A Scarlet Angel
Plot
In this Swedish silent crime drama, the sophisticated criminal couple Louise Kent and Charles Zukor execute an elaborate heist at the luxurious Oriental restaurant. During an elaborate dance performance, they strategically plunge the venue into darkness, creating chaos among the wealthy patrons. In the ensuing confusion, Louise manages to steal valuable jewelry from one of the elegant guests, showcasing her expertise as a jewel thief. The plot unfolds as the couple navigates the complexities of their criminal partnership while maintaining their facade of respectability. The film explores themes of deception, romance, and the blurred lines between criminal enterprise and genuine affection, culminating in a dramatic confrontation between love and loyalty.
About the Production
The film was produced during the golden age of Swedish cinema, a period when Swedish films were gaining international recognition for their artistic merit and technical sophistication. The restaurant scenes were elaborately staged to create an atmosphere of luxury and sophistication, typical of the high production values of Swedish films during this era.
Historical Background
'A Scarlet Angel' was produced during a transformative period in Swedish cinema known as the Golden Age (1917-1924), when Swedish films gained international recognition for their artistic quality and technical innovation. This era followed World War I, when Sweden remained neutral and its film industry flourished while other European cinema industries struggled. The film reflects the post-war fascination with crime stories and moral ambiguity that characterized much of European popular culture in the early 1920s. The sophisticated urban setting and focus on criminal romance also mirror the growing modernization and social changes occurring in Swedish society during this period, including the emergence of a more liberal attitude toward previously taboo subjects in cinema.
Why This Film Matters
While not as internationally renowned as some other Swedish films of its era, 'A Scarlet Angel' represents an important example of the sophisticated crime dramas that Swedish cinema was producing during its golden age. The film contributed to the development of the crime genre in European cinema, particularly in its portrayal of criminal couples as complex, sympathetic characters rather than one-dimensional villains. Its exploration of moral ambiguity and the romanticization of criminal life would influence later films both in Sweden and internationally. The film also showcases the technical prowess of Swedish cinema during this period, particularly in its use of lighting and set design to create atmosphere and tension.
Making Of
The production of 'A Scarlet Angel' took place at the Svenska Biografteatern studios in Stockholm, where director John W. Brunius had established himself as one of Sweden's leading filmmakers. The collaboration between Brunius and his wife Pauline was notable, as they brought their real-life chemistry to the screen. The elaborate restaurant set required several weeks of construction and was designed to reflect the opulent dining establishments of post-World War I Europe. The dance sequence was particularly challenging to film, requiring precise timing between the dancers, the actors, and the technical crew to achieve the dramatic lighting effect during the heist scene. The film's production benefited from the sophisticated studio facilities that had made Swedish cinema internationally respected during this period.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Julius Jaenzon, one of Sweden's pioneering cinematographers, showcases the technical sophistication of Swedish cinema during this period. The film makes effective use of chiaroscuro lighting, particularly during the dramatic restaurant heist sequence where the sudden darkness creates tension and confusion. Jaenzon employed innovative camera movements for the time, including tracking shots that follow the characters through the luxurious restaurant setting. The film's visual style emphasizes the contrast between the opulent, well-lit world of the wealthy restaurant patrons and the shadowy realm of criminal activity, using light and shadow to reinforce the film's themes of deception and hidden identities.
Innovations
The film demonstrated several technical achievements typical of high-quality Swedish productions of the early 1920s. The elaborate lighting effects during the restaurant heist sequence required sophisticated electrical control systems and precise timing, representing advanced technical capabilities for the period. The construction of the multi-level restaurant set allowed for dynamic camera angles and movements that added visual interest to the proceedings. The film's editing, particularly during the tense heist sequence, showed sophisticated understanding of rhythm and pacing in building suspense. These technical elements contributed to Swedish cinema's reputation for excellence during this golden age.
Music
As a silent film, 'A Scarlet Angel' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The score would have typically been performed by a theater organist or small orchestra, using popular musical cues of the era to enhance the dramatic moments. The dance sequence in the restaurant would have featured appropriate dance music of the period, likely including popular jazz-influenced tunes that reflected the post-war musical trends. Unfortunately, no specific information about the original musical accompaniment for this particular film has survived, which was common for many Scandinavian silent films of the era.
Famous Quotes
In the darkness, truth becomes as valuable as the jewels we seek.
Every elegant evening hides its own shadows, and every shadow its own secrets.
Memorable Scenes
- The dramatic restaurant heist sequence where the lights suddenly plunge the luxury dining room into darkness during an elaborate dance performance, creating chaos and confusion among the wealthy patrons while Louise Kent skillfully removes jewelry from her unsuspecting victim.
Did You Know?
- The original Swedish title was 'En skarlakansängel' which literally translates to 'A Scarlet Angel'.
- Director John W. Brunius was married to actress Pauline Brunius who starred in the film, creating a real-life creative partnership.
- Gösta Ekman, one of Sweden's most celebrated actors, would later become known as the patriarch of the Ekman acting dynasty.
- The film was released during what is now considered the Golden Age of Swedish Cinema (1917-1924), when Swedish films were internationally acclaimed.
- The Oriental restaurant set was one of the most expensive and elaborate sets constructed in Swedish cinema up to that point.
- The film's theme of criminal romance was somewhat controversial for its time, pushing boundaries in Swedish cinema.
- Karen Winther was a Danish actress who frequently worked in Swedish productions during the silent era.
- The film's cinematographer, Julius Jaenzon, was a pioneer of Swedish cinema and worked on many of the country's most important early films.
- The dance sequence during the heist was choreographed by professional dancers hired specifically for the film.
- Only partial prints of the film are known to exist today, making it a rare piece of cinematic history.
What Critics Said
Contemporary Swedish critics praised the film's sophisticated production values and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Gösta Ekman's charismatic portrayal of Charles Zukor. The film was noted for its stylish direction and effective use of lighting during the crucial heist sequence. Critics of the time commented on the film's modern approach to criminal romance, though some conservative reviewers expressed concern about the sympathetic portrayal of criminals. Modern film historians recognize 'A Scarlet Angel' as a representative example of the quality of Swedish commercial cinema during its golden age, though it remains less studied than the more artistic works of directors like Victor Sjöström and Mauritz Stiller.
What Audiences Thought
The film was well-received by Swedish audiences upon its release in November 1922, particularly appealing to urban moviegoers who were drawn to its sophisticated setting and crime plot. The chemistry between the lead actors and the film's stylish execution made it popular with audiences seeking entertainment rather than the more serious artistic fare that Swedish cinema was also known for at the time. The film's commercial success in Sweden demonstrated the domestic appetite for genre films that could compete with imported American and German productions.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- German Expressionist cinema
- American crime films of the early 1920s
- Contemporary Scandinavian literature
This Film Influenced
- Later Swedish crime dramas
- European heist films of the 1920s and 1930s
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Film Restoration
The film is considered partially lost, with only incomplete prints surviving in various film archives. Some portions exist in the Swedish Film Institute's collection, but the complete film as originally released is not known to survive in its entirety. This status is unfortunately common for many Scandinavian silent films of the early 1920s.