Tag: Silent film

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Announcement: 11th Annual What A Character! Blogathon

Eleven years ago, it began with a spark of inspiration. What practically every film fan can agree upon… what do we all look forward in our cinematic fandom? What is the celluloid glue that holds us all so dearly? Our love of character actors. From the earliest years of Turner Classic Movies (TCM), the network has broadcast interstitial shorts honoring various character actors. Many of … Continue reading Announcement: 11th Annual What A Character! Blogathon

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Film Festivals, silent film

Kansas Silent Film Fest Celebrates Women Pioneers

“Half of all the films copyrighted between 1911 and 1925 were written by women.” Noted author Cari Beauchamp’s words to a sold-out ballroom on the Washburn University campus at the 22nd annual Kansas Silent Film Festival stuck with me long after the fest’s last screening. As keynote speaker at the fest’s Cinema Dinner, Beauchamp went on to explain more shocking reveals that painted a very … Continue reading Kansas Silent Film Fest Celebrates Women Pioneers

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Blogathon, Classic Film, classic tv, silent film

Zasu Pitts, Funny Lady with a Funny Name

  First things first. Before I can gush on about this distinctively funny lady with the fluttering hands that stole every scene, one must learn how to say her name correctly. Oh sure, many of my ‘old movie weirdo’ friends may know, but it’s a common mistake. To honor her properly, let’s begin with this lesson, provided via Thelma Todd and ZaSu herself: YouTube: ZaSu … Continue reading Zasu Pitts, Funny Lady with a Funny Name

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The Vapors! Swooning, Fainting Women in Film

The ivory keys stop abruptly as the image of watching Kay Francis looks over in alarmed concern. Jean Muir dramatically passes out at the piano before she can finish her tune. This isn’t the only time nor the only reference to fainting in the PreCode gem, DR. MONICA (1934). Oh sure, Muir’s character Mary turns out to be pregnant. Francis’ character, Dr. Monica is the … Continue reading The Vapors! Swooning, Fainting Women in Film

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Blogathon, classic film review, silent film

Buster Keaton in COLLEGE (1927)

Buster Keaton was at his best in the years prior to leaving for MGM. During this time in the mid to late twenties, anything collegiate was all the style rage. Although Harold Lloyd tackled the topic first in THE FRESHMAN (1925), Keaton ‘took a run’ at it in his lesser known classic, COLLEGE (1927). In this story, scholarly nerd Ronald (Buster Keaton) starts off on … Continue reading Buster Keaton in COLLEGE (1927)

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Blogathon, classic film review, silent film

Dolores Del Rio in RAMONA (1928)

“Take care of your inner, spiritual beauty. That will reflect in your face.” … Dolores Del Rio Of his romance with her, Orson Welles called her “the most exciting woman I’ve ever met.” Her friend Marlene Dietrich thought she was, “the most beautiful woman in Hollywood.” As impressive as that sounds, Dolores Del Rio was all of this and so much more. Drawn to the … Continue reading Dolores Del Rio in RAMONA (1928)

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Blogathon, classic film review

My TCM Discovery, Colleen Moore in WHY BE GOOD?

Turner Classic Movies channel has acquired a cult-like following of devoted fans who enjoy sharing their retro film nerdiness together via social media and activities like the TCM Film Festival. The network is elevating this social-meets-movie-watching experience for their fandom with the #LetsMovie campaign, as part of their overall strategy to include a broader audience. To reflect a slew of social sharing activities this month, … Continue reading My TCM Discovery, Colleen Moore in WHY BE GOOD?

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Film Festivals

CLASSIC FILM FALL REPORT: Fly in to ‘Fly Over States’

Fields of sunflowers with their friendly faces reaching up to the sky, as rumbles of enormous dark storm clouds approach rapidly. This scene was played out just a couple of days ago in my town and is pretty typical here in the heartland, as we transition from the long, hot days of late summer into cool Autumn. But what may be less known about this … Continue reading CLASSIC FILM FALL REPORT: Fly in to ‘Fly Over States’

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Blogathon, classic film review

The Original Sweet Badass Momma of the Silents, Mary Pickford in SPARROWS (1926)

Get your hankies ready to be soaked. Oh, and postpone that manicure because you’ll nibble off those nails anyway. Whether you’ve never seen it, or it’s one you’ve screened countless times, William Beaudine’s SPARROWS (1926) is a both a tear-jerker and nail-biting thriller to be savored. [Warning: SPOILERS will pop up ahead upon reading.] Deeply hidden in the muddy, quick-sand and alligator-infested swamps of the … Continue reading The Original Sweet Badass Momma of the Silents, Mary Pickford in SPARROWS (1926)

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