D.W. Griffith, Billy Bitzer, Arthur Marvin, Biograph Company, Arthur V. Johnson, silent film, silent movie stars, free classic film, old movies, silent film streaming, silent era, archive films, rare films, silent crime drama

   Arthur V. Johnson

Directed by                       D.W. Griffith
Cinematography by        Billy Bitzer, Arthur Marvin
Starring                             Gertrude Robinson, Marion Leonard, Arthur V. Johnson, Mack Sennett, Owen Moore
Distributed by                   Biograph Company
Release date                      October 4, 1909
Country                             United States
Running time                    14 m.

"Pippa Passes" is a short drama directed by D.W. Griffith.  The film is included in our program to illustrate the work of our stars cinematographer Billy Bitzer and Arthur V. Johnson. Billy Bitzer shares the cinematography credit with Arthur Marvin. Arthur V. Johnson plays a character by the name of Luca.

The film is based on the verse drama by the 19 century English poet Robert Browning.  Apparently the poem was very popular, judging by these facts:
- This was the first film to be reviewed by the New York Times newspaper
- there is a town by the name of Pippa Passes in Kentucky

A girl sings with a lute and the song has a healing effect.

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   Arthur Johnson and Marion Leonard

   Arthur Johnson carries Charles West's suitcase

Directed by                       D.W. Griffith
Cinematography by        Billy Bitzer, Arthur Marvin
Starring                             Charles West, Herbert Prior, Anita Hendrie, Mary Pickford, Arthur V. Johnson
Distributed by                   Biograph Company
Release date                      June 14, 1909
Country                             United States
Running time                    11 m.

"The Son's Return"  is a short drama directed by D.W. Griffith.  The film is included in our program to illustrate the work of our stars cinematographer Billy Bitzer and Arthur V. Johnson. Billy Bitzer shares the cinematography credit with Arthur Marvin.

The son returns to the country after making it rich in the big city. He decides to conceal his identity in order to surprise his folks, but this leads to unexpected consequences.

Click to enlarge: {imageshow sl=245 sc=3 /}