Stella Maris
Release date 21st January 1918
Country : USA
Running time : 84 mins
Genre : Romance / Drama
Starring Mary Pickford
Screenplay by Frances Marion
Directed by Marshall Neilan
A Paramount Picture




Stella Maris is sheltered from the world by her rich family. A cripple she spends most of
her time in bed.  In contrast Unity Blake is all too familiar with the harsh realities of the world
and the cruelty some people are capable of. The fates of these two women are linked when
 they both fall in love with John but he is still married to a clinging, evil wife. Her attempts to ruin
his life lead to both liberation and tragedy.
A very moving silent film in which Pickford shows her range in portraying
 two very different characters. Her Unity Blake in particular is a tour-de-force.

This was one of Mary Pickford's first attempts to break the Little Mary typecasting and stretch herself as an actress.

Director Marshall Neilan was Pickford's favourite but had a drinking problem and is almost completely forgotten today.

Adolph Zukor the head of Paramount was reportedly not too keen on seeing Pickford in rags as Unity Blake.

DVD available from Milestone Home Video R0 NTSC  :