What do you think?
Rate this book
The Moving Picture Girls #1
The Moving Picture Girls; or, First Appearance in Photo Dramas
Ruth and Alice DeVere and their father Hosmer DeVere struggle to make ends meet while Mr. DeVere seeks another theactrical engagement. The family celebrates after Mr. DeVere finally wins a leading role in an upcoming play. Just as the opening day approaches, Mr. DeVere's old voice affliction suddenly returns, rendering him extremely hoarse. Despite voice rest and medical treatment, Mr. DeVere's voice fails to improve, and he loses his role in the play. Mr. DeVere desperately searches for work to no avail.
Ruth and Alice's friend Russ suggests that Mr. DeVere come work as an actor in the moving pictures, but Mr. DeVere considers the moving pictures to be vulgar and cheap. It is only after the family is served with an eviction notice and after the grocer and butcher refuse all future deliveries to the family that Mr. DeVere gives in to the inevitable and accepts work in the moving pictures.
Ruth and Alice's friend Russ suggests that Mr. DeVere come work as an actor in the moving pictures, but Mr. DeVere considers the moving pictures to be vulgar and cheap. It is only after the family is served with an eviction notice and after the grocer and butcher refuse all future deliveries to the family that Mr. DeVere gives in to the inevitable and accepts work in the moving pictures.
188 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1914
About the author
Laura Lee Hope
613 books79 followersLaura Lee Hope is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Bobbsey Twins and several other series of children's novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Laura Lee Hope include Edward Stratemeyer, Howard and Lilian Garis, Elizabeth Ward, Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, Andrew E. Svenson, June M. Dunn, Grace Grote and Nancy Axelrad.
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
--from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 18, 2015
Not sure what audience would enjoy this now. It's not a youth book, nor a mystery book that would be enjoyable now. Lots of talking about things, less revealing the story, wouldn't waste anyone's time on this.
March 3, 2014
Although this book was written for younger audience, I really enjoyed it. It was so cute to read about the early days of movie making. I loved all the different characters and all the historical information. It was a nice, relaxing read. It is perfect for younger readers, or for young at heart readers.
December 3, 2019
5* Cori Samuel
La narración de Samuel ha mejorado definitivamente mi experiencia de esta historia.
Escrita en 1914 y dirigida a niños y adolescentes, utiliza las circunstancias de un actor y sus 2 hijas de 15 y 17 años para introducir al lector en el, entonces nuevo, mundo del cine.
La historia en sí es muy básica pero su capacidad para mostrar el cine (y la percepción sobre el mismo en ese momento tan temprano de su andadura) me ha encantado. Muchas de sus escenas y personajes se corresponden con estereotipos representados en el cine de entonces, especialmente los momentos de “comic relief” representados son típicos del cine mudo. Hubo un tiempo en que vi bastante de ese cine y no he dejado de recordar escenas a cada paso, lo que ha mejorado mi experiencia todavía más.
Me ha sorprendido el personaje de Alice, una niña de 15 años (nada que ver con alguien de esa edad de hoy en dia), que sigue siendo una niña pero que se presenta inteligente, intrépida y valiente, además de independiente.
Grata sorpresa de un libro del que no sabía nada y al que he llegado mientras buscaba más historias narradas por Cori Samuel en la plataforma de audiolibros gratis Librivox.
* Punto y aparte: me ha servido para saber que los queridos Hollister de mi infancia fueron escritos por encargo y bajo seudónimo para la misma corporación (activa desde principios del siglo XX hasta inicios de los 80’) que escribió esta serie y la de Nancy Drew entre otras.
Laura Lee Hope también es un seudónimo bajo el que escribieron varios autores.
La narración de Samuel ha mejorado definitivamente mi experiencia de esta historia.
Escrita en 1914 y dirigida a niños y adolescentes, utiliza las circunstancias de un actor y sus 2 hijas de 15 y 17 años para introducir al lector en el, entonces nuevo, mundo del cine.
La historia en sí es muy básica pero su capacidad para mostrar el cine (y la percepción sobre el mismo en ese momento tan temprano de su andadura) me ha encantado. Muchas de sus escenas y personajes se corresponden con estereotipos representados en el cine de entonces, especialmente los momentos de “comic relief” representados son típicos del cine mudo. Hubo un tiempo en que vi bastante de ese cine y no he dejado de recordar escenas a cada paso, lo que ha mejorado mi experiencia todavía más.
Me ha sorprendido el personaje de Alice, una niña de 15 años (nada que ver con alguien de esa edad de hoy en dia), que sigue siendo una niña pero que se presenta inteligente, intrépida y valiente, además de independiente.
Grata sorpresa de un libro del que no sabía nada y al que he llegado mientras buscaba más historias narradas por Cori Samuel en la plataforma de audiolibros gratis Librivox.
* Punto y aparte: me ha servido para saber que los queridos Hollister de mi infancia fueron escritos por encargo y bajo seudónimo para la misma corporación (activa desde principios del siglo XX hasta inicios de los 80’) que escribió esta serie y la de Nancy Drew entre otras.
Laura Lee Hope también es un seudónimo bajo el que escribieron varios autores.
April 29, 2020
I read this book because it was free on my Books app and because I was familiar with the author through the Bobbsey Twins books. This book is for the 10-12 age group. It tells of a family who start work in moving pictures when it was still at its infancy. There was a small mystery also in the story.
It was fun to read how they did location shooting by actually renting a boat on the Hudson River or a farm in the country.
It was fun to read how they did location shooting by actually renting a boat on the Hudson River or a farm in the country.
January 12, 2026
Super fun young adult cozy mystery. Good description of the early years of non talking moving pictures. Wish I had found them as a child in our small town little public library.
May 18, 2026
yawwn... might finish this later
June 6, 2016
This was written in 1914 and I feel very confident in saying that it was commissioned by a movie studio. It's main purpose is to convince you that movies aren't low or crass and that theatre actors are snobby and obnoxious about this wonderful new medium.
It's part of a short (four or five book) series, one of the innumerable girls 'adventure' series (more of those between 1900-1930 than in the last five years!). A stage actor loses his voice when he and his daughters are on the edge of being in the workhouse. His daughter Alice tries to bring up movies but his is a huge snoot until three tradesmen in succession cut off their credit (which he gets annoyed about, I HATED the father so much, "Yes we should starve rather than me degrade my art").
There's a very minor issue of a patent being stolen and the girls help thwart the crime but it's suuuper marginal compared to the main issue of talking about how the movie industry works! One of the stage-turned-movie actors in it is a former Shakespearean actor with the name Wellington Bunn which made me laugh every single time.
If you want a more exciting look at girls' adventure stories find the Dorothy Dixon series. Hilarious dated and ridiculous, but that father slightly ruined the fun.
It's part of a short (four or five book) series, one of the innumerable girls 'adventure' series (more of those between 1900-1930 than in the last five years!). A stage actor loses his voice when he and his daughters are on the edge of being in the workhouse. His daughter Alice tries to bring up movies but his is a huge snoot until three tradesmen in succession cut off their credit (which he gets annoyed about, I HATED the father so much, "Yes we should starve rather than me degrade my art").
There's a very minor issue of a patent being stolen and the girls help thwart the crime but it's suuuper marginal compared to the main issue of talking about how the movie industry works! One of the stage-turned-movie actors in it is a former Shakespearean actor with the name Wellington Bunn which made me laugh every single time.
If you want a more exciting look at girls' adventure stories find the Dorothy Dixon series. Hilarious dated and ridiculous, but that father slightly ruined the fun.
July 4, 2012
A quaint romp through a time in the early days of filming. One of those, learn a bit through a fiction book, similar to what the writer of The Swiss Family Robinson was attempting to do for his kids. Gives one some easy to understand elements of the (early) filming business. I liked how they called them (photo) plays and some of the older language that could easily be re-used today.
Alice and Ruth (the two sisters) are pretty much what one would expect from a series of books titled the Fill-In-The-Blank Girls (Motion Picture, Outdoor, Automobile, etc.) They don't really stand out but neither do they fall flat, just carry the story forward. It's a nice change from Aunt Jane's Nieces by Edith Van Dyne.
Alice and Ruth (the two sisters) are pretty much what one would expect from a series of books titled the Fill-In-The-Blank Girls (Motion Picture, Outdoor, Automobile, etc.) They don't really stand out but neither do they fall flat, just carry the story forward. It's a nice change from Aunt Jane's Nieces by Edith Van Dyne.
October 27, 2015
The Moving Picture Girls series is the linchpin of my thesis project, and I sincerely enjoy reading it, which is why I gave this five stars. This first volume in particular is an early 20th century children's novel with some odd tensions between the desire to be a nice girl who goes home quietly when it gets too late and the fact that if you work, you can make cash and be famous. It's sunny with a shiny film industry backdrop, surprisingly good characterization, and brief hints at adventure and romance. If I remember right from when I read these a few years ago, this is the best book in the series, but I'll be reading the rest of them again soon enough. I am sincerely looking forward to it.
March 2, 2017
This was so much better than I had expected. The 'mystery' (which I had expected to take up most of the book) actually was very pleasantly only a subplot. Most of the book is just about Ruth and Alice getting into the moving pictures and suporting their dad. I loved how much they cared for each other and that they were happy to live on very small amounts of money.
Overall this was a pleasently suprising book and I look forward to reading more in the seires.
Overall this was a pleasently suprising book and I look forward to reading more in the seires.
November 18, 2012
Too much telling instead of showing, too many author lectures on How Moving Pictures Work. Throw in some overly broad stock characters (German accents are hilarious!), ignore all of the characters' internal worlds (no thoughts/feelings/etc), and you've got yourself a recipe for a book that absolutely WILL NOT become a classic.
Read
November 24, 2008Another Gutenberg read on my lunch break at my desk....Not as immediately ridiculous, but full of superfun gender and class assumptions that make me giggle.
May 11, 2009
Cute tale about 2 plucky teenage sisters who help their dad, an actor who's lost his voice, find a new career in the silent film industry in NYC.
Want to Read
March 9, 2019Dnf. Couldn’t get into this
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews