Movie spotlight
Babbling Tongues
When elderly Joseph Moreau and his young wife Therese offer refuge to starving young dramatist Paul Savary, gossips begin to spread rumors of a love affair between the wife and the writer. For the good of all concerned, Paul moves into separate quarters. One day Paul overhears the gossip again at a café and challenges the purveyor of the lie to a duel. Moreau, for his own satisfaction, takes Paul's place in combat and is mortally wounded. Moreau staggers to Paul's apartment where he discovers Therese, who has come to beg the writer to refuse to fight.
Insights
Plot Summary
A short silent film where a wife attempts to use a newfangled contraption to understand her husband's "babbling tongues." However, the device malfunctions, leading to humorous misunderstandings. The film explores themes of communication and the anxieties surrounding emerging technology.
Critical Reception
As a silent short film from 1917, 'Babbling Tongues' received contemporary notice for its novelty and comedic premise, typical of Alice Guy-Blaché's inventive approach to early cinema. Its reception was generally positive within the context of its time, appreciated for its lighthearted take on domestic life and technological fascination.
What Reviewers Say
Appreciated for its early use of a comedic 'scientific' premise.
Praised for its simple yet effective portrayal of marital communication struggles.
Seen as an example of Guy-Blaché's enduring creativity in the silent era.
Google audience: As this is a very early silent film, specific Google user reviews are not available. However, it is often cited by film historians as an example of early cinematic innovation.
Awards & Accolades
None notable (as most films from this era did not receive awards in the modern sense)
Fun Fact
Alice Guy-Blaché, the director, was one of the very first filmmakers to use synchronized sound in her films, though 'Babbling Tongues' itself is a silent production.
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