"Salome" (1923) By Charles Bryant

Sometimes there is a weird silent film production very difficult to
classify after so many years have passed since its premiere; this is
true even for this German count, a strange fact given that the
aristocracy are accustomed to unusual subjects.

This silent controversy is true of “Salome”, a strange oeuvre that
even nowadays shocks the audience by its eccentricity and
singularity. It was directed by Herr Charles Bryant in the silent
year of 1923, and starred his wife ( or something like that because
they lived in sin during many years… ) the also unclassifiable Dame
Nazimova.

Filmed in an unique and theatrical set ( there are few different shots
outside the main setting ), this extravagant oeuvre was the first film
adaptation of the great writer Herr Oscar Wilde’s play,which tells of
the capricious and ill fated infatuation between Dame Salomé and
Herr Jokanaan .

Many adjectives comes to this German count’s mind watching this
peculiar silent film production, a baroque oeuvre with bizarre
costumes inspired by the great Herr Aubrey Beardsley illustrations
together with suggestive décors that are outstanding for their
originality and the same time modernity ( the “Art Nouveau” is the
inspiration) and stilted performances that give the film an atmosphere
of careful theatricality that fits well with its artistic and
original intentions. It is of course, an adaptation of a biblical
story though with a decadent touch.

Obviously Herr Charles Bryant’s “Salome” is not one of those DeMille’
biblical productions in content and form ( thank Gott! ); Dame
Nazimova gives to the oeuvre a perverse sensuality and creates a
lustful atmosphere hanging over the other characters. The film plays
with ambiguity and loose-living, an interesting combination of
hedonism and lechery.

“Salome” is a capricious, original silent film rarity which is
outstanding in its artifice and mannerisms at the service of an
exuberant staging and is intentionally overacted. It is an audacious
and controversial film even after so many years.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because
this German Count must do a belly dance for one of his Teutonic rich
heiress.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

"Intentionally overacted" yes; but not in a melodramatic way. Much of
the story plays like stop motion, because there are long pauses to
accentuate the meaning to the story.
Filled with homosexual overtones and costumes like you've never seen
elsewhere, it pulls at your senses, provided you're willing to take it
all in.
It happened that "Salome" was the 'film of choice' at the Wagner home
last weekend, when I welcomed Celia (one of many silent film mentors),
to view the video with me..
Over the years, she's provided me priceless material, including a copy
of "Hollywood," Kenneth Brownlow's amazing documentary on the history of
film making in America. This time, I had something to show her. 
My friendship with Celia (my first Internet Girlfriend, but not my
last), has blossomed over the years, partly because we rarely agree
about anything in film.  That's priceless for discussing, since what
point is there to talk about films without considering different points
of view?
It was she who especially wanted to view this film because of her
passion for all things Valentino.
[Perhaps some here don't know that Miss Natacha Rambova (who was
credited for both the Sets and costumes in the film), is actually, Mrs.
Rudolph Valentino.] 
Because we watched it together, we could see a new perspective of the
film through the shared comments as the story played on the screen.
This can be an exciting film when watched carefully. It's an 'art'
film, and it certainly fits that category. 
There are men in drag, men who are obviously attracted to other men,
and for the first time, I actually saw male characters wearing pasties!
As Herr Graf has said, this is no DeMille epic.  However, the silent
film stays much closer to the Biblical text than that awful 1953 version
of the same name, directed by William Dieterle and staring Charles
Laughton as King Herod.  At least DeMille would have stuck to the
original story!
This is a unique film from beginning to end.  The sets are sparse,
but the attention to detail is quite amazing. 
Even the painted moon, appears differently each time it is seen.
There's also a good deal of humor and sexual tension throughout the
story.
"Salome" is an experience that cannot easily be put into words,
without some visual aid to enlighten the reader.  To that end, I
provide the following images.  

Note the different moons.

Rich Wagner  
http://community-2.webtv.net/BigSilentFan/Salome/