On August 6, 1916 D.W. Griffith's silent film epic "Intolerance," which intercut four stories in four different settings and time periods, was sneak-previewed in Riverside, California.
Two of the most famous scenes in silent cinema history come from "Intolerance." First, the Babylonian Gate scene which was the most elaborate scene ever staged for a film at that time. The scene is used in my review of a 2013 restoration and published in the San Francisco Examiner. The U.S. Postal Service used the scene on the cover of its stamp program the year it issued a First Class postage stamp for D. W. Griffith. Gregory Peck was the emcee for the program and Lillian Gish spoke. 1975.
The second most famous scene in silent cinema history is of Miss Gish, the 18 if 1898 was her birth or 23 if it was 1893, endlessly rocking the cradle. This haunting scene, used to connect the four stories, is unforgettable. She is patiently rocking the cradle of time as intolerance is depicted in four different time periods.
On the 100th anniversary of "Intolerance" congratulations to all involved especially Lillian who fought to preserve it, screen it and honor it and the director.
Jim Patterson
"Jim Patterson is THE Gish Guy." Harry Carey Jr. San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2006 Castro Theater.
