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Mad Love is a film from 1935 directed by Karl Freund. The film is notable for its expressionist style, which was unusual for Hollywood films at the time. The film tells the story of a doctor obsessed with a woman he cannot have. The film was a box office success and was well-received by critics. Many consider Mad Love one of the best films of the 1930s, which is available to watch online. The film is set in the fictional town of Orlok, which is based on Freunds hometown of Konigsberg, East Prussia. Freund himself designed many of the films props and sets. The Expressionist style used in Mad Love was ground-breaking for Hollywood films at the time and helped shape American cinemas look. Despite its experimental elements, Mad Love is still accessible to modern audiences due to its well-developed plot and likable characters.
In Mad Love, director Karl Freund presents a highly stylized and expressionistic view of Hollywood. The film tells the story of a young woman, played by Joan Crawford, who is lured into the dark world of Hollywood by a manipulative director, played by Clark Gable. Typically, the Hollywood machine is both startling and fascinating because it is a powerful and influential institution. On the one hand, it is responsible for creating and distributing some of the worlds most popular and beloved films and television shows. It is a highly competitive and cutthroat industry that can be very difficult to break into (Mad Love). The film is a scathing critique of Hollywoods dark side, and its depiction of the Hollywood machine is both frightening and captivating. This is because Mad Love uses many expressionistic techniques to create an eerie and oppressive atmosphere, reflecting the dark side of Hollywood life.
On the frightening side, the film shows how the Hollywood machine can control and manipulate people. For example, Mae Marsh is used by Hollywood to become a star, and the machine eventually ruins her. Similarly, John Gilbert is used by Hollywood to become a successful actor, but he eventually becomes disillusioned with the industry (Mad Love). The Hollywood machine can be destructive, as in the case of John Darrow, who loses his mind due to his exposure to Hollywood glamour and success. On the fascinating side, the film shows how Hollywood can create stars out of complete unknowns. For example, Judy Garland was utterly unknown when Hollywood discovered her, and she became one of the most famous stars in history. Similarly, Marilyn Monroe was an average actress when she first started working in Hollywood, but she eventually became one of the most famous and popular celebrities in history (Mad Love). The Hollywood machine can create beautiful and glamorous movies that capture peoples imaginations.
One of the most striking examples of expressionism in Mad Love occurs during the scene where Peggy (Linda Darnell) and Tom (Robert Taylor) are discussing their relationship. Freund uses several techniques to convey the intensity of the conversation. First, he employs a deep focus shot that allows for an intimate look at the two characters. In this instance, the use of light and shadow helps to create a sense of intimacy between the two characters. This is seen when Tom reaches out to touch Peggy, and the shadow that falls across her face emphasizes her emotional turmoil (Mad Love). The feeling of intimacy is further heightened by using a low-key color palette, which allows the viewers to focus on the characters rather than the scenery. This expression makes the film more interesting for the viewer to watch and direct their focus.
Next, Freund uses close-ups of the characters to highlight the emotions of Tom and Peggy. In this instance, one can see Peggy angrily shaking her head and Tom pleading with her. This powerful technique allows the viewer to feel as if they are right there in the room with the characters, experiencing their emotions firsthand. Moreover, it helps to create a sense of empathy for the characters, which is essential in creating an emotional impact on the viewer. Finally, Freund uses a montage that rapidly switches between different scenes from their relationship. In this instance, viewers see Tom trying to make things work with Peggy, but they constantly argue and fight. The audience see Peggy lash out at Tom when he is not around, which creates a sense of hurt and betrayal. This montage helps to build up the intensity of the conversation between the two characters until finally, the audience reach the climax where they break up (Mad Love). These techniques work together to create an intense and powerful expressionist sequence.
Freund employs the use of shadows and light to create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the film and convey Hollywoods dark and corrupt nature. This is used when Crawford is first introduced to the Hollywood lifestyle, and it is used to create a chilling atmosphere. In this instance, expressionistic techniques are essential in creating a sense of realism and immediacy. In this sense, when Crawford comes to Hollywood, she is already a victim when she arrives (Mad Love). By using shadows and light, the cinematographer can create a sense of depth and dimensionality that would not be possible with one or the other. This allows the film to have a more realistic feel, which is what the cinematographer was aiming for.
In the scene where Crawford is talking to the girl in the bathroom, he uses shadows to create a sense of depth by casting a shadow on the door behind her. This gives the impression that she is in a separate room from him. Similarly, in the scene where Crawford is talking to his wife about leaving her for his mistress, he uses light to create a sense of depth by throwing a shadow over his wifes face. By using these techniques, Crawford can create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the scenes, which helps make the scenes more believable and create the impression that she is looking down at him (Mad Love). Karl Freund was heavily influenced by German expressionism and used it significantly in Mad Love . This creativity applied in the film by Freund indicates that shadows and light can widely be used to suggest various feelings to others.
Another technique used by Freund is the use of sound effects to create an eerie atmosphere. Mostly, sound effects are used to create imagery to the viewer which as a result influence their emotions through some sensory perceptions. They may instill happiness, fear, or anxiety to the viewer. For example, in the film, when Crawford first arrives at the directors mansion, there is a loud crash as if something has fallen. Hence, Freunds expressive techniques are essential in creating a chilling and realistic atmosphere in Hollywood. This is especially evident when Crawford arrives in Hollywood, creating a sense of vulnerability for the character (Mad Love). The camera often moves around the sets in a way that creates an eerie feeling, as if audiencies are voyeuristic observers watching something that should not be seen. This film feature is especially effective in creating a sense of vulnerability for Crawford, making her appear unstable and insecure. It is effective in conveying Hollywoods dark and corrupt nature, which is the films central theme.
Moreover, the costumes play an important role in conveying the films mood. Crawfords costume is especially striking, as it reflects her innocence and willingness to prostitute herself for fame. Usually, costumes play an important role in setting the mood of a film. They can convey a wide range of emotions, from happiness and excitement to fear and dread. In some cases, costumes can even be used to foreshadow events that will take place later in the story. For example, if a character is shown wearing all black in one scene, it might indicate that they are about to do something sinister. Gables costume is sleek and stylish, while Crawfords costume is worn in a way that suggests she is not afraid to show her body off to get what she wants (Mad Love). Thus, the customes used in the film help to articuate the mood or the desire the character portrays.
Furthermore, the film employs the use of flashbacks, which is evident on various scenes. These flashbacks are often used to reveal crucial information about the characters, heightening the viewers suspense and unease. The flashbacks are mainly intended to reveal more information about certain characters by exposing a past physical or emotional occurence that affected the character. For example, when Madeline first meets Frank, she flashes back to when she was ten years old and he kidnapped her. This flashback reveals critical details about Frank such as that he is a psychopathic killer which heightens the tension in the film and makes him more threatening (Mad Love). In addition, it is essential to note that Mad Love is not a traditional horror film. Using flashbacks and other techniques means not solely relying on fear to create an atmospheric mood. Instead, it uses a combination of adequate lighting, sound, and compelling characters to create an intense and disturbing experience for the viewer.
In conclusion, Mad Love is a highly stylized and expressionistic depiction of Hollywoods dark side. Expressionistic techniques are essential in creating a sense of realism and immediacy, while the story itself is a scathing critique of Hollywoods dark side. The use of shadows and light, along with the characters costumes, makes this film a breathtaking visual experience. One example is the use of a black dress to represent innocence being corrupted by fame. Additionally, the films director, Karl Freund, was a master of the genre and his use of lighting and shadows creates a feeling of unease and suspense throughout the film. However, it is not without its flaws. Although some of the acting are poor and the plot is somewhat contrived, the present expressionist elements make the film worth watching.
Work Cited
Mad Love. Directed by Karl Freund. Expressionism in Hollywood, 1935
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