The Artist

LizzieMaine · Mar 7, 2012

We're closing it out tonight after a four-week run, and it'll leave here as the sixth-highest-grossing attraction in our history, which isn't too shabby. It wasn't the juggernaut at the B. O. that "The King's Speech" was, but it drew some pretty respectable numbers in our, admittedly, not-typical (median age 47) town. We had a lot of repeat business, too -- people would see it, get really enthusiastic, and then come back a few nights later with a group of friends. Some people saw it three times.

It always got applause at the finish, too -- that's something our audience reserves for only the films it really really appreciates.

After we're done with it, it's supposed to go to the multiplex in the next town, where I expect it will absolutely die. If ever there was a movie made to be shown only in a main-street single-screen house, this would be it. Maybe that's the problem, and not the picture -- there just aren't enough of those kinds of theatres left nowadays.

Doctor Strange · Mar 7, 2012

Well, I'm happy to hear that it did well at the Strand. And there's no question that - being the highly unusual film it is - it's done quite respectable business, and it's profitable, since it didn't cost a lot to make.

But it remains very disappointing in the sense that no amount of critical fawning and/or awards won seems to be able to convince the general public that it's a wonderful, enjoyable film that they should take a chance and see, because most folks will love it. It's a genuinely different filmgoing experience... which is exactly why the vast majority just aren't interested.

The general public's dumbness abides.

Flat Foot Floey · Mar 7, 2012

LizzieMaine said:
-- there just aren't enough of those kinds of theatres left nowadays.

True. I also saw it in a small theatre and it wasn't even half full. But the viewers enjoyed it. YOu could see it in their faces when they left and hear the laughing during the funny scenes. I hope your cinema is able to keep the small but beautiful movies alive. :eusa_clap

Deafjeff · Mar 13, 2012

Tonight I'm going to see that new silent film The Artist in theaters with a couple of lovely ladies. Not sure if any of you guys have seen it or not but looking forward too it! Both of them have dressed up in an attempt to emulate the style of the era the film is set, with beautiful hair and dresses on for a very "vintagey" feel. I'm wearing a grey dress shirt, with tie and black dockers for pants and a gray sportcoat as well as a dark grey sweater vest and black fedora......But they didn't invite me till today and I wasn't dressed up. This is just another day for me!

I'll be sure to mention how the movie was after we see it!

DrDialtone · Mar 13, 2012

This is a FANTASTIC movie - you'll enjoy it!!!

Deafjeff · Mar 14, 2012

It was absoluelty amazing and quite possibly my new favorite movie of all time. Definitly buying it when it comes out on DVD!

The Lonely Navigator · Mar 14, 2012

I hope to see this. When I first learned about it I thought it was really neat.

Spitfire · Mar 18, 2012

WOW - I've just come back after seeing this MASTERPIECE!

deco_droid · Mar 21, 2012

I forget now, but was "The Artist" presented non-widescreen, like 1.3 to 1? I was thinking it did, and that made it seem more realistically vintage, but now I'm not sure...

Doctor Strange · Mar 21, 2012

Yes, it's in the old standard 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

LizzieMaine · Mar 21, 2012

Yup, it was presented in "Academy Ratio," which is 1.37 to 1. Strictly speaking this isn't exactly correct for the era depicted -- late silents were usually shown in "full frame ratio," which was 1.33 to 1, with some late synchronized-soundtrack silents made in "Movietone Ratio," which was 1.20 to 1. 1.37 Academy didn't become standard until 1932, which is just after the period depicted in the film.

Nonetheless, it's more period-correct than the current standard of 1.85 to 1. Most theatres today can't show actual Academy ratio films properly, so the actual prints were 1.85 windowboxed to 1.37, forcing theatres to show it in the correct ratio.

Doctor Strange · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks for the more precise response, Lizzie. You're so dependable!

But isn't it interesting that deco_droid couldn't recall whether it was widescreen? It speaks to just how successful the film is that eventually you don't notice that it's silent, in b/w, and the old aspect ratio!

LizzieMaine · Mar 21, 2012

The only person in our audience who noticed was my assistant projectionist, who was complaining after the fourth week that he was tired of looking at "itty bitty screens." You just can't please some people.

deco_droid · Mar 21, 2012

Doctor Strange said:
Thanks for the more precise response, Lizzie. You're so dependable!

But isn't it interesting that deco_droid couldn't recall whether it was widescreen? It speaks to just how successful the film is that eventually you don't notice that it's silent, in b/w, and the old aspect ratio!

That's right, the film really was engrossing -- at least for me. Some in our audience seemed a little fidgety though. There really was so much to see without dialogue. I was also on the lookout for anything that didn't ring true for the times. There was only one scene I sort of questioned at the showing, but my mind just now went blank. If I think of what it was, I'll chime in again later.

Aviator · Mar 21, 2012

Just saw it-very enjoyable film! Great score, great performances, a sweet story, and a wonderful dance number at the end. Though perhaps not as "heavy" as some films in its themes, it still touched on pride, stubborness, inflexibility in accepting change and a woman who saves a man...all admirable ideas. And I'm pretty smitten with Berenice Bejo after this movie...she was radiant.

Loved the finale-great dancing (so simple, yet so full of impact), and the big finish when George says "Weeth plezhure", was a pleasant surprise. I had forgotten he was French at that point and it cemented the smile on my face that I had from the dance number all the way home. I may make a deal with my 13 year old that I'll take her to "The Hunger Games" if she sees "The Artist" with me.

deco_droid · Mar 22, 2012

To me, George and Peppy sort of paralleled Garbo and John Gilbert. She came to Hollywood as a relative nobody, while Gilbert was probably the #2 leading man, under Valentino. After she successfully transitioned into the talkies, Gilbert's career was on a downward spiral, so she tried to help him by getting him the part of Antonio in "Queen Christina".

Also, I found it funny they spelled Peppy's name wrong in her early screen credits, showing how much of a nobody she was.

LizzieMaine · Mar 22, 2012

It would have been an interesting twist to the story to see an even closer parallel to Gilbert -- what if George had tried to make a talkie along the lines of his silent pictures only to be sunken by being made to mouth inane dialog. Contrary to legend there was nothing wrong with Gilbert's voice, but he was given ridiculous dialog in his first talkie which completely ruined him as a romantic figure. Perhaps George knew, and feared, the same might happen to him.

ThesFlishThngs · Mar 23, 2012

LizzieMaine said:
It would have been an interesting twist to the story to see an even closer parallel to Gilbert -- what if George had tried to make a talkie along the lines of his silent pictures only to be sunken by being made to mouth inane dialog. Contrary to legend there was nothing wrong with Gilbert's voice, but he was given ridiculous dialog in his first talkie which completely ruined him as a romantic figure. Perhaps George knew, and feared, the same might happen to him.

I think that must be a big part of his reluctance. George was such a big star, and did so many interviews, radio included, that his accent could be no big secret. The more I watched the film, trying to put a finger on his great resistance to talking, I kept coming back to the sound test scene, and how he laughed, refusing to take it seriously. Perhaps he couldn't shake the deepseated fear that the masses would react the same way to him.

Espee · Mar 28, 2012

In Ian Whitcomb's latest "Letter from Lotusland" he writes that on a recent to England, many people he talked to were convinced that "The Artist" was shot entirely in France.

AmateisGal · Mar 29, 2012

Some fun news...got this from Publisher's Marketplace:

"Uggie, the dog who co-starred in Oscar-winner The Artist, has signed with Alan Nevins at Renaissance Literary & Talent to represent his "autobiography," currently titled "Uggie, My Story." British author Wendy Holden is working with the ten-year-old Jack Russell and Nevins intends to offer the proposal next week, for release in fall 2012."

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