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Watching Silent Films

Watching Silent Films

Author: Watching Silent Films

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Film podcast discussing the Silent era (1894 to 1929) and the importance these moving pictures still have in todays age. Every week, we watch silent films, then talk about it!
Hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob, Diane, and Adam.
For more details, visit us here: https://watchingsilentfilms.wordpress.com/
51 Episodes
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A tantalizing futuristic wonder, Metropolis is a Silent lingering with choreography that makes your eyes wander throughout the tale as a spectacle like no other. Director Fritz Lang pulls out all the stops on what critics claim today as a creative masterpiece, Metropolis becoming an immediate classic in respect where you will never forget this film. Lily's film watch: The Man Who Laughs (1928) with Conrad Veidt, Dir. Paul Leni; The Artist (2011), Dir. Michel Hazanavicius. Bob's film watch: State of the Union (1948), Dir. Frank Capra; The Third Man (1949) Dir. Carol Reed.  YiFeng's film watch: Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954); It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Dir. Frank Capra.  Harold Lloyd's estate has a YouTube channel, publishing some rare and unseen gems almost daily! Go and Subscribe! We have! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4A3IJ4FssK3b7SeXc2kMMw Roger Ebert's review from June 2010 -  https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-metropolis-2010-restoration-1927 We want to thank our listeners for joining us on this podcast, and here's hoping we spoke about some films you hadn't seen yet!  To keep up to date with your "Silent itch," we suggest the forum NitrateVille, a site where you can talk, and share your stories about preserving and collecting vintage films. https://www.nitrateville.com/ Fritzi Kramer's blog Movies, Silently is a tour de force website dedicated to the lost art of, and for, sharing the beauty of silent films. Her articles are fantastic! https://moviessilently.com/about/ We want to thank our recurring hosts Diane and Adam for their insight and willingness to be "on the air" and talk about classics of the day with us. We'll see you in Season 2! Recorded on February 25, 2021 Hosted by YiFeng, Bob, and Lily
Safety Last! (1923)

Safety Last! (1923)

2021-03-0601:14:55

One of the most well-known (dare we say famous!) silent films of all time due to a man dangling from the arm of a clock, Safety Last! anchored Harold Lloyd among the comedic greats of the moving pictures era.  Lloyd plays a small-town "Boy" trying to make it in the big city, who finds employment as a department-store clerk. He comes up with a wild publicity stunt to draw attention to the store after his roommate's successful climb of escape from a cop, resulting in the incredible feat of a death-defying stunt! Laugh-out-loud funny and jaw-dropping in equal measure, Safety Last! is a movie experience you won't soon forget.  Lily's film watch: Greta (2019), Dir. Sparkman Clark. Found on Amazon Prime. Adam's film watch: Greed (1924), Dir. Erich von Stroheim, and Die Nibelungen (1924), Dir. Fritz Lang. A silent fantasy film! Subscribe to Harold Lloyd on YouTube! The estate has been releasing his filmography, so why not see something of his that you haven't yet?! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4A3IJ4FssK3b7SeXc2kMMw/featured HOW they filmed Safety Last! https://silentlocations.com/2012/02/29/how-harold-lloyd-filmed-safety-last/?fbclid=IwAR1xDxAzkmtQk2wNRZPckRqEw3q3EesSQ_l3OZ5gCqodxeddMeoz7udFYhQ We want to thank Adam so much for joining us on this podcasting journey! Being able to bond over silents has been a joy, and we can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge and being an overall fan!  Hosted by YiFeng, Adam, and Lily. Originally recorded on December 6, 2020.
Sunrise (1927)

Sunrise (1927)

2021-02-1101:13:53

The fable-like, poignant story, subtitled A Song of Two Humans, Sunrise is an American silent melodramatic masterpiece by German director F.W. Murnau (In his American film debut) - a beautiful, atmospheric, lyrical and poetic work of art with roots in the German Expressionist movement (from 1914 to 1924). Starring George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, and Margaret Livingston, the story of corruption and redemption involves a rustic farmer in a romanticized rural town who falls prey to the seductive wiles of a city vamp in an illicit affair. He plots to murder his loving wife during a boat trip to the temptation-ridden city. His conscience is awakened during the attempted killing and he relents, and in the city the couple fall in love again. On their return trip, a tempestuous storm appears to drown the wife, but she is eventually found and the family is reunited and reconciled. The script was adapted from the short story "The Excursion to Tilsit," from the 1917 collection with the same title by Hermann Sudermann.  Sunrise is one of the first feature films with a synchronized musical score and sound effects soundtrack. The film won the Academy Award for Unique and Artistic Picture at the very first Oscars in 1929 (this particular award was created for the film itself. The category has since been disbanded since the 30s onward). Gaynor won the first Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film.  Sunrise is widely considered a masterpiece and one of the greatest films ever made. Many claim it to be the best picture made during the silent era.  ** We do apologize for a bit of strange overlap during the episode, especially around 38.2 minutes in. We promise we're not talking over one another!  Also featured on this episode is the Laurel and Hardy silent Battle of the Century!   UPDATE 3/5/21: Link to Battle of the Century is no longer available for viewing, account terminated. However we still recommend watching this interview with collector Jon Mirsalis on discovering the lost reel to "Battle." https://youtu.be/2MxC4glhB5Y Lily's film watch: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), feat. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Adam's film watch: Judex (1916), a French silent film serialization.  YiFeng also mentioned these silent melodrama serializations during the podcast, and we hope you'll watch!  The Perils of Pauline and Exploits of Elaine, both made in 1914. Hosted by YiFeng, Adam and Lily. Originally recorded on November 17, 2020. 
The Wind (1928)

The Wind (1928)

2021-02-0301:00:56

When Letty Mason (Lillian Gish), an impoverished young woman from Virginia, relocates to West Texas, she finds herself unsettled by the ever-present wind and sand. Arriving at her new home at the ranch of her cousin (Edward Earle) she receives a surprisingly cold welcome from his wife (Dorothy Cumming). With tension in the family building and unwanted attention from a trio of suitors, including neighbor Lige Hightower (Lars Hanson), Letty grows increasingly disturbed as time shifts on.  An unwanted marriage, an unwanted lover, and a liable cause for hysteria, Swedish director Victor Sjöström (Seastrom) takes Dorothy Scarborough's 1925 novel of the same title to rattling heights. You know the subtleties of what is coming, even if it’s not explicitly recognized. Though the film differs from the novel halfway through, this stunning silent is a visual treat which will stay with you even when the wind has finally calmed down.  Some films on our "watch" list included,   Lily: Daddy (2019), featuring Ron Rifkin and Dylan Sprouse, Dir. by Christian Coppola. Adam: Theater of Blood (1973), featuring Vincent Price and Diana Rigg, Dir. by Douglas Hickox; and The Floating Weeds (1959), Dir. by Yasujiro Ozu.  YiFeng: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), featuring Lon Chaney, Dir. by Wallace Worsley. Our show notes include two unique articles depicting The Wind's legacy:  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3402/jac.v1i0.4641#aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGFuZGZvbmxpbmUuY29tL2RvaS9wZGYvMTAuMzQwMi9qYWMudjFpMC40NjQxP25lZWRBY2Nlc3M9dHJ1ZUBAQDA= https://moviessilently.com/2014/04/29/silent-movie-myth-5-the-wind-ended-wrong-and-is-too-windy/ Hosted by YiFeng, Adam, and Lily.  Originally recorded on November 17, 2020. 
As a party of aristocrats gathers at the Vogelöd family manor house for a hunting weekend, the uninvited arrival of Count Oechst (Lothar Mehnert) interrupts their plans. While rumors persist that the urbane and disdainful Oechst may have murdered his own brother (Paul Hartmann), social discomfort increases further when the Baron (Paul Bildt) and Baroness (Olga Tschechowa) arrive, as she is the recently remarried widow of Oechst's brother. When the Baroness' confessor, Father Faramond (Victor Blütner), unaccountably disappears, the villa becomes the arena for separating truth from lies, via two dreams and two flashbacks, plus multiple deceptions, accusations and confrontations.  "The Haunted Castle" is one of the lesser known earliest accomplishments by the great visual artist/director F.W. Murnau. Schloß Vogelöd is a treat not only visually for the eye, but instills intrigue for the viewer in this new age of filmmaking.  Mentioned in this podcast:   Cinderella (1899) https://youtu.be/Wv3Z_STlzpc Adam's watchlist included: The Student of Prague (1913), and The Man Who Laughs (1928), starring Conrad Veidt and co-written by Victor Hugo.  Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Adam. Recorded on November 13, 2020. 
Post WW1, F.W. Murnau directs this German-Danish co-production, showcasing some of his best intentions toward future films.   Der Gang in die Nacht (Journey into the Night) is derived from a screenplay by the Danish scenarist Harriet Bloch. It’s an example of the “nobility film,” a genre cultivated by the Nordisk studio where Bloch worked. In these stories, an upper-class man becomes obsessed with a working-class woman, and she leads him to disaster. In Murnau’s film, the well-to-do protagonist is Dr. Eigil Börne. Uneasy with his courtship of his wispy fiancée Helene, he plunges into an affair with the dancer Lily. They move to a seaside cottage, where their idyll is interrupted by the spectral figure of a blind artist (Conrad Veidt). After Dr. Börne restores the Painter’s sight, Lily falls in love with him and leaves Börne. Unhappiness ensues for all, and yes, suicide is involved. Be sure to join KANOPY if you currently have not. Check your local and surrounding libraries for access and entertainment. KANOPY is available throughout the United States. For a "live" accompaniment experience in the current age of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ben Model's Silent Comedy Watch Party on YouTube is a great way to enjoy film and live entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/user/silentfilmmusic One of Adam's film picks this week included Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford in 1927's The Unknown. A great article on Murnau before Nosferatu: http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2016/11/06/murnau-before-nosferatu/?fbclid=IwAR00jtMv4kcCR-AMnDKFQ7_3cCvqqvDkkvGOHQXXjbPn53NEenltRqw-Rl0 Hosted by YiFeng and Adam. Recorded on October 22, 2020
In Robert Wiene's final film entry, Wiene proved that he not only had impeccable taste when it came to creating the rococo ambience of the original opera, but was also perceptively tuned into the ironic element which distinguishes Rosenkavalier as one of the major 20th century operas. The film is based on the music of Der Rosenkavalier opera by Richard Strauss. It was arranged in an instrumental form to suit the film medium and was played by a repetiteur on set. Taking the opera’s story line as its central theme, the result was a film comedy enlivened with attractive locations, including Schönbrunn Castle and its extensive grounds in Vienna. The ‘people’s film opera,’ as Strauss liked to call it, was staged in an opulent scenography produced by Alfred Roller who had furnished the setting for the opera’s premier. Film versions of operas were already popular in the silent film era; however, few other opera films of the time were as spectacular and of such a high musical quality as Der Rosenkavalier. For more on Richard Strauss, this unique playbill talks about the making of the film, his music, and his life.  https://issuu.com/orchestraenlightenment/docs/der_rosenkavalier_programme_pdf Host Diane spearheaded one of the Internet's first silent film related websites, and now runs The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! on Facebook. Be sure to join this public group for daily, silent era content! https://www.facebook.com/groups/484423584978921  Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Diane Recorded on September 30th, 2020
By the director of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, this is the Passion embedded in a contemporary story.  An anarchist jailed for an attempted assassination is told the Passion story by the prison chaplain, who seeks to convince him that it is better to sacrifice one's own life than take the life of one's enemy. The framing story, taken from a novel, is believed to have been intended to give the Biblical story an anti-Bolshevist propaganda function. In any case, it was added without the knowledge of the actors in the Passion story, who included some of the major stars of the period: Asta Nielsen as Mary Magdalene, Henny Porten as Mary, Grigori Chmara as Jesus, and Werner Krauss (Caligari himself) as Pontius Pilate.  Have some free time? Diane's picks in the classic realm are both Academy Award winning films: CITIZEN KANE and Casablanca, and From the Manger to the Cross (1912).  For the modern realm, Academy Award winning film The King's Speech is an excellent pick on our behalf.  Diane runs The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! Be sure to join this public group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/484423584978921 Brad's review:  https://letterboxd.com/film/inri-a-film-of-humanity/ Did you know? Famous for his watercolor paintings, James Tissot is one of THE largest inspirations for many of the Passion-based films.  Originally recorded on Sept. 16, 2020. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily, and Diane. 
The Gaucho (1927)

The Gaucho (1927)

2020-12-0801:40:42

For the viewer who has grown accustomed to Douglas Fairbank's and his similar "themes," films dealing with swashbuckling or youth or joy, The Gaucho is a silent film classic that will strip away any misconceptions about what role Fairbanks will play or which type of character is best identified toward his bustling career.  The Gaucho is unique in both tone and look--a combination of action/adventure with a morality tale featuring heavy atmosphere and a darker sensibility than any other Fairbanks film. Tragic yet somehow more rugged and realistic, the film and its cast, featuring Lupe Velez as the spunky Mountain Girl and Joan Barclay as the Girl of the Shrine, show the truths we hide and seek thrill from in a tale told so profoundly it can be enjoyed no matter which year it's been watched.  Ready to watch more in the classic realm?  Bob's films included Father Goose featuring Cary Grant, Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney, and How to Steal a Million with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole.  Interested in something of the modern time? Lily's recent work on Luna, The Witch can be seen on Amazon Prime or Angelwood Pictures at https://www.angelwoodpictures.com/lunathewitch/index.php?LunaPage=3 Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily.  Originally recorded on August 28, 2020
Raskolnikow (1923)

Raskolnikow (1923)

2020-11-0936:16

"Crime and Punishment," the original story written in twelve monthly installments during 1866 by Dostoevsky, focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in Saint Petersburg who formulates a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money. Before the killing, Raskolnikov believes that with the money he could liberate himself from poverty and go on to perform great deeds. However, he finds himself racked with confusion, paranoia, and disgust for what he has done. His justifications disintegrate completely as he struggles with guilt and horror and confronts the real-world consequences of his deed. This version by Caligari filmmaker Robert Weine similarly follows along the same lines of the novel, Gregori Chmara starring as the disparaged Raskolnikov.  Although the 1923 version we observed for this podcast wasn't of the greatest quality, we recommend checking out many of the other remakes of Crime and Punishment -- there are at least 30 others! Hosted by YiFeng, Bob, and Lily Recorded on September 9, 2020
The most cherished film by Charlie Chaplin, City Lights is also his ultimate Little Tramp chronicle. The writer-director-star achieved new levels of grace, in both physical comedy and dramatic poignancy, with this silent tale of a lovable vagrant falling for a young blind woman who sells flowers on the street (Virginia Cherrill) and mistakes him for a millionaire. Though this Depression-era smash was made after the advent of sound, Chaplin remained steadfast in his love for the expressive beauty of the pre-talkie form. The result was the epitome of his art and the crowning achievement of silent comedy. Part two of this episode continues with a scene-by-scene analysis of the film, the progressiveness of Chaplin's direction and style, and we wrap up this episode with some interesting facts about City Lights itself.  Read more from David at:  https://thecelluloidhistorian.wordpress.com/ Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily Recorded August 12, 2020
Genuine (1920)

Genuine (1920)

2020-11-0249:04

Robert Wiene's Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire follows-up his massively successful 1919 film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, using the same writer, production designer, and cinematographer who had worked on the previous film.  Genuine (Fern Andra) is not actually a vampire in the film, but rather a vamp (succubus) who uses her powers of seduction to torment and control the men who love her. The plot utilizes the old it was all just a dream-type ending, as the proceedings are revealed to be a dream suffered by a man who falls asleep while reading a scary book. The film did not do well at the box office, and Genuine was edited down into a 45-minute condensed version, which is the cut that has most commonly been available, making it very hard to judge the film, as discussed within this podcast.  Want to watch something short after listening to this podcast?  Check out The Portrait (1915) - a Russian silent horror film  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZaxq-POoQU Looking to read more about Robert Wiene? Beyond Caligari By Uli Jung & Walter Schatzberg is a fantastic start! Paperback and hardcover copies of the book can be found at Amazon.com Need another take on the movie? Read this article:  Obscure Films: “Genuine: A Tale Of A Vampire” (1920) https://silentology.wordpress.com/2017/10/24/obscure-films-genuine-a-tale-of-a-vampire-1920/ Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily Recorded on September 2, 2020
The most cherished film by Charlie Chaplin, City Lights is also his ultimate Little Tramp chronicle. The writer-director-star achieved new levels of grace, in both physical comedy and dramatic poignancy, with this silent tale of a lovable vagrant falling for a young blind woman who sells flowers on the street (Virginia Cherrill) and mistakes him for a millionaire. Though this Depression-era smash was made after the advent of sound, Chaplin remained steadfast in his love for the expressive beauty of the pre-talkie form. The result was the epitome of his art and the crowning achievement of silent comedy. This episode opens with the history behind City Lights, what life was like in the years outside of filmmaking, and mentions Chaplin's other accomplishments and dark times.  Follow David for more at  https://thecelluloidhistorian.wordpress.com/ WSF is hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily Recorded August 12, 2020
Part of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock's "9," The Pleasure Garden marks his directorial debut with this British-German wonder.  For the Master of Suspense, Hitchcock shows in this film many of the talents he would develop eventually, notably a great mastery of image composition and lighting, with a probable influence of German expressionism in his use of shadow and on-location shooting to natural sets to recreate the appropriate atmosphere.  Patsy (Carmelita Geraghty) is a young chorus girl at Mr. Hamilton's Pleasure Garden Theatre in London. One evening after the show, she meets Jill (Virginia Valli) whose money and letter of introduction to Mr. Hamilton have just been stolen. Offering help to Jill, Patsy takes her home and promises to introduce her to the boss. Jill manages to convince Hamilton that she should be the lead, and eventually begins to climb up the social ladder, leaving behind Patsy and her fiancé, Hugh (John Stuart), being courted by rich men, notably the wealthy Prince Ivan. Hugh's partner Levet (Miles Mander) convinces Patsy to marry him, though it turns to be a false romance.  An excellent watch for WSF and every new viewer, "This first production of Alfred Hitchcock promises much for the future." The Pordenone Silent Film Festival of 2020 ran from October 3rd - October 10th. REGISTER FOR NEXT YEAR:  http://www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/en/ 2020 SCHEDULE: http://www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/3_Calendario_Schedule.pdf The Pleasure Garden Restored: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nxnWnFEoig&t=137s Host Diane runs The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! Be sure to join this public group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/484423584978921 Hosted by YiFeng, Lily, and Diane Recorded on 9/24/20
Fear (1917)

Fear (1917)

2020-09-1846:19

With Autumn quickly approaching, WSF takes on another German expressionist silent horror written and directed by Caligari's Robert Wiene.  FURCHT (FEAR) is the tale of Count Greven (Bruno Decarli)'s eventual descent into madness and hysteria with his obsession of collecting one too many of the world's greatest treasures. Lured by rumors of a sacred statue's mystic qualities, Greven's theft from an Indian temple leads to a masterpiece of torment and guilt, gradually rising the wrath of a High Priest (Conrad Veidt) who gives Greven just seven years to live . . .  FURCHT is noted as being Veidt's earliest (known) surviving film.  + Mentioned in this podcast:  Article featuring David Bowie and how Buster Keaton influenced him:  https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/8840/david-bowie-and-buster-keaton-by-steve-schapiro Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily.  Originally recorded on July 31, 2020
We rejoin Diane MacIntyre again this week as we talk about The Thief of Bagdad, starring Douglas Fairbanks. Freely adapted from One Thousand and One Nights, and directed by Raoul Walsh, this American silent swashbuckler film tells the story of a thief who falls in love with the daughter of the Caliph of Baghdad. Featuring Julanne Johnston as the Princess and Anna May Wong as her Mongol Servant, be prepared to have fun and be mesmerized by this classic tale retold on screen.  In 1996, the film was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Often known in English as the Arabian Nights, from the first English-language edition, it is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age (c. 1706–1721).  Our Guest Diane MacIntyre spearheaded one of the Internet's first silent film related websites in the 90s! Though The Silents Majority is no longer up and running, you can find Silents Majority through archives here: http://web.archive.org/web/19990422234040/http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/tour.htm Or on the public Facebook group: The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! We also mention Asian-American legend Anna May Wong on this episode, so be sure to watch some of her films as well!  The WSF team recommends watching Wong's performance in The Toll of the Sea. Recorded on 7/22/20 Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily
When corrupt Governor Alvarado (George Periolat) crushes the poor people of Spanish California under his iron heel, wealthy fop Don Diego Vega (Douglas Fairbanks) sheds his silks, dons a mask and cape and becomes the legendary Zorro, defender of the people. Infuriated by Zorro's meddling, Alvarado dispatches his right-hand man, Captain Ramon (Robert McKim), who has a score to settle with Zorro for stealing away the object of his desire: the lovely Lolita Pulido (Marguerite De La Motte). This week we talk with Diane MacIntyre from The Silents Majority, one of the Internet's first silent film related websites! You can find Silents Majority through archives here:  http://web.archive.org/web/19990422234040/http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/tour.htm Or on the public Facebook group: The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! Need something fresh? Here are some 'Silent' films to watch this week:  https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Laurel-and-Hardy-The-Definitive-Restorations-Blu-ray/263565/ https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Cinema-Paradiso-4K-Blu-ray/271419/ https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hugo-Blu-ray/181798/ https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Artist-Blu-ray/37971/ Hosted by YiFeng and Bob Recorded on July 15, 2020
In D.W. Griffith's "Masterpiece," Intolerance intercuts between four separate stories about man's inhumanity to man. In Babylon, pacifist Prince Belshazzar is brought down by warring religious factions. In Judea, the last days of Christ are depicted in the style of a Passion play. In France, Catherine de Medici presides over the slaughter of the Huguenots. And in California, a woman pleads for the life of her husband when he is sentenced to hang for a murder he did not commit. In Intolerance, Griffith chose to explore the eponymous theme partly in response to criticism of his previous film, The Birth of a Nation, which was criticized by the NAACP and other groups as perpetuating racial stereotypes and glorifying the KKK. It was not, however, an apology, as Griffith felt he had nothing to apologize for. In numerous interviews, Griffith made clear that the film's title and overriding themes were meant as a response to those who, he felt, had been intolerant of him in condemning The Birth of a Nation. In the years following its release, Intolerance would strongly influence European film movements. In 1989, it was one of the first films to be selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. References in this podcast --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=664zc1M5jUs Gofundme link for Bruce Miller --> https://gf.me/u/yfd95f Hosted by YiFeng and Lily Recorded on July 9th, 2020
Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)

Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)

2020-07-0501:17:04

In Buster Keaton's last independent film for United Artists before moving on to MGM, this silent comedy is known for what might be considered Keaton's most famous film stunt: The facade of an entire house falling on top of him as he stands in the perfect spot to pass through the open attic window without being flattened. The story involves the tale of an educated, effeminate, simple-minded son who ultimately is transformed and triumphant when he assists and impresses his burly, hard-working Mississippi steamboat captain father ("Steamboat Bill") in combating the threatening efforts of a rival tycoon (and typhoon) to take over the Mississippi steamboat business in the South - also win over the business rival's daughter. In 2016, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Bob. Recorded July 1, 2020
The Canfield and McKay families have been feuding for so long, no one remembers the reason the feud started in the first place.  Twenty years later, Willie McKay (Keaton) receives a letter informing him that his late father's estate is now his. His aunt tells him of the feud, but he decides to return to his Appalachian homestead anyway to claim his inheritance. On the train ride he meets a girl, Virginia (Natalie Talmadge), and falls for her, shortly inviting Keaton to dinner.  The only problem is her family has vowed to kill every member of his family. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Bob GUEST Hay from All That Film, you can find him everywhere podcasts are available and also on https://www.youtube.com/allthatfilm Recorded on June 24, 2020
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Comments (4)

Adam Durrance

Great episode. Seems like the tightest so far. As far as cultures getting along with each other I think of the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC. 😁

Jun 16th
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Adam Durrance

Thanks for enriching my cinema knowledge. Learning a lot.

May 11th
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Adam Durrance

enjoyed the episode but the audio levels are very low on the main mic and have to constantly adjust between hosts.

May 8th
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Adam Durrance

thanks for this podcast. I joined criterion and was looking for a place to hear about this genre

Apr 24th
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