Category Archives: Silent
San Ferry Ann (1965)
San Ferry Ann, the title of a 1965 silent British comedy film, is a play on words and refers to the French phrase ça ne fait rien. If I’m translating it correctly–it means it doesn’t matter. The French phrase became … Continue reading
Au Bonheur des Dames (1930)
“You seem to use women too easily, my dear man. People get hurt in that game. Beware, one day one of them may avenge the others.” I’ve been reading quite a few Zola novels lately, and since I have a … Continue reading
Father Sergius (1917)
“I saw you in a dream.” The 1917 film, Father Sergius (Otets Sergiy) is based on a story by Leo Tolstoy, and after suffering through the 1990 version from Paolo and Vittorio Taviani (Night Sun/Il Sole Anche di Notte), I … Continue reading
Zero de Conduite (1933)
“Do you want a zero in conduct?” French director Jean Vigo made only two feature length films (and two short films) before dying at the age 29. L’Atalante is an much acclaimed film–but Zero de Conduite has fallen into obscurity. … Continue reading
Filed under France, Jean Vigo, Political/social films, Silent
Earth (1930)
“And with warm blood he has signed the supreme verdict against our class enemy.” Earth is an early slice of Soviet propaganda directed by Aleksandr Dovzhenko, considered one of the ‘great innovators’ of the silent Soviet era. In January 1928, … Continue reading
Kameraschaft (1931)
“This damned drudgery will kill us all.” Kameradschaft or Comradeship (AKA La Tragedie de la Mine) from G.W Pabst is an amazing, gripping and stirring film that follows the efforts to rescue French miners trapped 2000 feet underground. With its … Continue reading
Filed under German, Political/social films, Silent
Pandora’s Box (1929) AKA Die Buchse der Pandora
“He’s the only one who wants nothing from me.” Pandora’s Box–in glorious black and white–was filmed in 1928 and is set in Berlin. As the title suggests, the film explores the unleashed excesses of the human vices. It’s the story … Continue reading
Filed under Silent
Blood and Sand (1922)
“Happiness and prosperity built on cruelty and bloodshed cannot survive.” Rudolf Valentino stars as the toreador Juan Gallardo in the 1922 silent film Blood and Sand. As the son of an impoverished widow, Juan is considered a wastrel for his … Continue reading
Filed under Rudolf Valentino, Silent
Foolish Wives (1922)
“I am writing a love letter to your wife.” Directed by and starring Erich von Stroheim, the 1922 silent film Foolish Wives centers on the ne’er-do-well Russian, Count Karanzim (von Stroheim) and his two ‘cousins’–Princess Olga (Maude George) and Princess … Continue reading
Filed under Erich von Stroheim, Silent
The Sheik/Son of the Sheik (1921 & 1926)
“For once your kisses are free.” If you’ve heard about the charisma of silent star Rudolf Valentino and wondered what all the fuss is about, then a wonderfully packaged DVD from Image Entertainment is for you. The DVD presents two … Continue reading
Filed under Rudolf Valentino, Silent
