Category Archives: Uncategorized

Kino’s release of THE DOLL and the documentary ERNST LUBITSCH IN BERLIN completes their box set that features 5 DVDs and 7 films altogether. THE DOLL, released in 1919, re-imagines the old storyline of a mechanical doll that comes to life by incorporating a number of comic possibilities that would appeal to a 20th centuryContinue reading “LUBITSCH IN BERLIN Completed”

It took almost 80 years but at last Oswald The Lucky Rabbit is back where he belongs…at Disney. This new 2 DVD set is valuable on many levels. It’s not only a missing piece of animation history but a look into the history of animation. Disc 2 contains the 1999 documentary THE HAND BEHIND THEContinue reading “OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT: Welcome Back!”

This is the third time around for the animated shorts of Winsor McCay on video and this is the best version by far. Those of you familiar with the previous Lumivision and Slingshot editions will find the same films as before only this time the source prints are better (for the most part), the pianoContinue reading “WINSOR McCAY: THE MASTER EDITION Is The Best Incarnation Yet Of A One-Of- A -Kind Artist.”

WAGON TRACKS is not one of William S. Hart’s better known films which is why this recent Olive Films release comes as a something of a surprise. The print from the Library of Congress is in excellent shape. In fact it is the best looking of any William S. Hart print that I have everContinue reading “WAGON TRACKS (1919): Gorgeous Print Of A Minor William S. Hart Film”

As a silent film enthusiast, I am constantly amazed at the rediscovery of old movies long thought to be lost. Many were discovered in archives in Russia and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, occasionally, some turn up in unexpected places like THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC in a closetContinue reading “THE UNDESIRABLE (1915): Rare Silent Film From The Director of CASABLANCA”

To the general public the name of Cecil B. DeMille is associated with his last movie, the 1956 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, which is actually a remake of his 1923 silent epic of the same name. They may also be familiar with THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH and SAMSON AND DELILAH. Real movie aficionados know hisContinue reading “THE CAPTIVE (1915): Early DeMille Offering Is A Real Eye-Opener”

The close of 2007 is an exciting time for silent film enthusiasts. A number of restorations of big name silent titles are scheduled for release by year’s end including BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN, NOSFERATU, THE IRON HORSE, and THE JAZZ SINGER (which despite its reputation is more silent than talkie). So far PANDORA’S BOX, TRUE HEART SUSIE,Continue reading “THE CAT & THE CANARY (1927): Photoplay’s Restoration Is Simply Marvelous”

I read Victor Hugo’s THE MAN WHO LAUGHS in 9th grade. First the Classics Illustrated version and then the book itself. I had already read HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and TOILERS OF THE SEA and loved them both. Caught in that awkward transitional age between junior high and high school during the turbulent 1960’s, IContinue reading “MAN WHO LAUGHS Is The Other Great Victor Hugo Silent”

German director Paul Leni (1885-1929), almost a century after his death, is finally getting the recognition he deserves. His 4 most important films are now available on home video with the last two in quality Blu-Ray/DVD editions from Flicker Alley. For the record the films are 1) WAXWORKS (made in Germany in 1924) and theContinue reading “THE LAST WARNING (1929): Paul Leni’s Swan Song Beautifully Restored”

Like many reviewers, I first saw this version as a child and even as a kid I was not impressed. It looked positively low budget compared to the Charles Laughton version (I didn’t see the Lon Chaney version until many years later) and Anthony Quinn was certainly no Charles Laughton. Of course I saw itContinue reading “HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1957): Despite Flaws This Version Has Surprising Staying Power”