Stella Maris (Silent)

Stella Maris (Silent)
Mary Pickford plays two roles in this film; it is a testament to her phenomenal acting talent that we really see her as two completely different characters. In the title role of Stella Maris, Pickford portrays a lovely young woman, paralyzed from childhood, whose wealthy, aristocratic parents have kept her utterly sheltered from the ugly realities of the outside world. As poor little orphan girl Unity Blake, Pickford is literally unrecognizable.

Make-up, hair, and costumes help achieve this remarkable transformation. Stella Maris is radiantly pretty, with bright eyes and lips and flowing curls, decked out in ruffled white frocks. Unity is painfully plain: sallow-skinned and dull-haired, in an orphan's homespun, shapeless shift. But it is Pickford's extraordinary facility with body language--the true sign of a great silent-film actress--that makes each character so distinct and credible. Privileged Stella Maris's movements are always graceful and dainty, whereas Unity stoops and flinches, the victim of a lifetime of want and abuse.

Both characters fall in love with the same man, journalist John Risca (Conway Tearle), who is married to the abusive drunkard Louisa (Marcia Manon, who fairly oozes wickedness). John loves the comely Stella Maris, but "he can never be free as long as that woman [his wife] is alive." An ingenious plot twist takes care of that problem while neatly resolving the question of which Pickford character "gets the guy": Stella Maris, the wealthy and beautiful, or Unity Blake, the humble and homely. --Laura Mirsky
Customer Review: Pickford double role is dark and psychological.
Mary Pickford's skillful acting is highly evident in this exceptional film. She portrays two characters which are complete opposites. Stella is the beautiful bedridden cripple and Unity Blake is the ugly duckling of an orphanage. The character Unity gives Pickford her meatier role, requiring her to take on the villain and be harrassed and beaten. In fact, Unity steals the show. She is a character of such depth that we long to watch her next move, in contrast to the Stella character, whose indisposition, naivety and sheltered existence render her incapable of much action. No doubt the audience of the period, the unwavering Pickford fans, desired to glimpse the 'girl with the curls' and to this end the Stella character has a function beyond vying for the same man loved by Unity. The villain in the film is Louise Risca who is a violent alcoholic who gains satisfaction by making others feel pain and unhappiness. Her end is satisfying to the audience because her dark hold on others is broken.A sense of relief is evident in the film. The film comments on the theory that some characters are more expendable than others. It forces the audience to confront its own values when we do not feel a sense of loss when some characters achieve happiness through the sacrificial actions of another. 'Stella Maris' could equally have been called 'Unity Blake' due to the pivotal nature of the role played by her character.In many ways it is her film and it is her involvement which leaves a lasting effect in our memories. A film which explores the psychology of its characters, 'Stella Maris', is well worth viewing.
Customer Review: PICKFORD'S FINEST PERFORMANCE?
Confined to bed by a crippling illness, Stella Maris (Pickford) is sheltered to the point that all bad news is kept from her: she looks out on peaceful scenes and is visited by pets, children and a handsome journalist named John Risca (Conway Tearle). Risca's wife, Louise, is a drug addicted alcoholic who adopts a homely orphan named Unity Blake (also Pickford)..... This film is undoubtedly a classic. It could be regarded as a sincere and successful attempt to break through the shackles of melodrama. The fact that it was made in 1917 (it was released in January, 1918) is a tribute to everyone associated with it. The scenerio is intelligent, and although the picture has too many titles, they are all worthwhile. For years, the only surviving print had been a wretched 16mm dupe in which nearly all the quality of Walter Strandling's photography was lost. Fortunately, the Mary Pickford Foundation has restored the film from 35mm materials, and one can now be stunned by ravishing close-ups of Stella Maris, contrasting with the pathetic, distorted face of Unity Blake. Marshall Neilan's direction is of a high order, and although Marcia Manon overplays the role of Louise Risca, all the other parts area acted realistically. Supposedly, in a review from MOVIE WEEKLY, an exhibtor remarked - arriving too late to view the opening titles - "Mary Pickford's great, but she'd better watch out for the one who plays the slavey" (!).