Dear Silent Hall of Fame Users:
You have come to this website, because you like silent films and silent movie stars. There are many places like this. But unlike other sites, here at Silent Hall of Fame you can make a real difference. You can help us show for the first time many films featuring your favorite silent stars that have not been seen in generations. This will bring their names back into the public discourse. But you can do much more than that: you can help your favorite silent stars receive belated recognition and glory.
Until now there has never been an organization with the purpose to place a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for movie personalities from a century ago. Silent Hall of Fame is this historic organization. Silent Hall of Fame is the only organization of its kind. We will make history and we invite you to become a part of history by sponsoring a silent movie star for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All contributions are tax deductible.
"The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912) - with film
Robert Harron
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Produced by Biograph Company
Cinematography Billy Bitzer
Starring Elmer Booth, Lillian Gish, Robert Harron
Distributed by The General Film Company
Release date October 31, 1912
Running time 17 min.
Country United States
Language Silent, English intertitles
"The Musketeers of Pig Alley" is a short crime drama directed by D. W. Griffith. This film illustrates the work of actor Robert Harron and cinematographer Billy Bitzer, stars of Silent Hall of Fame.
"The Musketeers of Pig Alley" is the first gangster film in history. It has some excellent acting by a very strong cast and a lot of suspense. The film is also a predecessor of what would become known a quarter of a century later as "the film noir".
Lillian Gish plays The Little Lady, whose husband is a musician and has to leave town for work. In his absence she has to rebuff the advances of a cocky character by the nickname of Snapper Kid (Elmer Booth), the gang leader of the Musketeers.
When her sick mother dies The Little Lady becomes grief-stricken. One day she is visited by a friend who takes her to a dance party to raise her spirits. The Little Lady is invited for a drink by some fellow, who puts a drug in her glass, but she is saved by Snapper Kid. As it turns out, the other guy is the rival gang's leader. The two bosses square off, but decide to settle the dispute outside.
Suspense builds up as the two rival gangs chase each other around Pig Alley. Will there be a winner, or will all perish or go to jail?
In 2016 the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Click to enlarge:
The Musketeers of Pig Alley
Lillian-Gish-and-Walter-Miller-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-1.jpg
Lillian Gish is not happy that Walter Miller has to leave her for work in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Dorothy-Gish-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-2.jpg
Lillian Gish passes by Dorothy Gish in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Elmer-Booth-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-3.jpg
Elmer Booth knocks down Walter Miller and steals his wallet in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-and-Lillian-Gish-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-4.jpg
Lillian Gish talks to Alfred Paget as Robert Harron can be seen dancing in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Elmer-Booth-and-Alfred-Paget-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-5.jpg
Lillian Gish is distracted as Alfred Paget puts a drug in her drink with Elmer Booth watching in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Elmer-Booth-and-Alfred-Paget-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-6.jpg
Lillian Gish is stopped by Elmer Booth from having that drugged drink in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Elmer-Booth-and-Alfred-Paget-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-7.jpg
Lillian Gish looks on as Alfred Paget and Elmer Booth have a scuffle in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Elmer-Booth-and-Alfred-Paget-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-8.jpg
Alfred Paget and Elmer Booth square off in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Elmer-Booth-and-Robert-Harron-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-9.jpg
Elmer Booth looks at the rival gang with Robert Harron in the middle in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-10.jpg
Robert Harron takes a log look at the rival gang as it leaves in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Elmer-Booth-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-11.jpg
Elmer Booth checks his gun in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-and-Alfred-Paget-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-12.jpg
Robert-Harron-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-13.jpg
Robert Harron follows his gang leader in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-14.jpg
Robert Harron is ready for a fight holding a gun in his pocket in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Elmer-Booth-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-16.jpg
Elmer Booth chases the enemy in a classic film noir image in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-17.jpg
Robert Harron covers his comrades as his gang retreats in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-19.jpg
Robert Harron is the last to retreat and look for cover in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Walter-Miller-and-Elmer-Booth-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-20.jpg
Elmer Booth is surprised by Walter Miller, who recovers his wallet in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Walter-Miller-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-21.jpg
Lillian Gish is thrilled that Walter Miller recovered the money in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Walter-Miller-and-Elmer-Booth-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-22.jpg
Lillian Gish and Walter Miller are not impressed when Elmer Booth asks for alibi in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Walter-Miller-and-Elmer-Booth-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-23.jpg
Elmer Booth reminds Lillian Gish that he saved her from the drugged drink in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Walter-Miller-and-Elmer-Booth-and-cop-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-24.jpg
Lillian Gish provides an alibi for Elmer Booth in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert Harron
Our Newsletter
Recent Movie Reviews
- "Annie Laurie" (1927) - hidden gem
- "Battling Butler" (1926) - with film
- "Whistles And Windows" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Scarlet Letter" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Seven Chances" (1925) - with film
- "So This is Paris" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Two Daughters of Eve" (1912) - hidden gem
- "Go West" (1925) - with film
- "Spies and Spills" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Lesson" (1910) - hidden gem
Donate
Click on a button below to sponsor a silent movie star with your tax-deductible contribution.
Please use this button for a one-time donation:
Please use the button below for a recurring donation
INSTRUCTIONS:
Please enter the dollar amount AND AFTER THAT click on the donate button.
Otherwise you may get a PayPal error message.