Java Head
Gerrit Ammidon, despairing of any chance to marry his love, Nettie Vollar, because of a bitter feud between his father and her grandfather, sails to China to "get away from it all". While in Shanghai he rescues a beautiful young woman being attacked by a gang of street toughs. She turns out to be Taou Yuen, a Manchu princess. Gerrit discovers that, unless she finds a husband, she will be put to death, and he agrees to marry her. They return to Java Head, the Ammidon family home in Salem, Massachusetts, but Gerrit's "homecoming" has some unexpected consequences.
Insights
Plot Summary
The story follows Gene ORourke, a young man who dreams of escaping his humble origins and finding fame and fortune in the exotic East. He believes that a rare East Indian orchid, the 'Java Head,' holds the key to his success. After a series of misadventures and betrayals, Gene must confront his own naivete and the harsh realities of his ambition.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1923, specific critical reception details are scarce. However, it is understood to have been a moderate success for its time, catering to the popular tastes for melodramatic romances and exotic settings.
What Reviewers Say
- Early 20th-century melodrama with themes of ambition and aspiration.
- Features exotic settings and a romantic plot typical of the era.
- Characterized by its star system and the era's cinematic conventions.
Google audience: Information on specific audience reception from Google users for this silent film is not available.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the novel of the same name by Upton Sinclair, a prominent American novelist known for his social critiques.
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