Posts Tagged With: EM Hull

First, I would like to thank “Hometowns to Hollywood” for allowing the following contribution to their “Once Upon a Time Blogathon: Fairy Tales, Legends, & Myths”. 

Historically, books served as a main source of entertainment. They’ve helped distinguish between fact and fiction. Many began their literary journey with childhood fairy tales. A fairy tale is a narrative that depicts a series of dramatic events, culminating in a conclusion where all characters live happily ever after. These tales inherently possess a contradictory nature, blending moral lessons with social truths. Through these narratives, individuals can glean valuable life lessons from a blend of fiction and reality. As history progressed, a transition occurred, books eventually became alive on a moving picture screen and for filmmakers this concept presented a challenge to bring a story to life.

The silent film era began with the introduction of films without sound. According to the Chaplain Film Festival (2025), silent films are visual stories that convey melodramatic plots with themes such as romance, betrayal, good versus evil. The viewer has the freedom to interpret the movie’s outcome.

A perfect example is English writer E.M. Hull who wrote a series of desert romance novels, two (2) of which were adapted for the moving picture screen. Both “Sheik” & ”Son of the Sheik” featured actor Rudolph Valentino as a wealthy sheik rescuing a damsel in distress, inviting audience members to identify with the heroine. Cinemagoers frequently returned to theaters to watch a charismatic young actor. For some, the dream became a poignant reality, while for many others, it remained a mere fairytale.

Reference

Chaplain Film Festival (2025). Key Characteristics of Silent Films. Retrieved from: Silent Era – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Film History Glossary Terms – chaplinfilmfestival.com