D.W. Griffith "BIRTH OF A NATION" Lillian Gish 1922 New York City Program

Description

This is a rare four-page program (playbill) from the screening of the controversial D. W. Griffith motion picture "BIRTH OF A NATION" at the Selwyn Theatre in New York City. (The one-week engagement began December 4th, 1922.) ..... This controversial, but landmark American film masterpiece originally premiered in California in January of 1915 with the title "The Clansman". But three months later the epic melodrama was renamed with its present title at the world premiere in New York City, to emphasize the birthing process of the United States. The film was based on former North Carolina Baptist minister Rev. Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 play, "The Clansman", the second volume in a trilogy. The film's release set up a major censorship battle, but the resulting controversy over subject matter of the Ku Klux Klan only helped to fuel the film's box-office appeal, and it became a major hit. Even President Woodrow Wilson during a private screening (the first film ever shown at the White House) is reported to have enthusiastically exclaimed: "It's like writing history with lightning. And my only regret is that it's all terribly true." Subsequent lawsuits and picketing tailed the film for years each time it was re-released. Film scholars agree, however, that it remains the most important and key film of all time in American movie history - containing many new cinematic innovations and refinements, technical effects and artistic advancements, including a color sequence at the end. It had a formative influence on future films and has had a recognized impact on film history and the development of film as art. However, it still provokes conflicting views about its message. In recent years, the film stirred new controversy when it was voted one of the 100 Top American films of all time by the American Film Institute (1998) ..... The film starred LILLIAN GISH, ELMER CLIFTON, ROBERT HARRON, MIRIAM COOPER, DONALD CRISP, WALLACE REID, MAE MARSH, MARY ALDEN, JOSEPHINE CROWELL, RALPH LEWIS, VIOLET WILKEY, HENRY WALTHALL, ANDRE BERANGER and MAXFIELD STANLEY ..... CREDITS: Screenplay by D. W. GRIFFITH and FRANK E. WOODS based on the novel "The Clansman" by THOMAS DIXON, Jr.; Musical score composed by D. W. GRIFFITH (At the film's premiere, D.W. Griffith hired the entire Los Angeles Philharmonic to play the score of the film); Cinematography by BILLY BITZER; Costumes designed by ROBERT GOLDSTEIN; Directed by D. W. GRIFFITH and JOHN FORD; Produced by D. W. GRIFFITH ..... DETAILS: The four page program measures 5" X 8" inches and includes production credits, cast list and historical text, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or classic film historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
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