The Eyes of the Totem
Plot
After selling their valuable mining claim in the harsh northern wilderness, Miriam Hardy and her family relocate to Tacoma seeking a fresh start and prosperity. Their dreams are shattered when Miriam's husband is brutally murdered by a mysterious stranger with sinister eyes, leaving her a destitute widow with a young daughter to support. When the police prove unable to solve the crime or locate the killer, Miriam finds unexpected help from a kind elderly beggar who introduces her to a beggar's society that takes her in. Living a double life, Miriam secretly begs on the streets during the day while enrolling her daughter in a prestigious private seminary and maintaining appearances in polite society. Years pass with Miriam never giving up her search for her husband's murderer, until a chance encounter brings her face to face with the sinister-eyed stranger she has been desperately seeking, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation and potential justice.
About the Production
The Eyes of the Totem was filmed during the transitional period of late silent cinema, just as sound was beginning to revolutionize the industry. Director W.S. Van Dyke, known for his efficient shooting style, completed this production relatively quickly. The film featured location shooting in Tacoma, Washington, which was unusual for the time and added authenticity to the Pacific Northwest setting. The production utilized the natural landscapes of the region to contrast the harsh northern mining territories with the more urban environment of Tacoma.
Historical Background
The Eyes of the Totem was released in 1927, a pivotal year in cinema history that marked the end of the silent era and the beginning of the sound revolution. The film premiered just months after The Jazz Singer had demonstrated the commercial potential of synchronized sound, making it one of the last purely silent dramatic features produced by a major studio. This period saw massive technological and artistic upheaval in Hollywood, with many actors and directors struggling to adapt to the new medium. The film's themes of social mobility and class disparity reflected the broader tensions of the Roaring Twenties, a decade marked by unprecedented prosperity alongside growing economic inequality. The year 1927 also saw the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, signaling cinema's growing cultural legitimacy. The Pacific Northwest setting tapped into contemporary fascination with America's frontier heritage, even as urbanization was rapidly transforming the country.
Why This Film Matters
As a product of late silent cinema, The Eyes of the Totem represents the artistic and thematic concerns of filmmakers working at the height of the silent era's sophistication. The film's exploration of dual identities and social class mobility through the protagonist's double life as both beggar and society member reflects the complex social dynamics of 1920s America. Its status as a lost film makes it historically significant as an example of the vast amount of early cinema that has been lost to time, highlighting the fragility of film preservation efforts. The movie's themes of a woman's struggle for independence and justice in a patriarchal society were progressive for its time, contributing to the broader conversation about women's roles in post-suffrage America. The film's visual storytelling techniques, without the benefit of dialogue, exemplify the sophisticated cinematic language that had developed by the late silent period.
Making Of
The production of The Eyes of the Totem took place during a tumultuous period in Hollywood history, as the industry was rapidly transitioning from silent to sound films. Director W.S. Van Dyke, who would later find great success with the Tarzan films and the Thin Man series, was still establishing his reputation as a reliable director of melodramas. The film's shooting schedule was notably efficient, even by silent film standards, with Van Dyke often completing scenes in just one or two takes. The cast faced the challenge of conveying complex emotions through the exaggerated acting style required for silent cinema. Location shooting in Tacoma provided authentic backdrops but also presented logistical challenges for the crew, who had to transport heavy equipment to the Pacific Northwest. The film's themes of social class and hidden identities resonated with audiences of the Roaring Twenties, a period of significant economic inequality in America.
Visual Style
The cinematography of The Eyes of the Totem, typical of late silent era productions, employed sophisticated visual techniques to convey emotion and narrative without dialogue. The film likely made extensive use of dramatic lighting contrasts to emphasize the duality of the protagonist's life as both beggar and society member. Location shooting in Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest provided authentic exteriors that contrasted the harsh wilderness with urban environments. The cinematographer would have utilized varying camera angles and movements to enhance the dramatic tension, particularly in scenes involving the mysterious stranger with the sinister eyes. The visual style probably incorporated the soft focus and dramatic shadows characteristic of 1920s melodramas, creating a romantic yet foreboding atmosphere. The totem pole referenced in the title would have been filmed as a recurring visual motif, symbolizing the themes of justice and retribution central to the narrative.
Innovations
The Eyes of the Totem employed the technical standards of late silent cinema, which had reached considerable sophistication by 1927. The film likely utilized the panchromatic film stock that was becoming standard, offering better tonal range than earlier orthochromatic film. The production may have experimented with location sound recording equipment that was being tested during this transitional period, though the film was ultimately released as a silent feature. The cinematography probably employed camera movement techniques that had become common by the late 1920s, including tracking shots and varying camera heights to enhance dramatic impact. The film's special effects, if any, would have been achieved through in-camera techniques rather than post-production processes. The editing style likely incorporated the rhythmic pacing and cross-cutting techniques that had been refined throughout the silent era to build suspense and emotional resonance.
Music
As a silent film, The Eyes of the Totem would have been accompanied by musical score performed live in theaters during its original run. The typical presentation would have featured either a theater organist or small orchestra providing background music synchronized with the on-screen action. The score likely incorporated popular songs of the era as well as classical themes appropriate to the dramatic moments of the story. Musical cues would have heightened the tension in scenes involving the mysterious stranger and provided emotional underscoring for the protagonist's struggles. Larger urban theaters might have commissioned original scores or used compiled cue sheets specifically designed for dramatic films of this type. The music would have been crucial in conveying the emotional arc of the story, particularly in scenes where the protagonist maintains her dual identity or finally confronts her husband's murderer.
Famous Quotes
No dialogue available - silent film
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence showing the family's journey from the northern mining territories to Tacoma
- The murder of the husband by the sinister-eyed stranger
- Miriam's introduction to the beggar's society by the kindly elderly beggar
- The contrasting scenes of Miriam begging on the street versus visiting her daughter at the seminary
- The climactic confrontation between Miriam and her husband's murderer years after the crime
Did You Know?
- The Eyes of the Totem is now considered a lost film, with no known complete copies surviving in archives or private collections.
- Director W.S. Van Dyke was nicknamed 'One Take Woody' for his efficiency in filmmaking, a trait that served him well in the rapidly changing industry of the late 1920s.
- The film was produced by Cosmopolitan Productions, a company founded by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst to promote the career of his mistress, Marion Davies.
- The title refers to a symbolic totem pole that appears in the film, representing themes of justice and retribution.
- This was one of Wanda Hawley's final starring roles before her career declined with the advent of sound cinema.
- Tom Santschi, who plays the mysterious stranger, was a veteran character actor who had been performing in films since the early 1910s.
- The film's themes of social class disparity and hidden identities were common in late silent era melodramas.
- The production coincided with the release of The Jazz Singer, which would soon make silent films like this one obsolete.
- Anne Cornwall, who played the daughter, would later transition to sound films and appear in several popular comedies of the 1930s.
- The film's depiction of beggar societies was based on real organized groups of homeless people that existed in major American cities during the 1920s.
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews of The Eyes of the Totem were generally positive, with critics praising Wanda Hawley's emotional performance and the film's effective melodramatic tension. The Motion Picture News noted the film's 'powerful narrative' and 'excellent location photography,' while Variety appreciated Van Dyke's 'efficient direction' and the story's 'gripping suspense.' However, some critics found the plot somewhat formulaic, even by the standards of silent melodramas. The film's release timing was unfortunate, coming just as audiences were becoming captivated by the novelty of sound pictures, which may have limited its commercial success and critical attention. Modern assessment of the film is impossible due to its lost status, though film historians consider it an interesting example of Van Dyke's early work before his major successes in the sound era.
What Audiences Thought
Audience reception to The Eyes of the Totem in 1927 appears to have been moderate, with the film finding its primary audience among fans of silent melodramas and Wanda Hawley's followers. The story's themes of justice and redemption resonated with contemporary audiences, particularly women who related to the protagonist's struggle for independence in the face of adversity. However, the film's release coincided with the growing excitement surrounding 'talkies,' which may have diminished its appeal to general audiences seeking the latest technological innovations in cinema. The Pacific Northwest setting likely attracted regional audiences who appreciated seeing their local landscapes portrayed on screen. While not a blockbuster, the film apparently performed adequately enough to complete its theatrical run, though it was quickly overshadowed by the sound revolution that would soon transform the industry.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Other silent melodramas of the 1920s
- Social problem films of the era
- D.W. Griffith's narrative techniques
- German Expressionist visual style
This Film Influenced
- Later films about women seeking justice
- Depression-era films about social class
- Film noir themes of revenge and mystery
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Film Restoration
The Eyes of the Totem is currently considered a lost film. No complete copies are known to exist in any film archives or private collections worldwide. The film is listed among the thousands of silent features that have been lost due to the fragile nature of nitrate film stock and the lack of preservation efforts in the early decades of cinema. Some production stills and promotional materials may survive in archives, but the actual film content appears to have been lost forever. This loss is particularly unfortunate as it represents an example of W.S. Van Dyke's early directorial work before his major successes in the sound era. The film's status as a lost feature highlights the critical importance of film preservation efforts for early cinema.