The Scarlet Empress (1934) Director: Josef von Sternberg Josef von Sternberg once said of his film: "It is a relentless excursion into style." The Scarlet Empress is a cinematic delight. The film is filled with striking imagery, expressionist lighting, and it is topped off with excellent acting from the great Marlene Dietrich, von Sternberg's actress … Continue reading The Scarlet Empress
review
À nous la liberté
À nous la liberté (1931) Director: Rene Clair "Freedom for us all" is a quirky French musical/comedy directed by Rene Clair. It contains beautiful set designs, not unlike Clair's other French films of the early 1930s, like Sous les toits de Paris. The films tells the story of two friends who were at one time … Continue reading À nous la liberté
The Last Command
The Last Command (1925) Director: Josef von Sternberg Josef von Sternberg's powerful film is notable for its star, Emil Jannings, who won the very first Academy Award for Best Actor - and deservedly so - for his unique performance. Additionally, William Powell was a star in the film (it is unusual to see him in … Continue reading The Last Command
Orphans of the Storm
Orphans of the Storm (1921) Director: D.W. Griffith Orphans of the Storm is a decent film, though not Griffith's best by any stretch of the imagination. It is the last film to feature of the famous Gish sisters, Lillian and Dorothy. Based on a French story adopted for the American stage, it tells the story of … Continue reading Orphans of the Storm
The Navigator
9/5/2016 The Navigator (1924) Director: Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp The Navigator is another classic Buster Keaton film, and one of his first great films, following Sherlock, Jr. It contains some of Keaton's best stunts and is based on the screenplay by Clyde Bruckman, a writer for other great comedies, including the works of W.C. Fields, Laurel and Hardy, … Continue reading The Navigator
The Sheik
8/27/16 The Sheik (1921) Director: George Melford The Sheik is an entertaining film starring Rudy Valentino. It was his second great blockbuster, though it is popularly considered to be inferior to the sequel (one of the first Hollywood sequels) The Son of the Sheik (1926). The production company was the old Famous Players-Lasky and the distribution was conducted … Continue reading The Sheik
Shanghai Express
Shanghai Express (1932) Director: Josef von Sternberg In Shanghai Express, Marlene Dietrich delivers a highly memorable and seductive performance in her fourth of seven films with Josef von Sternberg. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Cinematography (winner). It outperformed the famous Grand Hotel at the box office … Continue reading Shanghai Express
Flowers and Trees
Flowers and Trees (1932) Director: Burt Gillett Flowers and Trees is the second great film to emerge from the early Disney studios. It is mainly remembered as being the first technicolor cartoon short film. It was released as a Disney "Silly Symphony" in 1932. All later "Silly Symphonies" were released on technicolor following the success … Continue reading Flowers and Trees
I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang
I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang Director: Mervyn Leroy (1932) This haunting film, based on the true story of Robert Elliott Burns, is an early thriller produced with the intention of exposing the harsh southern chain gang prisons of the early 20th century. Starring Paul Muni, already famous for his portrayal of Tony in Scarface: … Continue reading I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang
