Way Down East (film)
Way Down East
Copyright 1920 by D. W. Griffith
From the novel and
Wm. A. Brady's play by
Lottie Blair Parker
elaborated by
Scenario by
Anthony Paul Kelly
Under the Personal Direction
of
D. W. Griffith
A Simple Story
of Plain People.
Since the beginning of time man has been polygamous—even the saints of Biblical history—but the Son of Man gave a new thought, and the world is growing nearer the true ideal. He gave of One Man for One Woman.
Not by laws—our Statutes are now overburdened by ignored laws—but within the heart of man, the truth must bloom that his greatest happiness lies in his purity and constancy.
Today Woman brought up from childhood to expect one constant mate possibly suffers more than at any point in the history of mankind, because not yet has the man-animal reached this high standard—except perhaps in theory.
If there is anything in this story that brings home to men the suffering caused by our selfishness, perhaps it will not be in vain.
Time and place—in the story world of make-believe, Characters—nowhere—yet everywhere; Incidents—never occurred—yet always happening.
Let us suppose a remote village in New England.
Anna Moore and her mother.
We call her "Anna"—we might have called her "Woman"—for is not hers the story—
Sore need of money drives the mother to appeal to the Tremonts, their rich relatives in Boston.
"Oh, Mother, I hate to ask them for money."
So, through the troubled twilight. . . .
"All right, Mother, I'll go."
The departure.
"Tell Cousin Emma I made this hug-me-tight with my own hands."
"The fashion paper says these gloves are in style in the city."
An errand undertaken with the tremulous footsteps that ever mark the trail of the "poor relation."
Her cousins, the Tremonts, were giving a bridge whist party the afternoon of Anna's arrival.
Cousin Emma Tremont herself.
Diana Tremont—her daughter.
An occasional interloper in Society—the dashing Lennox Anderson, who depends for his living upon a rich father.
He has three specialties—ladies—Ladies—and Ladies.
"There is a young person—says she's your Cousin Anna Moore—from Greenville."
"My dear child! Whatever brought you here?"
"Well, you see, things haven't been going very well—and we wanted to ask you—if—if—"
Courage failing, she changes the subject to the hug-me-tight.
"I beg your pardon."
Mrs. Tremont imparts the embarrassing news of the country cousin's arrival to her daughters.
"Well, get rid of her."
But to impress their eccentric, but enormously rich aunt, the sisters pretend to be nice to Anna.
"I knew you both from your pictures."
"Yes, I expect to stay quite a time—that is, if we suit each other."
Chapter II
Near the country estate of the Sanderson family is Bartlett Village.
Also the home of Squire Bartlett, the richest farmer in the neighborhood.
The clock hand points to blossoms—and awakening.
David Bartlett, though of plain stock, has been tutored by poets and visions wide as the world.
Squire Bartlett, a stern old puritan, who lives according to his own conception of the Scriptures, particularly the "Thou Shalt Nots".
Mrs. Bartlett, whose gentle soul is as sweet as her beloved Scriptures.
Day dreams of twenty-one.
The great Tremont ball—the climax of the social season.
Anna's dress that she and her mother had made in case she should go out in Society.
"It's quite all right—and from the balcony you can see us dancing."
Solely to pique the sisters of whom she is not over-fond, the aunt makes different arrangements for Anna.
"Oh, Aunty!—This dress—where's the top?"
Beneath the alcove lights' golden glow.
Anna's delicate beauty a whip to Sanderson's jaded appetite.
"In your beauty lives again Elaine, the lily maid, love dreaming at Astolat."
"Tell me more."
Cousin Emma hurries Anna off to bed—perhaps in fear of her own daughters being outshone.
The susceptible Sanderson obsessed by a new desire.
Sanderson, after managing several meetings, finally lures Anna to the apartment to meet a mythical aunt.
"Wait—I'll call Aunty."
"Strange, she isn't here."
"Just five minutes! She'll be back any time."
"If she doesn't come in five minutes—I must go."
"You don't understand. . ."
"I mean—I want you to—to marry me."
Anna's inexperienced heart caught in a tide of infatuation.
"Oh, I'm just going to tell everybody."
But Sanderson, dreading to cross the wishes of his rich father, upon whom he is dependent, persuades Anna to promise secrecy.
The cynical aunt leaves for her annual trip to Europe.
Scene Missing
The aunt and her two daughters meet Anna in the front hall.
The Museum of Modern Art
"Did you say you were going home tomorrow, Anna?"
"No—oh, yes, I am—that's right."
Sanderson belongs to a class which, if it cannot get what it wants in one way, it will go to any length to get it in another.
Evil plans—
Passion's urge knows no conscience and various its ways to betrayal.
Sanderson induces Anna to marry secretly before going home.
Far away it happens that David Bartlett is dreaming a troubled dream.
"Don't worry—everything's all right. Don't you trust me?"
So—it is done.
The bridal suite at Rose Tree Inn.
To her it is the fulfillment of the dreams of girlhood—to him but another adventure.
Here conscience knocks at the door—perhaps the slightest interruption might still avert this tragedy, but...
"My—my husband!"
The afternoon the Bartlett postoffice was robbed.
The dread minion of the Law—Rube Whipple, Constable.
Seth Holcomb waiting for Martha Perkins, whom he has been following around for twenty years.
Seth takes his liquor under the name of "Long Life Bitters".
Martha Perkins—a relic—nobody needs a newspaper when she is around.
The Constable on the man hunt.
Napoleon, his fiery steed.
Napoleon refuses to climb the hill.
The temptation of Napoleon.
"These men! I just can't keep 'em from followin' me."
"Great news! Postoffice bin robbed! Dollar eighty-two cents in postage stamps, eighteen postal cards! Heavy loss to the gov'ment!"
"I'll 'low no man to laugh at the law, Seth Holcomb!"
Action Missing
Seth and the Constable start to fight.
The Museum of Modern Art
They both win.
Chapter IV.
One day of honeymoon before Anna starts home with her great secret.
"Promise now—only two days!"
Anna's return home.
Anna relieves her mother's anxiety with happy, mysterious hints of wealth to come.
The old way too pleasant to give up.
Less and less frequent their secret meetings until at last....
Mrs. Anna Moore Sanderson
Mrs. Anna Sanderson
Mrs. Anna Lennox Sanderson
In answer to her urgent letter....
"All right—I'll wait."
Mrs. Anna Moore Sanderson
Mrs. Anna Sanderson
Mrs. Anna Lennox Sanderson
"You haven't told anyone about our marriage?"
She tells him of a tender new reason why the secret cannot be kept any longer.
"You mustn't tell anyone!"
"Well—if you must know the truth—because we aren't married at all!"
"You're just joking—tell me, aren't you joking?"
"We must be married—see—see—our ring...."
"Marriage would have meant my losing everything—I intended to make it right—but—"
"For Heaven's sake, don't make a scene! I'll let you have lots of money and you can go away."
"Mother! Mother!"
When the mother returns—
Some time afterwards—left alone by her mother's death—Anna hides away with her shame in the village of Belden."
Maternity—Woman's Gethesemane.
Shadows across the time dial.
The baby without a name.
"My child, your baby is very sick."
"Ten drops of this in a little water every hour until I return."
"Where's your husband?"
"Oh, he's—he's away."
The landlady solemnly reminds Anna that if the baby dies without being baptized, it will never see God.
Helpless and alone in the dreadful hours of the night, and stricken with a terrible fear for her baby's soul....
....she herself performs the sacred rite.
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son,—"
"...and of the Holy Ghost..."
"—I baptize thee—'Trust Lennox'."
The vigil.
The little hands grow cold upon her breast.
"My child, your baby is dead."
Sanderson on his country estate at Bartlett.
"Everybody is talking about you having no husband—I guess you'll have to leave."
Upon her back the age-old Cross.
The Pilgrimage.
Hi Holler, the Bartlett's chore boy, sprucing up in the barn to meet Kate, the Squire's niece.
Mic.
Axle Grease
A reckless spectator.
"Oh, Hi! Hi Holler! Hurry up! It's time to fetch Kate!"
Anna, in search of work, reaches Bartlett Village.
Kate, the Squire's niece, returns from a short trip to Boston.
The Professor, summer boarder at Squire Bartlett's. He studies butterflies—and pursues his studies.
"Is this the young niece you were expecting from Boston?"
"I am looking for work."
"Work? You don't 'pear to have no strength to work."
"Where ye from? Whose your folks?"
"I haven't any folks."
"For all we know she might be some loose woman wanderin' 'round. I won't take her inter my hum!"
"Sorry, young lady, but I ain't got nothin' for ye."
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these—ye have done it unto me!"
"That's Scripture, Father."
"All right, Mother, we'll try her. Nobody can't ever say I went agin' the Scriptures!"
"Whatever your troubles, child, remember, the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall not want."
Kate's homecoming.
"It has been settled by the Squire and his family, since Kate's and David's childhood that they are to marry."
Open admiration.
The Professor, meeting Kate, is converted to the scientific theory of Love at first sight.
"Oh, Professor, my shoe is untied."
"Well, well, neighbor Sanderson, haven't seen you since Kate went away."
Kate—Sanderson's newest infatuation.
"David, you'll have time before supper to show Neighbor Sanderson that heifer he wants to buy."
"What are you doing here?"
"I am working."
"You can't stay here—I live right across the way."
"Come right in, Mr. Sanderson! Supper's ready."
"Your father was right. I'm afraid I'm not strong enough for this work."
"Please don't go away, Miss Moore! I—we all—like you very much. You'll get stronger after awhile, and..."
"Anna! David! Come right in."
End of Part I
Way Down East
Part II
Copyright 1920 by D. W. Griffith
Meanwhile, Anna, her past still a closed book, has become a beloved member of the household.
And then—Kate—
Scene Missing
Sanderson tries to embrace Kate as they walk in the garden. Kate exits.
The Museum of Modern Art
Knowing only Anna's blameless life among them, David thrilled with the thought that she is the virginal white flower of his dreams.
By the river and the distant music of the falls—Around them the sweet scent of summer fields.
There David points out the two forks of the river, that go into one....
At last the great overwhelming love—only to be halted by the stark ghosts of her past.
"I'm only trying to say I love you, Anna—it seems I've always loved you!"
So she tells him he must never speak like this again.
The Professor's love—burdened heart brings him down to the country to see Kate.
"I'm going ter read yer some funny jokes."
"Why does a chicken cross the road?"
"None of the rooster's business."
"Ain't that funny?"
"Three eggs—two bad."
"Miss Kate—I want to ask—if you will—be—my—"
Action Missing
Seth asks for part of the newspaper. The Constable tears off a small piece, laughs, and hands it to Seth.
The Museum of Modern Art
"The ice is going out soon. When the river starts you'd better look out down below there!"
Anna goes to the store after forgotten goodies for the big party planned for the evening.
The villain still pursues her.
The sewing circle next to the grocery store.
Maria Poole, the landlady from Belden, visits Bartlett.
"That's Anna Moore—lives down to Squire Bartlett's."
"Moore? Her name ain't Moore. . ."
"She lived at my house—'Mrs. Lennox', she called herself—but she never had no husband at all!"
"And then—there was a baby!"
The Squire thinks it time that David and Kate come to an understanding.
"It's my bounden duty to go and expose this woman to the Squire."
"Father's set on our getting married but I don't think we can without proper love—do you?"
To the Squire's—bursting with the great news.
"Suppose, Squire, I had been like you suspected when you first saw me? Would there be any hope of forgiveness?"
"When the law's broke, it's broke, ain't it? A wrong's a wrong and nothin' can make it right."
"Of course—I was just supposing."
On their way to the big barn dance.
"Maria Poole, from Belden, was at the sewing circle and she says. . . ."
"No. I shouldn't tell you!"
"It's that. . . ."
"Oh, it's awful. . . ."
But before Martha tells her thrilling news. . . .
On their way to the big party, they stop to warm up at the Squire's with an old-fashioned dance.
"No, I am not invited to the party."
The Professor—dazed but happy.
David, for some reason, suddenly discovers he is not interested in the party.
The neighbors' barn dance.
More and more worried by Anna's presence—also afraid she will interfere in his pursuit of Kate—Sanderson—
"I can't have you around here where I live!"
"Suppose they find out about your past life? You'd have to get out then!"
"Suppose they find out about your past life!"
"Oh, it's different with a man! He's supposed to sow his wild oats."
At last Martha gets her opportunity with the Squire.
"Does Lennox Sanderson mean anything to you?"
"Why do you ask such a question?"
"Because I can't keep silent any longer."
"I love you! I want you to be my wife."
"It's about Anna Moore. She lived in Belden under the name of 'Lennox'—Mrs. Lennox!"
"A baby was born—but there warn't no weddin' ring to her finger."
"I'll drive her out of the house—this night."
"No, father—you must have proof."
"I'll go to Belden in the morning—and if it is true—"
"Please! Please don't!"
"I can never be any man's wife!"
The next morning. The Squire on his way to Belden to investigate Martha's story.
"The Squire's on important business, is he?"
Scene Missing
David meets Anna in the dining room—
The Museum of Modern Art
"There is no life without you, Anna! You must give me a reason."
Falteringly, Anna reminds David of his duty to marry Kate.
"Anna. You do love me!"
Scene Missing
—After David leaves, the mother and Kate comfort Anna.
The Museum of Modern Art
"You terrible woman! You knew it was intended he should marry Kate!"
"If David loves you—he'll marry no one else, Anna."
"Whatever shall we do?"
So it happens that Sanderson. . .
At noon the Squire arrives in Belden.
Belden House
"It's all true. Why, her baby was born in this very room."
Late afternoon.
"Roses in wintertime! Lan' sakes!"
Anna frightened by a realization of Kate's danger.
Action Missing
Sanderson holds Kate's hand, but is interrupted by Anna, who deliberately drops a plate of biscuits near him.
The Museum of Modern Art
"Don't want no supper of your gettin'!"
"The time's come for you to get your things and get out of this house!"
"Don't want no words! Just get out!"
"It means she is going to get out of my house!"
"I found out all about her—she ain't fit to be here!"
"She's the mother of a baby—but she ain't got—no husband!"
"Tell them it's a lie, Anna!"
"I—I can't!"
"You found out so much! Why didn't you find out the whole truth?"
"That I was an ignorant girl betrayed through a mock marriage."
"This man—an honored guest at your table—why don't you find out what his life has been?"
"For he is the man who betrayed me!"
And then the storm.
The sugar camp.
"Anna's lost in the storm—get out your men—quick!"
Frenzied—tortured—The calling river.
The storm lulls.
The great ice-break.
The ice jam gives way—rushing to the falls.
"Quick! Quick! The Doctor!"
Toward morning.
The Squire asks forgiveness.
"Come, Anna, I know I didn't do the right thing. I'm willing to marry you now if you want me."
Action Missing
Kate turns her back on Sanderson and Seth pulls Martha away from Sanderson.
The Museum of Modern Art
"I—I will."
"I will."
Interested witnesses.
"Seth, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife—?"
"I—I will."
T:H:E E:N:D
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.
The longest-living author of this work died in 1948, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 76 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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