Action Action Action

<p><b>Studies the force of action motion and vision in the early cinema of Hollywood director Raoul Walsh.</b></p><p>Director of over 150 films from 1912 to 1964 Raoul Walsh was a core figure in Hollywood from its beginnings to the end of the studio system. Perhaps best known for such films as <i>The Big Trail</i> (starring John Wayne in his first leading role) <i>High Sierra</i> and <i>White Heat</i> Walsh cut his teeth under D. W. Griffith and like his contemporary John Ford found a style and signature in his silent cinema and early talkies. Through close analysis of seven of his films six shot between 1915 and 1933 and one a remake from 1956 and stressing the visual character of their settings and situations Tom Conley examines how composition and montage-or action-often overtake the crisp narratives these films convey. Rife with contradiction they ask us to see what makes them possible and how they contend with prevailing codes. Films discussed include <i>Regeneration</i> (1915); <i>Sadie Thompson</i> (1928) and a likely avatar <i>The Revolt of Mamie Stover</i> (1956); <i>The Cock-Eyed World</i> (1929); <i>The Big Trail</i> (1930); <i>Me and My Gal</i> (1932); and <i>The Bowery</i> (1933).</p>