The Dream (1911)
A landmark early silent short featuring Mary Pickford, exploring domestic neglect and the transformative power of a single dream.
The Dream - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Dream
- Release Year: 1911
- Directed by: Thomas H. Ince
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 10m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 23, 1911 (United States)
- Production Companies: Independent Moving Pictures Co. of America (IMP)
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Dream - Plot
A loutish husband neglects his patient, loving wife to enjoy a night on the town. When he comes home drunk and irritable, he mistreats her. Then he falls asleep, and has a dream that causes him to reconsider the way that he treats his wife.
The Dream - Trailer
Watch the surviving footage from this 1911 silent short below.
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The Dream - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Thomas H. Ince
Main Cast
- Mary Pickford
- Owen Moore
- Charles Arling
- William Robert Daly
- J. Farrell MacDonald
- Lottie Pickford
Producers
- Carl Laemmle
The Dream - FAQs
Who are the main actors in The Dream?
The Dream features a young Mary Pickford as Nell Herbert and Owen Moore as her neglectful husband Will Herbert. The cast also includes Charles Arling, William Robert Daly, J. Farrell MacDonald, and Lottie Pickford, Mary's real-life sister, as Bess the Typewriter.
What is The Dream (1911) about?
The Dream follows a careless husband who spends his evening out drinking while his devoted wife waits at home. When he returns drunk and takes out his frustrations on her, he eventually falls asleep and experiences a dream that shakes him enough to reconsider his selfish, hurtful behavior.
Who directed The Dream in 1911?
The Dream was directed by Thomas H. Ince, a pioneering figure in early American cinema. Ince was known for his efficient production methods and would go on to become one of the most influential producers and directors of the silent film era.
When was The Dream released?
The Dream was released on January 23, 1911, in the United States. It was produced by the Independent Moving Pictures Co. of America, commonly known as IMP, one of the early independent studios that helped shape the American film industry.
Is The Dream an early Mary Pickford film?
Yes, The Dream is one of many short films Mary Pickford made during her prolific early career at IMP. Before becoming "America's Sweetheart" and a major Hollywood star, Pickford appeared in dozens of short silent films like this one, honing her expressive, naturalistic acting style.
How long is The Dream (1911)?
The Dream runs approximately 10 minutes, which was a standard length for short films of the early silent era. At a time when feature-length films were still rare, one-reel shorts like this were the dominant format for theatrical exhibition.
What genre is The Dream (1911)?
The Dream is a silent drama. It explores themes of domestic neglect, marital tension, and personal redemption through a compact, emotionally resonant narrative — a style very much in keeping with the morality-driven short dramas that were popular in early American cinema.
What movies are similar to The Dream (1911)?
If you enjoy the intimate domestic drama at the heart of The Dream, you might appreciate films like About Dry Grasses (2023), So Long My Son (2019), Waiting for Bojangles (2021), The Divide (2021), and Devil Between the Legs (2019), all of which explore complex human relationships with emotional depth.
More About The Dream
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