The Modern Prodigal (A Story in Symbolism) (S)
1910 · Movie · 17 min. · United States
In the opening of this subject we find the callow youth as he points towards the city's spires, exclaiming to his dear old mother, "Mother, there in the big city is my sphere. There will I turn the world over." Off he goes cityward, ambitious and presumptuous, and perhaps we may add reckless. Alas, the city's whirl is quite a change from the simple quiet life in the country and the youth falls a victim to the snares that beset the unsophisticated. After a bitter experience he returns, and in symbolism we show him in the raiment of sin, a convict's suit. Approaching his old home, he sees there in front of the door the old chair in which sat his mother on the day of his depart. What a difference! On that day there shone the sunshine of hope; today, the clouds of despair. As he regards himself in his prison garb, he utters that penitential cry of the ancient prodigal, "I am no more worthy to be called thy son." Turning away, he staggers exhausted to the pigsty, where he eats ravenously...
Direction D.W. Griffith
Cast Guy Hedlund · George Nichols · Kate Bruce · Jack Pickford · Clara T. Bracy · William J. Butler · Edward Dillon · Frank Evans · Francis J. Grandon · Robert Harron · Dell Henderson · James Kirkwood · W. Chrystie Miller · Anthony O'Sullivan · Alfred Paget · Lester Predmore · Mack Sennett
Screenplay Dell Henderson · Bess Meredyth
Cinematography G.W. Bitzer
Original title The Modern Prodigal (A Story in Symbolism) (S)
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Not rated (FilmAffinity)
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