A Cherished Professor and The Italian Straw Hat 👒

By Gail Moore Woltkamp

One of my first articles I wrote for a newspaper was when I covered a review of a classic silent film, The Italian Straw Hat, by Rene Clair. It was presented by one of my favorite professors at Baker University in Kansas, Miss Nancy Richards. At that particular time in Baker’s history, we were lucky to have Professor Richards in the journalism and communications department, as she was there for only a couple of years before moving on to Chicago.

Richards is beautiful and was part of the reason I wanted to major in journalism. Her presentation, which was part of a silent film series, was intelligent, unique and charming, which is also how I would describe Professor Richards’ personna exactly.

The Italian Straw Hat is a 1927 silent film that holds a significant place in the historic cinematic world. A plot involving a bridegroom, a hat, a horse and a secret coverup before a pending wedding, it would be a disservice to describe the overall feel of the story as anything less than whimsical.

As Clair’s feature debut, it is considered one of his most notable, as well as one of the most durable French silent films in history. Based on the 1851 play by France’s Eugene Marin Labiche and Marc-Michel, Clair’s silent film version is a brave example of comedic timing and a worthy representation of his work in filmmaking.

In Professor Richard’s eloquent description, she spoke of how Clair was “continually experimenting with composition, movement and eventually with sound.” She mentioned through Clair’s career, he “never abandoned his liking for fantasy or the absurd.” His personal style of filmmaking, she suggested, was displayed best in this particular work.

In my article, I went on to quote Richards in her description of the film as “neat and precisely timed” as she noted the film’s structure is “perhaps its greatest strength.” Richards further explained, The Italian Straw Hat was actually released one year after Warner Brothers’ sound-on-disc film, Don Juan, although it was not the last silent film ever made.

I would presume throughout my life, I would not have cared too much about particular silent films, their plot-structure or timing, if not for Professor Nancy Richards. The likes of Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo or even Lilian Gish, all with whom I am familiar, fall short of filling me with too much intrigue. 

Professor Richards, however, has been unforgettable. Her work ethic and knowledge of film and journalism, combined with the example she set, stuck with me. She compelled me to think and reach beyond my own interests, and for that, I am eternally grateful. 💛 ✨

#theitalianstrawhat

#reneclair

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