This is a one-reel alternate version of the "Part II. (First Episode)" in director D.W. Griffith's more elaborate, episodic "Home, Sweet Home" which was officially released about a month later. On its own, the short "Apple Pie Annie" isn't on every list of Mr. Griffith's films. It may have been released as a preview, or it may have been withdrawn in favor of the larger work. Griffith did something similar with "Intolerance" (1916), which grew out the "Modern Story" also starring Mae Marsh and Robert Harron. And, that part was re-edited for release as "The Mother and the Law" (1919).
My review of "Home, Sweet Home" describes Robert Harron (as Robert 'Bob' Winthrop) is "a fortune seeking youth from the east" who falls for country girl Mae Marsh (as "Apple Pie" Mary). Though tempted to return to his Eastern lifestyle, Harron finally comes to his senses, after hearing "Home, Sweet Home". This is the best "Episode" of the film, with Harron and Ms. Marsh proving a very pleasant pair. Marsh is especially memorable; with a cute, lighter characterization than her illustrious co-actresses. Spottiswoode Aiken and Walter Long (as Alkali Pete) lend their support...
In "The Films of D.W. Griffith" (1975), Anthony Slide reveals, "Interestingly, prior to the first screening of 'Home, Sweet Home', this sequence had been released, on April 18, 1914, as a separate story, titled 'Apple Pie Mary', but with a slightly different plot line. Instead of returning to marry Mae Marsh, Harron (here called Burford Dane) marries Miriam Cooper, and only visits Mae Marsh again on her deathbed, when she forgives him 'with a sad smile playing about her lips and dies with his baby playing at her bedside'." Its different footage makes this Griffith "short" worth finding.
****** Apple Pie Mary (4/18/14) D.W. Griffith ~ Mae Marsh, Robert Harron, Miriam Cooper, Spottiswoode Aitken
My review of "Home, Sweet Home" describes Robert Harron (as Robert 'Bob' Winthrop) is "a fortune seeking youth from the east" who falls for country girl Mae Marsh (as "Apple Pie" Mary). Though tempted to return to his Eastern lifestyle, Harron finally comes to his senses, after hearing "Home, Sweet Home". This is the best "Episode" of the film, with Harron and Ms. Marsh proving a very pleasant pair. Marsh is especially memorable; with a cute, lighter characterization than her illustrious co-actresses. Spottiswoode Aiken and Walter Long (as Alkali Pete) lend their support...
In "The Films of D.W. Griffith" (1975), Anthony Slide reveals, "Interestingly, prior to the first screening of 'Home, Sweet Home', this sequence had been released, on April 18, 1914, as a separate story, titled 'Apple Pie Mary', but with a slightly different plot line. Instead of returning to marry Mae Marsh, Harron (here called Burford Dane) marries Miriam Cooper, and only visits Mae Marsh again on her deathbed, when she forgives him 'with a sad smile playing about her lips and dies with his baby playing at her bedside'." Its different footage makes this Griffith "short" worth finding.
****** Apple Pie Mary (4/18/14) D.W. Griffith ~ Mae Marsh, Robert Harron, Miriam Cooper, Spottiswoode Aitken
