Musical Silents: Hell's Hinges

Live improvised score by Matt Hagen + Avery Cooper
This violent, morally shocking early feature-length Western features America’s first cinematic cowboy hero, William S. Hart, who starred in producer Thomas Ince’s run of Westerns in the 1910s and became one of silent cinema’s most famous actors.
Hell’s Hinges, Hart’s sixth feature for Ince, bears very little resemblance to later Hollywood formulas, in which a lone hero would tame a town through law and order. Not here. It takes a while for the hour-long film to work up a head of steam, but from its measured start, Hell’s Hinges builds to a nightmarish intensity.
Hart plays a bad man in a bad town who is converted by the Bible and a good woman (not in that order). When things go awry, and quite violent, Hart passes his final judgement and the town earns its name. In its intensity, harsh moral outlook, and violent conclusion, Hell’s Hinges anticipates Clint Eastwood’s merciless Westerns, such as High Plains Drifter and Unforgiven.
Matt Hagen is a Burlington, Vermont-based musician whose sound is as layered and unhurried as the Green Mountain seasons. His music varies from instrumental, genre bending guitar to intimate storytelling, with a voice that feels lived-in and genuine. A fixture in Vermont’s independent music scene, Matt has earned recognition, trust, and respect as a standout voice in Burlington’s vibrant creative community. Whether performing at premier clubs, intimate local venues, headlining events, supporting main stage acts, or tucked into a quiet corner of the city, he brings a rare authenticity that resonates long after the last chord fades. A seasoned songwriter, bandleader, and eclectic collaborator, Hagen writes and performs in a palatable fashion while unafraid to wander into strange sonic territory. It’s music made for people who listen closely.