This site is dedicated to the preservation of memory of silent films. Although they were quite important in the evolution of cinema, they remain virtually forgotten nowadays. Since the best way to understand the present is taking an attentive look at the past, here you have some movies, pictures, interviews, etc. on silent cinema. Some occasional material on sound films will also be presented. I hope you enjoy getting to know a bit more about the beauty and sheer fun of these golden oldies.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Mabel Normand-Mabels Blunder Pt 2/2 1914
Mabel's Blunder, written and directed by Mabel Normand for Mack Sennett's Keystone Film Company and released October 1914 was Normand's 172nd film although she had only started in the business 4 1/2 years earlier at Vitagraph Co. This film is Public Domain.
Harry (Harry McCoy), the boss's son and Mabel (Mabel Normand), the office girl are secretly engaged but the boss, Harry's father, not knowing of the engagement, is also trying to woo Mabel. A mystery woman (Eva Nelson), arrives to visit Harry and Mabel thinks she is being two-timed when she peeps through a keyhole and sees Harry and Eva embrace. As Harry and Eva leave for a party, Mabel plots to trade identities with her brother (Al St. John), who had arrived to chauffeur Harry to the party. Mabel, now disguised as her brother the chauffeur drives her boyfriend Harry and Eva to the party and she is mad and cussing all the way. Meanwhile poor Mabel's brother, now wearing Mabel's clothes, is spirited away to the party by Harry's father thinking he finally has Mabel all to himself. The plot comes unwound in typical Keystone fashion. We discover the identity of the mystery woman in part II. Charley Chase also has a small part in this film as Harry's friend.
Mabel Normand-Mabels Blunder-Pt1/2-1914
Mabel's Blunder, written and directed by Mabel Normand for Mack Sennett's Keystone Film Company and released October 1914 was Normand's 172nd film although she had only started in the business 4 1/2 years earlier at Vitagraph Co. This film is Public Domain.
Harry (Harry McCoy), the boss's son and Mabel (Mabel Normand), the office girl are secretly engaged but the boss, Harry's father, not knowing of the engagement, is also trying to woo Mabel. A mystery woman (Eva Nelson), arrives to visit Harry and Mabel thinks she is being two-timed when she peeps through a keyhole and sees Harry and Eva embrace. As Harry and Eva leave for a party, Mabel plots to trade identities with her brother (Al St. John), who had arrived to chauffeur Harry to the party. Mabel, now disguised as her brother the chauffeur drives her boyfriend Harry and Eva to the party and she is mad and cussing all the way. Meanwhile poor Mabel's brother, now wearing Mabel's clothes, is spirited away to the party by Harry's father thinking he finally has Mabel all to himself. The plot comes unwound in typical Keystone fashion. We discover the identity of the mystery woman in part II. Charley Chase also has a small part in this film as Harry's friend.
Our New Errand Boy (Williamson Kinematograph Company, 1905)
This incredibly rare film from the British film concern The Williamson Kinematograph Company, runs nearly 6 minutes, and is one of only a handful of films saved from that period. It is the story of a mischievous errand boy, sent out on a delivery, who causes havoc in the streets of the city of Hove. When he arrives back at the shop, he finds all his furious victims are already there complaining to the grocer...and the chase is on!
Cast:
James Williamson: Grocer
Tom Williamson: Errand Boy
Directed by James Williamson.
Tillie's Punctured Romance - 1914
Charlie convinces wealthy farmer's daughter Tillie to elope with him. They run away, Tillie gets drunk and lands in jail. Charlie runs off with Tillie's father's money and his old girlfriend Mabel. When Charlie reads that Tillie has inherited the estate of her multi-millionaire uncle, he dumps Mabel and talks Tillie into moving into her uncle's villa, while Mabel arranges to become his maid. The uncle, who has not died, summons the police.
Making A Living - 1914
Making a Living is the first film appearance of Charlie Chaplin, which premiered on February 2, 1914. Chaplin plays a lady-charming swindler, Edgar English, who runs afoul of the Keystone Kops.
Between Showers - 1914
Ending missing. Released Feb. 28 1914
Between Showers was a short film made by Keystone Studios and directed by Henry Lehrman. It starred Charlie Chaplin, Ford Sterling, Emma Bell Clifton, and Chester Conklin.
Arrival of Emigrants, Ellis Island - 1906
The arrival of emigrants from some other part of the world to America is captured by the cameras of the American Mutoscope & Biograph Company in 1906.
Westinghouse Works - Girls taking time checks 1904
Nearly 200 girls clock out from their jobs at Westinghouse in 1904. I love how a few of them give shy glances towards the camera, while others giggle girlishly before hurrying away, and a couple briefly ham it up.
No sound.
(The video is available to downlad here: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mbrsmi/westhpp... )
Princess Raja - 1904
Country: United States
Princess Raja bellydancing - 1904
Princess Rajah performs an "Oriental" or belly dance, and a balancing chair act in her teeth like that often found in folk performances in various cultures from Northern Africa to Greece. Shot outdoors in a street scene at the St. Louis Exposition, the film captures her act in an extreme long shot.
NOTES
Copyright: American Mutoscope & Biograph Co.; 3June1904; H46819.
Camera, A.E. Weed.
Performer: Princess Rajah.
Duration: 1:11 at 16 fps.
According to vaudeville historians Joe Laurie, Jr. and Douglas Gilbert, Princess Rajah started as a "cooch" (an early form of what was considered/called belly dance) dancer at Coney Island in the 1890s. She was booked for a time at Huber's Museum in New York City before Willie Hammerstein presented her in her vaudeville debut at Hammerstein's Victoria theater on 42nd Street. In addition to her dance with a chair, she also performed an Oriental dance with snakes. Princess Rajah was a featured act in the "Mysterious Asia" concession on the Pike at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. She later married agent Clifford C. Fischer.
Summary description provided by dance ethnologist Michelle Forner, 9/25/96.
Ben-Hur - 1907
Country: USA
Directors: Sidney Olcott, Frank Oakes Rose, H. Temple, Harry T. Morey (uncredited), Frank Rose (uncredited)
Writers: Gene Gauntier, Lew Wallace (novel)
Stars: Herman Rottger and William S. Hart
Release Date: 7 December 1907 (USA)
Filming locations: Manhattan Beach, California, USA; Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Production Co: Kalem Company
Plot Keywords: Ancient Rome | Roman Empire | Slavery | Chariot Race | Adoption | Rooftop | Jerusalem | 1st Century | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title
Genres: Short | Drama
This version was unauthorized, and its makers were successfully sued for copyright infringement.
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