User Reviews

This lost 1917 film The Valentine Girl, has 34 year old actress Marguerite Clark playing a 12 year old for much of the film. Marion Morgan ( Marguerite Clark ) is being raised by her guardian Lucille Haines ( Kathryn Adams) who marries, leaving young Marion in the care of her father John Morgan ( Frank Losee ) a gambler and a thief. He becomes so charmed by his sweet natured daughter that he renounces his life of crime. However he is soon framed by a former partner for a robbery he did not commit. With her father arrested by the police, the heartbroken Marion learns the truth about his past. She runs away on Valentine's Day and finds refuge in a church where she meets young Robert Wentworth ( Richard Barthelmess ). Marion is adopted by the clergyman's family and eventually becomes engaged to Robert. Upon his release from prison, John finds his daughter, but she is to ashamed to acknowledge him. When he explains that he was sent to prison on false charges, he wins the sympathy of Marion, her fiancé, the minister and his wife, and a happy ending prevails for all. The Valentine Girl was a good example of the deep devotion audiences of the time held for actresses who could play a sweet innocent child, while clearly being a grown woman. Along with Mary Pickford, Marguerite Clark's film career was successful for as long as she could maintain the appearance of the child-woman.