Behind-the-Scenes Footage

Short Film Created for Lights, Camera, Take Action Telethon Benefiting MPTF on KTLA

Billy Ray – Writer
Mark Stepp – Editor
Corinne Conley – Voice-over Artist

Conceived by Mary Pickford in 1921, MPTF (the Motion Picture and Television Fund) supports working and retired members of the entertainment community with a safety net of health and social services including temporary financial assistance, case management, and residential living. From childcare to living and aging well with dignity and purpose, MPTF is there to guide the industry workforce through the enormous obstacles life presents. For over 100 years, the extraordinary generosity of the entertainment community has enabled MPTF to deliver charitable services to industry members in need. Find out more at mptf.com.

Mary Pickford receives the title “Honorary Colonel” of the 143rd Field Artillery – circa 1918

This footage features Mary Pickford and her adopted World War I battalion, the 143rd Field Artillery of Camp Kearny, California. Colonel Ralph J. Phaneuf and the soldiers officially made Mary their Honorary Colonel, and the men are seen as extras in the film Johanna Enlists. Music by Dan Light.

Selling War Bonds, 1918

These clips are a compilation of Mary Pickford’s appearances selling bonds to support the War effort. The campaign began with a White House reception with President Wilson greeting Mary, Doug Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and Marie Dressler and from there, the stars fanned out across the country.

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Founding of United Artists – February, 1919

Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith formalize their partnership as they create their own distribution company, United Artists.

Mary greets the returning soldiers of the 143rd Infantry – January, 1920

Mary traveled to Oakland to greet the soldiers as they returned from the war. She rode with them on a ferry to San Francisco where she was formally “decommissioned” from her role as their Honorary Colonel at the Presidio.

Mary and Doug are filmed visiting Washington D.C. Circa 1922.

Music by Lord Fascinator.

Doug & Mary planting a “Douglas Fern” to celebrate their Fifth Wedding Anniversary in 1925.

These home movies give us a rare glimpse into Doug and Mary’s life at Pickfair with their dog, Zorro.

A Family Wedding at Pickfair

May 10, 1925.

The wedding of Mary’s cousin, Verna Watson to Selmar Chalip at Pickfair. Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlotte Pickford, Jack, Lottie and Gwynne Pickford, Reverand Dodd and Robert Fairbanks are among those in attendance. Read more »

Mary and Doug travel to Europe, Russia and Scandanavia in These Home Movies Throughout the 1920’s

This collection of rare, surviving film elements chronicles Mary and Doug’s worldwide adventures and the loyal fans that followed them everywhere they went.

Mary & Doug Travel to Toronto

Mary Pickford & Douglas Fairbanks travel to her hometown and visit with wounded WWI veterans in this rare newsreel footage.

Mary & Doug Travel to Russia

Admirers of the advanced state of Soviet filmmaking, particularly Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin, Doug and Mary extended their annual trip to Europe to visit Moscow in July, 1926. They were greeted by an outpouring of interest from fans they didn’t know they had and footage from the trip was made into A Kiss from Mary Pickford by the Russian director Sergei Komarov.

Mary marries Buddy Rogers – June 26, 1937

Clips from the wedding at their friend Hope Loring’s home.

Groundbreaking at the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital – Sept 21, 1941

After helping create what is now the MPTF, Mary continued with her support and fundraising and she was there with a shovel in hand to participate in the groundbreaking in 1941.

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Mary Pickford USC Speech

Mary Pickford’s Speech at the USC Delta Kappa Alpha Silver Anniversary Banquet on January 6th, 1963.

USC Alumni Awards »