The Fairy and the Waif
The Fairy and the Waif is a 1915 silent drama film directed by Marie Hubert Frohman and George Irving. The film was the debut of actress Mary Miles Minter, who was twelve years old by the time of the release.[1]
| The Fairy and the Waif | |
|---|---|
 Newspaper advertisement | |
| Directed by | Marie Hubert Frohman George Irving |
| Produced by | Gustave Frohman |
| Written by | Marie Hubert Frohman |
| Starring | Mary Miles Minter |
| Music by | Sidney Jones |
| Cinematography | Jacques Montéran |
| Distributed by | World Film |
Release date | March 1, 1915 |
Running time | 50 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent English intertitles |
A copy is preserved at Cinematheque Francais, Paris.[2]
Plot
Viola Drayton is a girl with a fascination for fairies. Her father goes off to England to help soldiers in World War I and leaves Viola in care of his attorney Mr. Nevinson. He sends the Nevinsons $30,000 to spend on Viola. When word reaches town Mr. Drayton has been killed in the war, the Nevinsons decide to keep the money for themselves.
Viola now lives in drudgery and one day runs away after harsh treatment. She joins the chorus of a musical comedy, but yet again is treated brutally. She leaves the theater, still dressed in her fairy costume. A waif notices her and thinks she is a real fairy. He takes her under his care. Later, it appears Mr. Drayton is still alive. The Nevinsons reach out a reward for the one who returns her. They eventually have to pay back Mr. Drayton. Meanwhile, a police man notices Viola and reunites her with her father.[3]
Cast
- Mary Miles Minter - Viola Drayton, the Fairy
- Percy Helton - The Waif
- Will Archie - Sweetie
- William T. Carleton - Major Drayton
- Hubert Wilke - Mr. Nevinson
- Ina Brooks - Mrs. Nevinson
- Frank Gillmore