He applauded the combination of "sentiment, humor and pathos with taut melodrama and bristling intrigue". To risk accusations of sentimentality, melodrama. Cut loose the drama, no melodrama. It is a dark melodrama involving betrayal and romance. Flashbacks are important in film noir and melodrama films. The original tale became a staple of Victorian melodrama and London urban legend. After Verdi, the sentimental "realistic" melodrama of verismo appeared in Italy. The series includes elements of postmodernism, and functions as a mixture of melodrama and comedy. The majority of the production focused on melodrama and thrillers. The early period was dominated by melodrama and Romanticism. Virgil established the view of Cleopatra as a figure of epic melodrama and romance. The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville, and began taking singing lessons. The villain is often the central character in melodrama and crime was a favorite theme. Here the plot does handstands in its eagerness to use coincidence, surprise and melodrama. The industry is one of the largest producers of folklore, fantasy, mythological and melodrama films.