Lillian Gish Film "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" on The National Film Registry 2016

                                              Lillian in print advert for Blackgama circa 1980s.

December 14, 2016 D.W. Griffith’s 1912 “Musketeers of Pig Alley,” the first gangster film, starring Lillian Gish and Robert Harron, was named to the National Film Registry, bringing the number of total films recognized to 700. This is Lillian’s sixth film, and her first short film, on the National Film Registry. See below.

Lillian played the role of The Little Lady. Her costars included sister Dorothy Gish, Elmer Booth, Robert Harron and two actors, Lionel Barrymore and Harry Carey, Sr, who had larger roles in other Gish films, 1947’s “Duel in the Sun,” and Harry Carey, Sr., in Griffith’s 1912 “An Unseen Enemy,” which was the film debut of The Gish Sisters. (Harry Carey, Jr., starred in Lillian’s last film “the Whales of August” in 1987.) The film also starred Jack Pickford, brother of actress Mary Pickford.  Future Academy Award-winner Donald Crisp also has a gangster role. The 17-minute film, released in October 1912 when Lillian was 19 based on an 1893 birthday, was shot at Fort Lee, New Jersey, and New York City.

Under the National Film Preservation Act, movies are only eligible to be preserved under the registry if they are at least a decade old and recognized in the National Film Preservation Board’s view as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The Librarian of Congress has the final decision and the public can also nominate films for registry consideration.

Other Lillian Gish films on The National Film Registry:  The Birth of a Nation (1915), Intolerance (1916), Broken Blossoms (1919), The Wind (1928), and The Night of the Hunter (1955).

Personal note: When the National Film Registry selected Lillian’s films, I sent her a note or letter of congratulations. She always responded. Based on her letters, she was most proud “The Wind” was recognized for the film registry.  

Jim Patterson, Writer/Speaker