Daisy Doodad’s Dial
R: Florence Turner. D: Florence Turner, Larry Trimble. P: Turner Film Company. UK 1914
Print: BFI

“This wonderfully daft comedy, released in 1914, was directed by and starred Florence Turner (1885-1946), one of the earliest stars of American cinema with the Vitagraph Company of America (she was the first ‘Vitagraph Girl’, working frequently with pioneer Edwin S. Porter), who came to Britain and made a number of shorts and features for her own Turner Film Company between 1913 and 1916.
Daisy Doodad’s Dial was Turner’s only directorial credit, and also starred her manager Larry Trimble (…). She returned to the US in 1925, where she continued to appear in films, including Buster Keaton‘s College (US, 1927), but without her earlier status. (…)
Daisy Doodad derives its humour from the heroine’s infinintely malleable face, while further entertainment value comes from her mild subversion of expected feminine behaviour.”
Mark Duguid
Screen online

The Stumbling Block
(Der Hund als Hemmschuh)
R: Larry Trimble. D: Leo Delaney, Florence Turner, Norma Talmadge, Jean the dog. P: Vitagraph Company of America. USA 1911
Print: EYE collection (not complete)
German titles

“Florence is very fond of her dog. Billy is very fond of Florence, but for some reason of other, her dog will not take to him. The ultimatum which Florence gives Billy is, “If I am loved and to be won by you, you must be loved by my dog,” and so “Jean” proves to be a stumbling block in the way to Florence’s heart. He make up his mind to conquer the dog’s antipathy to him by kidnapping his sweetheart’s pet. When Florence discovers the loss of her faithful friend she is inconsolable and telephones Billy, asking him to help her find the lost one. The young fellow’s conscience troubles him, but he holds to his purpose. Billy, after taking “Jean” to his home, tries in every way he can to win the dog’s affection. It is not as easy as he anticipated and it is a long time before he can overcome the dog’s dislike for him, but at last he is rewarded, succeeding in making a very close friend and devoted companion of the heretofore indifferent “Jean.” Betty, a friend of Florence, walking past Billy’s home, recognizes “Jean,” sitting in the window and tells Florence. She can hardly believe her chum’s statement. Billy happens to see Betty pass and decides to return the dog to her mistress at once; he calls the butler and instructs him to take the dog to Florence’s home, tie it to the doorknob, ring the bell and get away before he is discovered. James carries out the programme as arranged and “Jean” is soon in the embrace of her fair young owner, whose joy is boundless. Billy, anxious to test the success of the scheme, calls on Florence. The moment he enters her home “Jean” with a bound of delight, jumps forward to greet him. The stumbling block is removed and the rest is easy; Florence makes good her promise to become his wife.”
Moving Picture World synopsis

“Jean, also known as the Vitagraph Dog (1902 – 1916), was a female collie that starred in silent films. Owned and guided by director Laurence (sic!) Trimble, she was the first canine to have a leading role in motion pictures. Jean was with Vitagraph Studios from 1909, and in 1913 went with Trimble to England to work with Florence Turner in her own independent film company.”
Wikipedia

>>> Florence Turner’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on this website