The Moving Picture Girls Snowbound

In Short

Set in the dawn of the silent film industry, this story follows Ruth and Alice DeVere, two sisters working as actresses for a traveling motion picture company. When their father is harassed by a man claiming an old debt that has already been repaid, the family is drawn into a series of wilderness adventures at "Elk Lodge" during a severe blizzard. The book serves as a charming period piece, blending the technical fascinations of early cinematography with the classic tropes of Victorian-era juvenile fiction to create an enduring, wholesome tale of pluck and persistence.

The Story

The narrative begins in the city, where Ruth and Alice DeVere live with their father, a veteran stage actor transitioning into the "movies." Their peaceful life is interrupted by Dan Merley, a coarse and persistent man who accuses the elder DeVere of failing to pay back a loan. Although the father knows he has already settled the debt, he lacks the proof to silence his accuser. To escape the city and broaden their production scope, the DeVere family and their film company, led by the resourceful manager Mr. Pertell and the skilled operator Russ, depart for the snowy wilds of Deerfield.

Life at the remote Elk Lodge is anything but quiet. The company encounters a series of dramatic challenges, including a fierce blizzard that leaves them isolated. During their stay, the sisters experience the beauty and danger of the north woods, narrowly escaping a wildcat attack thanks to the timely intervention of a local hunter known as "Flaming Arrow." Meanwhile, the film company continues to shoot dramas in the snow, turning every local incident into an opportunity for "registering" emotion for the camera.

As the weeks pass, the threat from Merley follows the family. It is revealed that Merley is not merely a creditor but a swindler who specializes in faking accidents to extract legal damages. Russ, the camera operator, devises a clever plan to expose the fraud. He realizes that a motion picture film, if captured clandestinely, could serve as irrefutable evidence in court. Using the sisters’ knowledge of the surrounding cabins, Russ positions his camera to film Merley in a moment of deception. The scheme succeeds, capturing the "proof on the film" that vindicates the DeVeres. With their father’s name cleared and their professional success assured, the company prepares for their next production, marking the end of their winter retreat and the beginning of a new journey to Florida.

How It Unfolds

The trouble arrives The sisters deal with their father’s mounting anxiety as a man from his past threatens him over an allegedly unpaid loan. They find comfort in the support of their friend Russ, an ambitious young cameraman who encourages them to resist the extortion.

The company departs The film troupe leaves the city to shoot outdoor dramas in a snowy, rural location. The journey is marked by camaraderie and the excitement of working in a new environment, though signs of an approaching storm begin to emerge.

The blizzard descends A brutal storm hits the group, trapping them in the lodge and forcing everyone to adapt to the harsh realities of the backwoods. The sisters endure the confinement with optimism, while the company finds ways to keep working, filming scenes whenever the weather permits.

The wilderness perils While shooting in the woods, the sisters face the immediate danger of a wildcat, which is neutralized by a local hunter. Later, the group deals with the logistical challenges of an ice-caved entrapment, showcasing the technical ingenuity of their team.

The trap is set Russ and the sisters hatch a plan to use a remote cabin as a blind for his camera. They aim to catch the antagonist in a lie by filming him acting in a way that contradicts his claims of injury.

The proof is secured The camera captures the truth, providing the evidence needed to stop the legal harassment. With the case resolved and their reputation intact, the company looks toward their next adventure in the South.

The People

Ruth DeVere is the steady, observant sister who balances a gentle temperament with a quiet determination. She acts as the emotional anchor for her father and is deeply committed to family loyalty. Alice DeVere, the younger and more spirited sister, provides the narrative’s energy; she is quick to defend her loved ones and is often the first to find adventure in the most daunting circumstances.

Mr. DeVere is a man of the theater struggling to maintain his dignity while battling both a failing voice and a dishonest enemy. He represents the older generation, relying on tradition and honor, yet he learns to adapt to the modern medium of film. Russ is the technical expert and the group's protector. He is practical and resourceful, serving as the bridge between the old-fashioned moral code of the family and the new, innovative world of the moving picture camera. Together, this quartet navigates the transition from the stage to the screen, growing more confident as they master their craft and outwit their foes.

In Its Own Voice

"I do not want to burden you girls with all of my troubles."

Mr. DeVere expresses his reluctance to share the financial strain of the extortion attempt with his daughters.

"I'm not going to think anything of the kind! We'll get out of it, somehow, and laugh at ourselves afterward for being so silly as to be afraid."

Alice remains resolute and optimistic while the film company is caught in the path of a dangerous blizzard.

"I don't propose to let him see me filming him. I've got to do it on the sly, and it isn't going to be very easy."

Russ describes his plan to gather visual evidence to defeat the antagonist's fraudulent legal claims.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book explores the tension between integrity and exploitation. The plot centers on the idea that truth is not merely a moral concept but something that can be documented and verified through new technology. By using the "moving picture" as a tool for justice, the story argues that progress—represented by the camera—can be a force for good. It also examines the nature of "acting" both on and off the set, exploring how the characters must perform for the camera while struggling to maintain their authentic selves in the face of external pressure. It is a story about the resilience of the family unit when tested by both nature and human greed.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical atmosphere and the charm of early industrial-era narratives will find this a fascinating window into the past. The book captures a moment in time when the motion picture was still a novelty—a technical wonder that could just as easily film a dramatic race on ice as it could capture a villain's confession. You will feel the cozy, fireside warmth of Elk Lodge contrasted against the harsh, biting cold of the winter woods, a setting that provides a classic backdrop for the sisters' adventures.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific language and the somewhat rigid social attitudes common in early 20th-century literature. The dialogue occasionally leans into the earnest, moralizing tone of the era, and the characters’ reactions can seem simplistic by today’s standards. If you can move past these stylistic artifacts, you will find a story defined by its relentless optimism. It is a gentle, unhurried read that rewards those looking for a sense of comfort and a reminder that, in the world of these girls, cleverness and character are always enough to overcome the darkest of storms.