Less than the Dust is a 1916 American silent feature film produced by and starring Mary Pickford with a release by Artcraft Pictures, an affiliate of Paramount Pictures. John Emerson directed and Eric von Stroheim was one of the assistant directors. There is a 35mm copy of this film that still survives.[1][2]
| Less Than the Dust | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | John Emerson Edwin L. Hollywood(ass't director) Erich von Stroheim(ass't director) |
| Written by | Hector Turnbull(scenario) |
| Produced by | Mary Pickford |
| Starring | Mary Pickford |
| Cinematography | George W. Hill |
| Music by | Edward J. Howe |
| Distributed by | Artcraft Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 7 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent(English intertitles) |
The film was released on 6 November 1916.[3]
Plot edit
Radha is a lower-caste Hindu orphan girl, raised by Ramlan, a sword maker. Radha is taught English in the street by a religious character. Witnessing the scene, a British officer, Captain Townsend, offers her a book Less Than the Dust, and Other Indian Love Lyrics; he soon returns to England. Ramlan reveals to Radha that her father was in fact British, a certain Captain Brooke, who died of an opium overdose. Radha goes to England to claim her inheritance: it so happens that her grandfather is also Townsend's uncle and that he just died. Townsend soon marries Radha.
Cast edit
- Mary Pickford - Radha
- David Powell - Capt. Richard Townsend
- Frank Losee - Capt. Bradshaw
- Mary Alden - Mrs. Bradshaw
- Mario Majeroni - Ramlan
- Cesare Gravina - Jawan
- Francis Joyner - A Derelict
- Russell Bassett - Ahmed
- Walter Morgan - Bhesstie
- Merceita Esmond - A Gossip (*as Mercita Esmonde)
- Nathaniel Sack - Undetermined Role
- Frank Lackteen - (*unbilled)
Reception edit
The Moving Picture World saluted Pickford's return to the screen after a few months hiatus.[4]
References edit
- ^ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911-20 published by The American Film Institute, c.1988
- ^ Less Than the Dust at silentera.com
- ^ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ "Less Than the Dust". Mary Pickford Foundation. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
External links edit
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