Dangerous Days

About the production

The film was notable for its innovative use of color tinting techniques to enhance emotional impact and distinguish between different narrative tones. Director Reginald Barker employed both documentary-style sequences for realistic war footage and melodramatic techniques for personal storylines. The production utilized actual war footage and incorporated authentic military equipment to lend credibility to the wartime setting.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Released in 1920, Dangerous Days belongs to the silent feature period and reflects production norms of its release season.

Why this film matters

Dangerous Days contributes to understanding regional output and audience tastes around 1920.

Making of

The production of 'Dangerous Days' took place during a transitional period in Hollywood when studios were beginning to establish more sophisticated production methods. Director Reginald Barker, known for his work with Thomas H. Ince, brought a documentary-like realism to certain sequences while maintaining the emotional intensity of melodrama for the personal storylines. The film's use of color tinting was particularly innovative, with the production team experimenting with different chemical processes to achieve the desired effects. The casting of Lawson Butt, an Australian actor who had served in WWI, added authenticity to the military aspects of the story. The production team also incorporated actual war footage and newsreel material to enhance the documentary feel of certain scenes, a technique that was still relatively new at the time.

What critics said

Review records for Dangerous Days are typical of 1920: brief for shorts, more sustained for features.

Did you know?

• Director Reginald Barker was known for his efficient shooting methods and often completed films ahead of schedule and under budget
• The film was produced during the immediate aftermath of WWI, making its themes particularly resonant with contemporary audiences
• Rowland V. Lee, who appears as an actor in the release, would later become a prominent director himself
• The film's use of color tinting was considered innovative for its time, with different colors used to signify different emotional states or times of day
• Goldwyn Pictures Corporation was one of the major studios of the silent era and would later merge to become MGM
• The film's combination of documentary and melodrama elements was unusual for its period
• Lawson Butt was an Australian actor who found success in Hollywood silent films
• The film was released during a period when Hollywood was producing numerous war-themed pictures to capitalize on recent American patriotism
• The production coincided with the early days of the Red Scare, adding contemporary relevance to its themes of treason and loyalty
• The film's title was part of a trend of dramatic, two-word titles popular in the 1920s

Visual style

The cinematography of 'Dangerous Days' was notable for its innovative use of color tinting techniques to enhance emotional storytelling. Different scenes were tinted in various colors to signify different times of day, emotional states, or narrative tones - a practice that was becoming increasingly sophisticated in the early 1920s. The film also incorporated documentary-style footage alongside traditionally shot dramatic sequences, creating a visual contrast between realism and melodrama. The cinematographers employed dynamic camera movements for the action sequences while maintaining more static, composed shots for intimate dramatic moments. The lighting techniques used in the film reflected the transition from the flat lighting of early cinema to the more dramatic, expressive lighting that would become standard in the 1920s.

Innovations

The film's most significant technical achievement was its sophisticated use of color tinting to enhance storytelling. Unlike earlier films that used simple tinting, 'Dangerous Days' employed a more nuanced approach where different colors were used to signify specific emotional states or narrative elements. The seamless integration of documentary footage with staged dramatic sequences was another technical accomplishment that required careful editing and continuity. The production also demonstrated advanced techniques in creating realistic battle scenes using the limited special effects available in 1920. The film's pacing and editing structure showed a mature understanding of cinematic language, balancing multiple storylines and maintaining narrative coherence throughout.

Music

As a silent film, 'Dangerous Days' would have been accompanied by live musical performances during its theatrical run. The typical presentation would have included a theater organist or small orchestra providing musical accompaniment that followed the action and enhanced the emotional impact of each scene. The score would have been compiled from popular classical pieces, original compositions, and standard musical cues that were commonly used in silent film exhibition. The music would have varied in tempo and intensity to match the film's dramatic shifts from romantic scenes to wartime action. No specific composer or musical score is credited to the film, as was common practice for silent films of this period.

Famous quotes

In times of war, the heart must choose between love and country

Patriotism is not just a word, but a sacrifice we must all make

When treason wears the mask of love, who can tell the difference?

Memorable scenes

• The dramatic confrontation scene where the protagonist discovers her fiancé's treasonous activities, enhanced by deep red tinting to emphasize the emotional intensity
• The documentary-style battle sequence that contrasts sharply with the film's melodramatic elements
• The final decision scene where the heroine must choose between personal love and patriotic duty, shot with soft blue tinting to convey moral contemplation

What audiences thought

Upon its release in October 1920, 'Dangerous Days' found a receptive audience among Americans still processing the recent war experience. The film's themes of patriotism and betrayal resonated strongly with viewers who had lived through the war years or had family members who served. The combination of romance and wartime drama appealed to the broad audience base that silent films typically attracted. While specific box office figures are not available, industry reports suggested the film performed respectably in major urban markets. The film's emotional intensity and visual spectacle, enhanced by the color tinting, were particularly noted by contemporary audiences. However, like many films of its era, its popularity waned as the decade progressed and newer, more technologically advanced films captured public attention.

Film connections

Influenced by

• The Great War films of D.W. Griffith
• Contemporary war documentaries
• German expressionist cinema's use of color
• Thomas H. Ince's production methods

This film influenced

• Later war melodramas of the 1920s
• Films that combined documentary and fictional elements
• Early sound war films that borrowed its thematic structure

Film restoration

The preservation status of 'Dangerous Days' (1920) is currently unknown, which is not uncommon for films of this era. Many silent films from the early 1920s have been lost due to the unstable nature of nitrate film stock and the lack of systematic preservation efforts in the early decades of cinema. The film may exist in archives or private collections, but comprehensive information about its survival status is not readily available in public film databases. Goldwyn Pictures films from this period have varying preservation records, with some surviving and others lost.

Where to watch

• Currently, there are no known legitimate streaming or home video releases of 'Dangerous Days' (1920) available to the public. The film may be accessible through specialized film archives, museum collections, or private screenings for film scholars and researchers. Potential sources to check for availability include the Library of Congress, the Academy Film Archive, or the Museum of Modern Art's film collection, though access would typically require special arrangements or academic credentials.