Stella Maris

Stella Maris (1918) | dir. Marshall Neilan | 80 min.

Stella Maris (Mary Pickford, in one of her famous dual roles) is a young girl who, unable to walk, is kept bedridden by her aunt and uncle who lovingly shelter her from the evils of the world. A sign hangs above her door that reads “All unhappiness and world wisdom leave outside. Those without smiles need not enter.” Stella is kept completely ignorant of the crime and poverty that surrounds her, and her visitors are tightly controlled so that they won’t spoil the façade.

Another young girl, Unity (also Pickford), has grown up in an orphanage in the town outside Stella’s mansion. She is hired by Louise Risca (Marcia Manon), the alcoholic wife of journalist John Risca (Conway Tearle), to help out around the house. Louise is bitter and abusive, ultimately hospitalizing Unity after beating her. She is sent to prison for three years and in his guilt John adopts Unity.

At the same time, Stella undergoes surgery to allow her to walk again. It’s a success, although it takes three years for her to fully recover. John, a friend of her aunt and uncle, meets Stella and falls in love with her, but they’re unable to marry because of his marriage to Louise. Divorce is never mentioned as an option. 

I was a bit taken aback by what dire lives these characters live. Even though Stella comes from wealth, having been shrouded from the truth about the world sends her into a depression when she is finally able to walk and experience society for herself. It’s a horrifying prospect, not unlike the allegory of the cave, to be lied to for your entire life. She finds sanctuary in her love for John, but becomes suicidal when she learns he has a wife. She tells him “I no long pity the blind! All the ugliness of life is shut away from them.” 

Unity, coming from nothing, is ecstatic to be living with John, but can’t help falling in love with him. Unable to have him for herself she resolves to murder Louise so that he may at least be free to marry Stella.

It’s a dark, grimy world with an insidious tone and ramshackle scenery. Stella Maris a film that wrestles with whether ignorance truly is bliss, but ultimately it’s the evil in the world that reminds us of why love must be treasured.

Score: 76 (Good)