The Moving Picture Girls

In Short

This novel follows two sisters, Ruth and Alice DeVere, as they navigate the precarious world of early 20th-century show business. When their father’s voice fails, ending his career in the traditional theater, the family faces poverty until they are introduced to the nascent motion picture industry. The book captures the transition from stage to screen, focusing on the sisters' resilience as they support their father and defend their neighbor’s patent. It remains a window into the optimism and technical curiosity of the silent film era.

The Story

The story begins in a shabby New York apartment, where Ruth and Alice DeVere live with their father, Hosmer, a classically trained actor. The family is in dire straits; Hosmer’s prolonged unemployment has exhausted their savings, and they are behind on rent. The tension peaks when Hosmer lands a role in a play, only for his voice to fail during rehearsals, leaving him destitute and deeply depressed.

While Ruth remains anxious and traditional, her younger sister Alice is more impulsive and resourceful. She befriends their neighbor, Russ Dalwood, a young man working on an invention. Russ suggests that Hosmer’s pantomimic acting skills make him a perfect fit for the "movies." Though Hosmer is initially resistant to the idea of performing in what he considers an inferior medium, the family’s hunger and the threats of their landlord eventually force his hand.

Through Russ, the family meets Mr. Pertell, a manager at the Comet Film Company. Mr. Pertell is impressed by Hosmer’s professionalism and quickly hires him. The sisters soon find themselves drawn into the studio as well. They face immediate friction from established actresses, Miss Pennington and Miss Dixon, who are jealous of the newcomers. Despite these social hurdles, Ruth and Alice prove their worth in a series of dramatic shorts, eventually being cast in leading roles.

The narrative shifts from the studio to a race against time when Russ’s invention—a valuable patent—is stolen. A villainous character named Simp Wolley uses a forged note to trick a machinist into handing over the model. The sisters, having overheard the plot in a restaurant, rush to warn Russ. The remainder of the story concerns their successful recovery of the device, which cements the bond between the DeVere family and their neighbor. The book concludes on a note of professional and personal security. The family has found a stable income in the film industry, and the sisters prepare for a new adventure on a farm, where Mr. Pertell plans to shoot his next rural production.

How It Unfolds

The arrival of misfortune The DeVere family struggles with mounting debt and the sudden loss of the father's voice, which renders him unable to perform in the theater. Their hope for salvation vanishes when he is forced to drop out of a major production.

A shift in medium Alice and Russ convince the reluctant Mr. DeVere to try working as an actor for a motion picture studio. He discovers that his ability to convey emotion through gesture—without the need for speech—is highly valued in the silent films.

The studio experience Ruth and Alice join their father at the Comet Film Company and begin their own careers as actresses. They must endure the professional sabotage and petty jealousy of other cast members who feel threatened by the sisters' success.

The theft of the invention The sisters uncover a criminal scheme to steal their neighbor’s patent model. They engage in a frantic pursuit to recover the device and protect Russ’s work, ultimately proving their own quick-wittedness.

Success and departure With the patent recovered and their film careers taking off, the family achieves financial stability. The book ends with the promise of more excitement as they prepare to relocate to the country for a new film project.

The People

Ruth DeVere is the elder sister, characterized by a more formal, cautious temperament. She often serves as the moral compass of the family, worrying about social expectations and decorum, yet she proves to be a capable and sincere performer once she commits to the screen.

Alice DeVere is the younger, more vibrant force of the pair. She is characterized by her "merry brown eyes" and her willingness to take risks, such as jumping into the film business or chasing down a thief. Her pragmatism and energy are the primary drivers of the family’s success.

Hosmer DeVere, their father, is a man of the old school—cultured, proud, and initially condescending toward the "flickers." His journey is one of humility; he must trade his theater dignity for the demands of the camera to provide for his daughters.

Russ Dalwood is the inventive neighbor whose friendship and technical knowledge bridge the gap between the DeVere family and the film industry. He is an earnest, hardworking young man who represents the era's fascination with mechanical progress.

Mr. Pertell is the manager of the Comet Film Company. He is a pragmatic, busy professional who values results and talent over theatrical pedigree, acting as a mentor to the girls throughout their early career.

In Its Own Voice

"Why always that 'maiden all forlorn' look on your face? Why that far-away, distant look in your eyes--'Anne, Sister Anne, dost see anyone approaching?'"

Alice teases her sister, Ruth, about her perpetually serious and melancholy demeanor early in the book.

"The actors--and actresses--if one can call them such--who take parts in moving picture plays must be very--very crude sort of persons."

The father expresses his snobbery toward the film industry before he realizes how professional the work truly is.

"I think it will be a little more effective if Miss Alice makes her entrance from the other side. It brings her out better."

Mr. Pertell provides technical direction, demonstrating the shift from theater-based staging to the requirements of the camera frame.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is about adaptation—the painful but necessary process of letting go of an old identity to survive in a rapidly changing world. It explores the tension between traditional high-culture arts, like the theater, and the mass-market, mechanical innovation of early cinema. The narrative suggests that dignity is not inherent in one's profession, but in one's work ethic and integrity. Through the sisters' experiences, the story also asks what it means to be a modern woman, balancing the expectations of "proper" behavior with the need for independence, quick thinking, and professional ambition in a public sphere that was, at the time, still very new to women.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical snapshots of the early 20th century will find much to love here. It offers a fascinating, granular look at the mechanics of silent filmmaking—the clunky cameras, the reliance on gestures, and the constant need for "real" locations. It feels earnest and unhurried, reflecting the domestic anxieties of the time alongside the burgeoning wonder of the film industry.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes within the text. The characters sometimes speak with a formal, melodramatic cadence that highlights their theatrical background, and there are occasional references to contemporary, early-1900s social norms that may feel dated or rigid. The plot moves with the steady, predictable pulse of a series book, providing a comforting, low-stakes reading experience. It is best enjoyed by those who appreciate a gentle, character-driven story and who have an interest in the "behind-the-scenes" culture of the pre-talkie era. The book remains a lighthearted testament to the idea that success often comes to those who are willing to reinvent themselves when the world changes.