DbcultAccessing Vault...
Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1932 Vision of Del Lord
Analyzing Speed in the Gay Nineties (1932) requires a deep dive into the unique directorial voice that Del Lord brought to the screen. By challenging the status quo of 1932 cinema, it continues to spark endless debates among critics and cinephiles alike.
In Speed in the Gay Nineties, Del Lord 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 | Invisible |
| Art Direction | Kitsch |
Visualizing the convergence of Del Lord's style and the core Short narrative.
It's 1890. Inventor Ed Martin has long believed and has openly stated that man will someday be able to fly. As such, many people, including the mayor, believe Ed is crazy and want to have him committed. Ed plans to prove them wrong about his mental capacity by winning the upcoming horseless carriage race at the speedway using his 2-cylinder engine machine which he predicts can travel 15mph, twice the speed of other machines. But for Ed to be able to do so, he has to elude the mayor and his gang and get to the speedway in time for the race. And there still is the small matter of whether his prediction will come true, all his other predictions which have not come to fruition... yet.
Decades after its release, Speed in the Gay Nineties remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Del Lord's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.