Lillian Gish in BROKEN BLOSSOMS - The Smile

In BROKEN BLOSSOMS (1919), it was in the memorable nuances of her performance that twenty-six-year-old Lillian Gish really managed to bring off the illusion of playing the part of a child of fifteen.

The most famous of these is now known as "The Smile." In the story, Gish's monstrously cruel father, sick of her incessant gloom and despair, orders her to give him a smile. Director D. W. Griffith and his cast thought long and hard about some meaningful response Gish could give her father in that moment, some bit of pantomime that could expose the depths of sorrow permeating her soul.

But it was Gish who came up with the answer, a perfect gesture that has since gone down as an iconic statement in the annals of filmmaking. As she explains it: "Suddenly it came to me: in the midst of the scene, and while the camera was grinding, I lifted my hand, spread my index and second fingers, and pushed up the corners of my lips into a ghastly, fixed-mouth smile. Mr. Griffith leapt to his feet and shouted: 'Hold it!' We did the scene many times until he was satisfied, and then he said to me: 'Lillian, that is the only original piece of acting I have ever seen in the pictures'."

Griffith would have Gish repeat that ineffably sad and pathetic gesture at several points in the film.
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[cubanbach]

To me, LILLIAN GISH is the supreme goddess of all film.

[LoveAj03]

Makes me cry, She made you feel the pain of a little one scared like that. I love her and miss her...RIP Lillian Gish

[Rodrigoteacher]

@cubanbach I DO AGREE! SHE´S THE FIRST ONE!

[ziggycat999]

Nice colorization and sharpness to almost a 100 year old movie.

[MookatheMoose]

I love gish so much. Shes so cool!!!!!!!

I wish I could learn to do my make up like hers.

[UncleCharlieOakley]

Absolutely beautiful. Just tears your heart out, if you have one.