Falling Leaves (1912 film)

Falling Leaves is a 1912 American silent short drama film directed by Alice Guy-Blaché. It was produced by Solax Film Company and distributed by Film Supply Company. The film is notable for its themes of childhood illness, specifically tuberculosis, and the lengths a sister will go to in order to help her sibling.

The film tells the story of two young sisters, one of whom is diagnosed with consumption (tuberculosis). The doctor informs the family that the little girl will likely not survive until the fall. The other sister, desperate to prevent her sister's death, attempts to keep the leaves on the trees by tying them back on with string. Her innocent belief is that if the leaves don't fall, her sister won't die. The film explores themes of childhood innocence, hope, and the desperation in the face of terminal illness.

The cast included Mace Greenleaf and Marion Swayne, although precise role assignments are not definitively known. "Falling Leaves" is considered one of Alice Guy-Blaché's most important works and a notable example of early American cinema. Its preservation is incomplete, with only fragments known to survive.