After watching a few films of her, I have to say Mary Pickford is not at her best in this movie. Mainly, this is because of the weak plot, which doesn't always seem to be coherent, especially the triangle love story, when you think about it. Furthermore, the film tries to be moralistic and funny at the same time, which doesn't seem to work really well either. However there are one or two funny scenes, whenever the washer family's mother is depicted. However, even there, it is just about exploiting stereotypes to get a few cheap laughs, or so it seems. In my opinion, one major problem are the monotone settings of the scenes, which do not vary enough to make the whole movie more interesting. All in all, it does only take an hour to watch it, but I think there are better films from 1918 than this one.

Mary Pickford gives a most delightful performance in this story about a young girl living with her mother and younger brothers. Her mother is an Irish laundrywoman and supports the family by taking in wash, while Amarilly is a working-class girl who works hard scrubbing and cleaning. When the theater she cleans is burnt down, Amarilly takes a job as a cigarette girl at the popular Cyclone Cafe, where her boyfriend works as a bartender. When a wealthy young man is injured during a brawl at the Cafe, the caring Amarilly takes him home to nurse his wounds. Unfortunately Amarilly's beau misunderstands and believes she is in love with the wealthy fellow. The young man is very interested in the spunky girl and offers her a job cleaning his apartment, where his rich, snobby Aunt takes it upon herself to experiment with Amarilly, and tries to teach her high-class manners needed to live among the wealthy high-society. Knowing her nephew is in love with Amarilly she invites her family to a social party to embarrass the girl. Amarilly is proud of her hard-working Irish family and always having good sense, she realizes she will always be a great deal happier married to the Irish lad she loves. This story works so well due to the charming script written by Frances Marion that is enhanced by director Marshall Neilon's typical clowning humour. The conflicts dealing with the upper class reformers in this story are cleverly examined with light comedy and satire. Pickford gives an especially lovely performance, along with Kate Price who is extremely delightful as the Irish mother. All of the supporting actors deserve praise for the fine performances they give of their characters. I really enjoyed this story of a young girl who gives up the opportunity to marry into wealth, and stays faithful and proud in the end to her one true love. Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley is one of Mary Pickford's underrated gems, but stands out as one of her most brilliant films. I highly suggest this film is worth watching.

Earlier in the century, Mary Pickford made a ton of short films for Thomas Ince and D.W. Griffith. They were well made for that time period, but frankly, today they are rather preachy and simplistic. The truly great films Pickford was to make wouldn't be made until the late teens and 1920s. AMARILLY was made just before all these amazing full-length films. She was definitely a star, but was just on the verge of mega-stardom. You can easily see that this film has much of the style of these later films but isn't quite the same stellar quality. Because of this, I see it as a bit of a transitional film. For her best stuff, try watching DADDY LONG LEGS (just one year later) or her great films of the twenties (such as SUDS, MY BEST GIRL and SPARROWS).AMARILLY is a moralistic story due to its direction and style. The film cuts back and forth between the sweet but poor folks (Amarilly and her family) and the stuck up rich folks. It is all very "black and white" and really wasn't subtle at all. Such a style would be all but dead by the twenties--it was just too preachy and unrealistic.Amarilly is dating a guy for three years in the most chaste relationship in film history--three years and not even a kiss between them!! However, a shallow rich guy discovers this plucky girl (is Pickford anything other than plucky??) and he is captivated by her. Eventually, he even wants to marry her but it all falls apart because his rich aunt and her friends look down on Amarilly and her family's simple ways. In the end, she goes back to her sweet boyfriend and lives happily ever after--thus illustrating the message that people should stick to their own social class! Overall, it is entertaining but I don't recommend it to those who aren't acquainted with Pickford's work. That's because the film isn't particularly artistic or well made by later Pickford standards. Try watching the films I previously mentioned first. For those who are familiar with her films, then by all means see this movie--it is worth seeing and entertains.

This Mary Pickford film is pleasant enough, though the script is kind of weak, and the storyline very predictable. The film only lasts an hour, so if you are a Pickford fan you will probably enjoy it. People new to the genre of silent film may not be overly impressed if they view this film first. I would suggest they start with Pickford in Daddy Long Legs instead.The cast here is fun to watch, Norman Kerry very handsome and wonderful to see Wesley Barry as Mary's little brother. Love those freckles. He gets one good scene, where he has to fight in an alley way, encouraged by his tough Irish "Ma". I give this film 7 out of 10.