The Country Doctor (1909)

Writers:

Release Date:

8 July 1909 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Drama

Plot:

While caring for his sick daughter, a doctor is called away to the sickbed of a neighbor. He finds the neighbor gravely ill, and ignores his wife's pleas to come home and care for his own daughter, who has taken a turn for the worse. |

Plot Keywords:

Family | Diptheria | Neighbor | Child | Conflict

Cast

(in alphabetical order)

Kate Bruce	...	Poor Mother (uncredited)
Adele DeGarde	...	Poor Mother's Sick Daughter (uncredited)
Gladys Egan	...	Edith Harcourt - Daughter (uncredited)
Rose King	...	Maid (uncredited)
Florence Lawrence	...	Mrs.Harcourt (uncredited)
Mary Pickford	...	Poor Mother's Elder Daughter (uncredited)
Frank Powell	...	Doctor Harcourt (uncredited)

Runtime:

14 min | 14 min (18 fps)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Biograph Studio, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Biograph Company

Trivia:

In the middle of the background for both indoor sets (the country doctor's home and the poor mother's shack), the American Biograph Company's logo is prominently incorporated into the "decoration." Apparently this is because at the time the film was made motion pictures were still not covered by copyright laws, but trademark logos were. By incorporating the trademark logo into every interior shot, the company had an easier time "copyrighting" the work.

Deadpan Bedside Manners

Frank Powell (as Dr. Harcourt), Florence Lawrence (as Mrs. Harcourt) and little Gladys Egan (as Edith Harcourt) are the perfect country family; however, tragedy strikes their idyllic world when little Gladys becomes gravely ill. Fortunately, wealthy Harcourt is also "The Country Doctor", and can sit by his daughter's bedside as she struggles to regain her health. Unfortunately, poor mother Kate Bruce and daughter Mary Pickford need Dr. Harcourt's services as Adele DeGarde, the girl in their family, is likewise bedridden. The good doctor is torn between his little girl and his responsibility as the town's doctor.

G.W. Bitzer's Greenwich, Connecticut location footage is generous, and this film's highlight; though, you'll wish it was better preserved. The story, dealing with a doctor's responsibility, is a good one. Both Mr. Powell and Ms. Lawrence go too far over-the-top in their portrayals this time around, however. Ms. Bruce and Ms. Pickford are more restrained, but little daughters Egan and DeGarde absolutely steal the show with their deadpan bedside manners, especially little Gladys!