The Story of the Willow Pattern - Production & Contact Info

The Story of the Willow Pattern (1914)
Short | Short, Drama

Primary photo for The Story of the Willow Pattern

The Story of the Willow Pattern (1914)

Short | Short, Drama

We have all seen the quaint, blue plates of Nankin ware, with their queer, formal decoration, known as "The Willow Pattern." Not so many of us are familiar with the beautiful old legend which explains the various figures in the pattern. ...See moreWe have all seen the quaint, blue plates of Nankin ware, with their queer, formal decoration, known as "The Willow Pattern." Not so many of us are familiar with the beautiful old legend which explains the various figures in the pattern. Here it is: Li Chi of the almond eyes, Lived in China long ago. Daughter was she of the wise, Mandarin, Ching Ho. Spake the mandarin one day, "Chung Wang shall your husband be." Answered Li Chi, bravely, "Nay, None but Chang shall marry me." In her room above the stream, Ching Ho locked the poor Li Chi, Left her there to sit and dream, Till her love for Chang should die. But Li Chi refused to sit still and dream. She wrote a note, put it in a coconut shell and opened her window, "O kind river flowing there, Neath my casement," Li Chi sang, "Of thy mercy, deign to bear, This to mine own lover, Chang." The river granted Li Chi's prayer and carried the coconut to Chang's feet. He opened it and read the letter. "Heart's beloved, hear my call; Watch the graceful cherry tree; When its leaves begin to fall. Come, and I will fly with thee." Chang was a man of action. He shook the cherry tree and made its leaves fall. Then he hurried to Li Chi and saved her from her prison by means of a ladder. The lovers fled to the gardener's house. The angry Ching Ho pursued them, hut the kindly gardener saved them from him and sheltered them until they could sail to an island far out in the sea. On this island, Li Chi and Chang were very happy. But Ching Ho soon followed after to their island in the sea. Mirthless rose his cackling laughter. "Certain gifts I bring with me." "Certain gifts for this whose loving, Runs against Ching Ho's desire. I will cure them of their roving, With the soothing touch of fire." Then the cruel father set fire to their house. The lovers must have perished in the flames had not the gods loved them. But because the gods are always kind to lovers, they saved them from the fire and transformed them into a pair of snowy doves. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Robert Brower Ching Ho Ching Ho See fewer	The Little Minister (1921)
Bessie Learn Li Chi Li Chi See fewer	In the Shadow of Death (1915)
Harry Bates Chung Wang Chung Wang See fewer	By Parcel Post (1914)
Barry O'Moore Chang Chang See fewer	Frederick the Great (1914)
John Sturgeon The Gardener The Gardener See fewer	Vanity Fair (1915)