Even silent movies needed to tidy up once in a while…
Silent Movie Stars Do Some Housekeeping
Fun Size Review: Sold at Auction (1923)
This solo comedy from Snub Pollard is delightfully strange and displaying that light Hal Roach touch that comedy fans know and love. Pollard is probably most famous as Harold Lloyd’s sidekick but he does pretty well for himself in the starring role.
Troubles of a Grass Widower (1908) A Silent Film Review
Max Linder and his wife quarrel and he is left to his own devices. Alas, keeping house is not nearly as easy as he imagined and chaos ensues in this cute domestic comedy.
Continue reading “Troubles of a Grass Widower (1908) A Silent Film Review”
Site News: There Shall Be Continuation
Last week, I wrote about some matters that could possibly effect the site’s future. Well, I am happy to say that everything has been satisfactorily resolved.
News from the Silent Movie Front: Turn of the Century Filmmaking, Women Filmmakers and Silent Sci-Fi
So much exciting news for silent movie fans right now with treasures both famous and obscure finally making it to home video. I’m pretty excited! Continue reading “News from the Silent Movie Front: Turn of the Century Filmmaking, Women Filmmakers and Silent Sci-Fi”
Top Stars of 1918: Round One of the Tournament, VOTE NOW
Here’s where things get difficult! Last week, I asked readers to vote for up to five choices on two lists of popular 1918 silent film stars. Now we’re going to pit these stars against one another, may the most beloved star win!
Continue reading “Top Stars of 1918: Round One of the Tournament, VOTE NOW”
Silent Movie Stars Reject This
Nope, nope, nope. Silent stars express their rejection in no uncertain terms.
You Can’t Do That in the Movies! Official Cut-Outs from the Chicago Board of Censors
Back in the 1910s, there was no central body for judging a film’s suitability for audiences. As a result, state and city boards of censors took up the slack and one of the most famous was the board working in the city of Chicago.
Fun Size Review: The Pinch Hitter (1917)
Can Charles Ray make the baseball team? If you’ve seen any sports movie, you know the answer.
Bout de Zan Steals an Elephant (1913) A Silent Film Review
Louis Feuillade didn’t just make serials and this short is a showcase for child comedian Bout de Zan. The plot is very much what it says on the tin. Boy meets elephant, boy steals elephant, boy and elephant terrorize streets of Paris, as one does.
Continue reading “Bout de Zan Steals an Elephant (1913) A Silent Film Review”
The Top Stars of 1918: YOU Decide
Since everyone seemed to have so much fun picking their favorite top-recommended silent film, I thought we could have some fun choosing our favorite stars from 1918.
Cooking with the (Silent) Stars: Mary Pickford’s Russian Caviar on Tomatoes
Welcome back! I am cooking my way through the 1929 Photoplay Cookbook but I sometimes take detours. This time, we’re looking at America’s Sweetheart once again and her recipe for a WWII-era cookbook.
Continue reading “Cooking with the (Silent) Stars: Mary Pickford’s Russian Caviar on Tomatoes”
Out of the Office: The Future of Movies Silently
A few things have been churning in the real world that will affect the amount of time I have to dedicate to the website. I am going to be having a meeting today that should settle those matters.
Continue reading “Out of the Office: The Future of Movies Silently”
Results: You Voted on Your Favorite Essential Silent Film
A little while ago, I asked my readers to submit their favorite essential silent films, I then followed up by asking my readers to choose their favorite movie out of the top ten most-recommended films on the list. The results are in!
Continue reading “Results: You Voted on Your Favorite Essential Silent Film”
Fun Size Review: Crazy Like a Fox (1926)
Charley Chase wants to marry Martha Sleeper but first he has to finagle his way out of an arranged marriage… to Martha Sleeper. Chase feigns insanity and terrorizes the neighborhood, including Oliver Hardy.
California Straight Ahead (1925) A Silent Film Review
Rich kid and racecar driver Reginald Denny is late to his own wedding and that’s just the start of his problems. Well and truly dumped by Gertrude Olmstead, he heads out to California and the auto races being held there.
Continue reading “California Straight Ahead (1925) A Silent Film Review”
Theme Month! October 2018: Is this a la mode de France?
I haven’t done a French silent movie month in ages and I am itching to enjoy and celebrate these wonderful films again so here we are. I could basically just review French and Russian silents and be happy as clam so usually I have to pace myself a bit but this month is all about absolute self-indulgence.
Continue reading “Theme Month! October 2018: Is this a la mode de France?”
Celebrity Eats: Julie Christie’s 1970s Holiday Salad Collaboration with Vegan Variation
As you all know, I am a bit of a fiend for vintage celebrity recipes so I hope you don’t mind me stepping out of the silent era for the first time to try a truly strange creation.
The Five Funniest Things in the World in 1918 (and a Silent Comedy Mystery)
I was flipping through old film magazines and discovered a fascinating little article in the September 1918 issue of Photoplay. Written by Homer Coy, it lists five sure secrets of then-current screen comedy… and creates a little mystery.
Continue reading “The Five Funniest Things in the World in 1918 (and a Silent Comedy Mystery)”
You Gave Me Your Silent Film Recommendations, Now Vote on Your Favorites!
A little while ago, I asked my readers to submit their favorite essential silent films, the movies they think everyone would enjoy. As usual, you came through with all sorts of great titles and I went ahead and crunched the numbers of both the films submitted in the comments and via a private form.
Continue reading “You Gave Me Your Silent Film Recommendations, Now Vote on Your Favorites!”
Silent Movie Stars Lose Their Tempers
They’ve had enough and they’re not going to take it anymore!
Fun Size Review: Wagon Tracks (1919)
This is possibly one of the most beautiful films William S. Hart made and so it is appropriate that it is also the first Hart film available in HD. The cinematography and gorgeous tints are absolutely breathtaking.
Hobson’s Choice (1920) A Silent Film Review
Maggie, the eldest daughter of a successful boot merchant, decides that she will not go quietly into spinsterhood and instead marries one of her father’s bootmakers and goes into business for herself. Based on of the most delightful comedy plays England has produced.
Continue reading “Hobson’s Choice (1920) A Silent Film Review”
Let Your Classic Movie Nerd Flag Fly!
More merch for you to enjoy! This one is a minimalist proclamation of our chosen area of geekery: classic movies.
Head Winds (1925) A Silent Film Review
A rather strange film about a yachtsman who discovers that the woman he loves is about to marry another… so he bandages his face and tricks her into marrying him instead? Mm-kay. This is one of those Sheik pictures, isn’t it?
News from the Silent Movie Front: Rudolph Valentino, The Cossack Whip and Podcasting
Some exciting releases on the horizon (and on the shelves now) for silent film fans so let’s get started!
It Be Talk Like a Pirate Day, Mateys, and Silent Stars Are Ready!
Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and what better way to celebrate this most important occasion than by bringing out some piratical silent movies?
Continue reading “It Be Talk Like a Pirate Day, Mateys, and Silent Stars Are Ready!”
Shelfie: Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and the Headless Horseman
I’m back with another peek into my silent movie collection, a selection of mysteries and programmers this time. If you want to catch up on other “shelfie” posts, you can find them here.
I’m based in California, so while these films might be region-free, they are quite possibly region 1 or region A. Readers living outside the region will need to check their equipment before purchasing.
Continue reading “Shelfie: Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and the Headless Horseman”
Fun Size Review: The Unholy Three (1925)
Lon Chaney plays a ventriloquist-turned-criminal mastermind who robs from the rich with help from his sideshow pals. Just as bonkers and just as much fun as you might imagine.
Girl Shy (1924) A Silent Film Review
Harold Lloyd is terrified of women but makes up for it by writing about his romantic conquests conquering vamps and flappers with skill. (In his own mind, anyway.) Then he meets a real, honest-to-goodness Jobyna Ralston and falls head over heels. Can he overcome his girl shy ways and find true romance?