The Whispering Chorus

Plot

John Trimble, a weak-willed accountant, embezzles $5,000 from his employer and, unable to face the consequences, plots an elaborate escape with a criminal associate. They murder a drifter and mutilate the body beyond recognition, burying it in Trimble's place to make everyone believe he has died. Trimble assumes a new identity as John Fielding and moves to another town, where he eventually becomes a respected citizen and falls in love with a woman named Jane. Years later, when the body is discovered, Trimble is arrested and charged with his own murder, leading to a sensational trial. During the proceedings, his mother attends and, upon seeing him, dies from the shock, but not before extracting a promise that he maintain his new identity since his former wife has remarried the Governor and is expecting a child.

Historical Background

The Whispering Chorus was produced during the final year of World War I, a time when American society was grappling with questions of morality, responsibility, and redemption. The film reflected the growing sophistication of American cinema as it moved away from simple melodramas toward more complex psychological narratives. 1918 was also a period of significant change in Hollywood, with the studio system becoming more established and directors like DeMille gaining unprecedented creative control. The film's themes of guilt and moral responsibility resonated with audiences dealing with the aftermath of war and the social upheavals of the era. The production took place during the Spanish Flu pandemic, which affected filming schedules and may have contributed to the film's dark, somber tone.

Making Of

Cecil B. DeMille was deeply invested in this project, seeing it as an opportunity to explore complex moral themes beyond the simple melodramas common at the time. The production was notably ambitious for its budget, with DeMille insisting on elaborate sets for the courtroom scenes and realistic location shooting. Raymond Hatton underwent a significant transformation for his role, losing weight and adopting a hunched posture to convey his character's moral decay. The famous split-screen sequences required innovative camera techniques and multiple exposures, which were technically challenging in 1918. DeMille worked closely with his cinematographer to develop new methods for visualizing the 'whispering chorus' effect, using superimposed images and double exposures. The film's controversial content, particularly the murder scene, required careful negotiation with censors of the time.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Alvin Wyckoff was groundbreaking for its time, featuring innovative use of split-screen to visualize the protagonist's internal conflict. The film employed multiple exposure techniques to create the 'whispering chorus' effect, showing multiple versions of the character's conscience simultaneously. Wyckoff used dramatic lighting contrasts to emphasize the moral ambiguity of the story, with deep shadows representing the character's guilt. The courtroom sequences featured unusually mobile camera work for 1918, with tracking shots that added tension and realism to the proceedings. The visual style combined realistic settings with expressionistic lighting to create a dreamlike quality that reflected the psychological nature of the narrative.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical innovations that would become standard in cinema. Most notably, it featured some of the earliest uses of split-screen to show simultaneous action and internal thoughts. The production developed new techniques for makeup effects, particularly for the mutilated body sequence, which were remarkably realistic for the time. The film also experimented with camera movement, using tracking shots in the courtroom scenes that were technically demanding in 1918. The multiple exposure techniques used to create the 'whispering chorus' effect required precise timing and coordination between the camera and performers.

Music

As a silent film, The Whispering Chorus was accompanied by live musical performances during its original theatrical run. The score was composed by William Furst, who created a complex orchestral arrangement that emphasized the film's psychological tension. The music featured recurring leitmotifs for different characters and emotional states, particularly a haunting melody that represented the 'whispering chorus' of conscience. Modern restorations have been accompanied by newly composed scores that attempt to recreate the emotional impact of the original music while using contemporary orchestration techniques.

Memorable Scenes

• The split-screen sequence showing John Trimble's internal conflict as the 'whispering chorus' of his conscience surrounds him
• The murder scene where the drifter is killed and his body mutilated to stand in for Trimble
• The dramatic courtroom revelation where Trimble is confronted with evidence of his own 'death'
• The emotional deathbed scene where Trimble's mother extracts his promise to maintain his new identity

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised The Whispering Chorus for its bold storytelling and technical innovations. The New York Times called it 'a masterpiece of psychological drama' and specifically noted DeMille's 'daring use of new cinematic techniques to explore the human soul.' Variety praised Raymond Hatton's performance as 'a revelation of depth and subtlety rarely seen on the silver screen.' Modern critics have rediscovered the film as an important precursor to film noir, with many noting its sophisticated treatment of guilt and redemption. The film is now recognized as one of DeMille's most artistically ambitious works, standing in contrast to his later, more spectacular epics.

What Audiences Thought

The film was a commercial success upon its release, drawing large audiences to its multiple theatrical runs. Viewers were particularly struck by the innovative visual effects and the compelling moral dilemma at the story's core. Many contemporary newspaper accounts reported audiences leaving theaters in deep discussion about the film's ethical questions. The film's reputation grew over time, with it being remembered as one of the most thought-provoking dramas of the silent era. Modern audiences who have had the opportunity to see restored versions often express surprise at the film's sophistication and emotional depth, challenging assumptions about the simplicity of early cinema.

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