The Song of the Setting Sun (music: Walter Donaldson, lyrics: Gus Kahn). Sung by Chief Caupolican, danced by the Goldwyn girls, choreography by Busby Berkeley.
This is simply sensational. The best colour sequence from that era I've had the honour to see so far. Not only the cinematography is astoundingly clear; the music is also extraordinary. Eddie Cantor and Busby Berkeley were first rank entertainers.
Dark is the mountain With the setting of the sun. Outlive the sorrows When the red man's day is done. Hear the voice of sorrow while we pray Calling our tomorrow, yesterday. Red man no regretting With the setting of the sun.
Yes, it was considered a lost film, but a distribution copy turned up in Jack Warners personal collection, which was in good restorable condition. The original was Technicolor 2 color, but was shot red/green with enhanced masked blue, giving a better colour balance, before the 3 strip process was perfected. About the best early colour example still extant.
The costumes were all from the Broadway Florenz Ziegfeld production of Whoppee, and it was Eddie Cantor who insisted his friend Busby Berkeley was used by Samual Goldwyn for Choreography , as Busby had done the stage routines.
So often, the period glamour costumes of the 20's & early 30's look so strange and in fact ugly, even those shown in old photos of the Follies, but these would work anywhere anytime. Truly stunning, if politically incorrect in these weird times.
In spite of what any of us might say about what is politically correct, the fact that this Ziegfeld show has been recorded in some fashion makes it historically valuable, whether we agree with the politics of it or not... It's still good to be able to see it... rather than have it as a lost film. After all, it is history... And we can temper the images we see with our commentary, but to deny the history without being able to at least SEE it is WRONG! (Thank you.)
"Political correctness" is a bunch of nonsense and literally a term out of the Soviet Union. Chief Caupolican also sang Scarpia in the opera "Tosca;" is that "cultural appropriation" from Italians?!
Was Chief Caupolican the soloist? If so, what a beautiful voice. Are there any recordings of him or movies? His voice reminds me of Nelson Eddy. Isn't it amazing how we learn about amazing people every day on these amazing phones. I love mine ♥️
Lovely. Dr. Herbert Kalmus, the founder of Technicolor, cited "Whoopee" and "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" as the finest examples of 2 Color Technicolor ever.
Remember Mel Brooks’ film the Producers? The scene in this clip where the female performers display themselves seems eerily similar to what their contemporaries did in “Springtime”... hmm.
Dreamy and romantic is never ridiculous. Especially when the country was broke and the only thing a person could do was spend a dime on some fantasy. In 1930 they were not so concerned with being historically accurate in a stage musical with dancing 'peoples'. Now maybe if they were doing a portrayal of Little Bighorn this would be ridiculous. I love the early 30's Hollywood way more than now even if now is more PC. I'm low income, but work hard. Of course I can identify with those times more!
Alas! For the inherent racism. Even the music. Classical musician here who loves folk genres from all cultures, the caricature of Native American music, which is jaw droppingly subtle and beautiful, to this cartoonishness is just as insulting as an insensitive parody of a mass or Christian service. Combined with the words of the song, the "redface", and the costuming of the women, it becomes positively eye watering. This is not to take away from the brilliance of the performers, the overall beauty of the number, the technical triumph of the camera work and color, all of which are top notch. But alas for the American view of race and people who aren't like us. This extends to other people now called "white", btw. My grandparents came from Italy and Poland. They suffered insulting stereotypes too, though not as violently as the Native peoples did.
You're being insulted for people who themselves are not insulted. Do you genuinely think this portrayal indicates racism, or if they were truly racist is it more likely they wouldn't have done anything at all showcasing Native American culture from their own perspective? Would it have been better for them to have done nothing at all and for us to have zero portrayal of other cultures from that time? The idea that you're a classical musician is laughable. Chief Caupolican also sang the role of Scarpia from Puccini's "Tosca" on stage; I suppose next you'll be claiming that's "culturally appropriation" from the Italians! 🤣
@@VinylToVideo Nope. No cultural appropriation there, I would say. However, the "better small violinists than none at all" argument just doesn't fly. It doesn't take away from the inherently racist, or caricature-ish nature of this scene, and others like it. To answer your rhetorical questions, what I would have preferred, is for the Europeans to have tried to trade fairly with the aboriginal population of the Americas, rather than resorting to genocide and its attendant evils.
@@johnmanno2052 And what does any of that have to do with this movie? You morons would have nothing for us to see film wise from this era if you had your way; and it's probably why we as a culture produce nothing today that will be worthy of viewing in 92 years.
@@VinylToVideo On the contrary, I would have EVERYONE see movies like this, and more! I'd make them mandatory viewing, actually, as part of everyone's curriculum at school. Since you seem to enjoy rhetorical questions, here's a thought experiment: Where I live in the US was a source of tremendous mineral wealth, that accrued to white men who lived in New England, during the 19th century and early 20th century. The Native American population endemic to this area was violently shoved aside in order to better grasp it IF the Europeans and Americans had treated the Native Americans here fairly, and fairly paid them the fantastic royalties they deserved on their lands, such that Native Americans too could amass vast fortunes, how do you think movies would have been made? Do you not think that the wealth Native Americans would have enjoyed would have changed the nature of Hollywood depictions of them? Of course, one can never know for certain, but I'm willing to guess that things would have been quite different.
@tapolna But only a fool would deny that Manifest Destiny replaced anything it swept away with something exponentially better. This clip, itself, is living proof. We were the greatest culture the world had ever produced until we inexplicably got pissed off at ourselves precisely for being that. What a terrible shame.
What true Americans think of this I would like to know?! Me , personally don't like women dresses half naked. Yes, they bodies are beautiful and the color and technologies for that time is fantastic but they gave the wrong message. Like always , we think that we are above every other race than ours.
This is simply sensational. The best colour sequence from that era I've had the honour to see so far. Not only the cinematography is astoundingly clear; the music is also extraordinary. Eddie Cantor and Busby Berkeley were first rank entertainers.
Dark is the mountain
With the setting
of the sun.
Outlive the sorrows
When the red man's
day is done.
Hear the voice of
sorrow while we pray
Calling our tomorrow,
yesterday.
Red man no regretting
With the setting of
the sun.
Yes, it was considered a lost film, but a distribution copy turned up in Jack Warners personal collection, which was in good restorable condition. The original was Technicolor 2 color, but was shot red/green with enhanced masked blue, giving a better colour balance, before the 3 strip process was perfected. About the best early colour example still extant.
And the recording is far above the norm!
Wow! Very impressive for 1929!: great print, too.
OH! My dear LORD! this is just FANTASTIC!
The costumes were all from the Broadway Florenz Ziegfeld production of Whoppee, and it was Eddie Cantor who insisted his friend Busby Berkeley was used by Samual Goldwyn for Choreography , as Busby had done the stage routines.
So often, the period glamour costumes of the 20's & early 30's look so strange and in fact ugly, even those shown in old photos of the Follies, but these would work anywhere anytime. Truly stunning, if politically incorrect in these weird times.
In spite of what any of us might say about what is politically correct, the fact that this Ziegfeld show has been recorded in some fashion makes it historically valuable, whether we agree with the politics of it or not... It's still good to be able to see it... rather than have it as a lost film. After all, it is history... And we can temper the images we see with our commentary, but to deny the history without being able to at least SEE it is WRONG!
(Thank you.)
"Political correctness" is a bunch of nonsense and literally a term out of the Soviet Union. Chief Caupolican also sang Scarpia in the opera "Tosca;" is that "cultural appropriation" from Italians?!
Chief Caupolican gracias!
Was Chief Caupolican the soloist? If so, what a beautiful voice. Are there any recordings of him or movies? His voice reminds me of Nelson Eddy. Isn't it amazing how we learn about amazing people every day on these amazing phones. I love mine ♥️
Two strip Technicolor at its height -- and what a set south-western art deco.
Amazing colour !
beautiful color! THANKS!!!!!!!
Super excellent with very good interesting video
Is this the first Busby Berkeley number filmed? Odd that he had to go back to B&W for so many years.
Magnificent scene! Impressive color for its time. This is areal treasure. thanks for sharing!!!!
Busby Berkeley was brilliant !
Anyone notice Viginia Bruce in the lineup. What a ground-breaking Ziegfeld/Goldwyn epic. All the rest followed.
4:36 This head-dress would be quite impractical in time hunting season or times of war. LOL
Amulepe Taiñ Weichan, kume newen Chief Kaupolikan
インディアンっぽい男性が高らかに歌い上げた後、女性達の華麗なダンス。音楽も情緒があって美しく素晴らしい。鮮明なカラー映像に感動。
Lovely. Dr. Herbert Kalmus, the founder of Technicolor, cited "Whoopee" and "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" as the finest examples of 2 Color Technicolor ever.
Wow!
Any chance of the whole of Whoppee? Great posting!
Remember Mel Brooks’ film the Producers? The scene in this clip where the female performers display themselves seems eerily similar to what their contemporaries did in “Springtime”... hmm.
excellent.... we love america..
4:05 I meant.
The girls -- alas! -- are anonymous, but their characterizations are right out of Minskys.
Dreamy and romantic is never ridiculous. Especially when the country was broke and the only thing a person could do was spend a dime on some fantasy. In 1930 they were not so concerned with being historically accurate in a stage musical with dancing 'peoples'. Now maybe if they were doing a portrayal of Little Bighorn this would be ridiculous.
I love the early 30's Hollywood way more than now even if now is more PC. I'm low income, but work hard. Of course I can identify with those times more!
Actually, the Depression did not start until 1931. In 1930 the unemployment rate was never higher than 10%.
Alas! For the inherent racism. Even the music. Classical musician here who loves folk genres from all cultures, the caricature of Native American music, which is jaw droppingly subtle and beautiful, to this cartoonishness is just as insulting as an insensitive parody of a mass or Christian service. Combined with the words of the song, the "redface", and the costuming of the women, it becomes positively eye watering.
This is not to take away from the brilliance of the performers, the overall beauty of the number, the technical triumph of the camera work and color, all of which are top notch.
But alas for the American view of race and people who aren't like us. This extends to other people now called "white", btw. My grandparents came from Italy and Poland. They suffered insulting stereotypes too, though not as violently as the Native peoples did.
You're being insulted for people who themselves are not insulted. Do you genuinely think this portrayal indicates racism, or if they were truly racist is it more likely they wouldn't have done anything at all showcasing Native American culture from their own perspective? Would it have been better for them to have done nothing at all and for us to have zero portrayal of other cultures from that time? The idea that you're a classical musician is laughable. Chief Caupolican also sang the role of Scarpia from Puccini's "Tosca" on stage; I suppose next you'll be claiming that's "culturally appropriation" from the Italians! 🤣
@@VinylToVideo Nope. No cultural appropriation there, I would say.
However, the "better small violinists than none at all" argument just doesn't fly. It doesn't take away from the inherently racist, or caricature-ish nature of this scene, and others like it.
To answer your rhetorical questions, what I would have preferred, is for the Europeans to have tried to trade fairly with the aboriginal population of the Americas, rather than resorting to genocide and its attendant evils.
@@johnmanno2052 And what does any of that have to do with this movie? You morons would have nothing for us to see film wise from this era if you had your way; and it's probably why we as a culture produce nothing today that will be worthy of viewing in 92 years.
@@VinylToVideo On the contrary, I would have EVERYONE see movies like this, and more! I'd make them mandatory viewing, actually, as part of everyone's curriculum at school.
Since you seem to enjoy rhetorical questions, here's a thought experiment:
Where I live in the US was a source of tremendous mineral wealth, that accrued to white men who lived in New England, during the 19th century and early 20th century. The Native American population endemic to this area was violently shoved aside in order to better grasp it
IF the Europeans and Americans had treated the Native Americans here fairly, and fairly paid them the fantastic royalties they deserved on their lands, such that Native Americans too could amass vast fortunes, how do you think movies would have been made? Do you not think that the wealth Native Americans would have enjoyed would have changed the nature of Hollywood depictions of them?
Of course, one can never know for certain, but I'm willing to guess that things would have been quite different.
@tapolna But only a fool would deny that Manifest Destiny replaced anything it swept away with something exponentially better. This clip, itself, is living proof. We were the greatest culture the world had ever produced until we inexplicably got pissed off at ourselves precisely for being that. What a terrible shame.
The Marxists began a "long march through the institutions" in the twenties. PC=Cultural Marxism=Critical Theory.
You are justifying genocide, man.
What true Americans think of this I would like to know?! Me , personally don't like women dresses half naked. Yes, they bodies are beautiful and the color and technologies for that time is fantastic but they gave the wrong message. Like always , we think that we are above every other race than ours.