1. Silent Film Melodrama

2. Origins of Melodrama Literally means “a drama accompanied by music”Literally means “a drama accompanied by music” French theater of the late 17oo’s had verbal and nonverbal theatersFrench theater of the late 17oo’s had verbal and nonverbal theaters Original melodramas were non verbal and borrowed from carnivalesque street theater and mime acts – relied greatly on non verbal expressionOriginal melodramas were non verbal and borrowed from carnivalesque street theater and mime acts – relied greatly on non verbal expression Silent films borrowed from traditional melodramaSilent films borrowed from traditional melodrama Demonstrated an extreme amount of nonverbal expression as the lack of sound necessitated much of the communication to be presented through body movementsDemonstrated an extreme amount of nonverbal expression as the lack of sound necessitated much of the communication to be presented through body movements

3. Traits of silent film Melodrama Conventional character types – heroes, heroines, and villainsConventional character types – heroes, heroines, and villains Predictable plot elements – improbably reversals of fortune, accidents, and last-minute rescuesPredictable plot elements – improbably reversals of fortune, accidents, and last-minute rescues Tend to take place in the domestic space of a family or intimate space of the romantic coupleTend to take place in the domestic space of a family or intimate space of the romantic couple Speaks to the viewers in a way that is primarily emotional rather than logicalSpeaks to the viewers in a way that is primarily emotional rather than logical Depends on affective nature of music and images to create an emotional experienceDepends on affective nature of music and images to create an emotional experience

4. Traits continued Often seen as “domestic tragedy” – concerning normal people in contrast to the tragedies of the classic playwrights who focused on lofty people such as kings, queens, etc.Often seen as “domestic tragedy” – concerning normal people in contrast to the tragedies of the classic playwrights who focused on lofty people such as kings, queens, etc. Focuses on the fate of the couple, the family, and their immediate communityFocuses on the fate of the couple, the family, and their immediate community Genre of the “historically voiceless” and so appealed to the growing middle class of the timeGenre of the “historically voiceless” and so appealed to the growing middle class of the time

5. Silent film Characters Reflected values of the middle classReflected values of the middle class Virtue empowered the hero and heroineVirtue empowered the hero and heroine Evil fueled the villainEvil fueled the villain Virtue was equally attainable by allVirtue was equally attainable by all Knowledge, truth, and wisdom were often more easily obtained by lower classes because simple people were less burdened by artificial knowledge as were nobilityKnowledge, truth, and wisdom were often more easily obtained by lower classes because simple people were less burdened by artificial knowledge as were nobility

6. Silent film and reform Silent films often dealt with ideas and social problemsSilent films often dealt with ideas and social problems Often spoke to the hard life and condition of the poor, corrupt practices of the rich, social threat of rapid urbanization, the evil of slavery, and the effects of bad family upbringingOften spoke to the hard life and condition of the poor, corrupt practices of the rich, social threat of rapid urbanization, the evil of slavery, and the effects of bad family upbringing Also described the evils of middle and lower class vices such as gambling and alcoholAlso described the evils of middle and lower class vices such as gambling and alcohol Film in general in the US was seen as the “grand social worker” because it drew working-class men away from saloons and other vicesFilm in general in the US was seen as the “grand social worker” because it drew working-class men away from saloons and other vices

7. Silent film and fears of america Played many fears of Victorian era America:Played many fears of Victorian era America: Urbanization and traditional family valuesUrbanization and traditional family values Fatherless daughters and husbandless wives pursued by immoral menFatherless daughters and husbandless wives pursued by immoral men Greedy factory owners and how they ruthlessly exploit workersGreedy factory owners and how they ruthlessly exploit workers Technological advances would overwhelm and crush the average American – symbolized by the locomotiveTechnological advances would overwhelm and crush the average American – symbolized by the locomotive Overall, there was a very leery and oftentimes bleak look at modernization and urban livingOverall, there was a very leery and oftentimes bleak look at modernization and urban living

8. Films we will view Orphans of the storm Two orphaned sisters are caught up in the turmoil of the French Revolution, encountering misery and love along the way. Phantom of the Opera (1925) 107 A mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer.