On Christmas Day, 1916, Famous Players of Paramount released the film version of the 1912 New York stage production. Marguerite Clark, who was by now a popular motion picture star, reprised the role she created four years earlier. Winthrop Ames loaned the sets and costumes from the stage production, and adapted the script from his original play. Chosen to direct the lavish production was J. Searle Dawley, who had already worked with Miss Clark on eight other successful films. The exterior shots were filmed on location in Georgia, making use of the beautiful moss covered trees and meadows found there. |
In keeping with the film's Christmas Day release, a short prologue was shot. Santa Claus enters down a chimney into a turn of the century room, where he "magically" decorates a large tree. As he proceeds, an adorable little girl sneaks downstairs to spy on the jolly old elf. He then takes from his bag a set of dolls, each one representing a character in the film. Once all the cast is assembled, the dolls spring to life and begin to tell the famous story. |
Reviews for the film were very enthusiastic. George Blaisdell, of Motion Picture World, wrote "Marguerite Clark comes into her own in Snow White, the Famous Players Paramount release on Christmas Day. Snow White may not have been made for her, but it may be easily said she was made for Snow White. For into the interpretation of this mite of a production she puts all of the witchery , charm, and suppleness of which she is capable - and that is saying a lot. Into the direction of the subject, J. Searle Dawley has injected what he knows in the way of artistry, of imagery, of dramatic values - and that too is saying a lot." Motion Picture News wrote "In this play Miss Clark is charming beyond words to describe. She fits exactly into the role of the Princess Snow White and Creighton Hale as Prince Florimond is a likely match for her charm and beauty." |
The 1916 Famous Players Paramount Cast: Princess Snow White.....Marguerite Clark Queen Brangomar.....Dorothy Cumming Prince Florimond of Calydon.....Creighton Hale Berthold, the huntsman.....Lional Braham Witch Hex.....Alice Washburn |
Snow White (Marguerite Clark) is begged to stay and live in the cottage by the dwarfs. |
Snow White (Marguerite Clark) as we first see her...crawling out from inside a dirty pot! |
Snow White (Marguerite Clark) prepares for death at the hand of Berthold (Lional Braham), the Queen's Huntsman. |
Publicity still for the 1916 film. The book Miss Clark is holding is a 1913 special printing of the Winthrop Ames script. |
Alternate publicity still of Marguerite Clark with 1913 book. |
Dorothy Cumming |
Alice Washburn |
Creighton Hale |
Marguerite Clark |
Lionel Braham |
J. Searle Dawley |