# Classic Silent Films **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2004, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136 "2004-09-20T14:30:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/41 "2004-09-21T13:34:03Z")
> [@Ilsa\_Lund](#): > > It isn’t wooden, it’s incredibly _subtle_. So’s a pet rock. 😉 It’s just so contemplative and transcendant. Eve’s right, we’re not going to resolve this. You think it’s a great, nuanced performance. I think it’s lazy and horrible. Whatever she was doing, it didn’t work for me. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/42 "2004-09-21T15:43:05Z")
Has anyone seen Edison’s 1910 “Frankenstein”? I recently watched NOSFERATU (pretty well restored) with the Type O Negative soundtrack. Not bad. Years ago, I saw Mary Pickford in “Sparrows”, a rather intense little film. And this past Easter I finally saw the silent “King of Kings” on TCM- loved it! ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/43 "2004-09-21T16:02:26Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Has anyone seen Edison’s 1910 “Frankenstein”? I’ve seen clips from it—I’m not sure if it still exists in entirety. By the way, I highly recommend _The Perils of Pauline_ (1914)—Pearl White was like a female Indiana Jones, and she had a very modern (low-key) acting style. In half the episodes, she saves herself, and brushes off the hero’s marriage proposals! I also urge you to see the delectable Clara Bow, in _It_ or _Mantrap_, her two best silents. And I second **RealityChuck** ’s recommendation of _The Wind_, a really eerie psychological drama. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/44 "2004-09-21T16:19:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Has anyone seen Edison’s 1910 “Frankenstein”? I have clips from it, but not the whole thing. This was one of those films thought to be “lost” for a long time (it was a big deal to find new stills from it, and a synopsys at one point), but then a copy showed up in a collection – the parts spliced together in the wrong order, on highly periashable stock. The owner refused to let it be conserved for a long time. He musta changed his mind. IIRC, one poster on this Board claimed to have bought a DVD f the now restored film, but I don’t recall who or exactly when. I wouldn’t mind getting a fuller copy myself. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/45 "2004-09-21T16:56:56Z")
Ha! I knew that collector who owned the only print of the 1910 _[Frankenstein](http://www.lrsmarketing.com/adventures/)_. Visited his house in Wisconsin when I was a kid. Like a lot of film collectors . . . a little odd and secretive. I’m sure Eve knows the type. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/46 "2004-09-21T17:37:03Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > I’ve seen clips from it—I’m not sure if it still exists in entirety. > > By the way, I highly recommend _The Perils of Pauline_ (1914)—Pearl White was like a female Indiana Jones, and she had a very modern (low-key) acting style. In half the episodes, she saves herself, and brushes off the hero’s marriage proposals! > > I also urge you to see the delectable Clara Bow, in _It_ or _Mantrap_, her two best silents. > > And I second **RealityChuck** ’s recommendation of _The Wind_, a really eerie psychological drama. I loved _ **It** _. And of course I’ll enthusiastically second\* The Perils of Paulin\*e. Way lotta fun. And yes, Eisenstein deserves a mention: \*Potemkin \*is communist propaganda, but it’s still a great film. The films of Dovzhenko, another early Soviet director, were even more propagandistic, but breathtakingly beautiful. Soviet propaganda, FWIW, is not as hard to watch as, say, Riefenstahl. The violence and hatred that underlies Nazi propaganda is hard to avoid, but early Soviet propaganda is mostly just silly and unsubtle: grand celebrations of the working family and the holiness of the farmer’s work, yadda yadda. But Dovzhenkos films are just breathtakingly beautiful. And it’s clear that the \*Joan \*discussion has now become about standing on principle rather than about the subtleties of acting, which is unfortunate. Trying to talk someone into experiencing a challenging film feels like pushing a gift on someone from the pusher, but undoubtedly feels like forced homework on the receiving. For me, sharing the experience of a film like \*Joan \*is like giving a gift, so it’s very frustrating to be refused. My problem though, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/47 "2004-09-22T10:51:50Z")
I’m so sorry I’ve only just discovered this thread, as I enjoy silent movies so much. However, watching them is a real art form as you can’t divert your eyes to a newspaper or a reference book as you may in an older movie when a dull part arrives. I’d support what other posters have said: Potemkin The Wind (sadly not much discussed these days in terms of great silents) Greed (again sadly, only bits and pieces remain) The Big Parade Metropolis I’d also suggest (I may have missed earlier postings) The Torrent Flesh and The Devil The Four Horsemen of The Apocolypse Ben Hur And I don’t think anyone has suggested ‘M’. It is essential. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/48 "2004-09-22T13:05:53Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > And I don’t think anyone has suggested ‘M’. It is essential. It’s also a talkie. _Talkies_. Hmmph. They’ll never last. For a Valentino film that’s been overlooked, try _Cobra_—he has some light comic scenes that show him off as a silent Cary Grant type, and it has the bodacious Nita Naldi, too. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/49 "2004-09-22T13:18:05Z")
Oh yes, Potemkin. And may I add Alexander Nevsky? ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/50 "2004-09-22T23:31:45Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > And may I add Alexander Nevsky? Well, that’s another talkie. But another vote for _The Wind_. A nice idea, strongly executed, that doesn’t _need_ sound. ---
**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/51 "2004-09-22T23:56:26Z")
If you are interested in science fiction, you might want to have a look at [Woman in the Moon (Frau im Mond)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019901/). It is certainly not Lang’s best film and it drags a bit at times, but for the time (1929) it was surprisingly realistic and detailed. In addition to that it contains the first launch countdown ever (not just the first one in a movie!) (One inaccuracy is extremely obvious, but it was a conscious decision for dramatic reasons although the technical advisor Oberth, also Wernher von Braun’s mentor, objected.) ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/52 "2004-09-23T05:17:48Z")
The other Sjostrom/Gish film, _The Scarlet Letter_, is rather enjoyable as well. ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/53 "2004-09-23T05:54:27Z")
I’m a silent-movie greenhorn compared to the contributors to this thread, but I am fortunate to live in a city where, about twice a year, the Paramount Theatre runs “Silent Movie Monday” for a month: restored prints and live accompaniment by Dennis James on the (restored) Mighty Wurlitzer. If you find yourself in Seattle when this is happening–I think the next series will take place in February 2005–do yourself a favor and go. Easily the best regular arts event in my beloved city. I’ve been attending, when I can, since 1998. Some of my favorites so far: **Safety Last** : Harold Lloyd. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard and joyfully at any movie. This was the first in the series, so the element of surprise may be one reason for my response. **Cameraman** : My favorite Buster Keaton so far, especially the part in the natatorium. **Der Golem** : Not so much for the movie itself as for Dennis’s amazing Bach performances at dramatic moments. **Woman in the Moon** : Already mentioned in a post above. Again, the score (this time adding live electronics, a more tasteful addition than you might think) was excellent. The German overacting was a bit comical but also kind of appealing. **Pandora’s Box** : It is simply impossible to take one’s eyes off Louise Brooks. There have been plenty of others, but these stand out for me. I hope Silent Movie Mondays continue for a good long time. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/54 "2004-09-23T05:57:52Z")
I have a documentary on Frankenstein films that contains clips from the Edison 1910 version also. However, I know that the whole thing has been restored & exhibited (it was even offered for showing at the Academy Awards a few years back & the Academy declined) & made available on DVD on a private label. I don’t think any big distributors have picked it up yet. ---
**Author:** ![murky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@murky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/murky)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/55 "2004-09-23T20:51:48Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I have a documentary on Frankenstein films that contains clips from the Edison 1910 version also. However, I know that the whole thing has been restored & exhibited (it was even offered for showing at the Academy Awards a few years back & the Academy declined) & made available on DVD on a private label. I don’t think any big distributors have picked it up yet. That sound pretty cool. Would love to see it sometime, I am a big Frankie fan. I have heard there is going to be a modern day version of Frankie on the USA network in October. Supposed to be pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2004, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/56 "2004-09-24T11:53:11Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > It’s also a talkie. _Talkies_. Hmmph. They’ll never last. > > For a Valentino film that’s been overlooked, try _Cobra_—he has some light comic scenes that show him off as a silent Cary Grant type, and it has the bodacious Nita Naldi, too. Heavens- you are correct (of course). Brain failure. ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/57 "2004-09-24T14:24:44Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > And shall we just agree that some people like _La Passion De Jeanne d’Arc_ and some people don’t? Me, I can’t stand Charlie Chaplin, but if others like him, fine. Dear, Dear Eve… Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! I thought that I was the only one who felt this way about Chaplin. Too many people who’s opinions I respect adore Chaplin for me to dismiss him, but he does nothing for me personally. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/58 "2004-09-24T17:06:29Z")
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone mention _Broken Blossoms_, directed by Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. That film is rough! If you’ve been the victim of child abuse, just a heads up: Lillian Gish, playing a young girl, is savagely beaten more than once by her sadistic father, who eventually kills her ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2004, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/59 "2004-09-24T21:15:30Z")
I saw [**Wings**](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018578/combined) in a theater with a recorded accompaniment by a guy who played during its original run in 1927. He had kept the sheet music and that was what he played. It was supposed to have been live, but he was ill that evening (he was in his eighties at the time) so they substituted the tape instead. Great film – WWI action, Clara Bow, Buddy Rodgers, and Gary Cooper in a (very) small role. How could it miss? DD ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136/60 "2004-09-25T00:59:14Z")
A heads up for those who live close enough to Topeka, Kansas, and like silent movies. On October 29 the city library is sponsoring an event titled “Silents at the Cathedral” This is the eight or ninth year. A spooky silent is filmed, preceded by two Halloween themed shorts. The venue is Grace Cathedral, at 7:00PM and it’s free. Musical accompaniment is on the big cathedral pipe organ, by Dr. Marvin Faulwell. This year the main feature is “The Lodger” made and directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1927, and containing his very first cameo film appearance! Not sure what the shorts will be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-silent-films/265136.md?page=4)