The Sultan's Wife

Plot

In this 1917 silent comedy-drama, young sweethearts Bobby and Gloria embark on a sailing adventure that leads them to the exotic and mysterious shores of India. Upon their arrival, they encounter a sinister atmosphere and quickly draw the attention of an evil rajah who becomes obsessed with the beautiful Gloria. The rajah schemes to abduct Gloria and force her into his harem, setting up a dramatic rescue mission as Bobby must navigate the dangers of foreign customs and overcome cultural barriers to save his beloved. The film combines elements of romance, adventure, and comedy as the American couple faces increasingly perilous situations in their attempt to escape the rajah's clutches and return home safely.

Historical Background

The Sultan's Wife was produced in 1917, a pivotal year in world history as World War I raged in Europe. While America had entered the war in April 1917, the film industry continued to produce entertainment that offered audiences escape from the grim realities of international conflict. The film industry itself was undergoing significant changes, with Hollywood solidifying its position as the center of American film production. Triangle Film Corporation, though ultimately short-lived, represented an attempt to create a vertically integrated studio system that would become the standard model for the industry. The film's exotic setting and adventure themes reflected America's growing fascination with foreign cultures, even if these representations were often filtered through Western stereotypes. This period also saw the rise of the star system, with actors like Gloria Swanson becoming major draws for audiences and commanding higher salaries. The technical aspects of filmmaking were rapidly evolving, with longer feature films becoming more common as audiences developed a taste for more complex narratives.

Making Of

The production of 'The Sultan's Wife' took place during a transformative period in Hollywood's development. Triangle Film Corporation, under the leadership of Harry Aitken, was pioneering new distribution methods and attracting top talent. Gloria Swanson, though still early in her career, was already showing the star quality that would make her famous. The film was shot quickly on a modest budget, typical of the production pace of the era where studios often released multiple films per month. The exotic Indian setting was recreated entirely on California soundstages using painted backdrops and props, as location shooting was prohibitively expensive and logistically challenging. The chemistry between Swanson and Vernon was well-established, as they had appeared in several films together, making their on-screen romance believable to audiences. The director, Clarence G. Badger, was developing his reputation for handling both comedy and dramatic elements effectively, a skill that would serve him well throughout his career.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'The Sultan's Wife' was typical of the period, utilizing static camera positions with occasional movement to follow the action. The film employed the visual language of silent cinema, with careful composition and lighting to convey emotion and atmosphere. The Indian setting was created through art direction and cinematography techniques rather than actual location shooting. The cinematographer used soft focus techniques for romantic scenes and more dramatic lighting for the sequences involving the villainous rajah. The film likely used tinting processes to enhance the exotic atmosphere, with amber or sepia tones for the Indian sequences and blue tints for night scenes. The visual style emphasized clarity and readability, essential for silent films where all narrative information had to be conveyed visually.

Innovations

While 'The Sultan's Wife' was not particularly innovative technically, it employed standard production techniques of the period that were still evolving as cinematic art. The film used multiple camera setups and editing techniques to create a coherent narrative flow, which was becoming more sophisticated by 1917. The production likely used the latest available film stock and camera equipment of the era. The creation of exotic Indian settings on studio backlots demonstrated the art direction capabilities of Triangle Film Corporation. The film's pacing and narrative structure reflect the growing sophistication of feature filmmaking, moving beyond the simpler storytelling of earlier short films. The use of intertitles to convey dialogue and exposition was handled efficiently, maintaining the flow of the story.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Sultan's Wife' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The typical presentation would have featured a pianist or small orchestra in the theater providing musical accompaniment that matched the on-screen action and mood. The score would have included popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and specially composed cues for dramatic moments. Music for the Indian sequences would have incorporated exotic-sounding themes, often using pentatonic scales and instruments meant to evoke Eastern music, even if these were Western interpretations. Theaters received cue sheets from the distributor suggesting appropriate musical selections for different scenes. No original composed score for this film survives, as was common for most silent productions.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic confrontation between the sweethearts and the evil rajah in his palace
• The sailing sequence that opens the film and establishes the romantic relationship
• The attempted abduction of Gloria by the rajah's henchmen
• The climactic rescue scene where Bobby saves Gloria from the harem
• The final reunion and escape from India

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'The Sultan's Wife' were generally positive, with critics noting the effective chemistry between Gloria Swanson and Bobby Vernon. The film was praised as an entertaining romantic adventure that successfully combined elements of comedy, romance, and exotic intrigue. Reviewers of the time particularly appreciated Swanson's performance, noting her screen presence and comedic timing. The trade publications of the era, such as Variety and Moving Picture World, gave the film favorable notices, recommending it as solid programming for theater owners. Modern critics have had limited opportunity to evaluate the film due to its lost status, but film historians consider it an important example of Swanson's early work and representative of the romantic comedies produced by Triangle Film Corporation during this period.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1917 responded positively to 'The Sultan's Wife,' finding it an enjoyable escapist entertainment during the difficult war years. The film's blend of romance, comedy, and exotic adventure appealed to the diverse audiences attending movie theaters during the silent era. Gloria Swanson's growing popularity helped draw crowds, and her pairing with Bobby Vernon proved to be a successful combination that audiences enjoyed. The exotic setting, despite being studio-bound, provided the visual spectacle that moviegoers of the period craved. The film performed well enough to justify Triangle's investment in similar productions featuring the same leads. While exact box office figures are not available, the film's reception contributed to Swanson's rising star status and led to more starring roles for the young actress.

You Might Also Like