September 13, 2017. 7pm. Historical Society of Cheshire County, 246 Main Street, Keene

Film: The Little American with Mary Pickford (1917)

One hundred years ago, the silent film The Little American played at the Scenic Theater on Main Street in Keene from October 3rd-4th, 1917. World War One, by that time, had been raging for two and a half years. Anti-German representation in numerous WWI films dominated the screen from 1917 well into 1920— political posters and political cartoons pictured the German as a beast, a rapist, a ravaging demon, often holding a mostly-naked woman in its talons. The Little American is at the extreme end of this spectrum, and as such it can be difficult to watch, only alleviated by placing the film in the context of its time. However, the film was popular, and was a commercial success. One modern critic considers it “a fine, fast paced, early romantic war action drama.” The Little American, directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Mary Pickford, was released on July 12th, 1917, three months after America’s entry into the war. On Wednesday, September 13th at 7pm the Historical Society of Cheshire County will show the film and host a discussion about its historical context. Discussion will be led by Keene State College film professor and documentarian Larry Benaquist. Live music by Jeff Rapsis will accompany the film. Admission is free to the public. For more info contact: 603.352.1895 or hscc@hsccnh.org.