The Girl and Her Trust (1912)

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writer:

George Hennessy (writer)

Release Date:

28 March 1912 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Drama

Plot:

Some tramps assault the telegraph office trying to rob $2000 delivered by train. The telegraphist girl...

Plot Keywords:

Tramp | Train | Product Placement | Railway | Female Hero

Cast

Dorothy Bernard	...	Grace, the Telegraph Operator
Wilfred Lucas	...	Jack, Railroad Express Agent
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Edwin August	...	Younger Tramp
Christy Cabanne	...	Baggage Handler (as W. Christy Cabanne)
William A. Carroll	...	Engineer
Charles Gorman	...	Older Tramp, Next to Train
Robert Harron	...	Telegrapher's Companion / Remote Station Worker
Walter Long	...	Grace's Bashful Suitor
Charles Hill Mailes	...	Remote Telegraph Operator
Anthony O'Sullivan	...	(unconfirmed)
Alfred Paget	...	Tramp
W.C. Robinson	...	Simple Suitor
Charles West	...	Telegrapher

Runtime:

17 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Biograph Company

Goofs:

Continuity: When the 2 tramps are taking the express trunk for the station, it is dark outside when they open the door. Looking through the window next to the door, it is light outside. It's also light outside when tramps get outside of the station. The same happens when the telegraph operator leaves the station.

Movie Connections:

Remake of The Lonedale Operator (1911)

Fairly typical of a D. W. Griffith Biograph short

This is a pretty good silent short from D. W. Griffith, as it features bandits, a steadfast and good heroine and some nifty action. While it isn't the deepest film I have ever seen, it does make for a good film because it has a well-developed plot and is paced very well. Unlike some other films of the same period, this film has a definite beginning, middle and end and is quite watchable in the 21st century. Part of this is because the acting is somewhat restrained for 1912--being a little less over-done than you might often see at the time. Instead of hysterics, the lady in the film is cool-headed and does her best to stop two evil tramps from stealing the payroll. Pretty old fashioned, but still well made and watchable.