Vintage original 7 x 9.25 in. US double-weight matte photograph from the teens silent film drama, DIMPLES, released in 1916 by Metro Pictures Corporation and directed by Edgar Jones.
The image depicts Dimples (Mary Miles Minter) holding a ragdoll after eliciting various reactions from the Minister's Wife (Mae De Metz), the Minister (William Rausher) and Mrs. Riley (Charlotte Shelby, Minter's real-life mother). It is good- condition only.
Charlotte Shelby only appeared in 3 silent films and was named by King Vidor as the still-unsolved killer of silent film director William Desmond Taylor, which ended the career of Minter and sent his dear friend, Mabel Normand, into a decline as well.
*“According to the 25 Dec 1915 Motion Picture News, adolescent actress Mary Miles Minter left New York City on 8 Dec 1915 for St. Augustine, FL, to begin work on her next two films, the first of which was Dimples. Director Edgar Jones had tentative plans to construct a large dam and a log road through the Everglades as sets for the production. The 21 Oct 1916 Motion Picture News included Robert Toland Huggins, Harry Neville, Gilbertie Learock, and Ferdinand Tidmarsh among the cast.
The 12 Feb 1916 Motography noted that the picture marked the screen debut of the Minter’s poodle dog, “Woof-Woof.” The role of “Mrs. Riley,” the aunt of Minter’s character, was played by the actress’s mother, Charlotte Shelby. Principal photography concluded approximately one month earlier, as stated in the 15 January 1916 issue.
Dimples opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City during the week of 12 Feb 1916, with a general release two days later. Critics generally agreed that the film was a suitable vehicle for Minter, although the 26 Feb 1916 Moving Picture World admitted that “the story is so naïve and irreproachably wholesome that it would be unkind to test it by severe standards.”
Weeks later, Minter told the 18 Mar 1916 Motography that she was unhappy with the “dear little girl” roles for which she was known, and hoped to be offered more serious screenplays."
*(source: AFI Catalog of Feature Films)
3RB