1917. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Dir. by Marshall Neilan. USA.

One of the three top grossing films of 1917, two of which starred Mary Pickford.  Upon viewing this film, there is no question why Pickford was called “America’s Sweetheart.” It is weird today to think of a 25 year-old playing the part of a 12 year-old, but Pickford’s sheer charisma makes it work.  Her mischievous but loveable character in this movie is the prototype for many that came later: I see traces of Tuesday Weld in Lord Love a Duck, Hayley Mills in The Trouble With Angels, and even Alicia Silverstone in Clueless.  Pickford became one of the most powerful women in early Hollywood.  She had the foresight to preserve her films, so unlike many silent film stars, a large percentage of her films still exist.