A lanky Southern beauty, McCoy became one of Edison’s most popular stars for her portrayal of a new American archetype—the single woman fighting to make her own way in the big city—and was also a scenario writer of real talent. The President’s Special is a railroad drama that features some innovative staging by director Charles Brabin; The Stenographer was the first episode in an intended series, The Girl Who Earns Her Living. McCoy herself wrote the scenario for What Should She Do?, transposing her experiences as a newcomer to New York into a thrilling tale of a failed governess who becomes an undercover agent. The gifted John H. Collins directed this three-reel feature, of which only the first two reels survive. Piano accompaniment by Makia Matsumura (September 8), Ben Model (September 17).
Program approx. 65 min.
The President’s Special. 1914. USA. Directed by Charles Brabin
The Stenographer. 1914. USA. Directed by Ashley Miller
What Could She Do? [two of three reels]. 1914. USA. Directed by John H. Collins