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Owen Moore and Ruth Hart.
Frame enlargement: Silent Era image collection.
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The Light That Came
Also known as {A Light That Came}
(1909) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 998 feet
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cast: Ruth Hart [Grace], Marion Leonard [Vivian], Mary Pickford [Daisy], Kate Bruce [their mother], Owen Moore [Carl Wagner, the blind violinist], George O. Nicholls, Arthur Johnson [a man at the ball], Anthony O’Sullivan, Mack Sennett [the terrible dancer at the ball]
Biograph Company production; distributed by Biograph Company. / Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer. / © 13 November 1909 by Biograph Company [J134658]. Released 11 November 1909. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [From Biograph promotional materials] We, of course, assume that being most unfortunate over whose sight fate has drawn the mantle of darkness, and it is reasonable so to do, but Divine Providence is sure to compensate those so afflicted with ameliorating gifts that help them bear their ills with fortitude, and not only that, their powers of discernment are fare [sic] more acute than those endowed with sight. There is the sight of the soul, which sees farther than the eyes. This may be called intuition; but, whatever it may be, it is a rare gift. Carl Wagner was bereft of his sight, and in order that he might earn a livelihood he learned music, and played the violin for the dancing at many of the East Side balls. One of the affairs is attended by Grace, Vivian and Daisy, three sisters. Vivian and Daisy are rather pretty girls and are the center of attraction. Grace, however, has a disfiguring scar on her face, which makes her a wallflower throughout the evening. At the close of the entertainment she meets Carl and a sympathy which ripens to love, springs up. They become sweethearts and later becomes engaged. A friend of the family declares his belief that Carl’s sight can be restored, and Grace is moved to help him with her savings. On second thought she realizes that when he sees her as she is she will lose his love. This she struggles against, and when the cure is effected she finds her fears were groundless, for the heart has seen father that the eyes could have.
Survival status: Print exists [16mm reduction positive].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Blind persons - Medical: Doctors - Musical instruments: Violins - Musicians
Listing updated: 10 October 2012.
References: Film credits, film viewing : Barry-Griffith p. 41; Blum-Silent p. 12; Eyman-Pickford pp. 60, 324; Spehr-American p. 2 : Website-AFI.
Home video: DVD.
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