So Near, Yet So Far (1912)

On the face of it, this is just a simple story of unrequited love as young "Howard" (Walter Miller) worships a young woman (Mary Pickford) from afar - never quite plucking up the courage to speak to her. Then serendipity takes a hand: he rescues her from a couple of unscrupulous burglars. What makes this a little more remarkable is the creative way in which both DW Griffith and GW Bitzer have created a short story that flows effortlessly. It has a pace and style that makes it a very easy watch. Sadly, the story itself is maybe just a little too basic - it could have done with a few more scenes of substance for all to show off their skills a bit more, but it's still an interesting and charming twenty minutes of cinema.