Author Archives: chipkaufmann

British silent cinema, generally disregarded for the past 90 years, receives its due in this new release from Kino. A collaborative effort between them and the British Film Institute, it contains one of the greatest silent films coupled with a fascinating documentary about the history of silent film in Britain. A COTTAGE ON DARTMOOR isContinue reading “A COTTAGE ON DARTMOOR: One Of My Favorite Silent Film Releases”

…42ND STREET and Busby Berkeley, the Goldwyn Girls, and any other backstage musical on film that you can think of can be found in LA REVUE. What makes it so intriguing is that this is a SILENT musical. That may sound like an oxymoron but it really isn’t. The lavish stagings and the incredible varietyContinue reading “LA REVUE DES REVUES (1927): The Origins Of A CHORUS LINE…”

Being a film historian, a silent film enthusiast, and an avid baseball fan, this set was tailor made for me and I eagerly awaited its release since Kino first announced it. Perhaps it was the keen anticipation or maybe I’ve become spoiled by recent silent film releases but I was somewhat disappointed by this setContinue reading “REEL BASEBALL: Silent Films Of The Old Ball Game”

This is not my personal opinion (I prefer F. W. Murnau’s FAUST) but it is the general consensus regarding this groundbreaking adult film which made a screen icon out of Louise Brooks and assured G.W. Pabst his place in cinema history. The movie is based on two plays (EARTH SPIRIT and PANDORA’S BOX) by controversialContinue reading “PANDORA’S BOX: The High Water Mark Of German Silent Cinema”

I must admit that I was reluctant to buy this set thinking “Oh no, not another batch of slapstick comedies” but being the silent film completist that I am I purchased it. Although I’m glad I did, this set is primarily for hardcore silent film afficionados like myself. While there are a couple of offeringsContinue reading “AMERICAN SLAPSTICK Is An Interesting Batch Of Curios”

When you watch as many films as I do and especially silent films it’s always exciting and gratifying to make a new discovery that’s truly worthwhile. This set is marketed as REDISCOVERING JACQUES FEYDER FRENCH FILM MASTER and while that is certainly true based on the three films in this collection I would add thatContinue reading “JACQUES FEYDER: A Forgotten Film Master”

Having seen and enjoyed THE HOLY MOUNTAIN some time back, I was really looking forward to seeing this film which is considered by many to be the summit of the mountain film genre. Much has been made of the fact that the renowned director G.W. Pabst (PANDORA’S BOX, DIARY OF A LOST GIRL) was broughtContinue reading “THE WHITE HELL OF PITZ PAULU Is Not What I Expected”

While this set is a dream come true for fans of the 1939 WIZARD OF OZ, it is even more so for those of us who have waited for years to see quality prints of the various silent film versions especially the 1925 feature directed by and starring Larry Semon. This version (along with onesContinue reading “WIZARD OF OZ: 75th Anniversary Edition With A Focus On The 1925 Version on DVD 3”

SIREN OF THE TROPICS was the first of a series of French films featuring legendary dancer and entertainer Josephine Baker and her only silent feature. It is part of a three film set released on DVD by Kino International to honor the legendary performer . SIREN was long thought to have been lost but, likeContinue reading “SIREN OF THE TROPICS: “La Baker”s Film Debut”

Unless you are a silent film enthusiast (and if you’re reading this review you most likely are) then you’ve probably never heard of Olive Thomas. Her death in 1920 at the age of only 25 under mysterious circumstances has kept her name from being totally forgotten but this DVD is the first opportunity for usContinue reading “OLIVE THOMAS: “Everybody’s Sweetheart” Lost and Found”