Tag Archives: silent film
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
October-10 Days that Shook the World (1927)
“Down with the lackeys of the bourgeoisie.” October (10 Days That Shook the World) written and directed by Sergei Eisenstein and Grigori Aleksandrov was commissioned by the Soviet Central Committee to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution in … Continue reading
Filed under Political/social films, Soviet
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
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
Beyond the Rocks (1922)
“Fate seems to send you to me when I most need you.” Beyond the Rocks a 1922 silent film directed by Sam Wood was re-discovered in 2000 and restored by the Netherlands Filmmuseum. The film is irreparably damaged in a … Continue reading
Filed under Rudolf Valentino, Silent
Queen Kelly (1929)
“Unmistakably a lady of the horizontal profession.” Queen Kelly–written and directed by Erich von Stroheim–was never completed, so all that we have is about half a film and a handful of fragments, but even so this is marvelous stuff for … Continue reading
Filed under Erich von Stroheim, Silent
Cobra (1925)
“Women fascinate me–just like that Cobra and its victim.” The silent film Cobra directed by Joseph Henabery is a perfect vehicle for Rudolf Valentino. In the film, Count Torriano (Valentino) is an incorrigible Don Juan who cannot help himself when … Continue reading
Filed under Rudolf Valentino, Silent
Manslaughter/The Cheat 1922/1915
“Don’t you think this is a case for mercy rather than justice?” This double feature DVD from Kino includes two silent titles from director Cecil B. DeMille–Manslaughter (1922) and The Cheat (1915). Of the two titles–both morality tales–Manslaughter–is the stronger … Continue reading
Filed under Silent
