Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is a 1917 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Marshall Neilan based upon the novel of the same name by Kate Douglas Wiggin. This version is notable for having been adapted by famed female screenwriter Frances Marion. The film was made by the "Mary Pickford Company" and was an acclaimed box office hit. When the play premiered on Broadway in the 1910 theater season the part of Rebecca was played by Edith Taliaferro.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm | |
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Theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Marshall Neilan |
Written by | Frances Marion |
Based on | Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm 1903 novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin 1910 play by Charlotte Thompson |
Starring | Mary Pickford Eugene O'Brien |
Cinematography | Walter Stradling |
Production company | Mary Pickford Company |
Distributed by | Artcraft Pictures Corporation |
Release date |
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Running time | 70 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Screenplay
As described in a film magazine, Rebecca Randall (Pickford) is taken into the home of her aunt Hannah (Eddy), a strict New England woman. Rebecca meets Adam Ladd (O'Brien), a young man of the village, and they become great friends. One day Rebecca promises to marry Adam when she becomes of age. Unable to withstand her pranks any longer, her aunt sends her away to a boarding school. She graduates a beautiful young lady. Shortly thereafter, Adam demands a fulfillment of her promise.
- Mary Pickford as Rebecca Randall
- Eugene O'Brien as Adam Ladd
- Helen Jerome Eddy as Hannah Randall
- Charles Stanton Ogle as Mr. Cobb
- Marjorie Daw as Emma Jane Perkins
- Mayme Kelso as Jane Sawyer
- Jane Wolfe as Mrs. Randall
- Josephine Crowell as Miranda Sawyer
- Jack McDonald as Reverend Jonathan Smellie
- Violet Wilkey as Minnie Smellie
- F. A. Turner as Mr. Simpson
- Kate Toncray as Mrs. Simpson
- Emma Gordes as Clara Belle Simpson
- Wesley Barry as School Boy/Ringmaster (uncredited)
- Milton Berle as Bit Part (uncredited)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm was filmed in Pleasanton, California.
Like many American films of the time, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required a cut of the intertitle "I have just learned the Simpsons are not married."
- Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (play)
- Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1932 film)
- Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938 film)