The White Pearl starred actress Marie Doro, who possessed an ethereal beauty, perfect for silent films. Unfortunately, as with many silent performers, most of her film work is lost and her memory long forgotten. I have seen two lobby cards from The White Pearl, capturing Marie Doro's natural expressive features, quite obvious, she had a gifted talent for conveying her character through facial expression and natural gestures, no doubt finely crafted from her years on stage. The White Pearl, now a lost film, centers on Marie Doro playing Nancy Marvell and Thomas Holding playing Bob Alden, a couple who are madly in love and close to marriage until his father disapproves of their plans. This upsets Nancy's health , and her father sends her on an Oriental cruise, and Bob who happens to be on the same ship heading to take care of family business. He buys her a beautiful pearl necklace as a token of his love, just before the ship begins to sink. To save her from drowning, he ties her to a raft, then is knocked unconscious and becomes lost. Meanwhile, Nancy who has lost all memory is recovered on shore by natives and declared a goddess because of the sacred Buddhist pearl she wears. Pampered, Nancy leads a happy life until Japanese pirates kidnap her and sell her to a rich American as a geisha girl. Before more harm is done, however, Bob rescues her and helps to restore her memory.
This silent adventure/romantic drama was directed by Edwin S. Porter for the Famous Players Film Company and distributed by Paramount Pictures Corporation. Released on October 11, 1915, this now 100 year old silent film, remains a tragic loss for silent cinema.
This silent adventure/romantic drama was directed by Edwin S. Porter for the Famous Players Film Company and distributed by Paramount Pictures Corporation. Released on October 11, 1915, this now 100 year old silent film, remains a tragic loss for silent cinema.
