★★★★☆ A visually arresting example of early German Expressionism, The Golem offers a twisted glimpse into an old European-Jewish ghetto where the fearsome golem creature is wreaking havoc. I was immediately struck by the towering set designs which loom like paintings throughout the film. However, other German Expressionist films stand…
Month: July 2019
The Mark of Zorro (1920) Film Review
The Mark of Zorro (1920) Director: Fred Niblo ★★★★☆ I was expecting a silly, forgettable adventure, however The Mark of Zorro is a surprisingly impressive film. It stars Hollywood’s early acrobatic star of the silent screen, Douglas Fairbanks, and the film quickly became the first in a long string of Zorro…
Charlie Chaplin’s First National Films (1917-1918) Review
In 1917-1918, Charlie Chaplin was seeking more independence and greater creative license over his films which he believed were becoming too stagnant and predictable. His relationship with Mutual ended amicably, and he signed an eight-film contract with First National. His years with First National would prove to be some of…
Charlie Chaplin’s Mutual Shorts (1916-1917) Review
In 1916, Charlie Chaplin again changed film studios to produce 12 films over a one-year period at a salary valued at approximately ten times his Essanay salary – $670,000 (or approximately $15.4M in today’s dollars). He was 26 years old. At first he produced a new two-reel short film every…