The Girl Who Stayed at Home

Plot

The film follows the Grey family, consisting of shipbuilder Mr. Grey, his wife, and their two sons Ralph and Jim. Ralph accompanies his father to France where he meets and falls in love with Blossom, the granddaughter of his father's friend, a Civil War veteran who remains unreconciled with the Union. Despite their connection, Blossom is engaged to a French nobleman. When World War I erupts, both brothers are called to serve - Ralph enlists enthusiastically while Jim, the local heartbreaker, is drafted reluctantly. The story explores their experiences in the trenches, the impact on their family back home, and the romantic entanglements that span across the Atlantic, ultimately examining themes of duty, sacrifice, and the transformative power of war on individuals and families.

Historical Background

The film was produced and released in the immediate aftermath of World War I, during a period of intense national reflection and mourning in the United States. America's relatively brief but impactful involvement in the war (1917-1918) had profoundly affected the national psyche, and there was enormous public interest in stories about the conflict. The film also emerged during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919, which added another layer of contemporary relevance to themes of loss and separation. Additionally, 1919 was marked by significant social upheaval in America, including the 'Red Summer' of racial violence, labor strikes, and the beginning of Prohibition. Griffith's film, with its themes of unity and reconciliation, can be seen as an attempt to promote national healing during this turbulent period.

Making Of

The production of 'The Girl Who Stayed at Home' took place during a transitional period in American cinema, as the industry was moving from short films to feature-length productions. Griffith, ever the innovator, employed his signature cross-cutting techniques to build tension between the European battlefront and the American home front. The casting of Carol Dempster marked Griffith's continued preference for discovering and developing new talent, though their personal relationship often overshadowed her performances. The battle sequences were particularly challenging to film, requiring coordination of hundreds of extras and the construction of elaborate trench sets. Griffith insisted on authenticity, consulting with recently returned soldiers and incorporating their firsthand accounts into the screenplay. The film's production coincided with the Spanish Flu pandemic, which caused some delays and health concerns among the cast and crew.

Visual Style

The cinematography, overseen by Griffith's regular collaborator G.W. Bitzer, employed the innovative techniques that had become Griffith's trademarks. The film features extensive use of close-ups to capture emotional moments, particularly in the domestic scenes. The battle sequences utilize dynamic camera movement and wide shots to convey the scale of combat. Griffith's signature cross-cutting between parallel storylines creates tension and thematic resonance. The visual style balances the gritty realism of the war scenes with the softer, more romantic lighting of the domestic sequences. The film also incorporates some actual wartime footage, blended with staged scenes to enhance authenticity.

Innovations

While not as technically groundbreaking as Griffith's earlier masterworks, the film demonstrated refined applications of his pioneering techniques. The battle sequences featured sophisticated use of depth and scale, creating convincing illusions of massive military engagements. Griffith's editing techniques, particularly the parallel cutting between multiple storylines, had evolved to become more seamless and emotionally effective. The film also demonstrated advances in location shooting and set design, with the trench sequences noted for their realism. The integration of actual war footage with staged scenes was technically innovative for its time, helping to establish conventions that would influence future war films.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Girl Who Stayed at Home' would have been accompanied by live musical performances during its theatrical run. The original score was likely composed by Griffith's frequent musical collaborator, Joseph Carl Breil, who had scored 'The Birth of a Nation'. The music would have featured patriotic themes, romantic melodies for the love scenes, and dramatic, dissonant passages for the battle sequences. Orchestral theaters might have used compiled scores combining classical pieces with popular songs of the era. The musical accompaniment was crucial for conveying emotional tone and narrative development in the absence of dialogue.

Memorable Scenes

• The emotional farewell scene at the train station as the brothers depart for war
• The detailed trench warfare sequences showing the harsh reality of combat
• The reunion scene between Blossom and Ralph after the armistice
• The Civil War veteran's reconciliation scene symbolizing national unity
• The final homecoming celebration bringing together all surviving characters

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics generally praised the film's patriotic themes and Griffith's technical mastery, though some found the sentimentality excessive. The New York Times noted the film's 'powerful emotional appeal' while criticizing certain plot elements as melodramatic. Modern critics have re-evaluated the film as an important historical document of post-WWI American cinema, though it's often overshadowed by Griffith's more famous works. Film historians appreciate its authentic portrayal of the period and its role in establishing war film conventions. The performances, particularly by Robert Harron, were well-received at the time, though Carol Dempster's acting drew mixed reviews even then.

What Audiences Thought

The film resonated strongly with 1919 audiences, many of whom had personal connections to the recent war. Veterans and their families reportedly found the battle sequences particularly moving and authentic. The romantic elements and family drama appealed to mainstream audiences of the era. However, the film's serious tone and war themes may have limited its appeal compared to lighter entertainment options available at the time. The movie performed respectably at the box office, though it didn't achieve the blockbuster success of some of Griffith's earlier works. Word-of-mouth was generally positive, with many viewers praising its patriotic message and emotional depth.

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