The term "melodrama" is rarely ever used positively. We associate melodrama with cheapness and simplistic notions of good and evil. And yet, people have gobbled up melodrama for centuries. Even modern superhero films rely on melodrama for their plots, even though their champions would never term them as such. At heart, melodramas are serious conflicts between good characters and evil characters, and they are as capable of showcasing beauty and genuine artistry as any other genre. Case in point: TOL'ABLE DAVID, which is among the greatest melodramas of all time.
There is no ambiguity in its characters: the Kinemons are good and virtuous, while the three Hatburn convicts are depraved and malicious. Despite the dark elements of the story, which involve revenge and violence, the ending is a happy one in which David triumphs over his adversaries and restores peace to his community. So, what elevates this film above lesser melodramatic movies? Two things.
1) Barthelmess' naturalistic performances mitigates the usual melodramatic excesses. A lesser actor might have turned David into a caricature, but Barthelmess makes David seem like a real teenage boy. This is impressive considering Barthelmess was in his mid-20s when he did the movie.
2) The film presents a vanished way of life. Even in its time, TOL'ABLE DAVID was borderline nostalgic in its loving depiction of rural America. There is nothing of the phony soundstage in the production. You can almost smell the grass coming through the mute black and white image.
Altogether, TOL'ABLE DAVID remains a powerful movie, even removed a century from its original premiere. Few straight-up dramas from the silent era so simply and effectively showcase the emotional power of pre-talkie cinema. I've been a silent film fan for over a decade now and I'm still hitting myself over the head for not acquainting myself with this amazing classic sooner.
There is no ambiguity in its characters: the Kinemons are good and virtuous, while the three Hatburn convicts are depraved and malicious. Despite the dark elements of the story, which involve revenge and violence, the ending is a happy one in which David triumphs over his adversaries and restores peace to his community. So, what elevates this film above lesser melodramatic movies? Two things.
1) Barthelmess' naturalistic performances mitigates the usual melodramatic excesses. A lesser actor might have turned David into a caricature, but Barthelmess makes David seem like a real teenage boy. This is impressive considering Barthelmess was in his mid-20s when he did the movie.
2) The film presents a vanished way of life. Even in its time, TOL'ABLE DAVID was borderline nostalgic in its loving depiction of rural America. There is nothing of the phony soundstage in the production. You can almost smell the grass coming through the mute black and white image.
Altogether, TOL'ABLE DAVID remains a powerful movie, even removed a century from its original premiere. Few straight-up dramas from the silent era so simply and effectively showcase the emotional power of pre-talkie cinema. I've been a silent film fan for over a decade now and I'm still hitting myself over the head for not acquainting myself with this amazing classic sooner.