The Violin Maker of Cremona

4.6
190912m

A contest is being held in Cremona for the best violin, with Giannina's hand in marriage as the prize. Filippo is secretly in love with her, but is also ashamed of being a cripple, so he switches his superior violin with that of another apprentice, Sandro, whom Giannina loves.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: "The Violin Maker of Cremona" (1909) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer

"The Violin Maker of Cremona" (1909) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer

Cast

Photo of Herbert Prior

Herbert Prior

Taddeo Ferrari

Photo of Mary Pickford

Mary Pickford

Giannina, Taddeo's Daughter

Photo of David Miles

David Miles

Filippo, the Cripple

Photo of Harry Solter

Harry Solter

The Judge

Photo of Marion Leonard

Marion Leonard

The Judge's Companion

Photo of Charles Avery

Charles Avery

Worker / In Crowd

Photo of Mack Sennett

Mack Sennett

In Crowd

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Reviews

G

CinemaSerf

5/10

Mary Pickford is the young "Giannina" who has a habit of lobbing flowers at her admirers. In this short film, two such lovestruck violin makers compete to win a gold chain - and her hand in marriage. What ensues is quite a fun exchange as the men try to trick each other for their prize, but the telling of the story is all over the shop. It is almost impossible to discern quite what is going on - indeed, D.W. Griffith appears to have little idea how to construct this in any fashion that holds our attention in any meaningful way: it's is like an over-long pantomime scene, comedic but shambolic - and not in a good way. Made in 1909 so one shouldn't expect the earth, but this is just a mess

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