The Heart of Wetona

Plot

Wetona, the beautiful half-breed daughter of a Comanche chief, falls deeply in love with a young engineer who arrives to work on a construction project near their tribal lands. After a passionate romance, the engineer abandons Wetona when his work is complete, leaving her heartbroken and disgraced among her people. Desperate for protection and stability, Wetona turns to John Hardin, a compassionate white Indian agent who has always treated her with respect despite her mixed heritage. Hardin marries Wetona, but their peaceful existence is shattered when the engineer returns, seeking to reclaim Wetona for himself. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Wetona must choose between her first love and her loyal husband while navigating the complex boundaries between Native American and white society.

Historical Background

Released in 1919, 'The Heart of Wetona' emerged in post-World War I America, a period of significant social and cultural transformation. The film industry was transitioning from short films to feature-length productions, and Hollywood was establishing itself as the global center of cinema. This was also the era of the first Red Scare and heightened racial tensions in the United States, making the film's themes of interracial relationships and cultural identity particularly relevant. The year 1919 saw major labor strikes, the ratification of the 19th Amendment (women's suffrage), and the beginning of Prohibition, all reflecting the social upheaval of the time. Native Americans were still largely excluded from mainstream American society, and films like this, while often stereotypical, were among the few representations of Native American culture available to mainstream audiences.

Making Of

The production of 'The Heart of Wetona' took place during a transitional period in Hollywood, as the industry was moving toward more sophisticated storytelling techniques. Norma Talmadge, as both star and producer through her own company, had significant input into the creative direction of the film. The desert location shooting in Lone Pine, California, presented considerable challenges for the cast and crew, who had to endure extreme temperatures and primitive living conditions. Director Sidney Franklin was known for his meticulous attention to detail and worked closely with Talmadge to develop her character's emotional arc throughout the film. The interracial romance theme was considered controversial at the time, requiring careful handling to satisfy both audiences and censors of the era.

Visual Style

The cinematography, handled by Tony Gaudio and H. Lyman Broening, utilized the expansive desert landscapes of Lone Pine, California to create dramatic visual contrasts between the natural world and the encroaching civilization. The film employed innovative location shooting techniques that were still relatively new in 1919, using natural light to enhance the authenticity of the Western setting. Camera work included sweeping panoramic shots of the desert and intimate close-ups of Talmadge to convey her character's emotional turmoil. The visual style reflected the transition from the more static compositions of early cinema to the more dynamic and mobile camerawork that would characterize the golden age of Hollywood.

Innovations

The film utilized advanced location shooting techniques for its time, taking full advantage of the natural desert landscapes to create authentic Western settings. The production employed some of the earliest examples of camera movement in outdoor scenes, using dollies and tracking shots to enhance the dramatic impact. The film's makeup and costume design for the Native American characters was considered more authentic than many contemporary productions, though still reflecting Hollywood stereotypes of the era. The editing techniques, particularly in the dramatic confrontation scenes, showed the growing sophistication of silent film narrative construction.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Heart of Wetona' would have been accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The original score was composed by Victor Schertzinger, who created thematic leitmotifs for the main characters and key emotional moments. Theater orchestras typically received cue sheets with suggested musical selections, ranging from classical pieces to popular songs of the era. The music would have emphasized the romantic elements of the story while underscoring the dramatic tension in key scenes. Some larger theaters may have employed special sound effects to enhance the action sequences and outdoor scenes.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic desert confrontation where Wetona must choose between her two suitors, with the vast landscape emphasizing her isolation and the weight of her decision
• The opening ceremony establishing Wetona's status as the chief's daughter, featuring authentic Comanche costumes and rituals
• The emotional departure scene where the engineer abandons Wetona, using the setting sun as a metaphor for their fading romance

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised Norma Talmadge's performance as Wetona, noting her ability to convey the character's emotional complexity and cultural duality. The film was generally well-received by trade publications of the era, with Variety and Motion Picture News commending its dramatic intensity and production values. Critics particularly appreciated the authentic location photography and the film's ambitious attempt to address serious themes of racial identity. However, some reviewers found the plot melodramatic and the resolution somewhat contrived. Modern film historians view 'The Heart of Wetona' as a representative example of post-WWI silent cinema that reflects both the progressive and problematic attitudes of its time regarding race and gender representation.

What Audiences Thought

The film was commercially successful upon its release, benefiting from Norma Talmadge's immense popularity with audiences of the era. Contemporary theater reports indicated strong attendance, particularly in urban centers where Talmadge had a devoted following. The romantic elements and Western setting appealed to a broad cross-section of moviegoers, from working-class patrons to more sophisticated audiences. The film's emotional storyline and Talmadge's star power generated significant word-of-mouth promotion. However, the interracial romance theme was controversial in some regions, particularly in Southern states where local censorship boards sometimes demanded cuts or alterations to the film.

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