The Italian

Plot

The Italian tells the poignant story of Pietro 'Beppo' Donnetti, a poor but proud Italian gondolier who leaves his beloved sweetheart Annette in Venice to seek fortune in America. Upon arriving in New York City's Lower East Side, Beppo finds work as a shoeshine boy but soon discovers the harsh reality of immigrant life in the crowded tenements. He marries fellow Italian immigrant Corinne, and they have a baby, but their happiness is shattered when their child falls ill and they cannot afford proper medical care. In a desperate attempt to save his dying child, Beppo resorts to crime, stealing medicine from a pharmacy, but returns home too late to save his baby. The film ends with the heartbroken Beppo returning to Italy, only to find that Annette has died of grief, leaving him completely alone and broken by his American dream.

Historical Background

The Italian was produced during a period of massive immigration to the United States, with over 4 million Italians arriving between 1880 and 1920. The film emerged at a time when American cinema was transitioning from short novelty films to longer, more sophisticated narratives that addressed social issues. 1915 was also the year that saw the release of D.W. Griffith's controversial 'The Birth of a Nation,' which sparked debates about cinema's social responsibility. The Progressive Era was in full swing, with growing public awareness of urban poverty and social inequality. The film's realistic portrayal of immigrant life reflected the growing movement toward social realism in American art and literature. This period also saw the rise of the feature film as the dominant form of cinematic entertainment, with Triangle Film Corporation leading the way in producing high-quality, longer films.

Making Of

The making of 'The Italian' was marked by an unusual commitment to authenticity for its time. George Beban, who had become famous playing Italian characters on stage, spent months researching the role by living among Italian immigrants in New York's Little Italy. Director Reginald Barker, working under the guidance of producer Thomas H. Ince, insisted on building detailed replica sets of New York tenements rather than using generic studio sets. The production faced challenges in finding authentic locations and actors, leading the filmmakers to hire actual Italian immigrants as background performers. The most difficult scenes to film were those involving the sick child, as the filmmakers wanted to maintain emotional authenticity while being sensitive to the young performer. The pharmacy robbery sequence required careful choreography to convey the character's desperation without glorifying crime. The film's emotional climax, where Beppo discovers his child has died, took multiple takes to achieve the desired emotional intensity, with Beban reportedly becoming genuinely distraught during filming.

Visual Style

The cinematography of The Italian, credited to Robert Newhard and Joseph H. August, was notable for its innovative use of naturalistic lighting and composition. The film employed techniques that were advanced for its time, including deep focus photography in the tenement scenes to create a sense of crowded, oppressive space. The camera work in the Venice sequences contrasted sharply with the New York scenes, using more open compositions and brighter lighting to represent the protagonist's lost paradise. The film made effective use of location shooting, particularly in the New York street scenes, which added to its documentary-like realism. The cinematography also featured sophisticated tracking shots during the emotional sequences, particularly in the scenes following Beppo through the city streets. The visual style emphasized contrast between light and shadow, using chiaroscuro effects to enhance the emotional tone of key scenes.

Innovations

The Italian pioneered several technical innovations that influenced later filmmaking. The film was one of the first to use extensive location shooting combined with studio sets to create a seamless narrative world. The production employed advanced lighting techniques to create realistic interior scenes in the tenement sets, using multiple light sources to simulate natural light coming through windows. The film's editing was particularly sophisticated for its time, using cross-cutting techniques to build tension during the pharmacy robbery sequence. The makeup effects used to show the progression of the baby's illness were considered highly realistic for the period. The film also demonstrated advanced techniques in creating crowd scenes, using hundreds of extras to create authentic-looking New York street scenes. The production design was innovative in its attention to period detail and authenticity, setting new standards for realistic set construction in American cinema.

Music

As a silent film, The Italian would have been accompanied by live musical performances during its original theatrical run. The score would have been compiled from classical pieces and popular songs of the era, with specific musical cues timed to enhance emotional moments in the film. The typical accompaniment would have included Italian folk songs during the Venice sequences, somber classical pieces for the tragic moments, and tense, dramatic music for the robbery scene. Many theaters employed small orchestras or organists who would improvise or adapt existing compositions to match the on-screen action. The film's emotional depth required particularly sensitive musical accompaniment, and theater musicians often created original arrangements specifically for this film. The success of the film led to published cue sheets for musicians, suggesting specific pieces for various scenes.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence in Venice showing Beppo as a gondolier with his sweetheart Annette, establishing the idyllic life he leaves behind
• Beppo's arrival in New York, with overwhelming crowds and the stark contrast between his expectations and reality
• The tenement scenes showing the cramped living conditions and daily struggles of immigrant families
• The sequence where Beppo's baby becomes ill, with the desperate parents trying to save their child
• The pharmacy robbery scene, where Beppo's moral compromise is portrayed with psychological depth
• The heartbreaking return home to find his child has died, featuring George Beban's powerful emotional performance
• The final scene where Beppo returns to Italy only to discover Annette has died of grief
• The montage sequence contrasting the beauty of Venice with the ugliness of New York slums

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised The Italian for its emotional power and social consciousness. The New York Times called it 'a masterpiece of cinematic art' and 'a profound commentary on the immigrant experience.' Variety noted that 'George Beban gives a performance of extraordinary depth and humanity.' Motion Picture Magazine hailed it as 'the most important American film of the year' and praised its 'unflinching realism and artistic merit.' Modern critics have continued to recognize the film's significance, with the American Film Institute including it in their list of important American films. Film historians consider it a landmark in the development of narrative cinema and social realism in American film. The film is particularly noted for avoiding the melodramatic excess common in films of the period while still maintaining strong emotional impact.

What Audiences Thought

The Italian was a tremendous commercial success upon its release, playing to packed theaters across the United States. Audiences were deeply moved by the story, with many reports of viewers weeping openly during the screening. The film particularly resonated with immigrant communities, who saw their own struggles reflected on screen. Italian-American audiences praised the film for its sympathetic portrayal of their culture and experiences. The film's success led to increased demand for more socially conscious films dealing with contemporary issues. Audience reaction was so strong that many theaters had to add additional showings to meet demand. The film's emotional impact was such that it sparked discussions about immigration policy and social reform in newspapers and community meetings. Despite its tragic themes, the film was embraced by mainstream audiences and helped establish George Beban as one of the most popular actors of the period.

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