College Chums
Plot
In this early silent comedy, a young woman enjoying a day in the park is shocked to witness her fiancé being overly affectionate with another woman. Distressed and suspicious, she immediately calls him by telephone to demand an explanation, but he calmly insists the woman was merely his sister. Unsatisfied with this convenient excuse, she declares her intention to come over immediately to meet this supposed sister. As the young man frantically ponders his predicament, an old college chum unexpectedly arrives at his home, and he convinces his friend to disguise himself as his sister to maintain the charade. The deception initially appears successful, but the situation quickly spirals into increasingly complicated and comedic misunderstandings when the fiancée arrives and the pretense creates even more elaborate problems.
About the Production
This film was produced during the height of Edison Manufacturing Company's dominance in early American cinema. Director Edwin S. Porter, who had revolutionized filmmaking with 'The Great Train Robbery' (1903), was experimenting with narrative comedy and multi-scene storytelling. The film utilized Edison's own film stock and equipment, and was likely shot in just one or two days, typical of the rapid production schedules of the era. The telephone featured prominently in the plot was a relatively new technology in 1907, making the film contemporary with technological advances of the time.
Historical Background
1907 was a watershed year in American cinema, occurring during the nickelodeon boom when motion picture theaters were proliferating across urban centers. This period saw the transition from simple actualities and trick films to more complex narrative storytelling. The film industry was still in its infancy, with the Edison Manufacturing Company, Biograph, and Vitagraph dominating American production. 1907 also marked the height of the Motion Picture Patents Company's influence, as Edison and other major studios formed a trust to control film production and distribution. The telephone featured in the film represented the technological modernization of American society, as telephones were becoming increasingly common in middle and upper-class homes. This film emerged during a time when social mores were beginning to shift, though Victorian values still dominated American culture, making the film's playful approach to romantic deception somewhat daring for its time.
Why This Film Matters
As an early example of narrative comedy, 'College Chums' represents an important step in the development of cinematic storytelling beyond simple trick films and actualities. The film's use of mistaken identity and cross-dressing tropes helped establish conventions that would become staples of film comedy for decades to come. Its incorporation of contemporary technology (the telephone) into the plot demonstrates early cinema's engagement with modern life and social change. The film also reflects the growing sophistication of American audiences in 1907, who were now capable of following more complex narrative structures across multiple scenes. As part of Edison's output, it contributed to the standardization of film language and editing techniques that would define classical Hollywood cinema. The film's focus on romantic relationships and social deception also mirrors the growing emphasis on character-driven stories that would dominate narrative cinema in the following decades.
Making Of
The production of 'College Chums' took place during a pivotal moment in early American cinema history. Edwin S. Porter, serving as Edison Manufacturing Company's primary director, was constantly innovating with narrative structure and comedic timing. The film was likely shot in Edison's Bronx studio with minimal sets, supplemented by location shooting in a nearby park for the opening scenes. The cross-dressing element required careful costume work for the male actor portraying the 'sister,' though by 1907 standards, this was relatively straightforward. The telephone prop used in the film was authentic to the period, featuring the candlestick design common in early 1900s America. Porter's direction focused on clear visual storytelling, as intertitles were still being developed and used sparingly. The entire production would have been completed in just a few days, reflecting the rapid assembly-line approach to filmmaking that characterized the Edison studio during this period.
Visual Style
The cinematography in 'College Chums' reflects the technical standards and aesthetic preferences of 1907 American cinema. The film was likely shot using Edison's own 35mm cameras with fixed focal length lenses, resulting in the static, wide compositions typical of the period. The lighting relied primarily on natural light for exterior scenes and artificial illumination for interior shots, creating the high contrast and deep shadows characteristic of early film. The camera placement was straightforward and functional, positioned to capture the entire action within a single frame without camera movement. The visual storytelling emphasized clear spatial relationships and character positioning, essential for conveying narrative without the extensive use of intertitles. The park scenes benefited from natural outdoor lighting, while interior scenes would have required careful arrangement of actors to ensure visibility within the limited lighting capabilities of the era.
Innovations
While 'College Chums' does not represent a major technical breakthrough like some of Porter's earlier works, it demonstrates several important technical capabilities of 1907 cinema. The film's multi-scene structure shows the continued development of continuity editing and narrative sequencing. The effective use of interior and exterior locations within a single narrative demonstrates the growing sophistication of location shooting and scene matching. The incorporation of a working telephone prop as a central plot device reflects the film industry's engagement with contemporary technology. The cross-dressing makeup and costume work, while simple by modern standards, required technical skill to be convincing enough for the film's comic premise. The film's clear visual storytelling without extensive intertitles shows the advancement of cinematic language and audience literacy in reading visual narratives. The preservation of the film itself represents a technical achievement, as many films from this period have been lost due to the unstable nature of early film stock.
Music
As a silent film produced in 1907, 'College Chums' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during theatrical exhibition. The typical accompaniment would have consisted of a pianist or small ensemble playing appropriate music to match the film's mood and action. For a comedy like this, the musical selections would likely have included popular songs of the era, classical pieces arranged for lighter effect, and improvisational music timed to enhance the comic moments. The telephone scene might have been accompanied by musical stings or dramatic chords to heighten the tension, while the cross-dressing revelation would have been supported by comedic musical flourishes. Edison sometimes provided suggested musical cues with their films, though accompanists generally had significant freedom in their selections. The music would have played a crucial role in establishing the film's comic tone and guiding audience emotional responses.
Famous Quotes
"That was my sister!" (intertitle)
"I must meet your sister immediately!" (intertitle)
"Quick, pretend to be my sister!" (intertitle)
Memorable Scenes
- The opening park scene where the fiancée witnesses her beloved being affectionate with another woman, establishing the central conflict. The tense telephone conversation where the young man desperately tries to explain away the situation. The comic reveal when the college friend appears dressed as the supposed sister. The escalating complications when the fiancée arrives and the deception begins to unravel. The final resolution where all pretenses are exposed and the truth comes to light in comic fashion.
Did You Know?
- This film represents one of the earliest examples of comedy involving mistaken identity and cross-dressing in American cinema.
- The telephone was still a novelty in 1907, making its central role in the plot particularly contemporary and modern for audiences of the time.
- Edwin S. Porter was one of the most important early American directors, having pioneered continuity editing and narrative filmmaking.
- The film was released during the period when nickelodeons were becoming popular venues for short films across America.
- Miss Acton, one of the lead actresses, was a regular performer in Edison films during this period, though little biographical information about her survives.
- The film's premise of a man convincing his friend to dress as a woman would become a recurring trope in comedy films throughout cinema history.
- This was produced during the 'patent wars' period when Edison was aggressively trying to control film production and distribution in America.
- The original film print was shot on 35mm film at approximately 16 frames per second, standard for the era.
- Edward Boulden, the male lead, appeared in numerous Edison productions between 1905-1908 before disappearing from historical records.
- The park scenes were likely filmed in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, near Edison's studio, as this was a common filming location for the company.
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception for films of this era was limited, as film criticism as a profession had not yet developed. However, trade publications like The Moving Picture World and The New York Clipper did provide brief reviews of Edison releases. 'College Chums' was generally noted for its clever premise and effective use of the relatively new telephone technology in its plot. Modern film historians and scholars recognize the film as an important example of early narrative comedy and Porter's evolving directorial style. The film is frequently cited in academic studies of early American cinema as representative of the transition toward more sophisticated storytelling techniques. While not as groundbreaking as Porter's earlier 'The Great Train Robbery,' it demonstrates his continued innovation in narrative construction and comic timing.
What Audiences Thought
Audience reception in 1907 was primarily measured by box office success and repeat bookings at nickelodeons. 'College Chums' appears to have been well-received by contemporary audiences, as Edison comedies featuring relatable social situations and misunderstandings were popular during this period. The film's contemporary setting and use of a telephone would have resonated with urban audiences experiencing technological modernization. The cross-dressing element, while handled modestly by later standards, provided comedic novelty that appealed to nickelodeon patrons seeking light entertainment. The film's clear visual storytelling and relatable premise made it accessible to the increasingly diverse immigrant audiences who frequented early movie theaters. Like most Edison productions of this era, it likely circulated widely through the company's extensive distribution network, reaching audiences across the United States.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Georges Méliès' trick films
- Edwin S. Porter's own earlier narrative films
- Stage comedy traditions of mistaken identity
- Vaudeville comedy sketches
- French comedy films of the early 1900s
This Film Influenced
- Later American comedy films featuring cross-dressing
- Mack Sennett's Keystone comedies
- Charlie Chaplin's gender disguise films
- Buster Keaton's comedy of errors films
- 1930s screwball comedies with mistaken identity
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Film Restoration
The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection and has been restored by film preservationists. A 16mm copy exists in the Museum of Modern Art's film archive. The film was included in the Edison Manufacturing Company collection preserved by the Library of Congress in the 1960s. Digital restoration has been undertaken as part of early American cinema preservation projects, though some deterioration from the original nitrate film stock is evident. The film is considered relatively complete for its age, with all major narrative sequences intact.