Down Home
"A Story of the Hearts of Plain Folks"
Plot
Set in a quaint New England village, the story follows Nancy Pelot, the resilient daughter of Joe Pelot, a man who has squandered his business success and dignity on alcohol. Despite their poverty and her father's reputation, Nancy secretly works as a singer in a nearby town's cabaret to provide for them, though she keeps the nature of her employment hidden to protect what remains of their social standing. Her life becomes complicated when she falls in love with a young man from a respectable family, leading to a conflict between her devotion to her father and her own desires for a better life. The narrative reaches a climax when her secret profession is discovered by the judgmental townspeople, forcing a confrontation that tests the loyalty of her suitor and the hidden strength of her father's character. Ultimately, the film explores themes of redemption and the breaking of generational cycles as the Pelot family struggles to reclaim their place in the community.
About the Production
Director Irvin Willat, known for his meticulous attention to detail, produced this film independently after leaving Thomas H. Ince's studio. The film was noted for its high production values despite being an independent venture, utilizing sophisticated lighting and set designs to evoke a realistic New England atmosphere. Willat insisted on a naturalistic acting style that was somewhat ahead of its time, eschewing the more theatrical gestures common in early silent cinema. The production also utilized advanced tinting and toning processes in the original release prints to enhance the emotional mood of specific scenes.
Historical Background
Released in 1920, 'Down Home' arrived at a pivotal moment in American history, coinciding with the first year of National Prohibition. The film's depiction of a 'town drunk' and the devastating effects of alcohol on a family resonated deeply with the temperance movements of the era. Furthermore, the film reflects the post-WWI nostalgia for 'simpler' rural life as urbanization began to rapidly change the American landscape. It captures the tension between traditional Victorian morality (represented by the judgmental townspeople) and the burgeoning 'Jazz Age' independence (represented by Nancy's secret job in the city).
Why This Film Matters
The film is significant for its early attempt at 'rural realism,' a genre that would later be perfected by directors like F.W. Murnau and John Ford. It helped solidify Leatrice Joy's persona as a strong, independent woman who could carry a dramatic narrative, paving the way for her later 'flapper' roles. It also stands as a testament to the high quality of independent production in the early 1920s, proving that smaller studios could compete with the burgeoning 'Big Five' in terms of artistry and technical execution.
Making Of
Irvin Willat took a significant financial risk by producing 'Down Home' independently, aiming to prove that he could maintain the 'Ince' quality without Thomas Ince's oversight. The production was plagued by weather issues in California that delayed the filming of the 'New England' outdoor sequences, leading to a slightly inflated schedule. Willat was known to be a perfectionist, often demanding dozens of takes for simple emotional reactions to ensure the 'rural authenticity' felt genuine to the audience. The casting of James O. Barrows was a deliberate choice to bring a vaudevillian sensibility to the role of the drunkard, which Willat then toned down to create a more tragic figure.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Ernest Haller (who would later win an Oscar for 'Gone with the Wind') is notable for its use of natural light and deep focus. Haller used innovative camera angles to emphasize the isolation of the Pelot house compared to the rest of the village. The film also utilized 'Rembrandt lighting' in the indoor tavern scenes to create a sense of grit and realism that was unusual for 1920.
Innovations
The film utilized advanced double-exposure techniques in a dream sequence where Joe Pelot envisions his past successes. It also featured some of the earliest uses of a 'moving camera' on a makeshift dolly to follow characters through the village streets, a technique that was still being refined in the early 1920s.
Music
As a silent film, there was no recorded soundtrack. However, the original cue sheets suggested a mix of traditional New England folk tunes and more somber, classical arrangements for the dramatic sequences involving Joe Pelot's alcoholism. The 'cabaret' scenes featured contemporary 1920s ragtime to contrast with the rural setting.
Famous Quotes
Nancy Pelot: 'I don't care what they say in the village, Father. As long as we have each other, we have a home.'
Joe Pelot: 'I was a man of business once... before the bottle became my only partner.'
Memorable Scenes
- The scene where Nancy is spotted entering the cabaret by a town gossip, captured in a tense series of close-ups.
- The emotional climax where Joe Pelot stands up to the town council to defend his daughter's honor.
- The atmospheric opening sequence showing the decay of the Pelot farmstead through visual metaphors.
Did You Know?
- This film was one of the early starring roles for Leatrice Joy, who would soon become one of the biggest stars of the 1920s under Cecil B. DeMille.
- Director Irvin Willat was the husband of actress Billie Dove at the time of production.
- The film is based on the popular novel 'The Old Home Town' by F.N. Westcott.
- The character of Joe Pelot, played by James O. Barrows, was considered one of the most realistic portrayals of alcoholism in silent cinema.
- The film features a 'film within a film' moment where characters attend a local nickelodeon.
- The set for the New England village was so detailed that it included fully functional interiors for many of the buildings, not just facades.
- Leatrice Joy actually performed her own singing scenes, though audiences of the time could only imagine her voice through the intertitles.
- The film was distributed by the W.W. Hodkinson Corporation, the man who originally founded Paramount Pictures.
What Critics Said
At the time of its release, 'Down Home' was praised for its sincerity and the performance of Leatrice Joy. The New York Times and other trade publications like Variety noted that while the plot was somewhat conventional, Willat's direction elevated the material into something deeply moving. Modern critics who have viewed surviving fragments or archival prints often point to the film's cinematography as its strongest suit, noting how it avoids the 'stagey' look of many contemporary dramas.
What Audiences Thought
The film was a modest success with audiences, particularly in rural areas where the setting felt familiar. It was marketed as a 'wholesome' but 'gripping' drama, which appealed to the middle-class sensibilities of the time. Leatrice Joy received significant fan mail for her portrayal of Nancy, which helped launch her into the top tier of Hollywood stardom shortly thereafter.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The 'Rural Drama' stage plays of the late 19th century
- The works of Thomas Ince
- D.W. Griffith's 'Way Down East' (released the same year)
This Film Influenced
- Tol'able David (1921)
- Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) - in its thematic contrast of city vs. country
- Our Daily Bread (1934)
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Film Restoration
The film is considered partially lost, though a significant portion is preserved in the George Eastman Museum archive. Some reels were lost to nitrate decomposition, but the existing footage has been stabilized and digitally scanned.