Recommendations?

[emeraldarrows]

I started watching silent films a couple years ago and have since seen all of Mary Pickford's films that are available on DVD or VHS, as well as Ben-Hur and Wings. I'd like to watch other silent films, too, but aren't sure where to start. Could someone please recommend some to me? I prefer drama to comedy, or a film with a mix of the two. Many

Comments

[cosmosmariner]

There are a few movies that I recommend to folks who want to see more silent films:

Sadie Thompson (don't let the fact that it's partially reconstructed scare you off, it's just the tail end of the film)

The Big Parade

The Crowd - DEFINITELY The Crowd. That movie tears you apart and puts you back together again. Plus it's fun to watch it and see what modern movie directors have ripped off from it.

I know you mentioned not liking comedy so much, but you have to watch "Sherlock Jr." - it's a shorter film, and it's absolutely one of the most clever movies I've ever seen. Ever.

And give "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" a try - my husband, who usually does not like silent movies, likes that movie.

[emeraldarrows]

Thanks so much! I'll add those to my library list. (:

[shecountscrows]

I'm a big fan of the Cat and the Canary (1927)

You know the genre that always starts with
the decease of a wealthy, reclusive, elderly relative the main character barely knew,
then moves on to
the reading of a will with a rich cast of characters, and spending the night in an eerie mansion (with a murderer and/or ghost and/or "escaped lunatic" sneaking around in it) to get an inheritance,
plus some comedy thrown in here and there for relief?

Well, Cat and the Canary is the film-origin of that genre, and it's quite fun.
Even by today's standards, it has some fairly suspenseful parts, too.

If you have netflix, you can watch it on their instant streaming service.

[emeraldarrows]

Sounds great, thank you. (:

[shecountscrows]

Glad to be of help, soldier ;)

So far, what silent movie have you enjoyed the most?

[emeraldarrows]

:D

Probably Wings. It was the first silent film I ever saw and what made me love them and I still adore it. But I really love Mary Pickford's films, too, like Amarilly Of Clothes-Line Alley and My Best Girl.

[thedabara_cds]

Douglas Fairbanks, Louise Brooks, Greta Garbo's silent films, and Lon Chaney Sr.

[emeraldarrows]

Thanks so much! (:

[oreadno1]

Broken Blossoms, Tol'able David, The Big Parade, La Boheme, The Wind, The Crowd, He Who Gets Slapped, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame

[emeraldarrows]

Thank you! Love your icon, btw. (:

[oreadno1]

I've been interested in Mary Miles Minter (the actress in my icon) ever since I first read of the William Desmond Taylor murder about 25 years ago.

[emeraldarrows]

I'm not familiar with her but she's quite pretty. (:

[carbonpaper]

I love Greta Garbo movies, personally.

[emeraldarrows]

Thanks! Any one in particular that you'd recommend to start with? (:

[carbonpaper]

Flesh and The Devil. But all are good. Even her talkies. I really can't say enough about her. :)

[emeraldarrows]

Okay, thank you! (: