The Violin Maker of Cremona

6/6/2022

Mary Pickford is the young "Giannina" who has a habit of lobbing flowers at her admirers. In this short film, two such lovestruck violin makers compete to win a gold chain - and her hand in marriage. What ensues is quite a fun exchange as the men try to trick each other for their prize, but the telling of the story is all over the shop. It is almost impossible to discern quite what is going on - indeed, D.W. Griffith appears to have little idea how to construct this in any fashion that holds our attention in any meaningful way: it's is like an over-long pantomime scene, comedic but shambolic - and not in a good way. Made in 1909 so one shouldn't expect the earth, but this is just a mess