Male and Female

Plot

Lady Mary Lasenby (Gloria Swanson) is a spoiled aristocrat who treats her family's servants with contempt, particularly the capable butler William Crichton (Thomas Meighan). When Mary and her family embark on a yacht trip with their servants in tow, a violent storm shipwrecks them all on a deserted island. Stripped of their social status and modern conveniences, the aristocrats prove helpless while Crichton's practical skills and leadership abilities emerge, making him the natural ruler of their small society. The role reversal forces Mary to see Crichton in a new light, and romance blossoms between them in this primitive paradise. When rescue finally arrives, the characters must confront whether to return to their rigid class structure or acknowledge the fundamental changes that occurred during their island ordeal.

Historical Background

Made in 1919, 'Male and Female' emerged during a period of tremendous social upheaval following World War I. The war had shattered traditional class structures in Europe and accelerated social change in America, making the film's themes of class reversal particularly resonant. The year 1919 also saw the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women's suffrage, and the film reflected changing attitudes toward gender roles. The silent film era was at its peak, with Hollywood establishing itself as the global center of cinema production. This was also the beginning of the Jazz Age, with audiences hungry for escapist entertainment after the trauma of war. The film's exploration of social hierarchy and its inversion spoke to a world where old certainties were being questioned and new possibilities emerging.

Making Of

Cecil B. DeMille was known for his meticulous attention to detail and demanding directing style. During filming, he insisted that the actors actually swim in the cold Pacific waters rather than use stunt doubles, leading to several cases of hypothermia among the cast. The famous Babylonian fantasy sequence was not in the original play but was added by DeMille to showcase Gloria Swanson in elaborate costumes and settings. This sequence required the construction of massive sets and employed thousands of extras. Swanson and Meighan reportedly had a tense working relationship off-screen, which DeMille exploited to create authentic on-screen tension. The film's underwater sequences were revolutionary for their time, requiring the development of waterproof camera housing and special lighting techniques. DeMille's perfectionism extended to the smallest details, including having the servants learn actual butlering and household skills to make their performances more convincing.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Alvin Wyckoff was groundbreaking for its time, particularly in the underwater sequences which required innovative camera techniques and special waterproof housing. The film employed dramatic lighting to contrast the refined world of the aristocrats with the harsh natural environment of the island. The Babylonian fantasy sequence used elaborate lighting effects and color tinting to create a dreamlike atmosphere that was revolutionary for 1919. Wyckoff used moving camera shots during the storm sequences to create a sense of chaos and danger, techniques that were still relatively rare in silent cinema. The film's visual style helped establish DeMille's signature approach of combining realism with spectacle, using cinematography to both tell the story and create visual wonder.

Innovations

The film featured several technical innovations for 1919, most notably in its underwater photography. The production team developed waterproof camera housing that allowed for shots beneath the ocean surface, a remarkable achievement for the time. The storm sequences used massive water tanks and mechanical wave machines to create realistic shipwreck effects. The film's use of double exposure techniques for the fantasy sequences was particularly sophisticated, allowing for magical visual effects. The production also pioneered techniques in set construction, building full-scale replicas that could be flooded and destroyed during filming. These technical achievements helped establish new standards for what was possible in feature film production.

Music

As a silent film, 'Male and Female' originally had no synchronized soundtrack but was accompanied by live musical performances in theaters. The studio provided detailed musical cue sheets suggesting appropriate music for different scenes. For the aristocratic scenes, classical pieces by composers like Chopin and Tchaikovsky were recommended, while the island scenes called for more exotic and rhythmic music. The Babylonian fantasy sequence required particularly dramatic and elaborate musical accompaniment. Modern restorations have been scored with newly composed music that attempts to recreate the silent era's theatrical experience while appealing to contemporary audiences.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic shipwreck sequence where the luxury yacht is torn apart by a massive storm, with passengers and crew thrown into churning waters
• The transformation scene where Gloria Swanson's character learns to fish and build shelter, symbolizing her adaptation to primitive life
• The elaborate Babylonian fantasy sequence with Swanson in exotic costume, representing her inner desires and imagination
• The moment when Thomas Meighan's butler character assumes leadership and the aristocrats defer to his practical knowledge
• The final scene aboard the rescue ship where characters must decide whether to maintain their new relationships or return to old social patterns

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film's ambition and technical achievements. The New York Times called it 'a triumph of cinematic art' and particularly singled out Gloria Swanson's performance as 'revealing new depths of her talent'. Variety noted that 'DeMille has outdone himself with this production, combining social commentary with visual splendor in a way that will delight audiences.' Modern critics have reassessed the film as an important early example of Hollywood's ability to address complex social themes while maintaining commercial appeal. Film historian Kevin Brownlow has called it 'one of the most sophisticated social satires of the silent era.' The film is now recognized as a key work in both DeMille's filmography and Swanson's career, showing how silent cinema could tackle serious themes without sacrificing entertainment value.

What Audiences Thought

The film was a major commercial success upon its release, grossing an estimated $800,000 against its $150,000 budget. Audiences were particularly drawn to Gloria Swanson's glamorous performance and the film's spectacular production values. The shipwreck sequences and the Babylonian fantasy scene were especially popular with viewers. The film's romantic elements and the transformation of Swanson's character from spoiled aristocrat to capable survivor resonated with post-war audiences who had experienced their own social upheavals. The movie ran for weeks in major cities and helped establish Swanson as one of the most popular stars of the 1920s. Contemporary audience letters preserved in studio archives reveal that many viewers found the class reversal themes thought-provoking while still enjoying the entertainment value.

You Might Also Like