Kino is releasing its second installment in its "Griffith Masterworks" collection ($30 each), which features new restorations of five feature films and six shorts directed by legendary filmmaker D.W. Griffith.
Griffith, best known for his landmark but racist 1915 Civil War epic "Birth of a Nation," was the architect of modern filmmaking. He introduced such innovative techniques as cross-cutting, close-ups, fade-outs, location shooting and naturalistic screen acting."Female of the Species & Selected Biograph Shorts (Vol. III)" contains six shorts directed by Griffith from 1909 to 1913. Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish and Lionel Barrymore are among the performers in these straight-forward dramas, which deal with such topics as mental illness ("The House of Darkness") and drug addiction ("For Our Son").
The best film in the collection is 1921's opulent "Orphans of the Storm." In the drama set during the French Revolution, Lillian and Dorothy Gish play sisters - the resourceful Henriette and the blind Louise - who leave their countryside home in hope of having Louise's sight restored. But they are separated when Henriette is abducted by a vile Marquis, and Louise is forced to become a beggar. Joseph Schildkraut also stars as a handsome nobleman who loves Henriette.
Despite good reviews and a strong box office, "Orphans," Lillian Gish's last film with Griffith, lost money because of unexpected copyright and accounting problems.
In 1924's "America," Griffith turns his eye on the American Revolution. The battle scenes are stirring, and Neil Hamilton is fine as a young patriot in love with the daughter (Carol Dempster) of a rich Tory. But Griffith's stereotypical depiction of Native Americans is embarrassing, and Lionel Barrymore's performance as a murderous redcoat is beyond belief.
The well-meaning 1924 drama "Isn't Life Wonderful" was Griffith's last independent production for United Artists. Its failure at the box office put him in deep personal debt and conflict with his partners.
Shot on location in Germany, "Wonderful" seems quite naive and sophomoric today. Nevertheless, Carol Dempster is moving as a Polish war orphan struggling to make money for the family that took her in and for her dowry so that she can marry a soldier (Neil Hamilton) suffering from gas poisoning.
After leaving UA in 1924, Griffith signed with Paramount, where he made three films, including the so-so 1925 comedy "Sally of the Sawdust." W.C. Fields plays a circus huckster and Carol Dempster is his sweet ward, Sally.
Griffith's last film is the rarely seen 1931 melodrama "The Struggle." The independent production was made on a shoestring budget from a tax refund Griffith received.
Hal Skelly stars as a blue-collar family man who loses everything when the bottle takes over his life. "The Struggle" was torn apart by the critics and quickly withdrawn from circulation. Despite some effective scenes, the earnest drama is pretty much a struggle to watch.
A nearly forgotten figure, Griffith died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1946 at age 73 in Hollywood.
To order the collection, call 1-800-562-3330.
NEW VIDEOS
THE BEASTMASTTER III: THE EYE OF BRAXUS - The cult movie series "The Beastmaster" has definitely run out of steam with this low-budget snooze. Marc Singer is back as Dar, the mega-muscular wanderer and warrior who can command beasts to help him fight against evil. However, he's a bit long in the tooth to be scampering about in a loin cloth. MCA/Universal.
- Susan King (Los Angeles Times)
AUTOMATIC - When a 22nd-century security android overrides its programming and kills an executive who was trying to assault a young secretary, the android and the woman are hunted by a mercenary SWAT team. Oliver Gruner, Daphne Ashbrook and John Glover star. R.
- Joe Baltake (Scripps-McClatchy Western Service)
A GENTLE WOMAN - "Une Femme Douce" is the original French title of this 1969 masterpiece about an independent young woman whose marriage to a businessman ends in misunderstanding and tragedy. Written and directed by Robert Bresson, known for his abiding concern with moral and religious issues, the drama uses a plot borrowed from Feodor Dostoevski to frame its attack on selfishness and materialism in contemporary life. Filmed with a sense of economy, precision and understated beauty that the most meticulous painter or composer could envy. Contains a few seconds of nudity. Not rated, New Yorker.
- David Sterritt (Christian Science Monitor)
WHEN THE DARK MAN CALLS - Joan Van Ark, Chris Sarandon and Geoffrey Lewis star in this thriller about a convict imprisoned for 25 years who is released and seeks revenge against the girl whose testimony got him convicted. The girl is now an unsuspecting single mother and radio psychologist who is no longer certain that her testimony was accurate. Not rated.
- Joe Baltake (Scripps-McClatchy Western Service)
DEAD TIRED (GROSSE FATIGUE) - One of '95's funniest films is actor Michel Blanc's spoof of celebrity and contemporary cinema. Blanc stars as himself and as an impersonator who's taken over his life and career. To the rescue is former Bond girl Carole Bouquet, as none other than Carole Bouquet. French superstar Philippe Noiret has fun with his fame as a famous actor who up-and-coming filmmakers don't know from Adam - or Jean-Paul Belmondo. Rated R, 1995.
- Max McQueen (Cox News Service)