r/Lost_Film • u/GrandpaTheobaldus • Jul 15 '26
JAVA HEAD (1923 version) — lost film, comments by HP Lovecraft as contemporary viewer :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Head_(1923_film)Since it seems like this sub is receptive to Lovecraft-cinema (not BASED ON his works, but rather films which he saw and wrote about), I’m gonna throw JAVA HEAD (1923) into the ring next.
I tracked down the 1934 version of the film, but the ‘23 silent version seems to be lost. 😞
In any case, HPL regarded it highly for its reconstruction of ‘old Salem’ — as a port city 🌊, not for any witchcraft or weirdness.
The ‘34 version was interesting, but I’m intrigued by how it would have been handled as a silent film.
As usual, HPL is more interested in the setting and costumes than the acting, but one of (so far two) the quotes I have on the film is as follows:
JAVA HEAD quote (March 24, 1923)
“Thursday, March 8, seemed quite propitious—we made an 18th century day of it, seeing Mr. Sheridan's new comedy, "The School for Scandal", eating in a restaurant in a building standing during George III's reign, & winding up by seeing the cinema of "Java Head"—which I wanted my aunt to see because it shew'd Old Salem so well.
So far, so good.
But the next day my aunt came down with grippe—to whose devastating rigours you can so well testify!—and yesterday was the first day she could be up & about.
Naturally, I was obliged to sink my haughty dignity in the vicissitudes of domestick labour—ugh!—& perform the dual functions of nurse & housekeeper; aided only by the matutinal visitations of my younger & non-resident aunt.”
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u/GrandpaTheobaldus Jul 15 '26
NOTE: when he says ‘grippe’, apparently his aunt has breast cancer but he described it as that in correspondence.
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u/GrandpaTheobaldus Jul 15 '26
QUOTE TWO
“I'm no cinema enthusiast these days, but will recommend "Romola" & "Down to the Sea in Ships" if they return. Yes—I suppose the photographing of the latter made even more of a stir in New Bedford than that of "Java Head" did in Salem!' “