Those Awful Hats

Plot

In a crowded movie theater, several fashionable women enter wearing enormous, elaborate hats that completely block the view of patrons sitting behind them. As the film projection begins, the audience members whose views are obstructed become increasingly frustrated, with one man attempting to peek around the hats while another grows visibly angry. The situation escalates as the hat-wearing women remain oblivious to the disruption they're causing, continuing to adjust and admire their headwear. Eventually, the fed-up audience members take matters into their own hands, leading to a comical confrontation where the oversized hats are dramatically removed or knocked off. The film concludes with the restored ability for everyone to enjoy the cinema, delivering a humorous social commentary on theater etiquette and fashion excess.

Historical Background

1909 was a pivotal year in early cinema, occurring during the transition from novelty films to narrative storytelling. The nickelodeon boom was in full swing, with movie theaters becoming increasingly popular entertainment venues across America. This period saw the establishment of many cinematic conventions that would define the medium. The film's subject matter reflects the growing importance of cinema as a social space where new forms of etiquette were being established. Women's fashion in 1909 featured enormous hats adorned with feathers, flowers, and other decorations, making the film's premise immediately recognizable to contemporary audiences. The Biograph Company was one of the leading film production houses of the era, competing with Edison and other early studios. This was also the year before Griffith would revolutionize cinema with films like 'The Birth of a Nation,' making 'Those Awful Hats' part of his formative period.

Making Of

The production took place during D.W. Griffith's early period at Biograph, where he was rapidly developing his directorial skills and establishing many cinematic techniques that would become standard. The film was created in response to a genuine social issue of the time - the problem of large hats blocking views in theaters and other public venues. The set design was minimal but effective, creating the illusion of a crowded theater with careful positioning of extras. Griffith's direction already showed his understanding of visual comedy and timing, despite the film's brief length. The cast, particularly Mack Sennett, would go on to revolutionize film comedy, making this an early glimpse of future comedy legends. The film was shot quickly using natural light from the studio's glass ceiling, a common practice before sophisticated lighting equipment became standard.

Visual Style

The cinematography by G.W. Bitzer, Griffith's regular cameraman at Biograph, employs a static camera position typical of the era, but with careful composition to maximize the comedic effect. The single set is framed to clearly show the spatial relationships between characters and the obstruction caused by the hats. Bitzer uses the available natural light from Biograph's glass-roofed studio effectively, creating clear visibility despite the technical limitations of the time. The camera placement allows viewers to see both the reactions of the obstructed audience members and the obliviousness of the hat-wearers simultaneously. The cinematography demonstrates the early mastery of visual storytelling that would characterize Bitzer's long collaboration with Griffith.

Innovations

While not technically groundbreaking, the film demonstrates Biograph's high production standards for the period. The use of Biograph's unique 68mm film format (though printed on standard 35mm for release) provided superior image quality compared to many competitors. The film showcases Griffith's emerging understanding of editing rhythm and visual comedy timing. The set design effectively creates the illusion of a crowded theater within the constraints of a single studio set. The film's clear narrative structure, despite its brief duration, represents an advancement in cinematic storytelling techniques that were still developing in 1909.

Music

As a silent film, 'Those Awful Hats' would have been accompanied by live music during its original exhibition. The typical accompaniment would have been provided by a pianist in smaller nickelodeons or a small orchestra in larger theaters. The music would likely have been light and comedic, possibly incorporating popular songs of 1909. The score would have emphasized the comic timing of the action, particularly during the moments of frustration and the final resolution. No specific musical score was composed for the film, as was standard practice during this period when accompanists would select appropriate pieces from their repertoire.

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic moment when the frustrated male audience member finally takes action against the obstructive hats, creating a comedic resolution that would have delighted 1909 audiences.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews in trade publications like The Moving Picture World noted the film's humor and relatability, with critics praising its clever take on a common annoyance. The Biograph Bulletin, the company's own promotional publication, described it as 'a most amusing sketch of theater life.' Modern film historians view it as an important example of early social comedy and Griffith's developing directorial style. Scholars often cite it when discussing the emergence of cinema as a medium capable of social commentary. The film is frequently mentioned in studies of early American comedy and the development of narrative cinema techniques.

What Audiences Thought

The film was well-received by nickelodeon audiences of 1909, who found the situation immediately recognizable and humorous. The relatable premise of blocked views in public spaces resonated strongly with viewers who had likely experienced similar frustrations. Contemporary audience members would have appreciated both the comedy and the social commentary on theater etiquette. The film's brevity made it perfect for the varied programming of nickelodeons, which typically showed multiple short films in one session. Modern audiences viewing the film in retrospectives and archives often find it charming both for its humor and its value as a time capsule of Edwardian social customs.

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