Death's Marathon 1913 cast: Walter Miller, Charles Hill Mailes, Alfred Paget, Blanche Sweet Henry Walthall , Kate Bruce , Lionel , Harry Hyde, William J. Butler, Robert Harron , Billy Bitzer -- Cinematographer
Summary: This neatly devised mini-soap opera tells the story of two men who are partners in business and rivals in love. The object of their affection selects one over the other--but has she made the right choice?
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(400 DVD TITLES)
DW GRIFFITH AT BIOGRAPH COMPANY BY IRA H. GALLEN Stories ranged from the pedantic to the brilliant, centering around the era that was growing out of the Age of Innocence. In each of these films, there was some experiment, however insignificant. A light effect that enhanced the setting and mood of a living room. A group of men on horses galloping down the road, after a pan shot revealed the road. Any small touch like this made a film remarkable for this period of time. The TRACKING SHOT, the CLOSE UP, the HIGH ANGLE, the FLASHBACK, the INSERT; SPECIAL LIGHTING EFFECTS, MASKING SCENES, FADES and DISSOLVES.
The whole gamut was there but nobody was picking up the tools with which to create. As of yet, there was no one who knew how. His cameraman, Billy Bitzer, would arrive at some of these effects either independently or on occasion, accidentally. At other time, effects would be taken, whether consciously or unconsciously, from the productions of other directors, American as well as European.
Griffith would use his tools with intelligence and sometimes genius; the Griffith method was taking on a shape. From the studio base of operations at the Biograph Co., Griffith took his cast and crew out of the set; he continuously broadened his selection of locations.
He took his stories to Little Falls, Fort Lee, Cliffside, Atlantic Highlands, Coytsville, Shadyside and Hoboken; all in New Jersey, as well as Sound Beach, Conn. His stories were a menage of mystery, drama, love, hate, family life, love relationships, mountain and western adventures and comedies.
In the development of his cinematic repertory company, Griffith had access not only to heroes and heroines, but also to character actors and actresses as well as children so as to facilitate whatever the cast needs for a particular story might be. Because the cast members were mostly young and eager to prove themselves, Griffith was able to encourage some healthy rivalry for his benefit.
Tags: DWGRIFFITH GRIFFITH GRIFFITHFILMS BIOGRAPH BIOGRAPHFILMS BLANCHESWEET
