Category: Silent Films

Revisiting Kevin Brownlow’s The Parade’s Gone By

~ Lincoln Spector

Anyone who cares about silent films has to read Kevin Brownlow's mammoth oral history survey, The Parade's Gone By. Not a history book in the usual sense, it describes early Hollywood primarily through the recollections of people who were there. Buster Keaton, Mary Pickford, Louise Brooks, and William Wellman were among the many filmmakers who … Continue reading Revisiting Kevin Brownlow’s The Parade’s Gone By

Four surprising facts from early film history

~ Lincoln Spector

Historical reality has a way of conflicting with the what we all assume. Here are four totally surprising, unintuitive facts about the early days of cinema. Animation preceded live action The first moving images weren't photographed. They were drawn. Parlor toys such as the Zoetrope used multiple illustrations to create the illusion of movement--as cartoons … Continue reading Four surprising facts from early film history

Valentino, Keaton, Caligari, Laurel and Hardy: My report on Silent Autumn

~ Lincoln Spector

I could think of few better ways to spend a day then the way I spent last Saturday, at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival's first Silent Autumn event. Over the course of the day, we were treated to three features, two collections of shorts, and a lot of great music. Let's take the day … Continue reading Valentino, Keaton, Caligari, Laurel and Hardy: My report on Silent Autumn

The American Dream turns into a nightmare, and a great American film needs to be seen

~ Lincoln Spector

A young man comes to New York, dreaming of success and wealth. But reality refuses to live up to his dreams--perhaps because he dreams too much-- in King Vidor's 1928 masterpiece, The Crowd. Told with daring photography, real locations, surreal sets, and subtle pantomime, The Crowd brings you through dizzying joy and wrenching tragedy as … Continue reading The American Dream turns into a nightmare, and a great American film needs to be seen

San Francisco Silent Film Festival, Part 1

~ Lincoln Spector

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival is the closest thing to a movie marathon I've experienced in decades. For three of its four days, it runs movie after movie from 10:00am until nearly midnight, with breaks that generally last an hour or less. Seeing everything--or almost everything--requires stamina and sleep deprivation. Attending the festival, and … Continue reading San Francisco Silent Film Festival, Part 1

Comedy and Popularity: Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman on Blu-ray

~ Lincoln Spector

It might be possible to watch Harold Lloyd's 1925 masterpiece, The Freshman, without laughing, or without hoping that the protagonist will win the popularity he so deeply wants. But it wouldn't be easy. Every shot in this film is brilliantly designed to make you either laugh or care--or both. Lloyd's "glasses" character truly came into … Continue reading Comedy and Popularity: Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman on Blu-ray