The Differences between Silent Movies and Spoken - Essay Example

The Differences between Silent Movies and Spoken Due to the fact that the culture that was represented within the early years of Hollywood was rapidly changing, the differences between silent movies and spoken film took place within a relatively short period of time. Interestingly, the two films which will be analyzed and compared/contrast within this brief analysis, “The Thin Man” and “The Maltese Falcon” only share seven years difference. However, during the particular period in question, seven years represented a great range of growth and the understanding through which different social dynamics and understandings had with regards to the way in which storylines and overall plots were presented to the viewer. Accordingly, the following analysis will be concentric upon comparing and contrasting the ways in which material and technique is utilized to leverage different interpretations of good vs evil and the American experience to the viewing audience. Moreover, the analysis will discuss how “The Maltese Falcon”, represents a more nuanced and definitive approach to the film noir era as it encapsulates many more varied interpretations of this good vs evil subtheme that is so pervasive throughout the genre. Secondly, this is represented via the way in which “The Maltese Falcon” leverages better technology to create a more dramatic cinema effect that more reasonably captures the zeitgeist of the film noir era, the way in which “The Maltese Falcon” illustrates the genre through a better representation of the American experience is represented. Lastly the way in which “The Maltese Falcon” paints a more well nuanced and three dimensional example of the male characters and the identity of what Americanism is and how good vs. evil must be understood. Before delving into an analysis of the comparisons and contrasts between these two films, it must be noted that both of these films have achieved a great deal of notoriety; both within their own times as well as the present era. Film critics and scholars alike have denoted that these two films are representative of some of the very best plot lines, writing, directing, acting, and techniques that the film noir era had to provide. As such, with regards to the films in question, both of these represent to the viewer a flawed lead character. With regards to “The Thin Man”, the main character is a hard drinking detective that suffers from career burnout and whose personal life is something of a disaster. Even though the same motif is represented within “The Maltese Falcon”, the character growth and differentiation is not as labored and comes off as a much more natural xplanation as compared to “The Thin Man”. By casting the lead detectives in this way, both of the films are able to provide a much more nuanced interpretation of life and the way in which these characters portray their roles; however, only “The Maltese Falcon” is able to do this in a fully convincing manner and one that is the most indicative of the film noir era. Another shared aspect between these two films is with respect to the way in which the detectives fulfill the role of the simple/every man against a system of crime and intrigue that includes money, power, and politics. By representing the flawed character in a fight against such crime and corruption in such a way, Hollywood began to tacitly define the way in which American films would come to be known by the rest of the world for many decades to come; films where the good ultimately triumphs and the evil is ultimately vanquished. The similarity between good and evil and how it is represented/portrayed within these films is something that cannot and should not be dismissed. Ultimately, the reason for why such a high level of focus is placed upon the importance of defeating evil and undermining the plans that these individuals might have with regards to the crimes they intended to commit was integrally tied to the social and political aspects of the world in which these respective films were created. With respect to “The Thin Man”, the level of distraction that this plot line sought to provide for the era of the Great Depression was perhaps one of the factors that reduced the effect of empathy and life-like experience that the film was able to convey (Hamilton 703). Similarly, and not surprisingly, the plot line and ultimate destruction of evil within “The Maltese Falcon” was indicative of the United States that was supremely involved within the intrigue and action of the Second World War and sought a means of representing hope, faith, and the triumph of good over evil to the viewing audience (The Maltese Falcon/The Thin Man 1941/1934). Yet perhaps the most obvious level of comparison that can be made is with respect to the fact that both films hinge upon the search for a missing person; only giving way to other issues as the plot line advances and greater information is made available to the viewer. This typifies what has come to be known by many as the “whodunit” type movies that came to dominate the genre and continue to be so pervasive within the culture of film and even within television of the current era. The commonalities between these two films should not naturally lead one to assume that one is merely a more effective and developed reinterpretation/reanimation of its counterpart. Rather, these films are indicative of a trend that was started during this era and has pervaded up until the current time; indicative of how powerful such a trend and subject matter is with the viewing audience of today. Technological development within Hollywood necessarily accounted for a lion’s share of the differentials that have thus far been discussed. Whereas key distinctions between these two are evidenced with regards to the fact that seven years and between their ultimate reduction, the core similarities so far outweigh their core differentials that the analysis has thus far been concentric upon elaborating on these and discussing the ways through which key levels of similarity are noted (Goodheart 703). Ultimately, even though nuances exist with respect to the ways in which these films are differentiated, the similarities are the most powerful means of understanding the way through which Hollywood developed and continues to be represented up until this very era. This is not intended to point to the fact that Hollywood has somehow developed a little since such a time; rather, it is put forward as a means of differentiating the way through which such films served as a baseline for how further projects would be delineated and how interpretations would be guided. Works Cited Goodheart, Eugene. "The Thin Man." Sewanee Review 116.2 (2008): 223-231. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. The Maltese Falcon. Dir. John Huston. Perf. Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor. 1941. Warner Brothers, 1941. Film. The Thin Man. Dir. W.S. Van Dyk. Perf. William Powell, Myma Loy. 1934. Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, 1934. Film. HAMILTON, CYNTHIA S. "Strange Birds: Rewriting The Maltese Falcon." Journal Of American Studies 47.3 (2013): 699-718.Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. Read More