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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1920 Vision of Charley Chase
The evocative power of Hoodooed stems from the unique collaboration between the subversive storytelling techniques employed by Charley Chase in 1920. Synthesizing the best elements of United States and international cinema, it reminds us of the fragility and beauty of the 1920s.
In Hoodooed, 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.
The visual language of Hoodooed is defined by its use of shadows and framing, a hallmark of Charley Chase's style. By utilizing a 1920-era palette, the film creates an immersive experience that perfectly complements its Short themes.
| Cinematography | Static |
| Soundtrack | Synth-Heavy |
| Editing | Disjunctive |
| Art Direction | Baroque |
Visualizing the convergence of Charley Chase's style and the core Short narrative.
A young business man is on the edge of advancement and eager to take advantage of every token of good luck. He even consults a dream book and jumps over the bed ten times to overcome the evil influence of a bad dream. His wife is nearly distracted by his absurdities, but she tolerates them and suggests that he invite his employer to dine with them. His agitation only increases. He spills salt and throws a lot of it over his shoulder into the eyes of the house servant and thus loses a good cook on the day of the dinner. He finds a horseshoe and hides it in a box near his entrance door, dropping it on a mirror as he does so. He also discovers a four-leaf clover to avert disaster. He is so nervous at the office that he soils his employer's trousers with ink and is given a day off. It is an eventful day. After lunch he walks out with his wife, carefully avoiding stepping on a crack, "for luck you lack." He is delighted to be followed by a black cat and makes a cushion of his coat picking up pins. After all these preparations, and after the dinner, he is offered the desired position and his employer leaves. His wife now shows him it is Friday the 13th. He suddenly decides to give up superstition. He throws the horseshoe out of the door. Calamity. His employer is brought back insensible, hit on the head by a horseshoe.
Decades after its release, Hoodooed 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.