Tess of the Storm Country

Plot

In this silent melodrama, wealthy Elias Graves builds his mansion atop a hill overlooking a community of poor squatters, creating immediate class tension. Tessibel 'Tess' Skinner, a young woman from the squatter village, falls in love with Graves' son Frederick, but their romance is complicated by their vastly different social standings. When Ben Letts, a resentful member of the squatter community, frames Tess's father for murder, Tess must fight to prove his innocence while secretly caring for the illegitimate child of Graves' daughter, who was abandoned by her wealthy lover. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation during a violent storm, where Tess's courage and integrity ultimately triumph over prejudice and injustice, leading to redemption and the possibility of uniting the divided families.

Historical Background

The film was released during the golden age of silent cinema in 1922, a period when Hollywood was establishing itself as the global center of film production. This was also a time of significant social change in America, with growing awareness of class disparities and the aftermath of World War I still influencing popular culture. The film's themes of social injustice and redemption resonated strongly with audiences grappling with rapid industrialization and urbanization. 1922 was also the year that the Hollywood studios began consolidating their power, with United Artists (co-founded by Pickford) challenging the established studio system. The film's sympathetic portrayal of poverty and social issues reflected the growing influence of progressive politics in American society during the early 1920s.

Making Of

The production of 'Tess of the Storm Country' was marked by Mary Pickford's meticulous attention to detail and her determination to create a superior version to her 1914 original. Pickford personally selected director John S. Robertson, with whom she had previously worked on 'Pollyanna' (1920). The filming of the storm sequences presented major technical challenges, requiring special effects teams to create wind, rain, and lightning effects using early 1920s technology. Pickford insisted on performing many of her own stunts, including scenes where she had to wade through rushing water and climb steep cliffs. The relationship between Pickford and co-star Lloyd Hughes extended off-screen, with the two actors maintaining a professional friendship that lasted throughout their careers. The production team spent weeks constructing the elaborate squatter village set, complete with authentic shacks and period-appropriate props. Pickford's involvement extended to every aspect of production, from costume design to final editing, reflecting her growing power as both an actress and producer in Hollywood.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Charles Rosher was groundbreaking for its time, featuring innovative camera movements and lighting techniques that enhanced the film's emotional impact. Rosher employed dramatic chiaroscuro lighting to contrast the wealth of the Graves mansion with the poverty of the squatter village. The storm sequences featured some of the most ambitious special effects of the era, including multiple exposure techniques and carefully coordinated lighting to create realistic lightning effects. The film also made effective use of location shooting, particularly in the outdoor scenes that provided a sense of authenticity rarely seen in studio-bound productions of the period.

Innovations

The film was notable for its advanced special effects, particularly in the storm sequences which required innovative techniques for creating wind, rain, and lightning effects on camera. The production team developed new methods for simulating flooding, using hidden water tanks and carefully timed releases. The film also featured sophisticated editing techniques, including cross-cutting between parallel actions to build suspense during the climactic scenes. The makeup effects used to age characters over time were particularly advanced for the period, with Pickford's transformation from young girl to young woman considered especially convincing.

Music

As a silent film, 'Tess of the Storm Country' was accompanied by live musical scores during its original theatrical run. The film's distributor, United Artists, provided suggested cue sheets for theater orchestras, indicating appropriate music for each scene. The score incorporated popular songs of the era as well as classical pieces, with particular emphasis on dramatic music during the storm sequences. For the film's revival screenings, modern composers have created new scores, including a 2015 version by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra that attempts to recreate the authentic silent-era moviegoing experience.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic storm sequence where Tess climbs the cliff to save the baby, battling torrential rain and lightning while demonstrating extraordinary courage and maternal devotion
• The courtroom scene where Tess passionately defends her father's innocence, moving even the wealthy jurors with her emotional testimony
• The secret meeting between Tess and Frederick by the waterfall, where they declare their love despite their class differences
• The confrontation scene where Tess faces down Ben Letts and his gang, protecting the innocent with nothing but her moral courage
• The final reconciliation scene where Elias Graves acknowledges Tess's virtue and welcomes her into his family

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics overwhelmingly praised the film, with many declaring it superior to the 1914 original. The New York Times hailed it as 'a triumph of cinematic art' and particularly lauded Pickford's performance as her finest to date. Variety noted that the film 'combines entertainment with social commentary in a manner rarely achieved on screen.' Modern critics continue to regard the film as a high point of silent melodrama, with particular appreciation for its technical achievements and Pickford's nuanced performance. Film historian Kevin Brownlow has called it 'one of the most important American films of the 1920s' for its blend of entertainment value and social consciousness.

What Audiences Thought

The film was a massive popular success, breaking box office records across the United States and internationally. Audiences were particularly moved by Tess's plight and the film's emotional climax during the storm sequence. The film's themes of social justice and redemption resonated strongly with working-class audiences, while its romantic elements appealed to all demographic groups. Many theaters reported sold-out performances for weeks, with some venues adding additional showings to meet demand. The film's success was such that it remained in circulation for over a year, unusually long for a silent film of the period.

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