In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

A dramatic little love story in the costume of the 70's and which happens to be set in the West. The atmosphere is truly Western, but this is merely because the producer, having chosen to set his situation in a gold diggings country, used backgrounds of all kinds in perfect keeping. There are but three characters in the foreground, the daughter of the innkeeper and belle of the mining village (Little Mary); a young blade, perhaps a gambler or a speculator, who is dressed in a frock coat and topper (William Walthall), and a miner of a rather rough but honest appearance. These two men are the "friends," and the picture's chief object is to set forth the character of the young blade. He holds women in more or less contempt; but for his friend he holds a just respect. It is a realistic picture that appeals to the mind rather than to the emotions. A commendable picture; it will interest all kinds of people. The gallery will like the atmosphere; the critical will enjoy its matter. - The Moving Picture World, October 5, 1912

When love leaves, then a woman needs to take the first best thing that next comes along, when you are out in the west. Doesn't take long for the abandoned woman to take up with another man.Also seems to be a mate-ship message here from Griffith's - don't let a woman come between you and a mate, in the Wild West at least.Barrymore looks like John Wayne in this, until the hat comes off. It is again interesting to see that Mary Pickford moves slowly and also uses her hands often and tenderly when with another - a habit of hers. I wonder if she was consciously slowing her movements down to make her movements appear smoother on screen. It is noticeable in a number of her films.Also nice to be able to lip read Pickford when she is talking from the stairs..."Come up stairs" "come on"I have only seen a a bad quality copy of this film but it is most obvious that Mary Pickford would have looked absolutely gorgeous in the clear fresh film of 1912.We shouldn't forget the cowboy at the front in the saloon, who adds a lot of character to the scenes. It looked pretty much like Elmer Booth who was another fine up and coming actor of the time. He was the lead in a excellent little film with Mary Pickford - The Narrow Road (1912). Sadly he died as a passenger in a car accident in 1915. As reported in the New York Times of the day.

Early film directed by D.W. Griffith; it stars Mary Pickford as an upstairs saloon girl who has a great time with dandy patron Henry B. Walthall. Then, he leaves her for business opportunities up "north." Ms. Pickford is devastated, of course. On his way of town, Mr. Walthall meets old friend Lionel Barrymore, who is on his way in town. Ironically, his friend's abandoned girl catches Mr. Barrymore's eye. Later, Walthall returns… Classic plot involving two "Friends" in love with the same girl. Pickford and her suitors play it quaintly. The film endeavors to show the lasting friendship between men Walthall and Barrymore. Yet, Pickford steals the theme - making it more a study of her character's sacrifice. ****** Friends (9/23/12) D.W. Griffith ~ Mary Pickford, Henry B. Walthall, Lionel Barrymore

This isn't one of the better silent shorts directed by D. W. Griffith for Biograph Studios. While it isn't overacted or sloppy, the script seems to be awfully simplistic and also seems to be missing something--and it seems to be conflict.Mary is in love with a local man, but the man breaks off their relationship to go looking for money and adventure up North. So, naturally, she sees other guys and falls for Barrymore. When the old sweetheart later returns, he finds that she is in love with a new guy and this new guy is also his friend,...so he does the right thing and bows out of the picture. THAT'S IT! Not a lot to this 13 minute flick.