The Day After

Plot

Mr. and Mrs. Hilton prepare to host a New Year's Eve party, making a solemn pact to abstain from drinking the alcoholic punch they've prepared for their guests. As the evening progresses and more guests arrive, the couple's resolve begins to weaken under social pressure and the festive atmosphere. Soon both Mr. and Mrs. Hilton are indulging heavily in the punch, leading to increasingly uninhibited and embarrassing behavior as they cavort drunkenly among their guests. The following morning, Mr. Hilton awakens feeling severely ill and tormented by guilt over his drunken conduct, particularly his inappropriate behavior with another woman during the party. He dreads facing his wife, fearing her anger and disappointment, only to discover that she is experiencing equally intense remorse and guilt over her own drunken antics from the previous night.

Historical Background

1909 was a pivotal year in American cinema, marking the transition from novelty entertainment to narrative storytelling. The film industry was still in its infancy, with most movies lasting under 15 minutes and shown in vaudeville theaters and dedicated nickelodeons. This period saw the rise of director-driven cinema, with D.W. Griffith emerging as one of the most innovative filmmakers of his time. The temperance movement was still active in American society, making films about the dangers of alcohol consumption both socially relevant and commercially viable. The year also saw technological improvements in film stock and cameras, allowing for more sophisticated visual storytelling. Immigration was changing American demographics, and films like this reflected both traditional values and the changing social landscape of urban America.

Making Of

The making of this film reflected the rapid-fire production methods of the Biograph studio in 1909. Griffith was directing multiple films simultaneously, often completing one short per day. The cast and crew worked long hours under primitive conditions, with no artificial lighting or sound recording equipment. Actors had to exaggerate their performances to compensate for the limitations of silent film technology. The drunken scenes would have required physical comedy skills from the actors, who had to convincingly portray intoxication without the benefit of dialogue. Marion Leonard and Arthur V. Johnson were part of Griffith's regular stock company, developing a professional shorthand that allowed for efficient filming. The party setting allowed for multiple extras and background action, adding visual interest to the simple narrative.

Visual Style

The cinematography by G.W. Bitzer (Griffith's regular cameraman) would have been straightforward and functional, typical of Biograph productions of this era. The film likely used stationary camera positions with minimal movement, focusing on capturing the actors' performances. Natural lighting from studio windows would have illuminated the scenes, creating high contrast that was characteristic of early film. The party scenes would have featured wider shots to include multiple characters, while intimate moments between the couple would have used medium shots. Bitzer was experimenting with lighting techniques during this period, so the film might show early attempts at creating mood through lighting.

Innovations

While not technically groundbreaking, this film demonstrates the standard production techniques of the Biograph studio in 1909. The film was shot on 35mm stock at approximately 16 frames per second. Griffith was developing his editing techniques during this period, so the film likely shows more sophisticated scene transitions than earlier films. The use of multiple locations within the story (the party room and the morning-after bedroom) shows the growing complexity of narrative filmmaking. The film may feature early examples of continuity editing, ensuring smooth transitions between scenes.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Day After' would have been accompanied by live music during exhibition. The exact musical accompaniment would have varied by theater, ranging from a single piano player in smaller nickelodeons to small orchestras in larger venues. The music would have been selected to match the mood of each scene - upbeat tunes for the party scenes, more somber music for the morning-after sequences. Popular songs of 1909 might have been incorporated, along with classical pieces. The score would have emphasized the comedic elements and helped convey the characters' emotional states, particularly their guilt and remorse.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene where Mr. and Mrs. Hilton make their pact not to drink the punch, showing their initial resolve
• The escalating drunken behavior at the party as both spouses increasingly lose control
• Mr. Hilton's painful morning-after scene as he confronts his hangover and guilt
• The final reconciliation scene where both spouses discover their mutual remorse and forgive each other

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of this film are scarce, as film criticism was still in its infancy in 1909. Most newspapers and magazines focused on listing films rather than reviewing them. The film would have been judged primarily by audience reaction in nickelodeons. Modern film historians view this as a typical example of Griffith's early Biograph work - competent but not yet showing the revolutionary techniques he would later develop. The film is valued today primarily for its historical significance as part of Griffith's early filmography and as a representative example of pre-feature American cinema.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1909 would have found this film entertaining and relatable, as themes of drunken behavior and marital discord were familiar topics. The physical comedy and exaggerated performances typical of silent film era would have elicited laughter from nickelodeon audiences. The moral lesson about the consequences of excessive drinking would have resonated with contemporary viewers, many of whom were familiar with temperance movement arguments. The short length and simple narrative made it accessible to the increasingly diverse immigrant audiences who frequented nickelodeons. The film's focus on middle-class characters would have appealed to audiences aspiring to upward mobility.

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