BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’S TOMB (1971): The Best Version Of Bram Stoker’s THE JEWEL OF SEVEN STARS

Bram Stoker’s THE JEWEL OF SEVEN STARS was one of my favorite horror novels when I was younger. I first read it at 15 and couldn’t get it out of my head for weeks. I even preferred it to DRACULA (still do and I still have my original 1968 paperback). When BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’SContinue reading “BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’S TOMB (1971): The Best Version Of Bram Stoker’s THE JEWEL OF SEVEN STARS”

LONESOME + 2 = 3 Remarkable Rediscoveries

Even though I have been a silent film enthusiast for 50 years now (I started very young) and have read a number of books on the subject as well as having amassed a rather large collection of silent movies on DVD, I can’t remember ever having run across the name of Hungarian born director PaulContinue reading “LONESOME + 2 = 3 Remarkable Rediscoveries”

THE DEVIL’S NEEDLE: Movies With A Message In The Silent Era

As silent cinema continues to grow in popularity with new silent film festivals popping up and the rediscovery of more and more titles once thought lost, we are beginning to get a clearer picture of the types of movies that were made then. Everyone is familiar with silent comedy thanks to the antics of Chaplin,Continue reading “THE DEVIL’S NEEDLE: Movies With A Message In The Silent Era”

CONSTANCE TALMADGE DOUBLE FEATURE

Having recently reviewed the NORMA TALMADGE COLLECTION from Kino, It’s time now to say a few words regarding sister Constance. THE CONSTANCE TALMADGE COLLECTION contains the double feature HER NIGHT OF ROMANCE (1924) and HER SISTER FROM PARIS (1925). Both feature Ronald Colman as her leading man already perfecting the look and stylish interplay ofContinue reading “CONSTANCE TALMADGE DOUBLE FEATURE”

THE LODGER (1927): The 2009 MGM Restoration Of Hitchcock’s First Big Success

THE LODGER was Alfred Hitchcock’s first big success and set the pattern for many of his future films. It also marks the first of his cameo appearances (there are two). Up until now, at least in the U.S., there have been no decent copies of THE LODGER available to see. It has been lovingly restoredContinue reading “THE LODGER (1927): The 2009 MGM Restoration Of Hitchcock’s First Big Success”

MURNAU / BORZAGE BOX SET Is Well Done But It’s Too Much Of A Good Thing

It has taken forever for the Janet Gaynor/Charles Farrell silent classics 7TH HEAVEN and STREET ANGEL to make it to DVD but here they are as part of a monumental 12 DVD package devoted to Frank Borzage and F.W. Murnau and the films they made for William Fox before he lost control of his studioContinue reading “MURNAU / BORZAGE BOX SET Is Well Done But It’s Too Much Of A Good Thing”

JEAN RENOIR BOX SET: Fascinating Collection Includes Rare Jean Renoir Silents

One of the participants in my silent film course at the local college told me about this set which is the first time I had heard of it. I knew that Jean Renoir had begun his career in the silent era but I didn’t know if any of those films still existed. They do andContinue reading “JEAN RENOIR BOX SET: Fascinating Collection Includes Rare Jean Renoir Silents”

THE RED KIMONA (1925): An Important Work From A Forgotten Female Film Pioneer

Dorothy Davenport Reid (1895-1977) was one of the most important women producer/directors during the 1920s. She came from a distinguished theatrical family. Her father Harry Davenport is best remembered as Dr. Meade in GONE WITH THE WIND. She was married to early matinee idol Wallace Reid hence her being known as Mrs Wallace Reid. WhenContinue reading “THE RED KIMONA (1925): An Important Work From A Forgotten Female Film Pioneer”