The Voice of the Violin (1909)

A music teacher is in love with Helen, one of his students, but she rejects him. In his anger he joins a communist group who plan to blow up a rich capitalist's house. When he realizes it's Helen's house, he tries to stop the plan.

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writer:

D.W. Griffith

Stars:

Arthur V. Johnson, Marion Leonard, Frank Powell

Cast

Credited cast:
Arthur V. Johnson	...	Herr von Schmidt
Marion Leonard	...	Helen Walker
Frank Powell	...	Mr. Walker
David Miles	...	Communist Leader
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Linda Arvidson	...	At Party Meeting
Clara T. Bracy
John R. Cumpson	...	At Party Meeting
Adele DeGarde	...	At Party Meeting
Gladys Egan
Anita Hendrie	...	Maid
Owen Moore	...	Servant
Tom Moore	...	Servant
George Nichols
Herbert Prior	...	At Party Meeting / Servant
Mack Sennett	...	At Party Meeting

Storyline

A music teacher is in love with Helen, one of his students, but she rejects him. In his anger he joins a communist group who plan to blow up a rich capitalist's house. When he realizes it's Helen's house, he tries to stop the plan.

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 1909 (USA)

Filming Locations:

West 12th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Mutoscope & Biograph

Technical Specs

Runtime:

16 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed over two days.

User Reviews

Anarchist are bad,..m'kay?

This D.W.Griffith film is part of a collection entitled "American Film Archives: Vol. 3: Disc 1". The DVDs deal specifically with American short films that deal with various social issues. These are the sort of films that usually would be forgotten or lost had it not been for some film preservationists work. Now this set certainly isn't for everyone, as the content is a bit dry. However, for history teachers (like myself) and cinemaniacs (again, that would be me), it's an invaluable set. As the films are all silent, they actually are very watchable along with the optional audio commentary--which gives nice background information.

This film begins with violin teacher Herr von Schmidt meeting with an Anarchist friend. Von Schmidt wants nothing to do with politics and the friend leaves. Soon, a rich lady (the daughter of a banker) comes for her lesson. When von Schmidt declares his love for her, she rejects him because of their difference in social class. Her father also is enraged and they push and shove a bit. This moment alone INSTANTLY turns von Schmidt into an Anarchist and after the lady and her father leaves, the Anarchist returns (like he's been hiding behind a wall--not through the door).

In the next scene, von Schmidt has joined the evil political group and is subsequently chosen to bomb some place in the name of Anarchy. However, just before detonating the bomb, he hears the violin being played--the home he is about to blow up belongs to the lady he pledged his love for earlier in the film! Now von Schmidt cannot bring himself to do this and his compatriot beats him up and leaves him to die after he lights the bomb. However, when von Schmidt awakens, he is able to stop the bomb from going off and receives the rich man's blessing to be with the daughter--and all is forgiven.

Aside from teaching us that foreigners and Anarchists are bad, the film is reasonably entertaining for 1909. Not great, but worth seeing.