Tag Archives: cinema of 1914

10 lost silent films that I’d love to see

Posted on 16 March 2015 by silentsplease

As an art form, silent film lasted for a mere 40 years, c.1895-1935. It’s well known that the great majority of films from the silent era are now lost, whether due to destruction (either deliberate, as by many studios, or accidental, … Continue reading →

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L’Amazzone mascherata | The Masked Amazon [The Woman who Dared] (IT 1914)

Posted on 18 December 2014 by silentsplease

L’Amazzone mascherata sees Francesca Bertini in the role of Franca de Roberti, a woman who vows to clear the name of her husband after he is framed for treason. Here she is, appearing in the opening ‘credit sequence’ as both … Continue reading →

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Sangue Bleu | Blue Blood (IT 1914)

Posted on 15 December 2014 by silentsplease

With the release of Sangue Bleu in 1914, reviews were glowing: “This splendid masterpiece is transfused by all of Ms. Bertini’s soul as an incomparable artist.” Francesca Bertini was already launched as a film star, and as a major production, Sangue … Continue reading →

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British despatch: London Symphony, and BFI-1914

Posted on 18 September 2014 by silentsplease

Is it too soon to speak of a ‘wave’ of 21st century silents? We’ve had a great one (The Artist, 2011), a visually beautifully disappointment (Blancanieves, 2012), and some that totally missed the mark (cough). Add to the former category a current … Continue reading →

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Serial star Mary Fuller & Dolly of the Dailies: The Chinese Fan (US 1914)

Posted on 12 August 2014 by silentsplease

Serial star Mary Fuller Another film celebrating its 100th birthday this year is one of the two extant episodes of American film serial Dolly of the Dailies: Episode 5, The Chinese Fan.  The serial stars Mary Fuller as Dolly Desmond, … Continue reading →

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The flowers of romance? Хризантемы | Chrysanthemums (RU 1914)

Posted on 4 August 2014 by silentsplease

Today it’s back to pre-revolutionary Russia, where indeed I’ve been spending a lot of my reading + watching time lately. Chrysanthemums (translit. Khrizantemy; 1914) is the story of Vera Alekseevna Nevolina, played by the radiant Vera Karalli in her first film role (her … Continue reading →

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100 years ago in Holland: cross-dressing at the seaside, and winter scenes (NL 1914)

Posted on 22 July 2014 by silentsplease

This week I’m profiling two films from the Netherlands: Toffe jongens onder de mobilisatie, and Hiver en Hollande, both 1914. Toffe jongens onder de mobilisatie was produced by Filmfabriek Hollandia, the most significant Dutch film production company of the 1910s.  Hollandia was founded in … Continue reading →

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100 years ago: Amor Pedestre | Love Afoot (IT 1914) … plus bonus football

Posted on 30 June 2014 by silentsplease

Recently on European Film Gateway, that goldmine of early cinema, I came across this intriguing short film: The film was directed by Marcel Fabre (Marcel Perez – currently the subject of this Kickstarter), the popular cinematic clown Robinet; he played this … Continue reading →

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Forgotten film stars: Ellen Jensen-Eck and Das Geheimschloss (Miss Clever versus the Black Hand; DE 1914)

Posted on 18 June 2014 by silentsplease

I loved Das Geheimschloß (The Secret Castle) aka Miss Clever contra de „Zwarte Hand” (Miss Clever versus the ‘Black Hand’) when I saw it at Le Giornate del Cinema Muto in Pordenone a couple of years ago – a gem out of nowhere. A few months … Continue reading →

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