Scarlet Days

Plot

Set in lawless early California, 'Scarlet Days' follows Rosie Nell, a dance hall entertainer who is wrongly accused of murdering a fellow performer. Facing imprisonment, Rosie is granted three days of grace to spend with her daughter, who is returning from eastern school unaware of her mother's disreputable life. The mother-daughter reunion begins joyfully at a secluded cabin, enhanced by the serenades of heroic bandit Alvarez and the poetry of romantic Randolph. However, their happiness is threatened when Bagley, the manipulative dance hall manager, discovers Rosie's daughter and becomes obsessed with making her his own. The film builds to a dramatic climax as Rosie must protect her daughter's innocence while fighting to clear her name and escape the clutches of the dangerous Bagley.

Historical Background

1919 was a pivotal year in American history and cinema. The country was recovering from World War I and the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic. The film industry was rapidly evolving from short films to feature-length productions, with directors like Griffith leading the way. This period saw the establishment of Hollywood as the center of American film production. The year also marked significant social changes, including women's suffrage movements and shifting moral attitudes. 'Scarlet Days' reflected contemporary concerns about reputation, redemption, and the changing roles of women in society. The film's western setting tapped into America's ongoing fascination with frontier mythology, while its melodramatic elements appealed to post-war audiences seeking emotional catharsis.

Making Of

D.W. Griffith was at the peak of his directorial powers when he made 'Scarlet Days,' following the controversy of 'The Birth of a Nation' and the ambitious 'Intolerance.' The film was part of his effort to produce more commercially viable melodramas while still exploring social themes. Griffith was known for his demanding directing style and insistence on multiple takes to achieve the perfect emotional effect. The production utilized Griffith's stock company of actors, many of whom had worked with him for years. The dance hall sequences required elaborate choreography and staging, while the outdoor western scenes posed challenges with weather and lighting conditions. Griffith's attention to detail extended to period costumes and props, which were researched to ensure historical accuracy for the early California setting.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'Scarlet Days' was handled by Griffith's regular cameraman, G.W. Bitzer, who employed the innovative techniques that had become Griffith's trademark. The film features the dramatic use of natural light in outdoor sequences, particularly in the western scenes where the California landscape serves as both setting and character. Bitzer utilized moving camera shots and varying camera angles to create emotional emphasis, techniques that were still relatively innovative in 1919. The dance hall sequences employed atmospheric lighting to create contrast between the glittering surface and the darker undercurrents of the setting. The film also used the common practice of color tinting, with blue tones for night scenes and amber for daylight, to enhance the emotional impact of key moments.

Innovations

While 'Scarlet Days' did not introduce groundbreaking technical innovations like some of Griffith's earlier works, it demonstrated the refinement of techniques he had helped pioneer. The film's use of location shooting combined with studio work showed the increasing sophistication of film production methods. The seamless editing between interior and exterior scenes represented the growing technical capabilities of 1919 filmmaking. The dance hall sequences required complex blocking and camera movement to capture the chaotic atmosphere while maintaining narrative clarity. The film also employed sophisticated lighting techniques for its time, particularly in creating mood and atmosphere in the more dramatic scenes. Griffith's use of close-ups for emotional emphasis, though no longer revolutionary by 1919, was executed with particular skill in this production.

Music

As a silent film, 'Scarlet Days' was originally accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The score would have been compiled from various classical pieces and popular songs of the era, with theater musicians often improvising to match the on-screen action. Griffith's films typically came with detailed musical cue sheets suggesting appropriate music for different scenes. For the emotional mother-daughter scenes, romantic classical pieces would have been used, while the western action sequences would have featured more dramatic, rhythmic music. The serenade scenes would have been particularly enhanced by live musical accompaniment. No original composed score exists for the film, as was common for productions of this era.

Memorable Scenes

• The emotional reunion between Rosie and her daughter at the cabin, where the mother desperately tries to maintain her facade of respectability
• The serenade scene where bandit Alvarez sings outside the cabin, creating a romantic tension between the rugged outlaw and the innocent daughter
• The climatic confrontation in the dance hall where Rosie must defend both her reputation and her daughter's safety
• The opening sequence establishing the lawless atmosphere of early California dance halls
• The tender moments between mother and daughter as they share poetry and dreams, unaware of the approaching danger

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'Scarlet Days' for its emotional depth and Griffith's skilled direction. The Motion Picture News called it 'a gripping tale of human emotion and redemption' while Variety noted the 'powerful performances and authentic western atmosphere.' Modern critics have been less focused on this particular Griffith work, often viewing it as a competent but not exceptional example of his melodramas. Film historians recognize it as an important transitional work in Griffith's career, showing his move away from controversial epics toward more intimate character studies. The performances, particularly Eugenie Besserer as Rosie Nell, were widely praised for their emotional authenticity in an era often criticized for exaggerated acting styles.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1919 responded positively to 'Scarlet Days,' finding its blend of western action and family melodrama appealing. The film's themes of maternal love and redemption resonated strongly with post-war audiences seeking emotional, uplifting stories. Theater reports indicated that the film performed well in both urban and rural markets, demonstrating Griffith's broad appeal. The dance hall sequences and western action provided entertainment value, while the family drama offered emotional depth. Audience members particularly responded to the protective relationship between mother and daughter, which was a popular theme in early cinema. The film's moderate commercial success helped maintain Griffith's status as one of America's premier directors during this period.

You Might Also Like