Offer your thoughts on sections that struck you the most, from the Midnight Ramble documentary on race films and Oscar Micheaux. Then, try to make specific connections to DJ Spooky’s remix of Birth of a Nation. Also consider, what did you “see” and learn from the remix, about Birth of a Nation, that you didn’t notice/think on, previously?
2. The Jazz Singer is the key transition film in American film history, from silent to sound.
Our clip illustrates this on many levels: the Old World, “silent” film represented by Jake’s father, the Jewish traditions of Europe, v. the New World Jazz music of America Jake so loves, represented by the oncoming modern sound film.
The film overall is a silent film, with inter-titles and music score, here, recorded on new phonograph discs (records) synced up to the film, and part of the film strip. But in our scene, while recording Al Jolson (Jake) playing and singing a song for his mother, he starts to improvise some dialogue with her. Watch her, the actress: she’s kind of freaking out and uncertain and just going along with Al Jolson, who’s speaking spontaneously, improvising his interaction with her. That’s it – the beginning of the “talking” sound film that would eventually overtake Hollywood. Audiences went crazy for that scene – they couldn’t believe what they were seeing and hearing. And I love how it’s all embedded in this family melodrama dynamic, between old world traditions from Europe and the new world of Jazz, America – and talking sound film.
Watch the movies blow:
https://www.filmsite.org/20sintro.html
(Cram/Bowser, 1994) [only first half hour, up until sound film, required]
Rebirth of a Nation (DJ Spooky, 2007)
The Jazz Singer (Alan Crosland, 1927) [clip: 35:00-47:30 – this is our key segment, but watch the whole thing, if inclined]
M (Fritz Lang, 1931)
Post:
The major facet that I took away from Midnight Ramble is one that I now consider to be so obvious, it is the idea that the earliest depictions of colored peoples were done by people of color to be presented for people of color. It is a concept that is even today so prevalent, we want to see ourselves and people like us on the big screen. I was particularly taken by this concept because of how overlooked it can be when looking at early cinema. Often because of the nature of the rapid advances in technology and techniques, it can be more difficult to focus on the more complex events. Prior to this the furthest I had really known about more complex ideas was in regards to the prevalence of women behind the camera in many early films, at least more than would be thought of and more than there is today. In regards to a connection to the Rebirth of a Nation, overall is the depiction of African Americans as villainous, rabid, and inhumane. Aside from the general racist depiction ironically made by white men in black faces, the scene and corresponding short analysis of the African Americans parading a white man in chains was a powerful image. As stated in the film, it is twisting the roles of slavery with its imagery, it also gives credence to some in the south who considered their treatment of slaves to be fair. By depicting the African Americans in such a vicious manner they are essentially saying “well at least we had some dignity and restraint when we were in charge” despite all the well-documented atrocities committed against African Americans.
The selected clip presents a very powerful story which in my opinion despite being part of a larger film, is presented so well as to be competent and understandable all on its own. Information is easy to gain and the relationships between the characters are very clear. Jackie’s return has clearly been after a long departure some things have changed while others have not. Jackie’s interaction with his mother is rather positive except for eh glimpses of how his departure has affected his family. The mother is shocked at the jewelry even asking if he did anything wrong, the portrait of Jackie is no longer there presented an idea that he has somewhat fallen out of favor or memory from his family. However, his mother is just happy to see him again. Seeing as the film and clip is about music I focused quite a bit on its use. Sound is primarily from the soundtrack which isn’t diegetic but when Jackie plays it is diegetic. Aside from any cost issues it also creates a divide and presents Jackie’s music and moments around that to be very important. When his father arrives there is an eerie silence, the audience does not yet know how he will react and it creates a sudden tension amongst the mother’s and Jackie’s jubilation. The music begins to crescendo as the father understands what Jackie wants to do and ends with him expelling him from the home.
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