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Director's Spotlight
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1915 Vision of Joseph A. Golden
The evocative power of The Master of the House stems from the unique collaboration between the bold experimentation that has become synonymous with Joseph A. Golden. Framed by the hauntingly beautiful landscapes of the production, it echoes the profound changes occurring in United States during that era.
In The Master of the House, Joseph A. Golden 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 Joseph A. Golden's style and the core cult narrative.
The husband is bored to death by years of association with his wife, whom he deems old-fashioned and settled. A governess, young and beautiful, comes to the house. The father, master of the house in every sense of the word, is infatuated with the governess's description of life in the city where one remains young even at four-score years. Many conversations occur between the man and the governess, and one day he tells his wife that he is tired of her and that he is going away to the city with a younger and prettier woman. Time passes and the master of the house sees the other side of the governess. Her family is a lot of parasites who live on him. The man, broken in health, his spirit revolting against present conditions, feels a longing away down in his heart for his old-fashioned wife and their three children and the old home that is a home. In a frenzied burst of anger he strikes her, casts aside the woman and the unpleasant associations with her and, older, wiser, sadder and penitent, he returns to his wife and fireside.
Decades after its release, The Master of the House remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Joseph A. Golden's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.