A Modern Musketeer

Plot

Ned Thacker (Douglas Fairbanks) is a restless young man living in the small town of Elbow Creek, Kansas, who spends his days reading Alexandre Dumas' 'The Three Musketeers' and dreaming of heroic adventures. Deciding he's had enough of small-town life, Ned declares himself a modern D'Artagnan and sets out to find excitement, mounting his 'steed' - a Model T Ford automobile. His journey takes him across the American West where he encounters a series of adventures including rescuing the beautiful Elsie Dodge (Marjorie Daw) from bandits led by the villainous Forrest (Eugene Pallette), getting involved in a range war, and using his athletic prowess and modern ingenuity to overcome various obstacles. The film culminates with Ned using his car and quick thinking to save the day and win the girl, proving that modern heroes can be just as valiant as their literary counterparts.

Historical Background

'A Modern Musketeer' was released in November 1917, eight months after the United States entered World War I. During this period, American cinema was undergoing significant transformation, with the film industry consolidating in Hollywood and stars gaining unprecedented power and control over their productions. The film reflected America's fascination with modernization and technology, symbolized by the Model T Ford, while simultaneously romanticizing the frontier spirit that many Americans felt was disappearing. The war had created a demand for patriotic and uplifting entertainment, and Fairbanks' energetic, optimistic heroism perfectly matched the national mood. The film also emerged during the transition from short films to feature-length productions, with studios investing more heavily in elaborate productions to attract increasingly sophisticated audiences. This period also saw the rise of the star system, with actors like Fairbanks becoming major cultural icons whose personal lives were as closely followed as their films.

Making Of

The production of 'A Modern Musketeer' marked a significant turning point in Douglas Fairbanks' career, representing his first foray into independent production after leaving Triangle Film Corporation. Fairbanks was deeply involved in every aspect of the film, from developing the story concept to overseeing the stunts. The Model T Ford featured in the film was reportedly a gift from Henry Ford himself, who was impressed with Fairbanks' work and wanted his automobile showcased in a major motion picture. Director Allan Dwan, who had worked with Fairbanks previously, encouraged the star to push the boundaries of what was considered possible in action sequences. The famous scene where Fairbanks leaps from the moving car onto a horse required multiple takes and nearly resulted in serious injury when the horse bolted unexpectedly. The film's success led to Fairbanks signing a lucrative distribution deal with Artcraft Pictures, giving him unprecedented control over his future projects and cementing his status as one of Hollywood's most powerful stars.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Victor Fleming and Harry Perry showcased innovative techniques that emphasized both the grandeur of the western landscapes and the dynamic action sequences. The filmmakers utilized location shooting in the California mountains and valleys to create sweeping vistas that contrasted sharply with the claustrophobic small-town opening scenes. The camera work during the action sequences was particularly notable for its mobility, with the cinematographers employing tracking shots to follow Fairbanks' athletic movements and the Model T's progress across rough terrain. The film made effective use of natural lighting, especially in the outdoor sequences, creating a sense of authenticity that distinguished it from many studio-bound productions of the era. The cinematographers also experimented with low angles during Fairbanks' stunts to emphasize his heroic stature and athletic prowess. The visual style successfully blended the epic scope of western landscapes with the intimate comedy moments, creating a varied visual palette that kept audiences engaged throughout the film's runtime.

Innovations

'A Modern Musketeer' featured several technical innovations that were ahead of their time. The film's most notable technical achievement was its pioneering use of the automobile as both a prop and a central storytelling device, requiring innovative camera techniques to capture dynamic moving shots. The production team developed specialized camera mounts for the Model T, allowing for tracking shots that followed the vehicle at high speeds across rough terrain. The stunt sequences involving the car and horse required precise timing and coordination, representing some of the most complex action choreography of the silent era. The film also employed early forms of what would become known as cross-cutting, intercutting between parallel action lines to build suspense during the climactic rescue sequence. The production utilized natural lighting techniques that were relatively advanced for 1917, particularly in the outdoor sequences where the cinematographers took advantage of the California sun to create dramatic shadow effects. The film's editing was notably brisk for the period, with action sequences cut to maintain momentum and excitement.

Music

As a silent film, 'A Modern Musketeer' was accompanied by live musical performances during its theatrical run. The original score was composed by Victor Schertzinger, who created a dynamic soundtrack that alternated between rousing adventure themes for the action sequences and lighter comedic motifs for the humorous moments. The music incorporated popular songs of the era alongside original compositions, including a recurring theme associated with Fairbanks' character that became instantly recognizable to audiences. The Model T sequences were accompanied by syncopated, modern-sounding rhythms that emphasized the technological novelty of the automobile, while the more traditional western scenes used melodies reminiscent of folk tunes. Large theaters typically employed full orchestras for the presentation, while smaller venues used piano or organ accompaniment. The score was published for home use, allowing amateur musicians to recreate the film's music for private screenings, which was common practice for popular silent films of the period.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Ned Thacker dramatically declares himself a modern musketeer and leaps onto his Model T Ford, transforming the ordinary automobile into his noble steed
• The thrilling chase scene where Fairbanks drives his Model T through rough terrain while being pursued by bandits on horseback, showcasing both automotive innovation and traditional western action
• The climactic rescue sequence where Fairbanks must simultaneously save the heroine from bandits and prevent his car from plunging off a cliff, requiring split-second timing and athletic prowess
• The comedic scene where Fairbanks attempts to apply 17th-century musketeer etiquette to a 20th-century Kansas diner, resulting in humorous culture clash
• The final showdown where Fairbanks uses both his athletic abilities and his car's mechanical features to outwit the villains, perfectly symbolizing the film's theme of modern heroism

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'A Modern Musketeer' enthusiastically, with Variety calling it 'a rollicking good time' and highlighting Fairbanks' 'indefatigable energy and athletic grace.' The Motion Picture News noted that 'Fairbanks has never been better' and praised the film's 'clever blending of old-world chivalry with modern American ingenuity.' Modern critics have recognized the film's historical importance, with the American Film Institute including it among the significant films of 1917. Film historian Kevin Brownlow has described it as 'a pivotal work in the development of the action genre' and praised Fairbanks' 'remarkable physical comedy and stunt work.' The New York Times retrospective on Fairbanks' career singled out 'A Modern Musketeer' as 'the film that established Fairbanks as the king of swashbucklers, even when wielding a steering wheel instead of a sword.'

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1917 embraced 'A Modern Musketeer' with tremendous enthusiasm, packing theaters across the country and generating significant word-of-mouth buzz. The film's combination of adventure, comedy, and Fairbanks' charismatic performance proved to be a winning formula that appealed to a wide demographic. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported standing ovations and multiple return viewings by patrons. The film's success was particularly notable given that it was released during wartime, when many films were struggling to maintain attendance. Audiences especially loved the sequences featuring the Model T, which were seen as both thrilling and humorous. The movie's popularity helped establish Fairbanks as one of the most reliable box office draws in Hollywood, with theater owners reportedly demanding more Fairbanks films to satisfy public demand. The film's strong performance also demonstrated that audiences were ready for longer, more elaborate feature films rather than the short programs that had dominated the early 1910s.

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