What's Happening?
The 1928 silent comedy 'The Cardboard Lover,' starring Marion Davies, has received a 2K restoration and Blu-ray release from Ben Model and Undercrank Productions. This restoration offers an opportunity to revisit and appreciate Davies's work, which was
significantly impacted by the portrayal of her fictional counterpart, Susan Alexander, in Orson Welles's 1941 film 'Citizen Kane.' The character of Susan Alexander was depicted as a talentless amateur singer, a portrayal that unfairly skewed public perception of Davies, despite Welles later expressing regret and praising Davies as 'one of the most delightfully accomplished comediennes in the whole history of the screen.' 'The Cardboard Lover' showcases Davies as Sally Baxter, a young tourist in Monte Carlo who becomes entangled in a troubled romance between a tennis champion and his girlfriend, demonstrating Davies's comedic talent through physical stunts, mimicry, and a wide range of expressive emotions.
Why It's Important?
This restoration is important for re-evaluating the historical narrative surrounding Marion Davies, an actress whose professional reputation was unfairly diminished by her association with the character of Susan Alexander in 'Citizen Kane.' For decades, the public perception of Davies was colored by the fictionalized, negative portrayal, overshadowing her genuine talent as a screen comedienne. The release of 'The Cardboard Lover' allows modern audiences to experience Davies's work firsthand, providing a more accurate understanding of her contributions to early cinema. This re-evaluation not only corrects a historical injustice but also highlights the power of media portrayals to shape public opinion, even when those portrayals are fictionalized. It underscores the importance of preserving and re-presenting historical cinematic works to ensure a comprehensive and accurate understanding of film history and the artists within it.
What's Next?
The release of 'The Cardboard Lover' is part of a broader effort to restore and re-introduce classic silent films to contemporary audiences. This trend is likely to continue, with more forgotten or misjudged works from the silent era potentially undergoing similar restoration processes. Film historians and critics may further engage with Davies's filmography, leading to a more robust academic and public discourse about her career and the impact of 'Citizen Kane' on her legacy. The success of this restoration could encourage other production companies and archives to invest in similar projects, bringing more underappreciated cinematic works to light and enriching the understanding of early American film. This could also lead to increased interest in the lives and careers of other actors whose legacies may have been similarly distorted by historical narratives or fictionalized accounts.
Beyond the Headlines
The story of Marion Davies and the character of Susan Alexander in 'Citizen Kane' delves into the complex interplay between art, biography, and public perception. It highlights how fictional narratives, even those loosely based on real individuals, can profoundly impact real-world reputations and legacies. The initial misrepresentation of Davies as a talentless singer, perpetuated by the film, speaks to the ethical considerations of artistic license and the responsibility of creators when drawing inspiration from real lives. Furthermore, Davies's own efforts to preserve her films and those of others underscore the critical role of artists in safeguarding their own legacies and contributing to the broader cultural archive. This situation also raises questions about how historical figures are remembered and the ongoing process of re-evaluating and correcting historical narratives as new information and perspectives emerge.
