Lois Weber films released to blu ray by Milestone
When exploring cinema’s rich history, one of the most fascinating portions involves the early development of women filmmakers. Years before they could vote, women were responsible for making some of the most interesting and challenging films in the industry. Mabel Normand, for instance, was exploring new ways to present slapstick narrative at Keystone, working with the likes of Roscoe Arbuckle and Charlie Chaplin, who helped to expand her skills. One of the finest and most visionary filmmakers during the silent screen’s early days was Lois Weber, a pioneer female director responsible for some of movie history’s most significant achievements.
Two of Lois Weber’s most important contributions, “Shoes” and “The Dumb Girl of Portici,” both of which were released in 1916, have been restored and released to DVD and blu ray by Milestone Film and Video.
“Shoes” is a character drama, the likes of which was becoming quite popular during the teens when cinema was still in its infancy. A pivotal period, historically, 1916 is when D.W. Griffith responded to his previous year’s epic “Birth of a Nation” with the even more ambitious “Intolerance.” It was also the year that Charlie Chaplin joined the Mutual studio and expanded the process of how cinema presented comedy by exploring beyond the genre’s scope and adding layers of depth to his central character.
Lois Weber’s “Shoes” presents Mary MacLaren, in her film debut, as a woman whose strength of character helps her survive as she struggles to support her family single-handedly. The focus is on her shoes, which are so tattered they are quite literally falling off her feet. Her continued attempts to reinforce them are no longer effective, while she doesn’t make enough money to support her family and also buy herself a new pair of shoes. In order to secure this necessity, she must extend beyond her morals.
Looking beyond the melodrama that is the surface of the film, “Shoes” makes a real statement about the plight of women during this period, their limited rights, and the narrow minded society in which they must struggle to live. Mary MacLaren was only 16 years old when she made this film, and her performance is as captivating as the story is absorbing. Weber’s directorial prowess is clearly evident in her choice of shots and use of negative space in settings that were often filmed on location.
“The Dumb Girl of Portici” is the other Lois Weber feature released by Milestone, this one significant for a number of other reasons. Anna Pavlova, the Russian prima-ballerina, is caught on film in what may be Lois Weber’s most ambitious feature. Impressively mounted and boasting a large cast, “The Dumb Girl of Portici” is a film version of Auber’s opera “La muette de Portici,” in which Pavlova was touring at the time. Weber examines other areas of her filmmaking talents here. Her movies, like “Shoes,” were much more intimate and focused. This is a larger, grander effort and she does quite well maintaining a visual interest with tracking shots and camera angles that help sustain a narrative meant for the musical stage.
The special features on the “Shoes” disc include an informative commentary track by Shelley Stamp, the 1932 comic parody “Unshod Maiden,” an intro presentation on the film’s restoration, and another early Weber film from 1911. Special features for “The Dumb Girl of Portici” includes several short films featuring Anna Pavlova.
The historical importance of these films cannot be overstated. The fact that they have been carefully restored and include excellent musical accompaniment further enhance their presentation. We are currently living in a very strong period for film study as more and more of these significant historical movies are made available by companies like Milestone. These Lois Weber films are most highly recommended for libraries, research centers, historians, and fans of silent cinema.
Shoes is available here
The Dumb Girl of Portici is available here