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.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A Trip To Mars - 1910
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Ashley Miller
Release Date: 18 February 1910 (USA)
Production Co: Edison Manufacturing Company
By mixing two powders, a scientist invents a product which has the power to free from the law of gravity. First, the container in which the powder was thrown takes of. He then renews the experience with a chair: same result. Finally the scientist tries his invention on himself. He then escapes gravity and goes sailing up into the clouds...
Les Résultats du Féminisme -1906
Country: France
Release Date: 1906 (France)
Director: Alice Guy
Also known as: The Consequences of Feminism
Production Co: Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont
Plot Keywords:
Futurism | Cross Dressing | Effeminacy | Flirting | Hatbox | Gender Roles | Seduction | Mason
This film is a tongue-in-cheek look at what COULD happen if women begin assuming male roles. Throughout the film, the men are very effeminate--wearing flowers in their hair, behaving as if they were gay and doing the housework. It's an interesting juxtaposition. What's also interesting is how the ladies respond. In a scene in a bar, the ladies make sexist advances at men who enter and they sit around drinking, smoking and carousing!
La Possession de l'enfant - 1909
Country: France
Release Date: 26 July 1909 (France)
Also known as: Custody of the Child
Production Co: Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont
Director: Louis Feuillade
Stars: Renée Carl, Christiane Mandelys and Maurice Vinot
This Louis Feuillade film begins with a man gaining custody of his son. Why the mother loses custody is unknown, but the father is shown as rather cold and unforgiving. The child, though raised in luxury, is miserable and lonely. Later, the father takes the child to his mother's house and seems to forget the kid there! Soon, the mother takes the child home to raise herself. The father has a change of mind and looks for the kid. When he and the police find him with the mother, all is forgiven and the family becomes one once again.
Overall, the story is very, very simplistic and not especially believable. However, for 1909, this is exactly the sort of morality play that was typical and this film is a decent one from this period despite its shortcomings.
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