Analysis of Griffith's Movies - Essay Example

? Analysis of one of the elements of the mentioned movies on the assignment sheet: Introduction: D.W Griffith is a famous American director and producer especially of narrative genre. D.W Griffith has always highlighted the most controversial issues of the American society in his Hollywood movies (Barry and Bowser). In this essay, I would be discussing the most important element of the Hollywood movies that is often raised by Griffith in his majority of films. Here, I would be discussing the “Scandalous” side of Griffith’s movies that made them controversial in the history of American cinema. ANALYSIS OF GRIFFITH’S MOVIES: The scandalous side of “THE NEW YORK HAT (1912): It is a movie directed by D.W Griffith and actress included Mary Pickford which was made in 1912. This movie was made in their early movie careers. The story of the movie starts with a Dying Mom’s wish and how this wish affects everybody’s life. In the beginning it looks like that the movie is not coming up to standard of the story line of the movie. Pickford is portrayed as a charming young lady. This short movie is a very good example of the human nature and it seems like the director has observed human nature very closely and efficiently. Mary Pickford is shown in the early movie as a girl that belongs to wear a New York hat. Other than its historical importance, this movie proves to be a very good source of entertaining the audience. While watching this movie the Modern audience should keep in mind that “The New York Hat” was made according to the norms and the general practices that were being observed at the time when it was made. At the beginning of the movie Mary is successful in gaining the sympathies of the audience. Because she is a young girl whose loving mother dies leaving her all alone, all that is left in this world for her is her father who is not only miser but also fails to prove himself as the protector of the girl. When in this situation she receives a hat as a gift from her pastor it means a lot to her and she develops a special place in her heart for that gift. It also shows that she is so lonely that such a small gesture makes her feel important and wanted. This captivates the minds of the audience as the story unfolds. The girl who is already frustrated by the behavior of her selfish father gets further annoyed when the whole town starts talking nonsense about the words that were exchanged between the pastor & the girl. Upon hearing these rumors the father becomes angry and tears the innocent gift given to her by the pastor. At this point of the movie this incident provokes the audience and they are so appalled by her father’s behavior that all they want is the justice for the innocent and badly hurt young girl. The modern audience especially feels that such a selfish father should be brought to justice and punished for this unnecessary and unprovoked act. At this point the steps taken by the pastor to protect the young girl appear to be very naive and appropriate according to the situation. The question is that whether or not the people of the town will understand his friendly behavior towards the young girl as nothing more than an innocent friendship. Despite the fact that the mother, knowing the nature of her husband, has written a letter to the pastor to take care of her young daughter, the town does not approve of this relationship. It must also be kept in mind that the age of the young girl is not clear at this point although at some points she looks like a 16 year old but in some other scenes she appears younger than 16. The general opinion of the people is that girl being so young is supposed to be naive, however, the pastor being the elder party should have been more careful while communicating with the girl. The movie fails to answer the question that whether the pastor was romantically involved in the girl or was he just trying to help her. So the questions raised in the mind of the audience are not satisfied when the movie ends they go back home wondering about the intentions of the pastor. The scandalous side of “The Three Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912)” This movie is considered to be one of the first movies that were made on gangsters in Hollywood. That is why this movie is said to set the standards for the coming movies. It is actually Griffith’s one of the fine and early biographic shots. The wars going on among the mafia is more important than the criminal characterization of the movie. The look of the Three Musketeers gives the movie its different and unique quality. The feel and the look of the main streets are recognized straightaway by the audience. Griffith has brilliantly captured the essence of the characters in his movie by making them move slowly, he has captured the way his main musketeers sneak around. The cape worn by the three musketeers eventually became the symbol of the heroism in the coming times in America. The movie also made basis for the future landscapes and laid the grounds for the mythic culture that was to be followed in the coming years. This movie is probably the first movie that was made on the organized crime that was being carried out in the streets. And as discussed earlier it laid grounds for many movies that followed the pattern set by Griffith. The point that must be kept in mind by the modern audience is that, at the time when this movie was made the culture of guns and other ballistic machines and street crimes was not that common like it is today. This movie portrayed the evil that was being spread by the gangsters of New York. The story of the movie revolves around a poor couple who live in the New York City. They are trying to make both ends meet but then one day the husband is robbed by a thief. After some days the husband sees that crook again engaged in the street fighting and recognizes him at once. Now the question that arises is that whether or not the husband will succeed in having the justice done. The scandalous of the Mothering Heart (1912): This movie revolves around a pregnant wife that is deserted by her husband “Walter Miller” and is forced to give birth all by herself. In the meanwhile the husband’s mistress with who he is having affair behind her back leaves him for another man. This makes the husband realize his mistake so he goes back in search of his loyal wife. But when he finally manages to find her he comes to know that his child is dying. When the child dies the wife goes on wandering in the garden, picking flowers. But when she returns back she is surprised to find that she still loves her husband. This movie has highlighted the issue of an average American family at that time. The man leaving his wife for some other women and realizing what he has lost when he also becomes lonely and the forgiving heart of a woman who suffers loss of her baby but still finds heart to forgive her estranged husband. And the man’s infidelity is forgiven yet again by a loyal and sincere wife. D.W Griffith had once again proved himself to be a man capable of handling the controversial issues of his time in a very unique and impressive manner. Conclusion: In this essay I have discussed the most important element of the Hollywood movies especially those directed by D.W Griffith; who was known for his controversial work and topics that raised eyebrows of American audiences. I have discussed the scandalous side of these narrative yet silent movies, directed by D.W Griffith that highlights the evils of the American society, dream and American lifestyle (Schickel). Works Cited: Barry, I. and Bowser, E. D. W. Griffith: American Film Master. Garden City, New York: Doubleday (1965) Schickel,R. D. W. Griffith: An American Life. New York: Simon and Schuster (1984) Read More