The Little Minister | 1921 | Drama

Title: The Little Minister | 1921 | Drama Director: Penrhyn Stanlaws Studio: Famous Players-Lasky Corporation / Paramount Pictures Starring: Betty Compson, George Hackathorne, Edwin Stevens, Nigel Barrie, Will R. Walling, Guy Oliver, Fred Huntley, Robert Brower, Mary Wilkinson Based on: Novel and play *The Little Minister* by J. M. Barrie Release Date: December 25 1921 (U.S. premiere) Runtime: 6 reels (approx. 60–70 minutes) Format: Silent black and white with English intertitles Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction in Thrums and church arrival 00:10:00 Weaver unrest and riot threatened 00:20:00 Babbie’s rescue and minister’s charm 00:30:00 Romantic tension and disguise 00:40:00 Betrayal revealed and conflict 00:50:00 Resolution and acceptance --- Summary: The Little Minister is a 1921 American silent drama adapted from J. M. Barrie’s 1891 novel and 1897 play. In the Scottish village of Thrums, young clergyman Gavin intervenes on behalf of weavers protesting economic hardship and becomes entangled with Babbie, a spirited woman believed to be a gypsy but in truth the daughter of the local magistrate. Their growing affection draws social disapproval as class and duty clash, leading to mistaken identities, deception, and eventual reconciliation when truths come to light. 0 The narrative blends romantic drama and social conflict against a backdrop of community strife, highlighting personal integrity and the challenge of love amid societal expectations. --- Background: Directed by Penrhyn Stanlaws and produced by Famous Players-Lasky for Paramount Pictures, the film was released just weeks before a competing 1922 adaptation by Vitagraph. It capitalized on Barrie’s popular story of village life and doomed romance, featuring Betty Compson in the lead and filmed during a prolific period of literary adaptations in silent cinema. Prints of the film survive in international archives. --- Trivia: The Little Minister was one of several silent adaptations of Barrie’s story, with another released in 1922 by Vitagraph starring Alice Calhoun. The narrative focuses on issues of class tension and community solidarity in 19th-century Scotland, themes prominent in Barrie’s writing. Betty Compson’s portrayal of Babbie was noted at the time for combining charm and spirited independence. The film prints are held by several European archives, making it more accessible than many silent features of the period. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: December 25 1921 Original Studio / Distributor: Famous Players-Lasky Corporation / Paramount Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #TheLittleMinister1921 #BettyCompson #SilentFilm #JMBarrie #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain