"The Mended Lute" (1909) - hidden gem
Florence Lawrence and Owen Moore
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cinematography by Billy Bitzer
Starring Florence Lawrence, Owen Moore, James Kirkwood, Arthur Johnson
Distributed by Biograph Company
Release date August 5, 1909
Country United States
Running time 8 m.
This film is part of our series 'Hidden Gems'. It can be watched by registered users who make a donation. For more details, please click here.
"The Mended Lute" is a short Indian drama directed by D.W. Griffith. The film is included in our program to illustrate the work of three of our stars: actress Florence Lawrence, actor Arthur Johnson and cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Rising Moon (Florence Lawrence) is separated from the man she loves when her father gives her away to a wealthier suitor. She manages to escape captivity and reunites with her man, but they have to flee by canoe on wild river rapids chased by the enemy.
The film's last three minutes do not survive, but we tell how the story ends in the last of the stills in the slide show.
We trust that silent film lovers will not judge harshly the quality of the print. Many early D.W. Griffith films are only available in a paper print format, and we are all very lucky that they have survived the trials of time for us to enjoy.
Click to enlarge:
The Mended Lute
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Florence Lawrence is stopped by James Kirkwood, who makes unwelcome advances in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence Lawrence rejects a man that she doesn't like in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence Lawrence is separated from Owen Moore by her father's will in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer. Arthur Johnson is the Indian in dark shirt.
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Florence Lawrence is ordered to stay in James Kirkwood's tent in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence Lawrence makes a move to escape from captivity as her guard Arthur Johnson takes a nap in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence Lawrence is ready to flee as her guard Arthur Johnson takes a nap in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence Lawrence reaches Owen Moore's camp in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Arthur Johnson is about to incur his boss's wrath for letting the prisoner escape in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence Lawrence and Owen Moore reunite in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence Lawrence and Owen Moore are eventually captured. Owen Moore shows rare stoicism in the face of torture, which earns him the admiration of his conqueror. In the end Florence Lawrence and Owen Moore are let go and be happy.
Florence Lawrence and James Kirkwood
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Below is a short preview of the film.