Movie spotlight
To-Day
When her husband Fred goes bankrupt, Lily Morton is forced to give up the trappings of wealth and move into a humble home while Fred attempts to fight his way back to prosperity. Resentful of her modest circumstances, Lily accepts her friend Marion Garland's offer to introduce her to Mrs. Farington, a woman who will pay handsomely for Lily's escort services. Lily goes to work for Mrs. Farington while her unsuspecting husband struggles to regain his former wealth. While managing an apartment house for one of his wealthy clients, Fred visits Mrs. Farington, a tenant, and, noticing a framed picture of Lily, asks to be introduced to the girl. Mrs. Farington arranges the rendezvous, and when Lily arrives, she is confronted by her enraged husband who chokes her to death. At this moment, Lily awakens from her nightmare, and chastened for her superficiality, begs Fred for forgiveness.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman, Mary, is orphaned and left to the care of a guardian who disapproves of her artistic aspirations. She falls in love with a painter, but her guardian forces her into a loveless marriage with a wealthy but cruel man. Mary endures hardship and abuse, but ultimately finds a way to escape her circumstances and pursue her dreams.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from the early 20th century, contemporary reviews for "To-Day" are scarce and often focus on the performance of its young star, Mary Miles Minter. The film was seen as a typical melodrama of its era, with Minter's portrayal being the main draw for audiences. Its critical standing is largely historical, viewed now as an artifact of early American cinema.
What Reviewers Say
Mary Miles Minter delivers a sensitive performance that anchors the melodramatic plot.
The film explores themes of hardship and artistic aspiration common in early cinema.
"To-Day" is representative of the dramatic storytelling popular in the silent film era.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this silent film is not available.
Fun Fact
Mary Miles Minter was a prolific actress in the silent film era, often playing innocent or virtuous young women. Her career, however, was significantly impacted by her alleged involvement in the unsolved murder of director William Desmond Taylor.
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