Mary Pickford
FANCHON THE CRICKET [Blu-ray] [1915]
Based on the “adult fairy tale” by George Sand, Fanchon the Cricket stars Mary Pickford as the title character, a strong-willed waif ostracized by “acceptable society” until she shows them the power of love and understanding. Directed by James Kirkwood and boasting exquisite cinematography by Edward Wynard, Fanchon the Cricket was filmed on location in Delaware Gap, Pennsylvania.A natural, sensual and uninhibited Pickford breaks through today’s stereotype of her as “the girl with the curls.” It is also the only surviving film in which both Jack and Lottie Pickford appear with their sister.Once believed to be a lost film, Fanchon the Cricket’s restoration is the result of a unique international collaboration between the Mary Pickford Foundation, the Cinematheque Francaise and the British Film Institute. A new negative and 35mm prints were created from the restored digital version, and the Mary Pickford Foundation paired the film with a new, original score by Julian Ducatenzeiler and Andy Gladbach – by Flicker Alley
Cast – Mary Pickford, Jack Standing, Lottie Pickford, Gertrude Norman, Russell Bassett, Jack Pickford
Director – James Kirkwood
Cinematography – Edward Wynard
Writer – James Kirkwood, Frances Marion, George Sand
Bonus Features• New, original score by Julian Ducatenzeiler and Andy Gladbach• Souvenir booklet featuring rare photographs and essays by Cari Beauchamp
Format – Blu-ray
Audio – Silent with Stereo Music Score
Aspect Ratio – 16×9/ with 4/3 Pillar Box
Rating – Not Rated
Runtime – 115
Year – 1915
Color – B&W with Color Tinting
UPC – 617311685699
SRP – $29.95
SKU – FA0056
What elevates Fanchon the Cricket is that it is 103 years old and looked like it was photographed yesterday. There are a few instances of gate hairs and top to bottom scratches, but these typically exist after most restorations, so I can look beyond that. I am talking about the shimmering creek water, I am talking about detail in blades of grass. It is something to behold.The work that the Mary Pickford Foundation and the Cinémathèque Française putting this together is a testament to the modern desire to make available these classic films.
It is a stunning achievement, and I highly recommend this release to anyone interested in Mary Pickford, early Hollywood, or the process of restoring a film made more than 100 years ago.
The soundtrack on the film deserves special notice; rather than go with the typical guy at a piano (or organ) noodling away under a silent film, a new folk and even rock-tinged score by Julian Ducatenzeiler and Andy Gladbach was commissioned. Largely guitar based, it’s a far cry from the typical silent-film score, and it’s even mixed in surround sound. I found it, and the while production, a welcome surprise.
It would be criminal to review this Blu-ray release without discussing the incomparable new score written by Julian Ducatenzeiler and Andy Gladbach a welcome surprise that a new release of an old film should be accompanied by more modern stylings and instrumentation.
