Cold-blooded murder. Movie audiences have always enjoyed murder mysteries, courtroom dramas and all things stemming from a mysterious corpse in the library.
March’s theme was all about the various ways murder was treated during the silent era.
We kicked things off with An Evil of the Slums, which was a cautionary tale warning of the dangers of hanging out in pool halls. You may be framed for the death of a gambler!
Next, Nat Pinkerton: The Black Riders, a French pulp film that followed the title character as he tried to solve the murder of a bank clerk and ended up in a death trap himself.
And then Saved by the Pony Express, a Tom Mix western in which the murder was no such thing and an innocent man is put on trial for a romantic rival’s suicide. Will the Pony Express deliver evidence in time and save the day?
Finally, the rediscovered lost film Dynamite Smith, which starts with a murder in San Francisco and ends with another death trap (silent movies loved their death traps).
I hope you enjoyed this rash of mayhem!
☙❦❧
Like what you’re reading? Please consider sponsoring me on Patreon. All patrons will get early previews of upcoming features, exclusive polls and other goodies.
Disclosure: Some links included in this post may be affiliate links to products sold by Amazon and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Movies Silently 