The Broken Locket (1909): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1909, The Broken Locket is a notable film directed by D.W. Griffith, running about 13 minutes.

What it’s about. George Peabody is a young man who has been giving free rein to his inclinations, the principal one being drink. One might have concluded he was lost, but there was the chance which the hand of Providence always bestows in the person of pretty little Ruth King, who had secretly loved George since their childhood days. She succeeds in persuading him from his reckless life, and he determines to cut off from his old loose companions by going out West and making a man of himself. Bidding Ruth and her mother good-bye, he realizes that he loves his little preserver and promises to return worthy of her love and confidence. They plight their troth with their first kiss and a heart shaped locket, which Ruth wears, she breaking it in two, giving George one side while she retains the other, which symbolized the reunion of their hearts with his return.

Who’s in it. The Broken Locket stars Frank Powell as George Peabody, Mary Pickford as Ruth King, Kate Bruce as Ruth's Mother and Robert Harron as Outside Company Office, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 3.0/10, The Broken Locket has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Broken Locket page.