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Director's Spotlight
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1917 Vision of Elmer Clifton
The 1917 release of Flirting with Death marked a significant moment for the stylistic boundaries pushed by Elmer Clifton during the production. In the context of United States's rich cinematic history, it invites us to question our own perceptions of cult narratives.
In Flirting with Death, Elmer Clifton 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.
To fully appreciate Flirting with Death, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1917. During this period, United States was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and Elmer Clifton was at the forefront of this cult movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | Deep Focus |
| Soundtrack | Orchestral |
| Editing | Invisible |
| Art Direction | Kitsch |
Visualizing the convergence of Elmer Clifton's style and the core cult narrative.
When an aviator dies performing in a traveling circus, the circus closes and side show con men "Sky-High" Billy Wardell and "Domino" Dominick are arrested for giving out fake watches to wheel of fortune winners. After Domino springs the jail's lock, they jump a freight train and arrive in the next town, where Billy falls in love when Jane Higgenbotham allows them to breakfast on her freshly baked pies. When Billy, who gets a job as a reporter, learns that Jane's father Dave, an inventor, has no money to manufacture his "aerochute," designed to insure airplane safety, Billy opens a stock company and sells shares to villagers and farmers. After Ed Warmbath, a disappointed rival for Jane's affection, learns that Billy is wanted for jailbreak, he informs the townspeople, who demand that Dave return their money. Because Billy sees that Jane doubts his honesty, he volunteers to test the chute in a plane piloted by Murphy, a circus friend. Murphy's drunkenness inspires Billy to jump, and he lands safely, thus winning back the townsfolks' confidence, and Jane's love.
Decades after its release, Flirting with Death remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Elmer Clifton's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.