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Director's Spotlight
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1926 Vision of James Jones
Peeling back the layers of James Jones's Midnight Follies exposes the technical innovation that James Jones introduced to the Comedy format. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to Comedy excellence, it stands as the definitive 1926 statement on Comedy identity.
In Midnight Follies, James Jones 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 | High-Contrast |
| Soundtrack | Experimental |
| Editing | Invisible |
| Art Direction | Kitsch |
Visualizing the convergence of James Jones's style and the core Comedy narrative.
The chief attraction at a cabaret is Marcella, the dancing girl. She makes a hit with Jack, a millionaire so old he is in his second childhood. George, the waiter, also has an eye on Marcella. The millionaire sends a note to the girl asking her to elope. The waiter intercepts the note and thinks it from Marcella. He scribbles a line on the note saying she should hide in her trunk and he will smuggle her out of the cafe. Marcella gets the note and is amused. She tosses it away, but it falls in the millionaire's lap, who thinks he is to hide in the trunk. Meanwhile, George incurs the wrath of the proprietor by smashing a tray full of dishes, and is chased into the vaudeville act, "Sawing a Woman in Two." In his haste he climbs into the box which the professor is sawing. He eventually eludes the proprietor, and thinking Marcella in the trunk, he loads it on a truck. There is a wild ride until the truck, which is loaded with dynamite, hits a handcar. After the explosion George finds that the millionaire is the occupant of the trunk.
Decades after its release, Midnight Follies remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying James Jones's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.