The Forbidden City

Plot

The Forbidden City tells the story of a young Chinese woman, the daughter of a powerful mandarin, who falls in love with and secretly marries an American man. When her father discovers their forbidden union, he sentences her to death, but spares her life by imprisoning her instead. Their daughter is born in captivity and raised within the confines of her grandfather's palace, never knowing her American father. Years later, as a young woman, she learns the truth about her parentage and escapes the palace to journey to the Philippines, where her father has become a prominent government official. The film follows her emotional quest to reunite with the father she's never known, while navigating the cultural barriers and family opposition that originally tore her parents apart.

Historical Background

The Forbidden City was produced and released during a pivotal moment in world history - 1918 marked the final year of World War I and the devastating Spanish Flu pandemic that would kill millions globally. In American cinema, this period represented the transition from the early experimental years to the establishment of Hollywood as the world's film capital. The film industry was consolidating, with major stars like Norma Talmadge forming their own production companies to maintain creative control and financial independence. The story's focus on cross-cultural romance reflected America's growing engagement with international affairs, while also demonstrating the persistent racial attitudes of the era. The film's release coincided with the establishment of the first Hollywood movie studios and the beginning of the star system that would dominate American cinema for decades.

Making Of

The production of 'The Forbidden City' took place during a transformative period in Hollywood history. Norma Talmadge, having established her own production company, had significant creative control over her projects. The film was likely shot on elaborate studio sets designed to evoke Chinese architecture and interiors, as authentic location shooting would have been prohibitively expensive and logistically impossible in 1918. The casting presented challenges typical of the era - while Norma Talmadge played the Chinese lead, the practice of yellowface casting was common, and the film's approach to racial themes reflected the limited understanding and often problematic portrayals of Asian culture in early Hollywood. The director, Sidney Franklin, was still early in his career but already developing the skills that would make him one of Hollywood's most respected directors. The production would have utilized the relatively new technology of artificial lighting to create the exotic atmosphere required by the story.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'The Forbidden City' would have been handled using the technology and techniques standard for 1918. The film likely utilized artificial lighting to create dramatic shadows and highlights, particularly for the palace scenes. The cinematographer would have employed soft focus techniques for romantic scenes and more dramatic lighting for moments of conflict. Given the exotic setting, the visual style probably emphasized ornate set designs and elaborate costumes, with careful attention to lighting to create atmosphere. The film would have been shot on 35mm film, with the typical aspect ratio of the silent era.

Innovations

While 'The Forbidden City' was not noted for major technical innovations, it represented the sophisticated production values of a major 1918 release. The film likely utilized advanced set construction techniques to create convincing Chinese palace interiors, and may have employed special effects such as double exposure or matte shots for certain sequences. The lighting techniques used would have been among the most advanced of the period, creating the dramatic atmosphere required by the story. As a Norma Talmadge production, the film would have had access to the best technical resources available in Hollywood at the time.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Forbidden City' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The score would have been compiled from classical pieces and popular songs of the era, with cue sheets provided to theater musicians. For a film with Asian themes, the music likely included compositions that Western audiences associated with Orientalism, possibly incorporating pentatonic scales and exotic instrumentation. Large urban theaters would have employed full orchestras, while smaller venues might have used a pianist or organist. The specific musical selections used for this film are not documented, as was common for most silent productions.

Memorable Scenes

• The secret marriage ceremony between the Chinese princess and American, performed by moonlight in a garden setting, symbolizing their forbidden union.
• The dramatic confrontation scene where the mandarin discovers his daughter's marriage and sentences her to death, showcasing the clash between tradition and love.
• The young daughter's escape from the palace, a thrilling sequence demonstrating her courage and determination to find her father.
• The emotional reunion scene between father and daughter in the Philippines, the culmination of her journey and the film's emotional climax.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'The Forbidden City' in 1918 were generally positive, with critics praising Norma Talmadge's performance and the film's lavish production values. The Motion Picture News described it as 'a powerful drama of Oriental life' while Variety noted Talmadge's 'emotional intensity' in the lead role. However, some reviewers even at the time questioned the authenticity of the portrayal of Chinese culture. Modern critical assessment is impossible due to the film's lost status, but film historians consider it an interesting example of how early Hollywood approached cross-cultural themes and the types of vehicles created for major female stars of the silent era.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1918 responded positively to 'The Forbidden City,' as evidenced by Norma Talmadge's continued box office success throughout the year. The film's exotic setting and melodramatic plot appealed to contemporary moviegoers who sought escapism during the difficult final year of World War I. Talmadge's status as one of the era's biggest stars ensured strong initial attendance, and the film's themes of forbidden love and family reconciliation resonated with audiences of the time. However, like most films of the silent era, specific box office figures and detailed audience reactions have been lost to history.

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