The Red Lily

Plot

Jean Leonnec and Marise La Noue are young lovers from rural France who are forced to flee their homes after Jean is wrongfully accused of theft. They escape to Paris with dreams of a new life together, but are tragically separated when Jean is arrested during a police raid. Each believes the other has abandoned them, leading them down separate paths of despair - Jean becomes involved with criminal elements while Marise descends into poverty and prostitution. The film follows their parallel journeys through the seedy underbelly of Paris, with both characters desperately searching for each other while their lives spiral further into darkness. Their paths eventually cross again, but by then they have been so changed by their experiences that their original love seems impossible to reclaim, making this a tragic tale of lost innocence and the corrupting influence of urban poverty.

Historical Background

'The Red Lily' was released in 1924, a period of significant social and cultural transformation in America. The Roaring Twenties were in full swing, with rapid urbanization, changing social mores, and growing concerns about the moral implications of modern city life. This film reflected contemporary anxieties about the corrupting influence of urban environments on traditional values and innocence. The year 1924 also saw the establishment of MGM as a major studio through the merger of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Productions. The film industry was transitioning from short features to longer, more sophisticated narratives, and 'The Red Lily' exemplified this trend with its complex character development and serious themes. Additionally, the film's French setting and source material reflected Hollywood's ongoing fascination with European culture and literature during this period.

Making Of

The production of 'The Red Lily' faced several challenges during its creation. Director Fred Niblo, working with his wife Enid Bennett in the lead role, had to navigate the professional dynamics of directing his spouse. The film's depiction of Parisian slums required extensive set construction on the MGM backlot, with art directors creating elaborate facades and streets to simulate the French capital's poorer districts. Ramon Novarro, still relatively new to leading man status, underwent extensive preparation for his role as a man descending into criminal life, including studying the mannerisms of actual street criminals. The film's more controversial elements, including hints of prostitution and criminal activity, had to be handled carefully to appease the still-evolving censorship standards of the time. The production coincided with MGM's establishment as a major studio, and the film's moderate success helped solidify the studio's reputation for producing sophisticated dramatic content.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'The Red Lily' was handled by William H. Daniels, who would later become renowned for his work with Greta Garbo. Daniels employed sophisticated lighting techniques to create the film's distinctive atmosphere, using deep shadows and high-contrast lighting to emphasize the story's dark themes. The Parisian street scenes were particularly notable for their visual richness, with Daniels using multiple light sources to create depth and dimension in the studio-built sets. The film featured several innovative camera movements for its time, including tracking shots that followed characters through the labyrinthine streets of the recreated Paris slums. Daniels also used close-ups effectively to capture the emotional states of the characters, particularly during moments of despair and longing. The visual style of 'The Red Lily' contributed significantly to its reputation as a sophisticated, artistic production.

Innovations

'The Red Lily' showcased several technical achievements typical of MGM's productions in the mid-1920s. The film's elaborate set construction for the Parisian slums represented a significant investment in production design, with MGM's art department creating detailed, believable environments that enhanced the story's realism. The cinematography employed advanced lighting techniques for the period, using multiple light sources to create depth and atmosphere in the studio sets. The film also featured relatively sophisticated special effects for its time, including matte paintings and composite shots to expand the apparent scope of the Parisian settings. The production quality reflected MGM's commitment to high production values as the studio established its reputation for quality filmmaking. While not groundbreaking in technical innovation, 'The Red Lily' demonstrated the increasing sophistication of Hollywood filmmaking techniques in the mid-1920s.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Red Lily' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The specific musical score composed for the film is not well-documented in historical records, which was common for silent films of this era. Most theaters would have used either compiled scores (selections of classical and popular music) or original compositions by their house musicians. The mood of the film would have required dramatic, romantic, and melancholic musical accompaniment to enhance its emotional impact. Some larger theaters might have used cue sheets provided by MGM, suggesting appropriate musical pieces for various scenes. The lack of surviving documentation about the film's original musical accompaniment makes it difficult to reconstruct the complete auditory experience of 'The Red Lily' as originally presented to audiences.

Memorable Scenes

• The separation scene in the chaotic streets of Paris, with the camera cutting between their desperate searches for each other amidst crowds of indifferent strangers
• Marise's descent into poverty, depicted through a series of vignettes showing her increasingly desperate circumstances
• The final reunion between the two lovers, particularly poignant for its portrayal of how time and experience have fundamentally changed both characters
• The scenes depicting the Parisian criminal underworld, notable for their realistic depiction of urban danger and moral compromise

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception to 'The Red Lily' was generally positive, with reviewers praising its atmospheric depiction of Parisian life and the strong performances of its leads. The New York Times particularly noted the film's 'striking realism' in its portrayal of urban poverty, while Variety praised Novarro's performance as 'convincing and heartfelt.' However, some critics found the story overly melodramatic and pessimistic in tone. Modern film historians have reassessed 'The Red Lily' as an important transitional work in American cinema, noting its sophisticated visual storytelling and willingness to tackle serious social themes. The film is now recognized as an example of the increasing maturity of Hollywood storytelling in the mid-1920s, though it remains somewhat overshadowed by more famous works of the period.

What Audiences Thought

Audience response to 'The Red Lily' was moderate, with the film achieving reasonable box office success without becoming a major hit. The tragic storyline and dark themes may have limited its popular appeal compared to more optimistic fare of the era. However, Ramon Novarro's growing popularity as a romantic leading man helped attract viewers, particularly female audiences. The film's Parisian setting and sophisticated source material appealed to middle-class audiences seeking more cultured entertainment options. While not as commercially successful as some of MGM's other productions from 1924, the film performed well enough to be considered a worthwhile investment for the studio. Contemporary audience reactions, as recorded in trade publications, suggest that viewers were particularly moved by the film's emotional climax and the chemistry between Novarro and Bennett.

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