Shale Film Notes

The Last Laugh (1924)

shale — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:56:00 +0000

Originating country Germany Director F.W. Murnau Producer Erich Pommer Writer Carl Mayer Cinematography Karl Freund Main actors Emil Jannings, Georg John, Maly Delschaft

Synopsis The doorman at the Atlantic Hotel (Jannings) is very proud of his job; he goes about it with a dignified air. One time, after a very busy night, he sits down for a rest, and is seen by the hotel manager. The next day, the doorman is called to the manager’s office and is told that he has been replaced by a much younger person. He has, however, been assigned to a different position as a washroom attendant. He attempts to keep this fact from his daughter and son-in-law, but it is found out later. Eventually news of his demotion spread to his neighbors, who make fun of him. His son-in-law also asks him to leave the house he leaves in. Homeless, he decides to go to the Atlantic Hotel and asks the nightwatcher (John) to let him stay. Later, a millionaire dies in the washroom where the former doorman worked, and he inherits the man’s fortune. He later dines at the restaurant of the Atlantic, and invites the nightwatcher to join him. In the end, they both leave the Atlantic in a carriage, where they are served well, but the now rich doorman insists on blowing the whistle to wake up the carriage driver, much like he used to when he was still a doorman.

After the fold, my comments on The Last Laugh.

The Great Train Robbery (1903)

shale — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 17:31:00 +0000

Originating country United States Director Edwin Porter Writer Scott Marble; Edwin Porter Cinematography Edwin Porter; Blair Smith Main actors A.C. Abadie; Gilbert Anderson; Justus Barnes

Synopsis Four robbers attempt to rob a train. They tie up the clerk of the train station and threaten the train operator. The four ask all passengers to go down the train, and when one attempts to escape, they shoot him dead. When the four left with the train’s engine, leaving the train’s occupants stranded, a girl sees the tied-up clerk, and tells of the crime to the sheriff. They later on pursue the robbers until they have an encounter, killing all four robbers.

After the fold, my comments on The Great Train Robbery.

A Trip to the Moon (1902)

shale — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 16:28:00 +0000

Originating country France Director Georges Méliès Producer Georges Méliès Writer Georges Méliès; adapted from novels by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells Cinematography Michaut; Lucien Tainguy Main actors Victor André, Henri Delannoy

Synopsis A group of men decide to take a trip to the moon. After preparations, they board a specially-made capsule, which was shot by cannon to the moon. Upon arrival, they take a rest, but are awakened by snowfall and are forced to take shelter. They then discover a Selenite, who is a native inhabitant of the Moon, and one astronomer kills it. More Selenites come and capture the overwhelmed astronomers. They bring the visitors to the Chief Selenite, who they proceed to kill. They then escape, killing more Selenites until they board the capsule and successfully return to Earth.

After the fold, my comments on A Trip to the Moon.

Battleship Potemkin (1925)

shale — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:12:00 +0000

Originating country Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Director Sergei Eisenstein Producer Jacob Bliokh Writers Nina Agadzhanova; Nikolai Aseyev; Sergei Eisenstein; Sergei Tretyakov Cinematography Vladimir Popov; Eduard Tisse Editing Sergei Eisenstein Main actors Alexander Antonov; Vladimir Barsky

Synopsis This film is a fictonalized retelling of an uprising at the Battleship Potemkin in 1905. The sailors on board, long oppressed, have started to consider action, especially when Vakulinchuk (Antonov) entices them. One day, in protest, the sailors buy their own provisions after the ship’s doctor decided that the maggot-infested meat they will be given is still suitable for eating. In fury, the ship’s admiral asks those who ate the meat to go under the cannons, and decides to kill those who haven’t. At that instant Vakulinchuk decides to rally the sailors and take over the battleship; they kill some of the officers, including the captain (Barsky) and the doctor, but Vakulinchuk is also fatally wounded. The sailors bring his body to the town of Odessa, where the townspeople mourn his death and support the sailors’ cause. The Russian Cossacks hear of this and decide to kill those supporting the uprising. Later other battleships are sent to destroy the Potemkin, but they also join the cause of the sailors in the battleship.

After the fold, my comments on Battleship Potemkin.

The Girl and Her Trust (1912)

shale — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:22:23 +0000

Originating country United States Director D.W. Griffith Writer George Hennessy Cinematography G.W. Bitzer Main actors Dorothy Bernard; Wilfred Lucas

Synopsis Grace (Bernard) is the new telegraph operator in a telegraph station, who is being courted by Jack (Lucas). When he leaves, two tramps attempt to steal some money stores at the station’s safe, delivered earlier. Trapped, Grace decides to telegraph the next station, but is captured by the tramps, who try to escape through a train. Jack learns about this and chases the three; he eventually catches up with them and gets Grace back.

After the fold, my comments on The Girl and Her Trust.

Broken Blossoms (1919)

shale — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:34:23 +0000

Originating country United States Director D.W. Griffith Producer D.W. Griffith Writer D.W. Griffith; adapted from a novel by Thomas Burke Cinematography G.W. Bitzer Main actors Lillian Gish; Richard Barthelmess; Donald Crisp

Synopsis Cheng Huan (Barthelmess; credited in the film as the Yellow Man) goes to England on a mission to spread the teachings of Buddhism. There he encounters twelve-year-old Lucy Burrows (Gish)—who is constantly abused by his stepfather, boxer Battling Burrows (Crisp)—and falls in love with her. When Lucy faints in front of the shop Cheng works in, he immediately brings her in and takes care of her. When Battling finds out that his stepdaughter has gone with a foreigner, he takes it upon himself to separate the two. He forcibly brings Lucy back to her home, and eventually kills her. When Cheng finds out that his love was killed, he proceeds to kill Battling, and later commits suicide.

After the fold, my comments on Broken Blossoms.

It's simple, really

shale — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 11:44:11 +0000

Shale Film Notes is a very simple proposition, really. Since our film class requires us to write notes on the films we've encountered in and out of class, this is where most of them would appear - at least on a one week delay from original writing, due to the fact that people might grab them from here instead of doing it themselves. Nevertheless, you'll be in for an adventure that last for many decades, many styles, many people, many generations - and you'll be possibly amazed.

Aside from those notes, there will be more articles of people encountered during the thirteen weeks we'll be taking this class up - from the legends, to silent observations, to quirky analyses. Oh, and did I tell you this blog would last for a limited period of time?

In a week, my first film notes, for DW Griffith's Broken Blossoms. Until then, watch this space for more stuff - if we can manage to get through them.