Category Archives: Uncategorized

I couldn’t have realized it at the time but I have waited 46 years for this set to be released. I first encountered Charlie Chaplin at a Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in Greenville, South Carolina back in 1964. These were 8mm home movie copies and the picture quality was dreadful although I didn’t think that then.Continue reading “CHAPLIN AT KEYSTONE: The Birth Of A Cinematic Icon”

Released to commemorate their 100th anniversary, this new Flicker Alley Blu-Ray/DVD set of Chaplin’s ESSANAY COMEDIES will be the last word on the subject (that is until the next upgrade in video technology comes along). The visual quality of these two reel comedies is hard to believe for anyone who remembers seeing them in previousContinue reading “CHAPLIN AT ESSANAY: 100 Years Old & Looking Better Than Ever”

I have eagerly awaited this release since I first heard about it. The opportunity to see some of the lesser known Keystone comedies in Flicker Alley’s usual excellent transfers was one that couldn’t be passed up. I am happy to report that not only was I pleasantly surprised and completely satisfied, but this set exceededContinue reading “MACK SENNETT COLLECTION: Magnificent Mayhem”

Most of the titles on display here were initially released in 2005 on the 2 DVD set CHARLEY BOWERS: THE REDISCOVERY OF AN AMERICAN GENIUS. At that time I had never heard of Bowers and had no idea of the depth and breadth of the man’s abilities. He began as an animator around 1912 withContinue reading “CHARLEY BOWERS: The Rube Goldberg Of Silent Comedians”

Once again Flicker Alley has come through with another top notch release to join GARDEN OF EDEN, JUDEX, and PHANTOM. VALENTINO: REDISCOVERING AN ICON OF SILENT CINEMA (to give the set it’s full title) is a 2-DVD set that contains 4 of Rudy’s lesser known films and a boatload of extras. This time around theContinue reading “VALENTINO: This 2 DVD Collection Is Phenomenal”

Back in 2010 Lon & Debra Davis published a book entitled KING OF THE MOVIES: FRANCIS X BUSHMAN about the once popular but virtually forgotten larger than life personality and silent film star. I reviewed the book on Amazon back then and that review is still up to be read. Although this review will focusContinue reading “FXB: KING OF THE MOVIES Comes To Blu-Ray”

Until not that long ago, I was totally unfamiliar with Ivan Mosjoukine and this despite the fact that I have been a fan of silent films for many years. I even feature courses on them at the local university but as more silent films are discovered in archives and with new restoration techniques available theContinue reading “HOUSE OF MYSTERY (1921-1923): A Restoration Of A Remarkable French Serial”

There’s so much to admire in this collection that was surely a labor of love for Film Preservation Associates and all those involved in bringing these 5 films back to public conciousness. Not only are we treated to 5 virtually forgotten French films of the silent era but we are given a glimpse at theContinue reading “RUSSIAN EMIGRES IN PARIS – 1923-1929: No ALBATROSS Around The Neck Here”

No matter how you may feel about the films contained within this collection and they are definitely a mixed bag, MASTERWORKS OF AMERICAN AVANT-GARDE EXPERIMENTAL FILM 1920-1970 (the title says it all) is an invaluable collection not only for its vocabulary of film technique but also as a historical document of trends long past andContinue reading “MASTERWORKS 1920-1970 Is A Remarkable Collection Of A Wide Variety Of Short Films”

…to anyone interested in film history and yet it’s not so academic that it can’t be appreciated by the casual moviegoer. There are two documentaries here one dealing with the development of sound, the other with the development of color. Both were made in France a few years back and are just now making theirContinue reading “DISCOVERING CINEMA: This Set Is Absolutely Indispensable…”