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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1920 Vision of Eddie Lyons
The thematic gravity of Once a Plumber (1920) is rooted in the historical context that Eddie Lyons weaves into the Comedy fabric. Synthesizing the best elements of United States and international cinema, it highlights the importance of independent voices in United States.
In Once a Plumber, Eddie Lyons 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 Once a Plumber is defined by its use of shadows and framing, a hallmark of Eddie Lyons's style. By utilizing a 1920-era palette, the film creates an immersive experience that perfectly complements its Comedy themes.
| Cinematography | Handheld |
| Soundtrack | Diegetic |
| Editing | Elliptical |
| Art Direction | Expressionist |
Visualizing the convergence of Eddie Lyons's style and the core Comedy narrative.
Plumbers William Wilson and Joe Blynn are partners who share quite different ambitions. Will aspires to wealth and glamour while Joe is content with their plumbing business. While fixing a leak in the Hoban mansion, millionaire Hoban overhears Will's grumbling and offers the pair a chance to participate in a business deal. Will jumps at the offer, and soon they are arrayed in fine clothing and appointed to the posts of president and secretary of the Scandia Copper Company, while two attractive vamps make them forget their own sweethearts. All goes well until a raid by the United States Secret Service discloses that the Scandia Corporation is a bogus company that has been defrauding people through the mails. The erstwhile plumbers are arrested and injured in a fight while escaping, and then land in the hospital. Finally matters are cleared up; they are reunited with their sweethearts and promise to forget high society.
Decades after its release, Once a Plumber remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Eddie Lyons's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.