Here is a 1915 silent film version of Alice in Wonderland, directed by W.W. Young and starring Viola Savoy.
Alice in Wonderland: 1915 Silent Film
Category Archives: Silent Film
Silent Shadow of the Bat-Man: A Film by Andre Perkowski
From the corrupt and nefarious cinematic mind of filmmaker Andre Perkowski comes this series of fantastic silent Batman adventures. Episodes 1 and 2 detail the caped crusader’s origin story. You know the one, but you’ve probably never seen it told this way before.
Perkowski has been featured here before for his ongoing epic adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel, ‘Nova Express.’
Here’s an update from the filmmaker himself! All five parts of the Bat-Man serial with a live symphony playing along!
The Seashell and the Clergyman: 1928 Surrealist Film by Germaine Dulac
A clergyman goes insane with lust for the wife of a general in this ravishingly beautiful silent film by one of the greatest surrealist filmmakers of all time, Germaine Dulac. She captures states of mind on film like no one I’ve ever seen. If you are looking for magic in cinema, you are going to find it here. This is a film about magic, desire, obsession, male/female power, love, faith, mysticism, and reality. Her story is hypnotic and her special effects are superb.
Here’s another of her films that I wrote about on this site.
Animated GIFs From Metropolis
The Unhistorical blog has some nice animated GIFs from Fritz Lang's science fiction masterpiece, Metropolis.
Aelita Queen of Mars: First Russian Science Fiction Film 1924
This is regarded as being the first Soviet science fiction film. Made in 1924, it’s an operatic scenario involving a mysterious radio signal sent toward earth, a scientist who builds a spaceship to get to the red planet only to find a totalitarian state, and a dictator’s daughter who wants to lead a revolution. There’s even a hammer and sickle to go along with the establishment of a socialist republic on Mars.
The film combines outlandish stage scenery representing Mars with the gritty streets and factories of Moscow. There’s some really beautiful photography and truly absurd costumes throughout.
Directed By Yakov Protozoan
Written By Aleksei Fajko and Fyodor Otsep
Based On A Play By Aleksei Tolstoy
All six parts of the film can be seen in this YouTube playlist.
L’Amour, Toujours L’amour: A Short Film by Daniel Ablin
Ah yes! Oui! Bon! Merci! The urge to do away with one’s mate in favor of an improved version with more passion never leaves us, does it? But of course when French lovers murder one another it is just so full of life, wit and oh I don’t know what!
This clever and charming film is by Daniel Ablin and features an actor from the Comédie Française, Christian Blanc. The woman is played by Mireille Rivat. The film doesn’t push too hard, favoring a delicate touch with its humor, and it keeps the silent film thing just enough under control and just modern enough to avoid annoyance.