D.W. Griffith at The Biograph Company

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The Painted Lady, 1912 Blanche Sweet & Madge Kirby -click video excerpt-

Mary Pickford had the qualities Griffith knew he could develop into a moving picture artist, but unlike Florence Lawrence who was easy going and followed Griffith's directions faithfully, Mary Pickford fought Griffith on almost every point that conflicted with her own artistic conception of her acting.

Gifted with a tempermental but creative mind of her own, she listened and learned from Griffith, but battled, when she felt it necessary, on what the camera would show.

Battles raged over rehearsals, character development, billing and incessantly over salary.

Their relationship was far from placid but there was always the full measure of respect and love.

Oil & Water, 1912 Blanche Sweet & Charles Mailes -click video excerpt-

Of all the actresses to come along to work and develop with Griffith, Pickford was the one whose personality was far stronger than Griffith's. She herself would soon become caught up in the moving picture business and leave in search of wealth as well as greater creative control. By the end of the year 1912, her exit from Biograph would be effected through another offer by Carl Laemmle of IMP, this time for the regal sum of $175.00 per week.

Pickford would return two shows later to spend a last year with D.W. Griffith at Biograph, but her return found that the leading roles were being played by MAE MARSH and BLANCHE SWEET. MAE MARSH is being developed as part of an acting couple with BOBBY HARRON, was has begun his progression up from a 13 year-old errand boy at Biograph to a Griffith leading actor.

Oil & Water, 1912 Blanche Sweet & Lionel Barrymore -click video excerpt-

BLANCHE SWEET was one of those in whom Griffith couldn't see "soul" at first glance. Frank Powell, who would go from the ranks of Griffith actor to the second Biograph director after McCutcheon leaves, makes extensive use of Blanche Sweet, but Griffith would use her occasionally.

Upon Mary Pickford's exit, Griffith panics for a replacement leading lady and after trying Blanche, she soon develops into the stature of the latest GRIFFITH GIRL. During the third show, Blanche Sweet takes over the lead and likewise begins to develop a weight problem arising from her affection for snacks.

Despite her rather obvious weight gain, she maintains her presence on screen.

Prior to her departure form Biograph, Mary Pickford fell in love with OWEN MOORE, himself a Biograph actor who was a veteran of numerous Griffith productions.

They will secretly marry during the show, with Mary doing so in the face of disapproval of her mother and family.

When she leaves for the IMP Co., Owen Moore goes along with her as costar, thereby repeating the Harry Salter and Florence Lawrence sequence of events exactly.

When Pickford returns to Biograph a year later, she has already divorced Owen Moore. (A series spinoff in itself on Mary Pickford's career.)