Something New

Plot

The film follows a young woman (played by Nell Shipman) who is visiting in Mexico when she is kidnapped by a gang of ruthless bandits. The criminals drag her through the harsh, unforgiving wilderness toward their remote hideout, leaving a trail of clues that she manages to drop along the way. Her loyal friend Bill, who knows the Mexican terrain intimately, discovers these messages and immediately sets out to rescue her. However, Bill faces a unique challenge - he cannot find a horse for the journey, leaving only his roadster automobile as his means of transportation. Determined to save his friend, Bill embarks on a perilous cross-country chase, attempting to navigate the rugged, broken terrain in his car, creating an unprecedented automotive adventure in the wilderness.

Historical Background

Something New was produced during the silent era's golden age, a time when women still had significant opportunities in the film industry, particularly as directors and producers. The early 1920s saw the rise of independent production companies challenging the studio system, with Nell Shipman being one of the most prominent women running her own company. This period also marked the beginning of the automobile's cultural significance in America, with cars becoming symbols of modernity and freedom. The film's combination of traditional western elements with modern technology (the automobile) reflected America's transition from a rural to an industrial society. Additionally, the film's production in 1920 occurred just before the major consolidation of Hollywood studios that would eventually push out many independent producers and women directors from the industry.

Making Of

Something New was a labor of love for Nell Shipman, who not only directed and starred in the film but also co-wrote the screenplay. The production was part of Shipman's efforts to create independent films that celebrated nature and featured strong female protagonists. The cast and crew faced significant challenges filming in the Idaho wilderness during winter, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Shipman's dedication to authenticity meant that many scenes were filmed in dangerous conditions, with the cast genuinely struggling through snow and rough terrain. The film's automotive sequences were particularly innovative for the time, requiring careful planning to navigate the difficult landscape with a period automobile. Shipman's production company, though ambitious, operated on a shoestring budget, forcing creative solutions to technical and logistical challenges.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Joseph A. Du Temple emphasized the grandeur and danger of the wilderness setting, utilizing natural lighting and expansive landscapes to create a sense of authenticity. The camera work was innovative for its time, particularly in the action sequences involving the automobile, which required mobile camera techniques to capture the dynamic movement through rough terrain. The film made effective use of the Idaho landscape's natural beauty while also conveying its harshness and danger. Long shots emphasized the isolation of the characters, while close-ups captured the emotional intensity of the performances.

Innovations

The film's most significant technical achievement was its pioneering use of an automobile in wilderness chase sequences, which required innovative camera mounting techniques and careful coordination to capture the vehicle's movement over rough terrain. The production also demonstrated advanced location filming techniques for the period, successfully shooting in difficult weather conditions without the benefit of modern equipment. The film's special effects, while modest by today's standards, effectively used practical techniques to create convincing action sequences. Shipman's direction showed sophisticated understanding of continuity editing and action sequencing, particularly in the cross-cutting between the kidnapped heroine and her rescuer's journey.

Music

As a silent film, Something New would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical score would have included dramatic orchestral pieces for the action sequences, romantic themes for the character interactions, and suspenseful music for the kidnapping and chase scenes. No original score documentation survives, but period orchestral arrangements would have been provided to theater accompanists. Modern screenings often feature newly composed scores that attempt to capture the film's adventurous spirit while respecting its historical context.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic automobile chase through rocky terrain, where Bill navigates his roadster across impossible wilderness landscapes in a desperate attempt to reach the kidnapped woman. This sequence was groundbreaking for its time and remains the film's most iconic moment, combining technological innovation with traditional western adventure elements.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews praised the film's thrilling sequences and authentic outdoor photography, with critics noting the novelty of the automobile chase through wilderness terrain. The Motion Picture News highlighted the film's 'genuine outdoor thrills' and Shipman's 'daring performance.' Modern critics and film historians have come to appreciate Something New as an important example of women's filmmaking during the silent era, with particular attention paid to Shipman's innovative direction and the film's ahead-of-its-time action sequences. The film is often cited in scholarly works about early women directors and independent cinema of the 1920s.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences of the time responded positively to the film's thrilling adventure elements and the novelty of seeing an automobile navigate rugged wilderness terrain. The movie found particular success in smaller markets and rural areas where outdoor adventure stories were popular. Modern audiences, when able to view the film through archival screenings, often express surprise at the sophistication of the action sequences and the progressive portrayal of a capable female protagonist. The film has developed a cult following among silent film enthusiasts and those interested in women's contributions to early cinema.

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