An American in the Making

Plot

An American in the Making follows the journey of a European immigrant who arrives in the United States and is sponsored by his American relative. The relative takes the newcomer under his wing, guiding him through the process of finding employment in American industry. Throughout the film, the immigrant is introduced to various workplace safety equipment and measures that protect American workers, showcasing the progressive labor practices of the era. The narrative serves as both an educational tool and an optimistic portrayal of the American dream, emphasizing how the nation values and protects its workforce. The film culminates with the immigrant successfully adapting to his new life and embracing American industrial values.

Historical Background

An American in the Making was produced in 1913 during the height of the Progressive Era in American history, a period marked by significant social, political, and economic reforms. This was a time of massive immigration to the United States, with millions of newcomers arriving from Europe between 1880 and 1920. The film's release came just two years after the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, which killed 146 garment workers and became a catalyst for workplace safety reforms across the country. Labor unions were gaining strength, and there was growing public awareness of the need for worker protections. The film industry itself was undergoing rapid transformation, with the center of American film production still located in the New York area before the eventual migration to Hollywood. Motion pictures were increasingly being recognized not just as entertainment, but as powerful tools for education and social messaging.

Making Of

An American in the Making was produced during a pivotal period in American film history when the industry was transitioning from novelty to narrative storytelling. The film was created at Solax Studios in Fort Lee, New Jersey, which was founded by Alice Guy Blaché, one of cinema's first female directors and studio heads. The production likely utilized real industrial locations to authenticate the workplace safety demonstrations, a practice that was becoming more common as films sought greater realism. The casting would have featured actors from the growing pool of professional film performers in the New York area. As a short film from this era, it would have been shot quickly, likely in just a few days, using the relatively primitive but rapidly improving film equipment of the period. The film's focus on immigration and industrial safety reflected contemporary social concerns and the Progressive Era's emphasis on social reform.

Visual Style

The cinematography of An American in the Making would have utilized the standard techniques of early 1913 cinema. The film was likely shot on 35mm black and white film using hand-cranked cameras, resulting in the slightly variable frame rates characteristic of the era. Industrial scenes would have featured natural lighting where possible, with artificial lighting used for interior shots. The camera work would have been relatively static, as camera movement was still technically challenging and not widely employed. Long takes and medium shots would have been standard, with close-ups used sparingly for emphasis. The film would have been intertitled to provide narrative continuity and dialogue, as this was still before the standardization of title cards in American cinema.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical terms, An American in the Making represents the solid technical standards of professional filmmaking in 1913. The film would have been shot on cellulose nitrate film stock, the standard medium of the era, and processed using the developing techniques of the time. The production likely benefited from Solax Studios' relatively advanced facilities and equipment. The film's use of actual industrial locations for authenticity demonstrates an early commitment to realism that would become more prevalent in later years. The editing would have followed the continuity principles that were becoming established in American cinema, creating a coherent narrative flow despite the technical limitations of the period.

Music

As a silent film from 1913, An American in the Making would have been accompanied by live musical performance during theatrical exhibition. The typical accompaniment would have ranged from a single pianist in smaller theaters to a small orchestra in larger venues. The musical selections would have been chosen by the theater's musical director to match the film's mood and action, with popular songs of the era and classical pieces adapted to fit the narrative. For scenes showing industrial processes, the music might have been more rhythmic and mechanical, while emotional moments would have been underscored with romantic or dramatic melodies. No original score was composed specifically for the film, as this practice was not yet common in 1913.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of An American in the Making is difficult to document due to the limited survival of film trade publications from 1913. However, films of this type that addressed social issues and immigration were generally well-received by the trade press of the era, which appreciated their educational value alongside their entertainment merits. The film's positive portrayal of American industrial safety would have aligned with Progressive Era values and likely received favorable coverage in publications like Moving Picture World and The New York Dramatic Mirror. Modern film historians view this film as an interesting artifact of early social problem cinema, though it remains relatively obscure compared to more famous features from the period.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception in 1913 would have been influenced by the film's relevance to contemporary social issues. Immigrant audiences likely appreciated the positive representation of their experience, while American-born viewers would have been reassured by the film's emphasis on workplace safety and orderly assimilation. The film's educational aspect about industrial safety would have been particularly valuable in an era when workplace accidents were common and public awareness of safety measures was growing. As a short film, it would have been shown as part of a varied program, likely appealing to audiences interested in both entertainment and current events.

You Might Also Like