FILM FILM - University of Macau Library

80 Transition and Transformation
Mojave Desert. Given 120–degree temperatures and nine wind machines whipping
up the sand that was the visually most distinctive feature of the film, it was
an extraordinarily taxing ordeal. Gish later called it “one of my worst experiences
in filmmaking”. 7 (FIG. 13)
Fig. 13: 120-degrees temperatures and wind machines: according to Lillian Gish
“one of my worst experiences in filmmaking” (The Wind).
The Wind was shot as a silent film, but it opened too late (23 November 1928)to
be wholeheartedly received as such by the critics and public. The talkies had
just made their breakthrough (The Jazz Singer was first shown in 1927). This
general reluctance towards the film probably had other reasons as well, such as
the sombre story; that the producer Irving Thalberg considered it a risky project
is revealed by a telegram to Sjöström where he gives instructions in order to try
to save its commercial potential:
After careful discussion with Frances and getting opinion of several people definitely
[sic] decided we must have Hanson clean shaven from time of her washing dishes on
to finish of picture otherwise there will be no conviction of growing romance and
certainly no audience desire to see it come about stop we are taking enough chances