''He Who Gets Slapped'', 1924 - art by Eric Rohman is a mixed media by Movie World Posters which was uploaded on April 19th, 2021.
''He Who Gets Slapped'', 1924 - art by Eric Rohman
A vintage movie poster reprint of ''He Who Gets Slapped'', a 1924 silent film directed by Victor Sjöström and based on the play of the same name by... more
Title
''He Who Gets Slapped'', 1924 - art by Eric Rohman
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters
Description
A vintage movie poster reprint of ''He Who Gets Slapped'', a 1924 silent film directed by Victor Sjöström and based on the play of the same name by Russian playwright Leonid Andreyev. The film is notable for its impressive performances, particularly by Lon Chaney and Norma Shearer, and its exploration of themes such as love, betrayal, and the complexities of the human condition.
Key aspects of "He Who Gets Slapped" include:
Lon Chaney's Performance: Lon Chaney, often referred to as "The Man of a Thousand Faces" due to his remarkable ability to transform himself for various roles, plays the lead character, Paul Beaumont. His portrayal of a brilliant scientist turned clown is a tour de force, showcasing his incredible talent for physical and emotional acting.
Complex Characters: The film delves into the psychology of its characters, portraying them as multi-dimensional individuals with intricate motivations and inner conflicts. Paul Beaumont's transformation from a respected scientist to a circus clown is a central element of the story.
Norma Shearer's Role: Norma Shearer plays Consuelo, a young woman who becomes entangled in the lives of the circus performers, particularly Paul Beaumont. Her character adds depth to the narrative and serves as a catalyst for the film's emotional conflicts.
Circus Setting: "He Who Gets Slapped" takes place in the world of the circus, providing a unique and visually captivating backdrop for the story. The film explores the contrast between the glamour of the circus arena and the personal struggles of its performers.
Themes of Betrayal and Redemption: The film delves into themes of betrayal and redemption, as Paul Beaumont's life takes a tragic turn and he seeks solace and a chance at redemption within the circus world. His journey is one of suffering, sacrifice, and personal growth.
Exploration of Human Nature: "He Who Gets Slapped" delves into the darker aspects of human nature, including the cruelty and callousness that can exist in society. It raises questions about the meaning of success, the pursuit of one's passion, and the price of personal integrity.
Silent Film Era: The film belongs to the silent film era, a period when storytelling relied heavily on visual cues, expressive acting, and intertitles to convey dialogue and narrative information. It showcases the cinematic techniques and acting styles of its time.
Director Victor Sjöström: Victor Sjöström, a prominent director of the silent era, brings his expertise to the film, creating a visually striking and emotionally resonant work of cinema. His direction enhances the film's impact.
Critical Acclaim: "He Who Gets Slapped" received critical acclaim upon its release and is considered one of Lon Chaney's most iconic roles. It remains a classic example of silent film storytelling and character-driven drama.
In summary, "He Who Gets Slapped" is a silent film that explores complex themes of love, betrayal, and redemption within the unique setting of a circus. Lon Chaney's powerful performance, combined with the film's exploration of human nature and its visually captivating circus backdrop, contribute to its status as a classic of silent cinema.
About the artist:
Eric Wilhelm Rohman (May 18, 1891, Nyköping, Sweden— Jan. 6, 1949, Stockholm) was a Swedish illustrator and advertising artist.
The crisp and essential style of Rohman is striking in his movie posters. His traits are well outlined and sharp and give life to the characters; he uses few colors and is never too loud, he has a great originality in managing the composition and the construction of space.
The Swedish artist creates movie posters that are caricatured and powerful in the representation, with high graphic settings. He depicts essential backgrounds of cities, apartment interiors, airplanes, bars, or simple backgrounds with geometric patterns. Rohman's posters attract the audience's attention creating curious scenes, geometric and coherent in the narrative but never static. That never gets boring.
He was raised in Helsingborg, where he discovered a passion for drawing and acting after his undergraduate education. To satisfy his newfound craving, he spent years studying under Swedish painter and illustrator Carl Wilhelmson at the Gothenburg Academy of the Arts. He took side work creating advertising illustrations for newspapers to pay his tuition. He also designed and drew several book covers and books.
Rohman had a brother who managed a large chain of theaters, which needed a constant supply of original art for film posters. Rohman then began working for his brother, which launched his career as a poster designer. In 1921 he was the only person in Sweden who worked full-time creating poster illustrations.
However, to fulfill the theater's demand, he had to work quickly. As a result, he designed four or five posters every week. But he was nonetheless generally still able to bring out the essential details of the film and its actors to express the essence of a film's theme.
Search "Rohman" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
April 19th, 2021
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