Go West

Plot

In this unusual silent Western comedy, trained monkeys portray characters in a frontier setting. The story follows a young monkey who returns home late after a night of drinking, much to his father's dismay. The father, fed up with his son's irresponsible behavior, throws him out of the house and disowns him. The young monkey must then prove himself worthy by embarking on a journey of redemption through the Wild West, facing various challenges and adventures along the way. The film combines traditional Western tropes with the novelty of animal actors, creating a unique spectacle for 1920s audiences.

Historical Background

1923 was during the silent film era's peak, when Hollywood was experimenting with various genres and novelties to attract audiences. The film industry was rapidly consolidating into the studio system, but independent producers still found niches with unusual content. Prohibition was in full effect, making references to drinking somewhat controversial but also relatable to audiences who frequented speakeasies. The Western genre dominated American cinema, with hundreds produced annually. This period also saw increased interest in animal intelligence and the capabilities of trained animals, partly influenced by scientific discoveries and circus performances.

Making Of

The production of 'Go West' required innovative techniques for directing animal actors that were still in their infancy in 1923. The trainers likely used food rewards and off-camera cues to elicit the desired performances. The film would have been shot on simple sets that could be easily controlled and cleaned, as working with animals presented unique challenges. Director Len Powers, though not a major name in Hollywood, had experience with novelty productions and understood how to create marketable spectacles. The cast and crew would have been small, typical of independent productions of the era. The film's editing would have been carefully planned to create the illusion of coherent narrative action from animal behavior, requiring multiple takes and clever camera angles.

Visual Style

The cinematography would have been straightforward and functional, typical of low-budget productions of the era. The camera work would have needed to accommodate the challenges of filming animal actors, with wider shots to capture movement and careful framing to suggest human-like behavior. Lighting would have been natural or simple studio lighting, with no attempt at artistic effects. The visual style would prioritize clarity over aesthetics to ensure the novelty of monkey actors was always apparent.

Innovations

The primary technical achievement of 'Go West' was the successful coordination of trained animal actors in a narrative context. The filmmakers developed or adapted techniques for directing monkeys that were innovative for the time. The production also demonstrated early understanding of editing animal footage to create the illusion of coherent storytelling. While not technically groundbreaking in terms of camera or editing innovation, the film represented a challenge in animal training and direction that few productions attempted.

Music

As a silent film, 'Go West' would have been accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The score would likely have been compiled from standard photoplay music collections, with Western-themed pieces for action scenes and comedic music for lighter moments. Larger theaters might have had small orchestras, while smaller venues would use piano accompaniment. No original composed score is known to exist for this production.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene where the young monkey returns home drunk and confronts his father, showcasing the novelty of animals portraying human emotions and family dynamics

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for 'Go West' is largely undocumented, as it was considered a novelty attraction rather than serious cinema. Trade publications of the era likely mentioned it as an unusual programming option for theater owners. Modern film historians view it primarily as a curiosity piece, representative of the experimental and often bizarre nature of early commercial cinema. The film is rarely discussed in film scholarship, except in contexts exploring unusual or forgotten films of the silent era.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception for novelty films like 'Go West' in 1923 would have been mixed, with some viewers entertained by the spectacle and others dismissive of the concept. The film likely attracted curiosity seekers and families looking for unusual entertainment. Its success would have depended heavily on marketing and the novelty factor wearing off quickly. Theater programmers would have booked it as a special attraction rather than a regular feature.

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