B. Walthall, Mae Marsh

Starring: Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, Henry B. Walthall, Mae Marsh, Blanche Sweet, Robert Harron, Donald Crisp

Director: D.W. Griffith

Director: D.W. Griffith

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