Most of the 34 year old D.W. Griffith's short films look like a Victorian pageant. It is robbed of dialogue, portraying lesser personnel as sub-human. I think what was needed in this four minute piece was for the characters to be humanized in order to be more believable. There was little for me to embrace in this film because it had nothing to hold my attention. The protagonist was not a reflection of me, and basically dragged me (rather than carry me) through the plot. It was quite an alienating experience as there was nothing personal in it for me. There was no light relief, and the four minutes just plodded along. It lacked sympathy and emotional tug that would enable me to take this film to heart.
2 Reviews
Never before has a carrier pigeon appeared
deickemeyer30 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A pretty little picture from the Biograph studio which represents a dove or a carrier pigeon as the star actor. The idea of using a carrier pigeon to inform the distracted parents of the whereabouts of some lost children is so unique and unexpected that it attracts and creates a favorable impression. Horses and dogs have appeared to good advantage in motion pictures previously, but never before, so far as the writer knows, has a carrier pigeon appeared, and one must be candid and admit that while the two appearances, one when it leaves the children, and the other when it arrives at the house, are quite successful. The picture is not dramatic, and excepting for the frightened parents and friends no opportunity is given for acting. It is best to give all the credit of an interesting picture to the dove. The tumble into the sand pit affords the pigeon his opportunity, and he makes the most of it, winning his laurels quite as ably as other actors win theirs by performing his part as correctly as he can. He is a success as the children's friend. - The Moving Picture World, September 25, 1909
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