Publicity still of Mary receiving a loving cup from Australian fans while on set during the production of Cinderella (1914.) Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.
The October 31, 1914 issue of Moving Picture World explained it in the greatest detail:
“There was a pretty scened enacted at the studio of the Famous Players on Tuesday evening at 6 o’clock when Miss Mary Pickford was presented with a loving cup and album from her admirers in Sydney, Australia. Miss Pickford was working in “The Step-Sister” [Cinderella] when Daniel Frohman walked int the range of the camera and stopped proceedings. Miss Pickford, garbed in the robs of a queen, descended from her throne to inquire the cause of the interruption. Mr. Frohman beckoned to Millarde Johnson, of Australasian Films, Ltd. of Sydney, Australia, standing at the side to ender the improvised throne room. Mr. Johnson accompanied by Mrs. Johnson and Miss Duffy, advanced in front of the camera. Mr. Frohman explained to Miss Pickford that Mr. Johnson had brought to her a message from the picture patrons of the far-off city. Mr. Johnson then presented to the popular actress a silver loving cup, explaining that as its inscription indicated it was generally a token of the affection in which Miss Pickford held by her fellow-townsmen and specifically in honor of her work in “Tess of the Storm Country,” in which she had particularly endeared herself to Australians. With the cup was a great album. Mrs. Johnson then presented to Miss Pickford a handsome bouquet of orchids.
“The actress made a fitting reply. She was getting along very nicely when suddenly her voice broke, she turned her head and covered her face.
“The proceedings had been very carefully rehearsed. Mr. Zukor had been slated for a part in the ceremony, but at the last moment dropped out. He said he feared the presence of too many might detract from the illusion of spontaneity. James Kirkwood, who was directing the picture, took charge of the rehearsal. A large number of players, arrayed in court costume, were grouped about. The setting was of unusual elaborateness, extending back probably seventy-five feet. When everything seemed satisfactory the lights were thrown on, the camera was turned. It may have been acting at first, but Mr. Frohman entered into the spirit of the occasion, apparently forgetting the face that the film was recording the scene. Mr. Johnson, too, was thoroughly in earnest. He was executing a commission from his neighbors many thousand miles away. His praise was hearty, his manner sincere; it could not help reaching the heart of the little woman he was addressing. It was the natural thing she should forget she was taking part in a ceremony the record of which was to be carried over land and sea to her friends at the other side of the earth. There was art in the beginning of her response, but it was life at the finish.
“The loving cup represented the contributions of 13,651 1/2 Australian pennies. The signatures in the album were of the many contributors. The great volume was bound in the finest leather. On the cover in raised letters was the inscription “The Roll of Honor Our Little Mary Pickford — a Tribute from Australia.” On the initial page were the signatures of the Lord Mayor and the Town Clerk, attested by the municipal seal, said to be the first time it had been used in any other than a city document. The idea of the presentation originated with the management and patrons of the Crystal Theatre, Sydney, and was heartily seconded by their patrons. In the recording of the ceremony 230 feet of film were used.”
Miraculously, the footage survives at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and can be view at https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/12000-aussies-send-their-love-little-mary.
No comments:
Post a Comment