Fav silent film?

[nooshsaz]

Anyone have a favourite silent film or film star? Mine is The Cameraman with Buster Keaton.

 

Let me Know!

[kenwal34]

Chaneys PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

[nsallieharding]

My favorites are:

1: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) directed by Robert Wiene. (German)

2: Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler (1922) Directed by Fritz Lang.

3: The Golem (1920) Directed by Paul Wegener (German)

 

This is a great site for silent movie fans to visit, it lists the top 100 silent movies of all time, choosen by us, the ones who love them the most.

 

http://www.silentera.com/info/top100.html

[richardny4me]

There are so many silent film classics I have not yet seen, but I really loved THE STUDENT PRINCE IN OLD HEIDELBURG, starring Norma Shearer and Ramon Novarro.

[gagman66]

I have this one on DVD-R, paired with THE RAGMAN (1925). This is an Ernest Lubitsch film, and a great romantic picture, with typical Lubitsch humor. Novarro was much greater than Valentino in my estimation! An outstanding and versatile actor, capable of playing light comedy and drama equally effectively. The Thames edition also boast's one of CARL DAVIS greatest scores!

 

I have not seen TCM run this movie in quite awhile. I hope that they will make a fresh transfer, as the Thames print is over 15 years old, and they are capable of much crisper video masters today. Although my DVD-R made from Super VHS ET source material still looks pretty good. The actual american title I believe was "THE STUDENT PRINCE", while the European title was "OLD HEIDELBERG".

 

Speaking of Norma Shearer, other than this film and Chaney's HE WHO GETS SLAPPED (1924), I have never seen any of her other silent's? By 1925 she was a major star, so there has to be some starring role titles locked away in the TCM vault that have not seen the light of day in some 80 years! How about unearthing some of these for our enjoyment soon? Who knows what surprises they might contain?

 

As for my favorite Silent's, I have seen so many it's difficult to chose. My long time favorites though have probably been KING VIDOR'S Masterpiece THE BIG PARADE (1925) with John Gilbert and Renee Adoree, Harold Lloyd's THE FRESHMAN (1925), and Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS (1931).

 

Some recent editions to that list among many, are TELL IT TO THE MARINES (1926), John Robertson's CAPTAIN SALVATION (1927), starring Lars Hanson, and Lewis Milestone's GARDEN OF EDEN (1928) starring CHARLES RAY and beautiful CORINNE GRIFFITH. These are great films. Strong Honerable mention goes WEST POINT (1927) with William Haines and Joan Crawford, Vidor's THE PATSY (1928) with Marion Davies and Marie Dressler, and James Cruz THE MATING CALL (Paramount, 1928), with Thomas Meighan and Renee Adoree. All of these titles fall into the line of forgotten or little remembered classics, that are ready to be rediscovered!

[KeithFromKC]

If you're a fan of silent cinema, as many on this board are, this a tough question. For me, it's F.W. Murnau's masterpiece, SUNRISE. It's one of those films that is studied in Film Appreciation courses (Which is where I first saw the film), and for good reason. The direction and acting are top-notch and Murnau's influential vision is evident throughout. I have seen this film so many times and it never gets old. In fact, I find that I tend to practice repeated viewing with silent films over any other era. The silents were magical and set the stage for all of the wonderful cinema that followed. Bless all of the wonderful directors of that era, some celebrated, some forgotten, that gave birth to this lovely and important art form........

[gagman66]

Keith, while I acknowledge the greatness of Murnau's SUNRISE (1927) (I recently acquired the official DVD release), why is it that I have never seen SEVENTH HEAVEN with Janet Gaynor and Charrles Farrel of the same year shown anywhere! This was once considered among the greatest silent films ever made! It has pretty much disappeared from sight over the past two decades! The film is not lost, so I hope sometime before long now it resurfaces. Many of the bigger name Silent?s of the 1920's are in shockingly poor shape! SUNRISE is in fairly good condition, but certainly could be much better!

 

Paramount and Fox, in particular have done a lousy job of preserving these very important and significant films in their Library?s. WHAT PRICE GLORY? (1926) has not been seen hardly at all in the past 30 years! WINGS (1927) is not in the best condition either. Or at least the latest to video transfer I have seen, (which is now some 15 years old or more) didn't show that it was!

 

These films deserve to be properly restored! It's time for those studios to get off their duffs and do something about it! It's not surprising that so many big name Paramount Silent?s have been completely lost! The company has no one to blame but themselves for gross negligence, if not outright ignorance on it's behalf! How disappointing!

[johnnyweekes70]

If I might interject, gagman66, you are absolutely right about Paramount. I was impressed when Paramount issued a minor collection of silents on VHS, Old Ironsides, The Shiek, The Last Command, particularily The Docks of New York, even though some of them could've stood some work done, but that was over ten years ago. The DVD format has been around for nine years and Wings still hasn't been restored or issued? Warners stooped to putting out The Broadway Melody to fill a hole in their Best Picture collection (and make some money, too), so what's the problem? Image-Entertainment's release of a fantastic print of The Show-Off, with Ford Sterling and Louise Brooks, might suggest they maybe no longer own many. Who knows?

 

Keith, I love Murnau. The stuff Germany produced during the 1920s is one of the joys of the medium, particularly Murnau's all-too-brief career. Fox did a superb job on the long-overdue but Sunrise DVD (though a little difficult to get) and, together with Kino's Nosferatu, The Last Laugh, Tartuffe and Faust, Murnau is one of the few directors of the period, Fritz Lang aside, who has been given his due.

 

In-between viewing of Sunrise, I hope you interject Faust. It really is a supreme example of the kind of creativity that went into the silent cinema. It was the third silent film I saw, way-back-when, after Caligari and The Birth of a Nation, and maybe Chaplin shorts in there somewhere, and gave me a peculiar notion about what the silent cinema was all about. The pleasures I have viewed since then are too numerous to mention and, come to think of it, I just cleaned house on many of my silent-film DVDs to make room for some more and now I'm regretting flowing my Dziga Vertov collection, Origins of Film boxset, The Married Virgin (with Valentino) and Griffith's America. I hate when I do that.

 

I just bought a cheapo 3-disc mystery collection because it's got Roland West's The Bat on it. I've never seen it and have wanted to since I saw The Bat Whispers. I hope some reputable company gets a hold of the silent version because this version's score is complied from classical music the label that issued the collection, St. Clair, also puts out. In the scene where the Bat's hand in seen by the maid, we have Ravel's Bolero rousing us from the tension!

 

Some of my other favorite silents include The Unknown and everything I've seen with Chaney, everything Keaton did, most of what Lloyd did, John Barrymore in The Beloved Rogue...So many.

 

And I've never seen Seventh Heaven. Maybe one day.

[richardny4me]

I agree, Paramount did a great job with those silents, I was hoping they would release improved versions on DVD but thus far they have not. The only companies really issuing silents on a fairly regular basis are Kino and Milestone. I just wish more of the major studios who presumably have the majority of the remaining silents in their vaults (along with the film's legal rights to release them.)

 

There are always moments of films I remember and think about, and maybe because the silent film was such a totally visual medium , but particular scenes from silent films stay in my mind longer than "sound" films.

 

THE LAST COMMAND is a prime example, what a great film! Emil Jannings won the Best Actor Oscar for this, I think.

 

Certain scenes in SEVENTH HEAVEN stay in my mind as well. SEVENTH HEAVEN received a rare showing at the Museum Of Modern Art about 5 years ago. I made sure I kept that day free and I did attend. I hope whoever owns it releases it and all of you get a chance to see it, because it is such an enjoyable silent film. Janet Gaynor gives a terrific, moving performance, and the photography in particular was superb.

 

I recently bought The SHOW-OFF, so I am really eager to see that film. And I am really looking forward to the Garbo Silents collection, just to see THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL again. I saw it maybe 20 years ago at the old Regency Theater revival house in Manhattan, and even then I was blown away by Garbo's lively performance, it seemed so "modern" to me.

[johnnyweekes70]

richardny4me, I hope you enjoy The Show-Off when you get a chance to see it. The 35mm print Image put out is amazing as well as a sad reminder of the regrettable loss of most of Brooks' other Paramount films she made around the same time. I hope Flesh and the Devil looks better than the old MGM/UA release of the Thames print. Garbo is SO mesmerizing in that film, it's hard to take your eyes off her. And The Last Command is another of my favorites (for me, I think the word 'favorite' means something else entirely). A double-feature disc of Command and Docks of New York would fit very nicely into my library!

 

Regarding silent movies, how far we've come since bad prints and unavailability reigned supreme for so long. It's been interesting to watch the developments over the last twenty years. A big cheer to organizations like Film Preservation Associates, Kino, Milestone, the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Stitfung and, especially, people like Kevin Brownlow and David Shepard and a handful of others for allowing us to view these films as we should be able to!

 

[gagman66]

Richard,

 

I have never seen THE LAST COMMAND or THE SHOW OFF. I would be interested in trading or borrowing with you. I have tons of Silent's, so what ever it is you are looking for I may well have it! I have been busy putting my silent Garbo's on DVD-R lately, about 7 titles in all. Mostly these are Super VHS recordings, and some Laser-disc. A surprising fact emerges, the most famous Garbo silents are not necessarily the best ones?

 

FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926), needs re-mastering and I hope the new DVD-set allows for this? The Thames transfer is from 1987, and in some scenes the skilled lighting effect's appear mis-represented. Surely, a sharper transfer can be made with today?s technology? It's great they will be retaining Carl Davis masterful score to this film that's for sure.

 

The SINGLE STANDARD (1929), Directed by John Robertson, is my favorite Garbo silent, this film needs allot of work, it is all scratched up, although the resolution is still very good. The vintage William Axt score is extremely involving. For those of you who don't think Garbo was beautiful, you need to see her in this film!

 

A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS (1928), Directed By Clarence Brown, is another powerful picture, and Garbo's final appearance in a silent with John Gilbert as her leading man. It's a shame neither of these two films will be included in the new DVD set, particularly considering that A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS has been recently restored! I will always think of Garbo as a great silent star, I can't really stomach her in Talkies!

[gagman66]

Johnny,

 

Hey, would you settle for a double feature of THE DOCKS OF NEW YORK (Paramount, 1928)/( GARDEN OF EDEN (United Artists,1928), I wonder? I have put together a DVD-R program of those two fine titles with large menu's and thumbs, and it looks spectacular!

[johnnyweekes70]

gagman66,

 

Would I settle for those? My shelf is ready and waiting. Only I need a player that plays DVD-R because I gave my new one to my step-son and my older one doesn't play 'em because it was made before they made DVD-R. However, I bought DVDs before I had a player...

 

And I absolutely agree with you about Garbo in The Single Standard and was likewise disappointed about A Woman of Affairs not being included in the set. I used to have it on VHS but I loaned it and never got it back. Geez, that's over ten years ago!

 

Sounds like you've got a mouth-watering collection. I've never seen Garden of Eden but I've sure read of lot about it.

 

Johnny

[bhryun]

I loved Show People with Marion Davies and William Haines.

[gagman66]

Wojo,

 

Say, I just happen to have THE PATSY (1928)/SHOW PEOPLE (1928), on DVD-R, as an King Vidor/Marion Davies double feature! In fact I just recently revamped the entire program, adding tinted background stills to the menu pages. Before hand they had been just Black and White. No doubt, these are two of the finest and certainly most underrated comedies of the late 1920's! Marion Davies definitely deserves an official DVD collection of her own! As do Mr. Vidor, and Billy Haines!

[bhryun]

I have to say that my favorite silent film has to be D.W. Griffith's classic yet still controversial 1915 film, Birth of a Nation. Too bad it was cut up and shortened due to the racist tones. It was originally called The Klansmanwhen it was first released. Now so many movie fans call Griffith a racist which is sad.

[bhryun]

Hi Gagman,

 

I actually purchased that DVD-R from you recently, ha. I just watched the Patsy the other night. Good times, good times.

[gagman66]

Wojo,

 

Yipes! I do beg you pardon! Dozens of people have expressed an interest in this program recently, and most have acquired copies. So I am not sure which person you are? Anyway, I hope your were pleased with the disc? I would definitely welcome hearing from you once again!

[bhryun]

I am very pleased. Thanks again! I'm Heather, btw.

[path40a]

Certain silent titles come up again and again which I've not seen AND I'm at a loss to find a way to do so. Seventh Heaven, Wings, The Last Command and more don't seem to be readily available on DVD (at least not at Netflix or my local video stores) nor are they shown on TCM.

 

Have you seen these because you bought them, or do you just have a much better library near you than I do? Jealous ...

[gagman66]

path40a,

 

SEVENTH HEAVEN (1927), is a Fox picture, and despite rumors of a DVD release over the past few years, this has yet to happen? I have never seen this picture, and it is frustratingly difficult to come by!

 

WINGS (1927), was a Paramount release, and sadly it has yet to be issued on official DVD. However, I have made up an excellent DVD-R program of this picture, including 20 pages of Thumbnails and back ground stills, made from the earlier laser-disc release!

 

I believe THE LAST COMMAND (1928) is available on DVD, from some one? This is another movie I have not seen to date.

 

Happy to say, one of the best silent's I have ever seen THE GARDEN OF EDEN (1928), with CORRINE GRIFFITH and CHARLES RAY, has been released on DVD in a wonderful edition from Flicker Ally! Be sure to check this one out! Make certain it is the Flicker Ally version though.

 

Here is a recent post of mine, from a thread on the Harold Lloyd Forum discussing various silent's, and stars, who's work I hope to see on DVD before long now. I didn't try to list everything. MGM has some major titles that are not mentioned here.

 

"Well, these are mostly not comedies, but there are plenty of other Silent films, I sure hope to see released on DVD sometime! Here is a short list of some of them!"

 

From MGM: (Now Sony, or Time-Warner.)

 

How about possible Box-set's of John Gilbert, Ramon Novarro, and Marion Davies best work, plus more Silent Garbo, and Silent Crawford. Add in William Haines too!

 

Here is a great potential "KING VIDOR SILENT'S" Set:

 

1.THE BIG PARADE (1925)

 

2. LE BOHEME (1926)

 

3. THE PATSY (1928

 

4. SHOW PEOPLE (1928)

 

5. THE CROWD (1928)

 

From Paramount: (Among others.)

 

1. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1923) Directed By Cecil B. Demille.

 

2. THE COVERED WAGON (1923)

 

3. STAGE STRUCK (1925) In two Strip Technicolor, Starring Gloria Swanson

 

5. OLD IRON SIDES (1926)

 

6. MAN TRAP (1926)

 

7. CHILDREN OF DIVORCE (1927), Starring Clara Bow, and Gary Cooper.

 

8. BEAU GESTE (1926) Starring Ronald Coleman.

 

9. WINGS (1927)

 

10. LOVE'S OF SONYA (1927)

 

11. THE DOCK'S OF NEW YORK (1928). Directed Jose' Von Sternberg.

 

Howard Hughes produced Paramount Silent's: (Recently restored by TCM, and Flicker Ally!)

 

THREE ARABIAN KNIGHTS (1927), Directed By Lewis Milestone With William Boyd, and Merry Astor.

 

THE RACKET (1928) Directed By Lewis Milestone. With Thomas Meighan, and Marie Provost.

 

THE MATING CALL (1928), Directed By James Cruz. With Thomas Meighan, Renee Adoree, and Evelyn Brent.

 

Note: I put together an awesome looking DVD-R program myself, of THE RACKET/THE MATING CALL, for anyone who might be interested? These are superb films.

 

From Fox: (Among others.)

 

1.THE IRON HORSE (1924) Directed By John Ford

 

2. WHAT PRICE GLORY (1926) Directed By Raoul Walsh

 

3. THE BLUE EAGLE (1925) Directed By John Ford, Janet Gaynor.

 

4. SEVENTH HEAVEN (1927)

 

5. OLD SAN FRANCISCO (1927)

 

6. FOUR SONS (1928) Directed By John Ford

 

8. NOAH'S ARK (1928)

 

9. Any and all, of the surviving Fox westerns starring the great TOM MIX!

 

10. Other movies Starring DELORES COSTELLO!

 

From First National:

 

A COLLEEN MOORE retrospective, of existing works.

Especially,

 

ELLA CINDERS (1926)

 

LILAC TIME (1928), Hopefully, with it's original release track still in-tact?

 

Miscellaneous,

 

I can't think what studio released THE SEA HAWK (1924), but there is another title that clearly deserves some consideration! Wasn't it the highest grossing movie of that year? Plus more, and more CORRINE GRIFFITH!

 

Ah, did I mention more of CORRINE GRIFFITH?

[Melly]

For a wonder our city library has a video copy of Seventh Heaven which is where I saw it. So you might be able to find a used copy of it. It's a beautiful movie along with Street Angel, which I bought from Critics Choice Video a few years back.

 

It's hard to choose my favorite silent movie, I love so many! But Sadie Thompson, My Best Girl, The Wind, definately Sunrise, Sherlock Jr., The Cirus, Pandora's Box, Diary of a Lost Girl, and Amarilly of Clothes Line Alley. I'm sure I've missed some.

 

I'm so mad at myself though because a few months ago TCM showed Lady Windermere's Fan (1925) with Ronald Colman and I missed it. **cries**

 

Message was edited by:

Melly

[gagman66]

Melly,

 

Note, I have Ernst Lubitsch's LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN (1925), on DVD-R. It is available on true DVD, as part of the second TREASURE'S FROM THE AMERICAN FILM ARCHIVES Box set collection. The print they used was outstanding quality. This is a delightful film. Actually TCM ran this movie about a year ago, I have not seen it shown again, since that time.

[Melly]

gagman, thanks for the heads up about Lady Windermere's Fan, the problem is I can't afford to buy movies right now.

[harlow1085]

About the availability of "Seventh Heaven"-- like someone else mentioned, Critic's Choice released it on VHS, along with "Street Angel" and Janet and Charles' first talkie, "Sunny Side Up." I don't believe they're available new anymore, but they are often available on ebay, which is where I purchased all three of them. I did see that classicflix.com, which is sort of like Netflix, sells a DVD of "Seventh Heaven," but from what I can tell, it's copied from the video, so it hasn't gotten the restoration treatment it deserves and probably isn't the best quality, but it's only twelve dollars!

 

Carrie, aka harlow1085