The Making of an American

Plot

The Making of an American is a 1920 docudrama that follows the journey of a European immigrant as he arrives in the United States and struggles to adapt to his new homeland. The film chronicles his initial difficulties with the English language and American customs, showing his various misadventures and misunderstandings as he attempts to navigate life in America. Through perseverance and the help of sympathetic Americans, the protagonist gradually masters English, finds employment, and begins to assimilate into American society. The narrative emphasizes the importance of learning English and adopting American values as the pathway to success and acceptance in the United States. The film culminates with the immigrant achieving the American Dream, having transformed from a bewildered newcomer into a proud, successful American citizen.

Historical Background

The Making of an American was produced in 1920, a period of significant social and political transformation in the United States. Following World War I, the nation experienced intense nativist sentiment and fear of foreign influences, culminating in the 'Red Scare' of 1919-1920. This era saw the rise of Americanization programs designed to rapidly assimilate immigrants into American culture, particularly through English language instruction and civic education. The film was created just before the passage of the Immigration Act of 1924, which severely restricted immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe. During this time, over 13 million immigrants had arrived in the United States between 1900-1920, creating tremendous social change and anxiety among native-born Americans. The film reflected the Progressive Era belief that social problems could be solved through education and moral instruction. It was also part of a broader movement in which motion pictures were increasingly recognized as powerful tools for education and social influence, leading to the creation of entire genres of educational and industrial films.

Making Of

The Making of an American was created during a period of intense social pressure on immigrants to assimilate into American culture. Director Guy Hedlund, transitioning from acting to directing, likely drew on his extensive experience in the film industry to craft this socially conscious narrative. The production would have been shot on a modest budget with basic equipment typical of independent films of the era. The casting of Emil De Varney suggests either a professional actor with immigrant background or someone chosen for authentic appearance. The film was probably made with the support or sponsorship of Americanization organizations that were active during this period. The production likely faced challenges in finding authentic locations and convincing real immigrants to participate, either as actors or extras. The film's educational purpose meant that accuracy in depicting immigrant experiences was valued over dramatic entertainment, though the docudrama format allowed for some fictionalization to create a compelling narrative.

Visual Style

The cinematography of The Making of an American would have employed the standard techniques of silent era filmmaking, likely using stationary cameras with basic movement such as panning to follow action. The film probably utilized natural lighting when shooting on location in immigrant neighborhoods, creating a sense of authenticity. Interior scenes would have been lit with artificial lighting typical of the period. The visual style was likely straightforward and documentary-like when showing immigrant life, becoming slightly more dramatic during emotional moments. The film may have included actual footage of immigrant neighborhoods and communities to enhance its documentary feel. Close-ups would have been used to emphasize emotional moments, particularly during scenes of struggle and triumph. The cinematography was designed to be clear and educational rather than artistically ambitious, serving the film's primary purpose of instruction and moral persuasion.

Innovations

The Making of an American employed standard film technology for its era, likely shot on 35mm film with hand-cranked cameras. As an educational film, it may have incorporated some documentary techniques such as location shooting in actual immigrant neighborhoods, which was becoming more common in the 1920s. The film's intertitles would have been an important technical element, possibly presented in multiple languages to reach diverse audiences. The production might have used some innovative techniques for the time, such as split screens to show before-and-after assimilation scenarios, or dissolves to indicate the passage of time. The film's technical achievements were primarily functional rather than artistic, focusing on clear communication of its educational message. The use of real locations and possibly non-professional actors from immigrant communities could be considered an early form of what would later be called neorealism, though this was likely driven by budget constraints rather than artistic philosophy.

Music

As a silent film, The Making of an American had no recorded soundtrack but would have been accompanied by live musical performance during theatrical exhibitions. The typical accompaniment would have been a pianist or small orchestra playing popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and specially composed mood music. For screenings in settlement houses or community centers, the accompaniment might have been more modest, perhaps just a piano or even phonograph records. The music would have been chosen to enhance the emotional impact of key scenes - patriotic songs during moments of Americanization, tense music during struggles, and triumphant music during the protagonist's success. Some theaters might have used compiled cue sheets specifically designed for films with immigration themes. The lack of synchronized sound actually made the film more accessible to immigrant audiences who couldn't understand English dialogue, as the visual storytelling and musical accompaniment could transcend language barriers.

Memorable Scenes

• The protagonist's arrival at Ellis Island and the confusion of immigration processing
• A scene showing the immigrant struggling to communicate in a shop or workplace
• The moment when the protagonist successfully reads English for the first time
• A montage showing the immigrant's gradual transformation into an American
• The final scene depicting the protagonist as a successful, assimilated American citizen

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of The Making of an American would likely have been positive in publications that supported Americanization efforts, with reviewers praising its educational value and patriotic message. Trade publications like Variety or Moving Picture World might have noted its usefulness for schools and community organizations. However, the film being an independent educational production, it probably received limited coverage in major film publications. Modern critics and film historians view such films as important cultural artifacts that reveal the assimilationist attitudes of the era, though they recognize the problematic aspects of their message. The film is now studied primarily for its historical value rather than its artistic merits, serving as an example of how cinema was used to promote specific social and political agendas during the silent era.

What Audiences Thought

The Making of an American likely found its primary audience among immigrant communities, settlement house workers, educators, and members of patriotic organizations. Immigrant audiences may have had mixed reactions - some finding it genuinely helpful and encouraging, while others might have felt pressured or condescended to by its message. The film was probably shown in conjunction with English language classes and citizenship courses, where it would have been received as practical instruction rather than entertainment. Native-born audiences likely viewed the film favorably as it reinforced their beliefs about the importance of assimilation and the superiority of American culture. The film's reception among different ethnic groups would have varied depending on their stage of assimilation and their community's attitudes toward Americanization efforts.

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