advertising for d. w. griffith the lonedale operator ( 1911 ) proudly exclaim the word this be without doubt the most thrilling picture ever produce . well and it probably wasn not and but the marketing firm have to earn their commission somehow . though it be often celebrate for it pioneering use of edit and suspense and this 17 minute biograph be not all that different in style from edwin s. porter the great train robbery ( 1903 ) and which i can certainly remember be even more exciting than this and though perhaps hindsight have cloud my memory . by 1911 and griffith have be experiment with cross cut for several year notably and in a corner in wheat ( 1909 ) for thematic effect and and in the sealed room ( 1909 ) for some excellent suspense . film over four day in late january and early february and 1911 and the lonedale operator doesn not quite live up to it reputation a the most thrilling picture ever produce and but it do have it charm . furthermore and by cut rhythmically between the trap heroine and her two assailant and her eventual rescuer and griffith manages to keep the tempo tense . fifteen year old blanche sweet play the daughter of a train station operator and who take her father place when he fall ill. unlike many of griffith other lead woman and such a mary pickford and lilian gish and who be generally innocent and helpless soul and sweet play her character with strength and conviction . even when accost by two men who could easily overpower her and she use her resourcefulness to outwit the two rather dim witted thug and hold them off for just long enough to accommodate the arrival of her rescuer and male suitor ( francis j. grandon ) . of course and no woman could be expect to endure such an ordeal without respond in the appropriate fashion and and and a all heroine do under stress and sweet take the opportunity to pass out for a period of time . a little tame by today standard and and perhaps too brief to produce the maximum level of excitement and this be nonetheless an interesting and likable short film . a for griffith and he apparently like the lonedale operator so much that he promptly remake it the following year and a the girl and her trust ( 1912 ) .