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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1922 Vision of Charley Chase
Witnessing the stylistic transformation of Comedy through Call the Witness reveals the provocative questions that Charley Chase poses to the United States audience. Exploring the nuances of the human condition with Comedy flair, it showcases the power of Comedy as a tool for social commentary.
In Call the Witness, Charley Chase pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
| Cinematography | Static |
| Soundtrack | Experimental |
| Editing | Elliptical |
| Art Direction | Expressionist |
Visualizing the convergence of Charley Chase's style and the core Comedy narrative.
A couple is seeking a divorce. In court, the wife tells her story of how the husband comes home intoxicated and while she is working over the washtub, treats her brutally. The husband then tells his side, which is exactly opposite, how he came home tired, found nothing to eat, piles of dirty dishes, etc., and men hidden under tables and in closets. The matter is finally settled, when the landlady is called to the stand and tells the truth about the matter, which ends in a reconciliation.
Decades after its release, Call the Witness remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Charley Chase's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.