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America's First Women Filmmakers

Before the consolidation of Hollywood's studio system, women were among the most prominent film directors in America. This videotape collects four complete works from the silent era's two most accomplished and successful women directors, both of whom ran their own production companies. Lois Weber's brief 1913 comedy examines, as its title says, HOW MEN PROPOSE, Alice Guy-Blache (whose narrative filmmaking in France extended back to 1896) is represented by two 1913 one-reel comedies: the first on marriage (MATRIMONY'S SPEED LIMIT), the second on divorce (A HOUSE DIVIDED). Lois Weber's sophisticated feature-length TOO WISE WIVES (1921) dissects the proper 'role' of 'wife' among the socially prominent. These films all display a wit about the institution of marriage that confirms Weber's contention that women 'bring out many of the emotions that are rarely expressed on the screen.' * Black and white with director's original tinting * Approx. run time: 114 minutes * Rare silent films with new piano scores * Film notes enclosed.