Trivia

When John Riska returns to his house one night, Unity offers him a 'Sally Lun' (sic). A 'Sally Lunn' is a type of bread, from Bath in the English West Country. The recipe is said to have come to the area courtesy of a French immigrant in the 17th century. It can be served sliced horizontally and toasted, with sweet or savoury toppings such as plain or flavoured butters, jam and clotted cream.

Stella Maris (1918) is an American silent drama film directed by Marshall Neilan, written by Frances Marion and based on William J. Locke's 1913 novel of the same name (New York, 1913). The film stars Mary Pickford in dual roles as the title character and an orphan servant.

The canine star was "Keystone" Teddy the Dog, the Wonder Dog, possibly the first canine film superstar. He was a fawn or possibly brindle Great Dane breed who appeared in Mack Sennett's Keystone Film Company including numerous short as well as at least 18 movies between 1913 and 1924. He appeared with such stars as Mary Pickford and Mabel Normand.

Mary Pickford first discovered William J. Locke's novel of Stella Maris during an informal tutorial in literature her friend, screenwriter Frances Marion, had arranged to help Pickford improve on her humble education. On screen, she underwent a transformation from beautiful silent heroine to Cockney guttersnipe -a very novel dual-role performance for the cinema of the time. Not only is Pickford's performance marvelous (some have called it the best of her career), but director Marshall Neilan and cameraman Walter Stradling expertly pull off the impression that these are two different people through their brilliant use of double-exposure techniques.

Stella Maris (1918) would not be Mary Pickford's last dual role. Dual parts became quite popular in early silent features and Pickford attempted an even more ambitious double role in 1921. She played both the curly-headed title moppet in Little Lord Fauntleroy (1921) as well as his mother, Dearest.

Another adaptation of William J. Locke's novel was made under the same title Stella Maris (1925) by Universal, with Mary Philbin starring and Charles Brabin directing.