Female Directors in the Spotlight

Both Kino on Video and Milestone Film & Video are showcasing on VHS the works of such long-forgotten early female filmmakers as Lois Weber, Alice Guy-Blache and Frances Marion.

Before World War I, women were working in all facets of filmmaking, from directing to producing to editing to writing. But as cinema became a big business in the 1920s, the men exerted their control and took over the reins of Hollywood, shutting the door on many of these women’s careers.

Kino’s three-volume collection, “First Ladies: Early Women Filmmakers” ($50 each; $120 for the set) includes the movies of five female directors, between 1915 and 1925, newly remastered from 35mm archive prints.

One of the most successful female directors working in Hollywood during the teens and early ‘20s was Lois Weber, and one of her best and most controversial films was 1915’s “Hypocrites.” Weber’s attack on the moral decay of society caused a major stir when she chose to portray the concept of “the naked truth” with a fully nude woman. The film is heavy-handed for today’s audiences, but Weber’s strong vision can’t be denied.

Included on the tape is the 1916 short “Eleanor’s Catch,” starring and directed by Cleo Madison.

The second volume features the charming 1916 romance “The Ocean Waif,” directed by Alice Guy-Blache, who began directing films in her native France in 1896. This tale focuses on an abused young orphan who falls in love with a famous writer who just happens to be engaged to another woman. Though several scenes bear the scars of the film’s disintegration, it’s still a lovely piece.

The tape’s second feature is the equally engaging 1917 western adventure “49-17,” directed by Ruth Ann Baldwin, who was a journalist and screenwriter before turning to directing. This whimsical tale finds an East Coast millionaire deciding to relive the 1849 Gold Rush.

“The Red Kimona,” from 1925, rounds out the Kino collection. Directed by Walter Lange and (uncredited) Dorothy Davenport Reid (the widow of matinee idol Wallace Reid), who was also the producer, this preachy melodrama is based on a true story of a young girl who is tricked into becoming a prostitute and then goes on trial after she murders her pimp.

This collection is only available by calling (800) 562-3330 or at https://www.kino.com.

Milestone’s “Equal Time: The Women of Film” is a radiant collection ($30 each) of films--all beautifully restored--showcasing early female directors and stars.

The best of the lot is 1921’s “The Love Light,” produced by and starring Mary Pickford and written and directed by Frances Marion. Pickford pulls out all the stops in this beautifully shot World War I drama about an Italian woman who tends a lighthouse in a fishing village. When a handsome foreign sailor (Fred Thomson) washes up on shore, she rescues him and nurses him back to health. She falls in love with the soldier--who says he’s an American--and they secretly wed. It is only after the marriage she learns he’s really a German.

The striking beauty Dolores del Rio headlines “Evangeline,” the lush 1929 romantic drama based on Longfellow’s poem. Del Rio proves she’s more than just a pretty face in this soap opera as she gives a tremendous performance in the title character. The exquisite cinematography is a plus. The original soundtrack, including music, songs and sound effects has also been restored.

A very young Ida Lupino, who later became a landmark film director, stars in the lightweight but enjoyable 1936 comedy “The Gay Desperado.” Rouben Mamoulian directed this musical comedy about a Mexican bandit in love with American gangster movies who kidnaps an opera singer (Nino Martini) because he likes his voice. The bandit then forces the opera singer to capture the son of an American millionaire and his fiancee (Lupino).

Gloria Swanson wears gorgeous Chanel gowns in the 1931 comedy “Tonight or Never.” Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, this sexy bauble finds Swanson playing an opera diva who has a great voice but sings without passion because she’s never been in love. Then she meets handsome Melvyn Douglas, and her voice soars to new heights.

Rounding out the collection are two early silent films starring producer Nell Shipman, “Back to God’s Country” and “Something New.”

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Animation fans should be in cartoon heaven this week with the release of several videos starring beloved characters.

Everyone’s favorite canary, Tweety, headlines his first full-length film, “Tweety’s High Flying Adventure” (Warner, $20). Though not of the animation quality or humor of the original Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes, this spoof of “Around the World in 80 Days” has some pleasant songs and enough quips to keep fans of all ages generally entertained. Sylvester the putty tat, Granny, Bugs Bunny, Pepe Le Pew and Daffy Duck also star.