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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1915 Vision of Harry A. Pollard
Peeling back the layers of Harry A. Pollard's Infatuation exposes the technical innovation that Harry A. Pollard introduced to the cult format. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to cult excellence, it stands as the definitive 1915 statement on cult identity.
In Infatuation, Harry A. Pollard 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 Infatuation, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1915. During this period, United States was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and Harry A. Pollard was at the forefront of this cult movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | High-Contrast |
| Soundtrack | Orchestral |
| Editing | Invisible |
| Art Direction | Kitsch |
Visualizing the convergence of Harry A. Pollard's style and the core cult narrative.
Motherless Phyllis Ladd runs the household of her father John, a railroad president, who loves her but dreads the day that she will marry and leave. To make her social debut, Phyllis leaves her hometown of Carthage and accepts the invitation of Mrs. Fenshaw, a Washington social matron, to live with her. Phyllis soon tires of the stuffy life and boring suitors and returns. At a matinee road-show performance, Phyllis becomes infatuated with actor Cyril Adair. When she invites him for tea, the vain actor accepts, hoping to seduce her. After more meetings, Cyril's discarded lover informs Ladd, who demands that the romance cease. Phyllis elopes with Cyril, who, touched by her devotion, marries her. Although their life is plagued by Cyril's alcoholism, firings and inability to get new roles because Ladd influences theater managers to reject him, Phyllis patiently tries to bring out the best in her husband. When Phyllis and Cyril refuse Ladd's bribes to end the marriage, Ladd relents, backs a show in which Cyril is to star and is reconciled with the couple.
Decades after its release, Infatuation remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Harry A. Pollard's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.