Faithful (1910) User Reviews

Mack Sennett is Faithful

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 5 November 2007]

Arthur Johnson (as Adonese) is driving home after a date when he sideswipes simple-minded pedestrian Mack Sennett (as Faithful). Mr. Johnson feels awful, and takes the shaken, but unwounded, tramp out shopping. Mr. Sennett is so taken with Johnson's generosity, he attaches himself to his handsome new friend. At first, Johnson feels guilty; and, he lets Sennett hang around. Eventually, Johnson grows tired of having the adoring Sennett play Siamese twin, and throws the bum out. It doesn't last, however, as "Faithful" Sennett returns with a flower for his benefactor. Poor Johnson can't even spend time alone with his fiancée Florence Barker; understandably, she doesn't want to share her beau with his new companion…

Sennett's comic pathos makes this a very effective film; this time, he plays extraordinarily well with director D.W. Griffith, and his ideal leading man, Johnson. Sennett is especially sweet when he brings Johnson a flower; he is too simple-minded to mind being roughed up by Johnson. Although he is annoying, Sennett's "Faithful" elicits much sympathy. This is also a very nicely paced film, with a pleasant balance of comedy, drama, and suspense. As a bonus, look for a generous amount of early Hollywood location footage (around Biograph's Pico studio).

****** Faithful (3/21/10) D.W. Griffith ~ Mack Sennett, Arthur V. Johnson, Florence Barker

While the structure of the film left a lot to be desired, the plot was clever and fun.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 24 February 2014]

Adonese is wooing a young lady. After meeting the lady, he and his driver end up running down the village idiot. However, Adonese tries to make good--giving the guy some money for his troubles and even buying him a new suit. However, the simpleton gets the idea that Adonese is his new best friend and won't let him alone for a second! After a while, Adonese does everything he can do to get rid of the guy--but he keeps showing up! Finally, at the end, something happens that ends up cementing their friendship for good!

The film has very funny moments and is worth seeing. As for the structure of the film, it is a bit archaic, even for 1910. But this can be overlooked since the overall product is quite nice.

The future director of countless slapstick comedies, Mack Sennett, plays the simpleton. He got his start with Biograph and D.W. Griffith and played in a variety of shorts and began directing for the studio before he eventually went his own way and started Keystone Studios.

A Mack Sennett Comedy

[boblipton · 7/10 · 16 October 2002]

When we think of D.W. Griffith, we think of his epic features; or perhaps we think of the short melodramas. We don't think about the comedies he directed, and this is puzzling to me. Even his unhappiest dramas had their touches of humor.

In the four hundred or so films that Griffith directed for Biograph, he turned out a fair number of comedies, often using Mack Sennett. Here, Mack Sennett plays the title role, of a too-loyal friend who hangs around when he's not wanted.

Of course it all ends with a chase. Griffith didn't quite invent the movie chase, the rush to rescue whoever it is that needs rescuing, but he certainly perfected it. Here we have a lovely variation, as Adonese keeps trying to run away, but Sennett keeps turning up. Very amusing.

An Odd Combination

[Snow Leopard · 18 November 2004]

This somewhat odd combination of themes contains an (apparently) experimental mix of humor, drama, and humanity. It's almost as if D.W. Griffith were trying out different genres at once, even as he worked on developing his technique. The film does not really work all that well, since the story is a little too pat and at times implausible, and the characters likewise are a bit one-dimensional.

The story focuses on the wanderer "Faithful" and his excessive appreciation for a benefactor. At times the situations are a little uncomfortable, and it might perhaps have worked better as a straight drama. Yet there are a couple of good comic ideas too, and part of it is a relatively creative variant of the standard kind of cinema chase scene. Mack Sennett makes his character believable, though much of the time not really sympathetic.

Overall, it's just fair, but it does have some points of interest.

Faithful review

[JoeytheBrit · 8/10 · 13 May 2020]

One of D. W. Griffith's better comedies - which admittedly isn't a particularly high hurdle to clear - thanks largely to a near-perfect showing from Mack Sennett, and the seamless interplay with dapper fellow star Arthur V. Johnson. With his too-tight clothing and clumsy manner, Sennett provides a prototype for many of the comic characters that would soon fill the silent screen. Much of the film makes good use of the streets and surrounding hillsides of Griffith's new Californian home.

His worth is recognized

[deickemeyer · 27 March 2015]

Few, indeed, are they who have too faithful and zealous friends, but the hero of this picture seems to be one of the sort that is unfortunate in this respect. True, his faithful adherent is only half witted, which in the nature of things makes his attentions somewhat unwelcome. After resorting to all sorts of schemes to rid himself of his follower, he finally decides to make the best of it and permit the devotion to continue unmolested. At last the psychological moment arrives. The friend that is determined to stand by is there and carries John's erstwhile sweetheart from the burning house. Then his worth is recognized. The lovers settle their differences and everybody lives happily ever after. The acting is quite in harmony with the subject and the photography is clear and of good tonal quality. - The Moving Picture World, April 2, 1910

Griffith Comedy

[Michael_Elliott · 26 February 2008]

Faithful (1910)

*** (out of 4)

Pleasant comedy from D.W. Griffith about a rich man who accidentally hits a tramp named Faithful (Mack Sennett) with his car. Feeling bad, the man buys the tramp a new outfit but then can't get rid of his as the tramp follows his every move hoping for more gifts. Most of Griffith's comedies have been misses but this one here hits all the right notes. I've never seen Sennett be better as he does a great job playing his character lovable. There are a few nice laughs but the sappy ending doesn't help much.