ARCHIVE: Film Heralds.
Women in Film
Heralds 1915-1940
An archive of ephemera tracing the evolution of women in films over a period of 25 years, from 1915 to 1940. A filmic illustration of changing roles during a turbulent quarter century, portrayed by the most iconic female film actresses of the day.
The archive includes 103 film heralds encompassing women in American during this period. Starting with the contrasting image of America’s first sweetheart, Mary Pickford, continuing with the likes of the eternal vamp Theda Bara and ending with the modern day working woman in society, Ginger Rogers. Topics explored include the changing roles of women in society, the treatment and presentation of women in real life and fiction, the evolving careers of the women featured in American film and the changing social and political attitudes towards women in America and in the politics of movie making. The earliest films in American cinema were dominated by female screenwriters and even directors, but by the 1930’s and the height of the studio system, the industry was male dominated and women in the industry often had to fight for creative control.
The onscreen image of women went in cycles, influenced by the social, economic and political temperament of the time. The earliest films project women as either heroines or vamps, occasionally holding a job, often long-suffering and patriotic. Post-WWI films show women as emancipated flappers, heroines and troublemakers (often in the same character), attending college, holding down every manner of job, dealing as a protagonist with romance and personal freedom, outfitted in unrestricted clothing and often unbridled sexuality, and often with the open use of alcohol and certainly drugs. These films were made during a time collectively known as the Pre-Code era, from which the vast majority of material in this archive dates.
1915
DR. RAMEAU (1915 Fox) 5 x 7” flyer. Story of a Dr. who, after his wife’s death, discovers she had an affair and the daughter he thought to be his, is not. He then abandon’s the child. Sins of women were not forgivable at this time in melodrama.
KREUTZER SONATA (1915 Fox) 5 x 7” flyer. Based on Tolstoi novel, this was the story of a Russian girl who gets in “trouble”, marries a musician who her father pays off, moves to America where her sister has an affair with the musician. In an early screen appearance, Theda Bara played her trademark role as “the Vamp.”
SHOULD A MOTHER TELL? (1915 Fox) 5 x 7” flyer. A melodrama of mother love and her dilemma in deciding to either protect her child or allow the blood of an innocent man to be shed.
SOUL OF BROADWAY, THE (1915 Fox) 5 x 7” flyer. Theda Bara set a trend in 1915 with A FOOL THEIR WAS, creating the female vamp. Valeska Suratt followed quickly with her interpretation. This, the story of a “typical woman of the New York stage” had her parading in a variety of female liberating guises and ruining the life of a man with her “blood sucking” tactics. Many female characters in early film were much empowered and the actresses wielded great power in the industry. That was short lived.
1916
LITTLE MEENA’S ROMANCE (1916 Triangle) 4 x 8” flyer. Story of a Pennsylvania Dutch orphan left wealthy by her deceased parents who goes to New York City to live with relatives. Dorothy Gish played the lead. She and Sister Lillian were amongst the very first stars of American film.
1917
WOMANHOOD: THE GLORY OF THE NATION (1917 Vitagraph) 5 x 7” flyer. This film was made at the height or World War I and is a mythical tale of a fictitious country invading New York City. The woman in the story, Alice Joyce displays great loyalty to her husband, children and country, great virtues of display at this time. Joyce, one of the first American film actresses (starting in 1910 at age 20), was known for playing self sacrificing heroines.
1918
FLOWER OF THE DUST (1918 Metro) 3 x 5” flyer. Viola Da
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