There are a few things to note here: the first is that this is the second Griffith title I watched for this weekend. The first I felt, though more interesting in its construction, is not as effective a narrative. Also, interesting to note, and I haven’t seen too much of this even in the silent era, but the title role of Billy, a boy, is played by Edna Foster, a girl. This is a practice more common on stage and in ballet than on film. In spite of that it is still an enjoyable film that gives you a sense of Griffith’s penchant for melodrama and social problem films.