The City (1916 film)

The City is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Theodore Wharton and starring Thurlow Bergen, Elsie Esmond, and J. Charles Haydon. The film follows the intertwined lives of a family over several decades, examining the corrupting influence of urban life compared to the perceived innocence of rural existence.

The plot centers on the Van Buren family. As the city around them grows, their values and relationships are tested, leading to moral decay and personal tragedies. The film depicts various social ills associated with urbanization, including greed, crime, and the loss of traditional values. It emphasizes a nostalgic view of rural simplicity contrasted with the complex and often morally compromised world of the burgeoning city.

While The City was a contemporary commentary on the rapid urbanization occurring in America during the early 20th century, it has received limited scholarly attention compared to other silent films of the era. The film is now considered a lost film, as no known complete prints are known to exist. Surviving fragments and stills offer glimpses into its narrative and visual style. Its historical significance lies primarily in its reflection of anxieties surrounding urbanization and its contribution to the themes explored in early American cinema.