Back in the very early years of film there were more child performers than any other period in film history. Fan magazines were full of articles where child stars told of their favourite doll or pet. Most children earned $3.50 for appearing in a minor role and for most poor families the money was a godsend. Little Gladys Egan was often in American Biographs and "In the Border States" was her movie all the way.
When a foraging Confederate soldier happens on a farm "in the border states" he is helped to water by a small child (Egan) whose prejudices are put aside in her sympathy for the thirsty man. You can see the emotions working on Gladys' face - has she done the right thing etc?? - Union soldiers ask her for assistance and she points them in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile her father is sent on a perilous mission (he is a Union officer) and returns home shot - at the same time as the soldier whom Gladys had helped has returned with a group of Confederates looking for the wounded man. This time the soldier is able to return the favour, although at the end Gladys takes a bow as she accepts all the praise. While others were acting their heads off, Gladys and her sister were acting natural and just being themselves. Another standout is the camera work from Billy Bitzer - scenes shot looking down a hill as the rebel soldiers, then the wounded soldier make their way up the grassy slope almost into the camera lens.
When a foraging Confederate soldier happens on a farm "in the border states" he is helped to water by a small child (Egan) whose prejudices are put aside in her sympathy for the thirsty man. You can see the emotions working on Gladys' face - has she done the right thing etc?? - Union soldiers ask her for assistance and she points them in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile her father is sent on a perilous mission (he is a Union officer) and returns home shot - at the same time as the soldier whom Gladys had helped has returned with a group of Confederates looking for the wounded man. This time the soldier is able to return the favour, although at the end Gladys takes a bow as she accepts all the praise. While others were acting their heads off, Gladys and her sister were acting natural and just being themselves. Another standout is the camera work from Billy Bitzer - scenes shot looking down a hill as the rebel soldiers, then the wounded soldier make their way up the grassy slope almost into the camera lens.