silent movie

Lost Films: Salome (1918)

Lost Films: Salome (1918)

A shocking 90% of American films made before 1929 have been lost forever. Why? There seem to be two main reasons: A huge number of films were destroyed intentionally, especially silent movies as they were perceived to have no value once talkies became popular.  As well as this frustrating destruction many movies were filmed on(…)

Movie Sunday: A Trip To The Moon (1902)

Movie Sunday: A Trip To The Moon (1902)

Well, this is definitely the oldest movie I’ve watched, and it’s truly fabulous! It’s quite incredible that it was made way back in 1902. Only fifteen minutes long, Le Voyage dans la Lune was the first sci-fi film ever made and tackles the idea of a trip to the moon they way they thought it(…)

Silent Movie Stars: Anna Q. Nilsson

Silent Movie Stars: Anna Q. Nilsson

Anna Q. Nilsson was a successful silent movie actress in 1920s America. Born in Sweden the enigmatic Q in her middle name stood for Quirentia – she was named for the obscure Saint Quirinius who was martyred by being beheaded in the year 116. Nilsson moved to America aged 17 and soon found work as(…)

Movie Monday: The Artist (2011)

Movie Monday: The Artist (2011)

I know this isn’t really a classic movie, especially as it’s only 3 years old, but it’s the first silent movie to win an Oscar since 1927 so I thought it had to be worth a watch. And boy am I glad I did, it was fabulous from start to finish! The basic plot revolves(…)

Silent movie star Bebe Daniels

Silent movie star Bebe Daniels

The stunning 1920s silent movie star Bebe Daniels in a signed publicity photograph. She looks like she’s wearing a velvet coat with fur trim – very chic! If you fancy seeing her in action here she is in the 1918 movie Two Gun Gussie with Harold Lloyd.

Vintage movie posters: Theda Bara as Salome

Vintage movie posters: Theda Bara as Salome

Three fantastic posters from the 1918 silent move Salome starring Theda Bara. Sadly this movie has been lost so I can’t share a clip with you, but there is a photo from the movie which I’ve posted below. Doesn’t she look fabulous? How on earth did that happen to so many old movies? 

Theda Bara

Theda Bara

1920s silent movie star Theda Bara looking a lot less vampish than she was generally made out to be! I think this might have been a publicity photo for the movie Carmen. It was taken in 1921 by Orval Hixon.