Wilful Peggy (1910) User Reviews

A diamond in the rough

[wmorrow59 · 7/10 · 10 July 2017]

Mary Pickford got her start in pictures in 1909 at the Biograph studio, where she worked for legendary director D.W. Griffith in dozens of short films, in all kinds of roles. When this comedy 'Wilful Peggy' was made in 1910, Pickford's name was still unknown to the general public. She was just another up-and-coming actress, not a star, and had not yet developed a familiar screen persona or settled on favorite themes for her vehicles. And yet, looking back with hindsight, we can find in this short some of the key ingredients that would contribute to Mary's phenomenal popularity, and become familiar motifs in her great feature-length vehicles.

Wilful Peggy is set in 18th century Ireland, and from the first scene it is plain that this was a place and time when social distinctions were of crucial importance. Henry Walthall is the Lord of the Manor, a middle-aged and unmarried aristocrat, perhaps a widower. He finds Peggy (Mary Pickford), a lower-class barmaid, asleep before the tavern where she works, awakens her gruffly and demands service. But instead of deferring to him she is angry and uncooperative, that is, until he doffs his hat and is polite to her. After that she's all smiles, and the Lord is plainly smitten with this attractive "rough diamond." Later, when a young man from the village tries to kiss Peggy, she gives him a brisk beating. The Lord witnesses this from a concealed place, and is thoroughly won over. He proposes marriage. Peggy's mother is delighted, but her daughter is startled and dismayed by this turn of events, in part because of the age difference between herself and her suitor, but more importantly because of their sharply dissimilar social status. Nonetheless she gives in, and they are wed.

Soon we find that "the peasant bride" must struggle to adjust to her new position in society. She's uncomfortable wearing finery, and when the Lord's servants bow to her she's embarrassed. Peggy's unhappiness reaches a peak at a posh garden party when she falls over while attempting to curtsy, provoking mean-spirited laughter from her husband's friends. She stomps out in a huff. At this point she's approached by the Lord's nephew, who fancies her. He proposes that she don male attire and accompany him to an inn for some carousing, and, "in the spirit of deviltry," she agrees to go. Once they're alone at the inn, he attacks her. Her husband, meanwhile, rides to the rescue, but arrives to find that Peggy can take care of herself; in fact, she has given his lecherous nephew a furious thrashing!

As the plot summary may suggest, Wilful Peggy is a light-hearted comedy, and yet in the course of its brief running time it touches upon some serious themes. From Peggy's point of view, acute discomfort with her new husband's exalted station in life is no laughing matter, nor is her humiliation at the garden party. The Lord is amused at her audacity and finds the trait attractive, but his attitude is somewhat patronizing, and we have to wonder how happy or healthy such a marriage could ever be. However, this short was created only to entertain, not to provoke any troubling thoughts about class distinctions. Mary is adorable, and it's easy to see why she quickly became an audience favorite. Like the Lord of the Manor, we admire her for her pluck, and for the fact that she does not kowtow to her social superiors. In the prime of her career Pickford would explore culture clash issues in several of her great feature films, such as Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley, Stella Maris, and Little Lord Fauntleroy. This short comedy plays like an early, abbreviated edition of the material she would develop to perfection in later years. It also serves as a reminder of how succinctly and clearly director D. W. Griffith and his crew at Biograph could tell their stories, as they adeptly convey a great deal of information in a few quick shots. Wilful Peggy is miles ahead of most other films of its period, and still entertaining today.

Potentially interesting story handled relatively poorly

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 9 September 2006]

This is a D. W. Griffith short starring Mary Pickford as "Wilful Peggy". Peggy is a spirited girl who catches the eye of a rich older man during the Colonial period in our history. Despite not really knowing her or courting her, he asks for her hand in marriage and they inexplicably marry. This is hard to understand because the diminutive Mary is kind of an amazon woman who is "feisty and then some". Once married, she does not fit in very well in high society and soon runs off with her husband's nephew. Despite leaving her husband with another man AND going to an inn with him, she is not interested in doing the dirty deed and attacks the man when he touches her! The hubby comes in just as she's beating up the nephew and Mary is so busy doing her "Calamity Jane" impersonation, that the husband sneaks back home without Mary knowing he was even there. Then, she quickly realizes her hubby is a great guy after all and she returns home to dote on him.

While the overall story idea is kind of cute, the film is so rushed and sloppy that the good costumes and story idea are overshadowed. But, since it was made in 1910 and the budget (relatively speaking) is amazingly high for its time, it is a decent tale. However, unless you are a major fan of the silents or a film historian, I doubt if you would enjoy this film.

A Fun Role For a Young Mary Pickford

[Snow Leopard · 24 September 2001]

A young Mary Pickford has a fun role in this short feature, as a pretty but strong-willed peasant woman who attracts the attention of a rich nobleman. There isn't much plot, just a few humorous situations, but her spirited performance as "Wilful Peggy" makes it worth watching all in itself. It's not nearly so refined, of course, as the many great performances she would give in the future, but she is funny and lively, and anyone who likes Pickford should enjoy this short romantic comedy.

Mary Pickford Shines in a Rapid Fire Quickie

[Chance2000esl · 4/10 · 11 January 2009]

Before D. W, Griffith made 'Judith of Bethulia' (1914) he had already cranked out 491 films! In this one, from 1910, not only do we see the frenetic motions and overly exaggerated miming we consider the stereotype of silent movies but also the high production values and fast paced editing of a Griffith film. The bonus here is having Mary Pickford as the lead.

In a fast paced 17 minutes, Mary Pickford plays a feisty peasant girl who is offered a marriage proposal by a high born lord. Reluctantly accepting the offer, once she's removed from her environment and placed in his, she feels stifled, ill at ease, and commits errors of etiquette in courtly situations. Dressed as a man, she runs off to an inn with her husband's nephew, who has designs on her, which she strongly rebuffs. The husband, having followed her, secretly witnesses her actions, pleased with her strength and fidelity. He returns home before she does, and when she comes in repentant, he willingly accepts her. All this in less than 20 minutes!

It goes without saying that the story's development is told quickly and economically with no extraneous scenes. The editing is rapid fire. But Griffith does not skimp on the costumes or the courtly scenes, either. When Peggy (Mary) is outside with her high born husband, the frame is full of an elaborate cast of costumed extras, many of whom are performing minuets in the background.

At first, it seems as if Mary Pickford is just doing the same overly exaggerated physical gesturing that passes for acting so common to the oughts and teens eras. In these early days, the female characters were even more exaggerated; see for example, Mae Marsh in 'The Battle of Elderbush Gulch' (1913), Universal's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' (1916) or 'The Bluebird' (1918). Over the next few years Griffith seems to have toned it down a little; see the much better Griffith / Pickford short 'The Mender of Nets' (1912) or Constance Talmadge as The Mountain Girl and Mae Marsh as The Dear One in 'Intolerance' (1916).

Mary Pickford, however, displays a screen presence and character that, like the great Lillian Gish, sets her off from and above this overly melodramatic early acting style. This film tells the story of a woman, and Pickford dominates the screen and all the action. Griffith knows how to focus on her because she is such a strong presence on screen. Apparently this is a comedy; dressed as a man she makes a pass at a maid in the inn. Perhaps during these early years just seeing people jumping up and down doing such physical histrionics qualified as humor.

Ultimately the film is of value only to see the development of Pickford's and Griffiths' style. I'll give it a four and half.

Mary getting into her comedic element

[adt125 · 9/10 · 22 August 2008]

You can imagine this 1910 film would have had the contemporary audience laughing their heads off. This is an exhibition of Pickford's natural beautiful comedic talents.

An enjoyable film and given that this was 1910 a very good comedy indeed for the time.

This was meant to be a light hearted fun film and it gives Pickford some time to have some real fun which she does and she begins to reveal to us some of the Pickford that was to be.

An attractive peasant girl attracts the interest of an aristocratic gentleman because of her feisty nature. They get married, though should didn't want to and pouts but accepts in the end.

Very important to note that it was Mary Pickford's feistiness in such a small pretty young package that attracted Griffith to her the very first time he met and then hired her. This entire film depicts exactly what became loved about Mary Pickford in her future movies and, became life time movie and private life trade mark - beauty, attractiveness but a feisty and either dogmatic and or comedic independence.

Mary then married gets to play the aristocratic women, and she has fun with it, you can see Mary is enjoying this bit. And it is cute, the audience of the time would have been smiling for sure as she lauds it around.

She however is still the peasant feisty girl and has her tantrums still when it is all too convoluted for her. Then the nephew, full of arrogance and sneakiness tries to lead Mary astray. Mary, innocent doesn't pick up until late that he has bad intentions - thus you get to see them playing together like one of Mary's peasant friends. He makes a pass and Mary shows in no uncertain terms that she is no loose woman and in no way is she to be tampered with.

Mary at her feisty best picks up the chair to beat the nephew with and he scurries and hides under the table with the angry Mary stalking and threatening him, chair held above her head. A lovely funny scene that the contemporary audience must have loved dearly.

Note: the building used in the opening scene of this film is the same building used in the later scenes of 1909 'The Hessian Renegades'.

There is a bit Chaplin in all of Mary's comedic acting in this film - but this was BEFORE Chaplin. It has been noted by others that a number of Pickford's comedic style and devices were picked up by Chaplin and further developed and stylized.

A very funny old silent film

[edalweber · 9/10 · 1 May 2013]

This is really an hilarious movie, whether by the standards of 1910 or the present.Of course it is not intended to be taken seriously.Like the Three Stooges shorts, you are supposed to "check your brain at the door" and just enjoy the madness.What makes this so funny is not the plot but the outrageous nature of Mary Pickford's character as an uncompromising spitfire who will not be tamed by anyone.Like the Three Stooges, it is the characters, not the absurd plot, that makes this so funny. The frantic pacing hardly allows you time to notice the absurdity of it all,and moves along so rapidly it seems shorter than it really is. It is actually set in 18th century Ireland, not colonial America,though of course filmed in New York State.It was based on an old play called"The Country Cousin".

a pleasure

[jtabler · 8/10 · 25 January 2018]

Mary Pickford is wonderful in this! Yes! Enjoyed it very much.

One of Griffith's and Mary's Concise little gems

[yumredwine · 8/10 · 26 July 2009]

Movies were turned out very quickly in this period to satisfy rapidly growing demand. To the horror of the theater industry people were going beyond just fascination with these moving pictures.

This short would have been seen as a little gem and also would have gotten people asking about that young woman who was so engaging and funny. I am not sure but I think in 1910 film actors were only just being identified for the first time. Previously they were anonymous.

This is a short story that has everything with lots of spirit and humor and exquisite acting. This was designed to be an overdone send up comedy, it never set about to take itself seriously. And Mary adjusts perfectly, getting the mood and actions right.

This is what set Mary apart from other actors of the period, she was versatile, thinking and always seeking to improve and invent. She regularly studied the results on film.

This film called for Mary to set aside polite subtlety and to 'ham' it up a bit - but it is certainly not ham acting.

These are the sort of movies that were absolutely loved at the time - a complete story that engages you every second from beginning to end.

For the times and in its genre this would have been rated a 10 out of 10. Even now it is watchable and enjoyable and worth an 8.

" Fascinating Early Mary Pickford Film "

[PamelaShort · 8/10 · 10 November 2013]

In this Biograph film , Mary Pickford gives a fine illustration of her gift for natural acting and versatility. The plot is easy enough, feisty peasant girl forced to marry an aristocratic gentleman. The young girl's headstrong and stubborn ways are played with the unique characteristics Mary Pickford brought to her performances. When feeling threatened and frustrated Peggy unleashes a ferocious temper, even physically throwing objects, but Peggy can also show a very sweet tender side. Wilful Peggy is an early example of what the actress would later fine tune into her most successful characters. Tess of the Storm Country and M'Liss are good representations of what we see in the raw Wilful Peggy. This 1910 Pickford / Biograph film is very enjoyable and important watching for those interested in the young actresses development of her unique acting skills. This was the first Mary Pickford film I saw many years ago, and I was immediately enchanted with the actress and appreciate the films that survive from her early start in cinema.

really good if you like slapstick

[caldoni · 8/10 · 27 December 2006]

I'm a film maker and silent films have become my guilty pleasure lately, a lot of people watch 80's films or dumb action flicks or whatever, but me I like old silents, reason being, you can often feel the fun they had making them.

DW Griffith is remembered-by those who remember him-as a racist and/or film innovator which is probably a fair assessment either way. I will say that this shows his abilities to not just play stereotypes.

In a way Peggy is a feminist heroine, if someone offends her she breaks a piano stool over their head, she dresses like a man and at one point tries to seduce a bar maid, also the Lord is an interesting characters, he's unhindered by her stand-offish attitude and in fact likes it-even if it does seem a little condescending.

I guess though I'm being to thoughtful. It's quick paced for it's and genuinely funny.

2 From Griffith

[Michael_Elliott · 28 February 2008]

Willful Peggy (1912)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

D.W. Griffith short about a young woman (Mary Pickford) who's promised off to a man she doesn't care for but at the wedding the man's nephew starts to make a pass. It was nice seeing Pickford and nice seeing Griffith doing a comedy but the overall film wasn't too good. There are a few nice touches but nothing non die hards should seek out.

Mender of the Nets, The (1910)

*** (out of 4)

Highly entertaining film from D.W. Griffith about a woman (Mary Pickford) who's lover leaves her for another woman so her brother goes out to kill him. The real highlight here, besides Pickford's performance, is Griffith's editing, which nicely builds up suspense in the terrific ending.

First Suggestion To A Director--And He Uses It!

[springfieldrental · 8/10 · 24 February 2021]

Actors and actresses in early cinema never made any suggestions or demands to the director on the movie set. Directors were to never be questioned, and scripts were to be followed to the letter.

However, in Biograph Studio's August 1910 movie "Wilful Peggy," actress Mary Pickford, in her second year with Biograph, read the scene where her character, a rambunctious, high-spirited daughter of a peasant woman, was willing to docilely marry an older aristocrat. Pickford told the film's director, D. W. Griffith, that in no way would the daughter, who had exhibited a uncontrollable independent streak that attracted the aristocrat, would so meekly obey her mother to such a momentous demand. The actress asked Griffith to insert a scene where the mother chases her daughter around a tree trying to corral the hesitant Pickford. Griffith listened and was persuaded to film the scene just as Pickford had described. What is seen on film is the first documented suggestion of an actress made to a director which was accepted.

"Wilful Peggy" is also the picture that established Pickford's on-screen persona. Her rebellious spirit, her comedic skills, her versatility and her long-haired curls, which earned her the nickname "The Girl With The Golden Curls" long before the public knew her name, all came into the fore in this film. Pickford would temporarily leave Biograph Studios and Griffith's direction for Carl Laemmle's IMP Studios in December 1910. But the actress had yet reached her pinnacle of stardom.