1922/2022 Forum Watchfest

[donnie]

Responses to Tess:

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The name Teola I hadn't heard of, either, and to answer the question, I don't have an opinion one way or the other about it.

So you are Teola-neutral, then. Out of curiosity, did you realize she was pregnant early on?

The ending reunion was a little too tacked on, in my opinion.... But the real ending is good, too.

[Kitty]

Responses to Tess:

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The name Teola I hadn't heard of, either, and to answer the question, I don't have an opinion one way or the other about it.

So you are Teola-neutral, then. Out of curiosity, did you realize she was pregnant early on?

Yes, I did.

The ending reunion was a little too tacked on, in my opinion.... But the real ending is good, too.

Reunion as in them getting back together.

[BettyLouSpence]

I just watched Tess of the Storm Country. Thanks for the heads up about the tints, Donnie. My thoughts:

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This is a surprisingly gritty film. And here I thought the extent of the drama would be Elias scheming to get the squatters off his land... Nope. Not quite.

There were actually numerous tragedies sprinkled throughout, making for quite the spicy drama for 1922 audiences: an out of wedlock pregnancy, having to take the fall for said pregnancy, father arrested for a crime he didn't commit, having to fight off the village lech, having to baptize a dying baby - in front of his apparently also dying mother, and shocked grandfather, in front of a packed church... well, that's certainly one Sunday service those in attendance won't soon forget.

That being said, in spite of the many sad turns in the story, it doesn't veer too far off towards becoming completely depressing. There's a strange lightness(?) that underpins the film.

The story is so absorbing and with so much in the way of drama and humor, but also so much in the way of darkness. Mary Pickford just sparkles in this, doesn’t she?. The character is so appealing that she really stays with you long after the film is over—a truly unforgettable performance. If anyone not familiar with silent films asks why Mary Pickford was so renowned and adored—this film would be the answer.

One thing I thought was especially remarkable is that her character gradually changes and deepens throughout the film. She starts off as a charming, high-spirited, mischievous and playful child and ends up as a woman of quiet depth and great warmth—yet while still possessing her playful nature. It was really a stunning job of acting.

I agree. Mary had so much material here to really sink her teeth into. I would actually rank this as one of my favorite Pickford vehicles I've seen. I was completely invested from the beginning, and yes, even after the end she just sticks in the mind.

(I love that name Teola, by the way. Do you like it? I'd never heard it before.)

I love it, too! I don't think I've heard it before, but it strikes me as a very turn of the twentieth century name.

By the way, wasn't that scene where Frederick is teaching her to read from the Bible beautifully filmed? The lighting there is absolutely fantastic. Just one example of great framing and lighting of scenes. This is one I'd like to have a pristine print of.

Yes, I loved the lighting. The frizz in her hair almost appears like a halo, doesn't it?

So, a dum good film air what I’d call it. —mainly due to the spectacular performance of Mary Pickford. I will however have to say that the ending scenes bothered me to the extent that I felt a little down at the end because of the dark outcomes (though there was the ray of light at the end). I really hoped that the little child would recover. And my heart broke for Teola. What a tragic and moving situation.

Were you left with a bitter taste at the end? Or did the reunion of the lovers at the end brighten things for you?

It's definitely a bittersweet ending. As you mentioned, Teola's death was totally out of left field for me. I'd have preferred to actually see what happened and what was said by the characters at the moment of her death. Unless she really did instantly drop dead on the spot, I imagine that she and her father would've had some last words.

I also wished that we'd gotten to see Fred tell Tess in an title that he was sorry in addition to asking if she'd ever care for him again. I know, she'd already forgiven him, but getting the cold shoulder from your boyfriend because he thought you cheated on him while he was in college would cut pretty deep.

I was my usual slow self at catching onto some of the plot elements. I did not realize Teola was pregnant until after she was rescued. (Oh...so that’s why she told him they needed to get married right away. And why they seemed to be distraught instead of happy. And why her father's absence gave her temporary relief. Ohhhhhhhhhh... ) And then, later when I was working on the score, I noticed she does mouth “I’m pregnant” and then he echoes it. Okay, maybe I was blinking?

It took the baby being born for you to realize?! That's really funny. Although, to be fair, I didn't manage to lipread that "I'm pregnant" part.

I was actually pretty suspicious the first time she told him they needed to be married ASAP. By the way, in the scene where the title about her father's absence giving her temporary relief comes up, she takes out a little bootie that she's been knitting, and immediately starts undoing it. That was that 1922 confirmation for those who missed it the first time.

Cool trivia: that little bootie as a visual code for a character being pregnant appears in a Harold Lloyd two-reeler from around this time. I think that it's I Do, and at the end of the short Mildred Davis takes out a pair of booties from a drawer, and nods with a smile at Harold.

[donnie]

Responses to Tess:

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I love it, too! I don't think I've heard it before, but it strikes me as a very turn of the twentieth century name.

Tess's full name is Tessibel. How about this for twin girls' names: Tessibel and Teola. What do you think?

By the way, in the scene where the title about her father's absence giving her temporary relief comes up, she takes out a little bootie that she's been knitting...

I blinked again.

Cool trivia: that little bootie as a visual code for a character being pregnant appears in a Harold Lloyd two-reeler from around this time. I think that it's I Do, and at the end of the short Mildred Davis takes out a pair of booties from a drawer, and nods with a smile at Harold.

Yes, I think I vaguely remember that.

[donnie]

Well, five months into 2023, I figure it’s about time to resume the 2022 Watchfest.
I just finished Down to the Sea in Ships. I thought this was a pretty good film, definitely worth watching, despite a couple of objections…

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…the primary one being the plot revolving around whaling. Although the details were definitely interesting and incredibly well-filmed here—those cameramen definitely did deserve the accolades they were given in the credits—the detestable cruelty of whaling is so sickening that I couldn’t really enjoy that portion of the film very much. (I also did not get a kick out of the harpooning of the dolphin. )

The other objection would be the Asian racism—also detestable.

With those out of the way: I thought the plot was very engaging (with only a very few spots that might have stood a little editing).

I enjoyed the acting, also, though it was nothing out-of-the-ordinary special, except for— you know who. What a natural the young Clara Bow was! She just sparkled in this role. I loved that last image of her in the field of daisies, by the way.

And speaking of images, I also enjoyed the long shots of the ship at sea. Those big clipper ships were such majestic things in full sail. It’s odd the contrast though, between their graceful beauty at a distance and the grimy squalor of life onboard.

The shenanigans among the personnel reminded me a lot of Moran of the Lady Letty, with Allan being in many ways the parallel of Valentino. What is meant by the "gold fields," by the way??

Quite a last minute rescue of an ending, wasn’t it? I expected Allan to burst through the door at the last moment, but no. Dude came right in through the window. That there's a dramatic entrance. And a good, satisfying denouement, too. So I guess Allan did convert to Quaker? And I guess (hope) that he only needed harpoon one whale to qualify?

One detail of the costuming—what do you think of the hat, or bonnet—not sure what the proper name of it is—that Patience went to the wedding in? I’ve seen those in old photos, etc., but never paid much attention to them. That was one really odd looking piece of attire.

Good piano score. I wonder if that was Jon Mirsalis—sounds a bit like him.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

[donnie]

I watched When Knighthood Was in Flower, starring Marian Davies. This is a good one, well worth watching.

BUT, a heads up: the version on YouTube is incomplete, lacking about the last 20 minutes or so. However, the film is available in a beautiful, sharp restoration by Undercrank Productions on both DVD and Blu-ray that I can highly recommend if you're interested. And this version has a nice organ score by Ben Model.

Thoughts on the film:

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Marian Davies is excellent in this film, very pretty, and effective in both the dramatic and comic scenes. It is easy to see why she was so popular. Forrest Stanley, Marian’s love interest, was fine, but nothing special. His chemistry with Davies was good, though.

I thought Lyn Harding as Henry was excellent, alternating interestingly between rather destestable—and rather likable. His portrayal is very much the way I picture the real Henry as being (well, to a degree; the real one was obviously more sinister). And he looks a lot like him, too.

I liked the scenes where Mary is able to slyly manipulate him. The whole relationship between brother and sister was interesting and always taking unexpected turns; you were never sure who exactly has the upper hand. (I wonder how all this compares to the book.)

I liked the court jester, though his role was brief. The point where Brandon warmly grasped his hand after descending from the block was one of my favorite scenes. And Ernest Glendinning as Caskoden and Ruth Shepley as Lady Jane were excellent supporting characters that added a lot to the story.

Louis was an absurd and comic character—until the end. I thought his death scene was very touching and made me sad.

Splendid costuming throughout, especially for Davies, and some great sets and beautiful titles (all much easier to appreciate in the restored copy).

[BettyLouSpence]

Well, five months into 2023, I figure it’s about time to resume the 2022 Watchfest.

Better than me; I just resumed it seven months in.

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…the primary one being the plot revolving around whaling. Although the details were definitely interesting and incredibly well-filmed here—those cameramen definitely did deserve the accolades they were given in the credits—the detestable cruelty of whaling is so sickening that I couldn’t really enjoy that portion of the film very much. (I also did not get a kick out of the harpooning of the dolphin. )

I feel you there. RIP that one porpoise. I also completely forgot about the anti-Asian stuff in this film. Too bad, the story would've made just as much sense without the "yellow peril" nonsense.

I enjoyed the acting, also, though it was nothing out-of-the-ordinary special, except for— you know who. What a natural the young Clara Bow was! She just sparkled in this role. I loved that last image of her in the field of daisies, by the way.

There's another good image ~14 minutes when she's at the meeting house. Such a great pose.

And speaking of images, I also enjoyed the long shots of the ship at sea. Those big clipper ships were such majestic things in full sail. It’s odd the contrast though, between their graceful beauty at a distance and the grimy squalor of life onboard.

The cinematography was great! Forty-some minutes in, there's a great night time shot of the ship on the moonlit water. What I would give to see a crisp 35mm print. I'd hang a frame from that scene up on a wall.

What is meant by the "gold fields," by the way??

I think that's the source of the gold he wants to transport using the whaling ship?

Quite a last minute rescue of an ending, wasn’t it? I expected Allan to burst through the door at the last moment, but no. Dude came right in through the window. That there's a dramatic entrance. And a good, satisfying denouement, too. So I guess Allan did convert to Quaker? And I guess (hope) that he only needed harpoon one whale to qualify?

Wonder if he was on the hook for the repair bill. I was getting really impatient when the guy stopped him in the middle of the street to fight. Okay, he got hit by a tree! Now just get to the meeting house!!

One detail of the costuming—what do you think of the hat, or bonnet—not sure what the proper name of it is—that Patience went to the wedding in? I’ve seen those in old photos, etc., but never paid much attention to them. That was one really odd looking piece of attire.

Yeah, looks like a fancy bonnet. I think this film is set in the 1840s; those bonnets were especially popular then.

Good piano score. I wonder if that was Jon Mirsalis—sounds a bit like him.

The score's by William Perry.

Btw, there's a good review of the film over at the Immortal Ephemera site.

[donnie]

Responses on Ships:

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There's another good image ~14 minutes when she's at the meeting house. Such a great pose.

Yes, that was a great close-up.

The cinematography was great!

Yes, I liked the chiaroscuro and tinting of those night scenes aboard the ship.

Forty-some minutes in, there's a great night time shot of the ship on the moonlit water. What I would give to see a crisp 35mm print. I'd hang a frame from that scene up on a wall.

Did I post that painting of a clipper ship on the sea at night in the paintings thread at some point? I'm too lazy to look.

Btw, there's a good review of the film over at the Immortal Ephemera site.

Yes, that is a good review. I thought his comments were interesting on how CB was kind of encapsulated away from the main characters and plot—and yet ended up stealing the film.

"Poor Marguerite Courtot receives top billing but is barely a presence. She's stuck on dry land the length of the film and doesn't have much to do other than make happy faces when McKee is around and sad faces when he isn't."
Oh, well.

Thanks for the info on the bonnets. It seems the 1850 one was the most extreme bucket-like. Not my favorite historical fashions, these bonnets.

[BettyLouSpence]

Did I post that painting of a clipper ship on the sea at night in the paintings thread at some point? I'm too lazy to look.

I think this is the one. Looks like I thought it was during the day though. Whoops!

[donnie]

I think this is the one. Looks like I thought it was during the day though. Whoops!

Yes, thanks, that's it, and it is during the day. The Whoops is on me.