Yes, this is Mary Pickford breaking into a safe. Image: IMDb
In the 1910s and 1920s, one of the biggest stars in Hollywood was a Canadian named Gladys Marie Smith. We all know her better as Mary Pickford.
Pickford was as Smart As They Come regarding the movie industry. In 1916, she was the first actress to sign a million dollar contract ($10,000/week plus half the profits of her films). She co-founded United Artists in 1919 with Charlie Chaplin, director D.W. Griffith, and her future hubby Douglas Fairbanks.
As impressive as these accomplishments are, they don’t necessarily make her America’s Sweetheart, as she was dubbed. A person needs to see her on film to see why she was so beloved.
Therefore, let’s take a look at Mary in the comedy-drama The Hoodlum (1919).
The Hoodlum features a young girl, spoiled Beyond Belief, who lives with her wealthy but not-entirely-ethical grandfather (Ralph Lewis). When her father, “a sociological writer”, returns from Parts Unknown, Pickford decides to live with him at his new address on Craigen Street.
Poor Mary! She doesn’t realize that Craigen Street is in the Slums, and that her sociological father (T.D. Crittenden) can’t support her in the manner to which she’s Become Accustomed.
At first, it’s a rough ride for our gal. For example, she hates the smells in the apartment building, and she won’t help with domestic chores.
Plus, her Better-Than-Thou views aren’t winning her any friends. Neighbours make fun of the way she talks, and they note her expensive wardrobe. (They may be poor, but they ain’t stupid.)
Her father gives her excellent advice: In order to fit in, you must dress and talk like the Locals. So Mary decides to Get Over Herself and embrace her new life.
Before the film has ended, Mary’s character will learn the true value of friendship and community, and will discover a terrible secret about her family.
She will also show us why she was named America’s Sweetheart.
Here are five of the reasons moviegoers (still) adore Mary Pickford:
The camera loves her. Like any actor with Star Quality, she carries the film and makes it look easy.
She’s funny. She’s not afraid to be the object of ridicule, even if that means being pitched into mud, and that endears her to us.
She’s a natural actor. There’s nothing forced or staged about her movements.
She supports The Underdog. In The Hoodlum, Mary realizes what it means to suffer – truly suffer – and it motivates her to help her neighbours.
She gives an audience their money’s worth. We’ve not yet seen a Mary Pickford film where she “Phones In” her performance.
Because today is Silent Movie Day, we hope you’ll indulge in some popcorn and a Mary Pickford film – and if that film isThe Hoodlum, so much the better.
This post is part of The Silent Movie Day Blogathon, hosted by In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Silent-ology.
The Hoodlum: starring Mary Pickford, Ralph Lewis, Kenneth Harlan. Directed by Sidney Franklin. Written by Bernard McConville. Mary Pickford Company, 1919, B&W, 78 mins.
My appreciation for Mary Pickford has grown throughout the years. The more I see of her work, the more I love it and her. Your review made me want to give Mary and you both a big hug through the years and the internet.
Oh, cool! I was just thinking about how much I missed the monthly silent movie/vaudeville shows we were having here pre-COVID. I miss it! Did I mention that? 😉 This one will tide me over for a bit. Thank you for this recommendation, I simply don’t spend enough time with her movies, and that’s just wrong.
You make a great point, her movies ARE so entertaining. Hmmm.
I loved the Harold Lloyd day they had in 2019. Grandma’s Boy and The Boy were showing that day. Another day, it was Lillian Gish Day, I so loved that one too. The vaudeville shows ranged from tap dancing acts to barbershop quartets to musicians…that kind of thing. They all took place in a restored Rapp “movie palace” too. Heaven…. It all abruptly stopped as you can imagine. So, I’m looking for YOUR movie tonight to will it back 🙂 That should work, right?
Excellent choice for the blogathon. Apparently Mary Pickford was one of millions of people around the world who contracted the Spanish flu in the spring of 1919. She was too ill to work for four weeks, and against her doctor’s advice went back to work on The Hoodlum before she was 100%. I thought I’d share that little nugget as it makes your post even more relevant to the times we’re living in.
I actually read that over at Silent-ology. I know virtually nothing about silent films, which is good because it gives me a whole new world of films to discover.
I didn’t know that she had the influenza also. I know Lillian Gish survived it. When Gish was offered broken blossoms she didn’t think she could pull it off, but as she was recovering from the flu she looked so tiny and emaciated they thought she could pull it off and she did. I didn’t realize Mary Pickford also suffered from this.
I love this post. You are so right about Mary. In her earliest of films, her star quality is undeniable. She is a unique and special artists whose work deserves a special place in the heavens.
Appreciation for “Our Mary” is always lovely to see! I’ve always liked THE HOODLUM, it’s not a Pickford film that tends to spring to people’s minds, but it should! I’ve always been curious about her “tenement” dress, especially that long necklace of chunky beads. It’s such a specific look but I don’t recall seeing anything like it elsewhere, lol. Thanks for contributing this great article to the blogathon. 🙂
Star quality, or presence, is so important. You can learn the acting craft, but you can’t teach presence. You either have it or you don’t, and Pickford obviously did. I’ll have to check out “The Hoodlums.” 🙂
Silver Screenings 
Great retrospect of Mary Pickford in The Hoodlums. Just the ticket to celebrate Silent Movie Day!
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She’s great in this film. Then again, she’s great in everything. 🙂
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My appreciation for Mary Pickford has grown throughout the years. The more I see of her work, the more I love it and her. Your review made me want to give Mary and you both a big hug through the years and the internet.
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Aw, thanks! I know what you mean about Mary P. My admiration for her has also grown through the years.
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Hi. I didn’t know that she was a mover and shaker in the movie business. She had a lot of talents.
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Oh yeah, Mary was a Big Deal behind the camera. Like you said, she definitely had a lot of talents.
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One of the best, for sure! Her facial expressions alone are always magnetic!
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True! She was SO GOOD on film. Very funny and natural.
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Oh, cool! I was just thinking about how much I missed the monthly silent movie/vaudeville shows we were having here pre-COVID. I miss it! Did I mention that? 😉 This one will tide me over for a bit. Thank you for this recommendation, I simply don’t spend enough time with her movies, and that’s just wrong.
This is a terrific blogathon!
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I don’t spend enough time with her movies, either – and why is that? Her movies are so entertaining.
What kind of silent movies/vaudeville shows were you enjoying? They sound fun!
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You make a great point, her movies ARE so entertaining. Hmmm.
I loved the Harold Lloyd day they had in 2019. Grandma’s Boy and The Boy were showing that day. Another day, it was Lillian Gish Day, I so loved that one too. The vaudeville shows ranged from tap dancing acts to barbershop quartets to musicians…that kind of thing. They all took place in a restored Rapp “movie palace” too. Heaven…. It all abruptly stopped as you can imagine. So, I’m looking for YOUR movie tonight to will it back 🙂 That should work, right?
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I hope so.😄
The vaudeville/film experiences sound so wonderful. Here’s hoping they return!
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Excellent choice for the blogathon. Apparently Mary Pickford was one of millions of people around the world who contracted the Spanish flu in the spring of 1919. She was too ill to work for four weeks, and against her doctor’s advice went back to work on The Hoodlum before she was 100%. I thought I’d share that little nugget as it makes your post even more relevant to the times we’re living in.
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Whoa! I didn’t know that. Thanks so much!
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I actually read that over at Silent-ology. I know virtually nothing about silent films, which is good because it gives me a whole new world of films to discover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know that she had the influenza also. I know Lillian Gish survived it. When Gish was offered broken blossoms she didn’t think she could pull it off, but as she was recovering from the flu she looked so tiny and emaciated they thought she could pull it off and she did. I didn’t realize Mary Pickford also suffered from this.
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I haven’t yet seen Broken Blossoms. Did you enjoy it? How would you rank it against some of Griffith’s other films?
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I love this post. You are so right about Mary. In her earliest of films, her star quality is undeniable. She is a unique and special artists whose work deserves a special place in the heavens.
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Appreciation for “Our Mary” is always lovely to see! I’ve always liked THE HOODLUM, it’s not a Pickford film that tends to spring to people’s minds, but it should! I’ve always been curious about her “tenement” dress, especially that long necklace of chunky beads. It’s such a specific look but I don’t recall seeing anything like it elsewhere, lol. Thanks for contributing this great article to the blogathon. 🙂
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Oh yeah, that outfit is something else, isn’t it? The chunky beads are kind of fascinating, I thought.
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Mary Pickford also became quite the businessperson, making her a true film pioneer!
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Absolutely! She was pretty sharp.
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This film looks great, Ruth. Can you believe I’ve never seen a Mary Pickford film?! You’ve reminded me that I need to remedy that pronto.
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Oh yes, please see a Mary Pickford film. I think she’ll win you over.
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In addition to excellent acting, she was an astute business woman and really ahead of her time!
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She was, wasn’t she? A true trailblazer.
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Looking forward to this one. Sounds like a “My Fair Lady” the other way around. Hoping this finds you well!
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Haha – you’re right! I never thought of it that way. Mary P is very charming here.
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Star quality, or presence, is so important. You can learn the acting craft, but you can’t teach presence. You either have it or you don’t, and Pickford obviously did. I’ll have to check out “The Hoodlums.” 🙂
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That is so true. Either you have star quality or you don’t, and Mary had oodles of it. There was no way she wasn’t going to be a star.
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