I've seen several versions of this story by Gene Stratton-Porter, a female author who wrote wiry great passion about the place where she grew up, and unfortunately, she's one of the most forgotten great American novelists. Her stories are touching and earthy, and the character of Elnora Comstock is long suffering yet heroic. She's played by Dorinda Clifton, a young actress who mostly danced on film, only having one other major film role. Dorinda is quite good, playing the part with no impish testiness, absolutely wonderful in the role.
As the young daughter of embittered widow Ruth Nelson, Clifton has disturbed her by wanting to leave their dilapidated house in the swampy limberlost and go to a nearby school. Relatives of her late father's are more supportive, as is a lovely old lady (Ida Moore, who gives her the money she needs), and her new school teacher (Gloria Holden) who doesn't allow the school mean girls to pick in her.
Issues with her mother's bitterness concerns a hatred for music and anything romantic, and she even keeps threatening to shoot neighbor Loren Tindall whose mother had a past with Clifton's father. Dark themes and secrets come together in a very moving film, somewhat reminiscent of Laura Ingalls from "Little House on the Prairie" and her rivalry with mean girl Nellie Olsen, represented here by Vanessa Brown and Joyce Arling. The only issue that I found with this was that it seemed far too short and needed more detail.
As the young daughter of embittered widow Ruth Nelson, Clifton has disturbed her by wanting to leave their dilapidated house in the swampy limberlost and go to a nearby school. Relatives of her late father's are more supportive, as is a lovely old lady (Ida Moore, who gives her the money she needs), and her new school teacher (Gloria Holden) who doesn't allow the school mean girls to pick in her.
Issues with her mother's bitterness concerns a hatred for music and anything romantic, and she even keeps threatening to shoot neighbor Loren Tindall whose mother had a past with Clifton's father. Dark themes and secrets come together in a very moving film, somewhat reminiscent of Laura Ingalls from "Little House on the Prairie" and her rivalry with mean girl Nellie Olsen, represented here by Vanessa Brown and Joyce Arling. The only issue that I found with this was that it seemed far too short and needed more detail.
