Poor Little Peppina

Poor Little Peppina is a 1916 American silent film directed by Sidney Olcott. The film was in 1916 Mary Pickford's longest film to be made. It was soon surpassed by her later films. Plot Robert Torrens (Edwin Mordant) is a wealthy American, residing in Italy with his wife (Edith Shayne) and only daughter, Lois (Eileen Stewart). Franzoli Soldo (Antonio Maiori) is a mafia chief who pretends to be a butler and is in Torrens' employ. One day, he drinks too freely of his masters' wine. Fellow employee Pietro (Ernest Torti) informs Mr. Torrens, who next discharges Soldo. Soldo wants revenge and kills Pietro. He is caught, however, and is being put on trial for the murder. He is found guilty and sentenced to a life in jail. One month later, a mafia member helps him escape. He is determined to take revenge on the Torrens family and kidnaps Lois. When the parents find out, they call the police. Soldo is soon thought to be the kidnapper, but he ordered some of Torrens' staff member to convince the parents Lois drowned in an accident. Meanwhile, Soldo flees to his relatives, including his wife Bianca (Mrs. A. Maiori) - who is ordered to raise Lois as her own - and his son Beppo (Jack Pickford). Lois grows up to be Peppina (Mary Pickford), Beppo's sister. Soldo decided to meanwhile take refuge in America. Fifteen years later. The Duchess, an American heiress, takes an interest in Peppina and teaches her English.