Something New

About the production

This film was shot on location in the rugged wilderness of Idaho during winter conditions, with the cast and crew enduring harsh weather. The production utilized real outdoor locations rather than studio sets, which was unusual for the time. Nell Shipman, who both directed and starred in the film, was known for her dedication to authenticity and performed many of her own stunts, including scenes involving dangerous wildlife.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Something New (1920) emerged during the silent-film era. A young woman visiting in Mexico is kidnapped by a gang of bandits, who drag her through the rugged wilderness to their hideout. Archival records and catalog entries help place the work within film-history surveys of the period.

Why this film matters

Preserved under Wikidata ID Q105491166, Something New is valued as a screen drama within catalog and archive collections. Contemporary listings connect it to broader histories of cinema exhibition and restoration.

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.

What critics said

Trade and archival sources offer limited day-one review coverage for Something New. Modern reception rests on its availability in collections, repertory screenings, and reference works that document 1920 cinema.

Did you know?

• Nell Shipman was one of the few women directors in Hollywood during the silent era, running her own production company
• The film's automobile chase through wilderness terrain was groundbreaking for its time, predating many later car chase sequences
• Shipman brought her own collection of animals to the set, including bears, which appeared in several scenes
• The film was partially inspired by James Oliver Curwood's wilderness adventure stories
• Shipman insisted on filming in authentic outdoor locations rather than on studio backlots
• The production company was formed by Shipman and her husband, Ernest Shipman
• This was one of the first films to feature an automobile as a central element in a wilderness rescue story
• Shipman performed her own stunts, including scenes where she was dragged through rough terrain
• The film was shot during the winter months, adding authenticity to the wilderness scenes but creating production challenges
• Shipman was an advocate for animal rights and ensured all animal actors were treated humanely on set

Awards & recognition

• No major awards documented for this independent production

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.

Famous quotes

A woman's courage is her greatest weapon

The wilderness tests both man and machine

Friendship knows no distance

Modern times call for modern methods of rescue

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 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.

Film connections

Influenced by

• James Oliver Curwood's wilderness adventure stories
• D.W. Griffith's location filming techniques
• Early western serials
• Contemporary adventure literature

This film influenced

• Later automobile chase sequences in action films
• Modern adventure films featuring strong female protagonists
• Independent films by women directors

Film restoration

The film is partially preserved with some scenes missing. A restored version exists in film archives, including the Library of Congress and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Some deterioration is evident due to the age of the nitrate film stock, but significant portions remain viewable. The film has been digitized for preservation purposes and is occasionally screened at silent film festivals and archival institutions.

Where to watch

• Library of Congress collection
• UCLA Film & Television Archive
• Silent film festivals and special screenings
• Some specialized film archives and museums
• Occasionally available through educational institutions