Category Archives: Misc

The fallibility of film history: Valeria Creti unmasked as Filibus

Posted on 31 May 2019 by silentsplease

I wrote about the delightful 1915 action caper Filibus a few years ago: a wonderful gender-bending tale of intrigue and adventure, one of my favourite silents. In particular, I praised the performance of Cristina Ruspoli as the title character Filibus, … Continue reading →

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Coda to Valentine’s Day: silent film postcards

Posted on 21 February 2018 by silentsplease

Flowers and chocolates and clichés, I don’t care, but I really like the idea of reclaiming Valentine’s Day as a time to express your feelings for the important people in your life. I have so many amazing friends, they mean … Continue reading →

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Power couples of Italian silent film

Posted on 14 February 2018 by silentsplease

It may not be a surprise that the Italian silent film industry was chock-full of couples. Today, for the Feast of Saint Valentine, let’s take a look at these duos with lives spent in film as well as love—sometimes both … Continue reading →

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Reflections on writing and research: Fluffy Ruffles, women in silent cinema, and gaps in film history

Posted on 18 November 2017 by silentsplease

Earlier this year, I posted about a film/media history article I’d published in the journal Feminist Media Histories, entitled “From the New York Herald to the Italian screen: Fluffy Ruffles, la donna americana”. The article traced the history of 1907-9 … Continue reading →

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Even more question marks in Italian silent film advertising

Posted on 14 October 2017 by silentsplease

Over the course of my research, I’ve noticed on a delightful quirk of Italian silent film advertising: a prominent and often repetitious use of question marks to build anticipation and enthusiasm for future film releases. I’ve shared examples annually for … Continue reading →

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A rainbow of silent film

Posted on 21 August 2017 by silentsplease

Regular readers will have noticed that things have been pretty quiet around Silents, Please! for the last year or so. Partly, this was because I channelled a lot of energy into researching, writing and drawing my Feminist Media Histories article: a very … Continue reading →

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Announcing a publication!

Posted on 14 June 2017 by silentsplease

Not long ago, a major project of mine came to fruition. A chance infatuation with the adverts for a particular film grew into a fruitful research project which involved early newspaper comic strips, international media coverage, and two Italian silent films. … Continue reading →

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Now on the Media History Digital Library: several of my film magazines

Posted on 6 April 2017 by silentsplease

Well, when I say ‘now’, I mean ‘several months ago’. Last year, I went on holiday to Europe (including taking in Il Cinema Ritrovato), and while in the Netherlands, I picked up several issues of the Dutch journal Cinema en Theater … Continue reading →

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Diva December delayed!

Posted on 11 December 2016 by silentsplease

Regular readers will know that in December, I usually publish a series of articles on the films of the Italian divas. Due to a heavy workload right now, I have to postpone this until early next year – so please … Continue reading →

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Casa Lyda Borelli in Bologna

Posted on 14 August 2016 by silentsplease

Lyda Borelli was already a celebrated theatrical actress and fashion icon when she burst into film with the seminal Ma l’amor mio non muore! (But my love will never die!; 1913). Her cinematic career was relatively sparse—over six years, she only … Continue reading →

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