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By Fritzi Kramer on June 28, 2014 in Article, Blog, The Lighter Side Hey, let’s have some fun! I saw the $15 Casting Challenge over at The Motion Pictures and decided to swipe it for the silent era. Here are the rules that were put forth: (Do check out Lindsey’s original for a classic H read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 27, 2014 in Blog, Feature, Silent Movie Review A sort of orphanage-western-drama-comedy, Zander the Great was one of Marion Davies’ big hits and her first film for the newly-merged MGM. She is an orphan who takes in a small boy and then sets out in search of his fathe read more

Here is a very charming curio from 1926. As noted in the caption, the map of Hollywood is consciously old fashioned and it is quite cute too, I might add. It is quite interesting to see who made the cut and got mentioned on the map by name. I live in California and I have never seen a leaping tuna. read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 25, 2014 in Blog, GIF, Humor I can see this working very well at job interviews, boring parties and corporate team building retreats but, really, its usefulness is endless. What better way to perk things up? (Obviously, this will only work if you have the nose to pull it of read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 24, 2014 in Article, Blog, Feature, Photoplay Cookbook Welcome back! I am cooking my way through the 1929 Photoplay cookbook (recipes of the stars!) and you are invited to tag along. (I have listed all the tested recipes I test on this dedicated page. Check back often.) Th read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 23, 2014 in Blog, Fun Size Review This movie should come with a warning label. It is bound to offend the following people: It definitely lives up to its reputation as the Plan 9 of silent cinema. Unfunny, racist and decidedly un-magical, this turkey has to be seen to be bel read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 22, 2014 in Blog, Feature, Silent Movie Review What a dramatic title! Is it about Salem witch trials? The horrors of war? Terrors unknown? Nope! It is the wacky tale of a wandering wife called Elle and the mysterious detective known only as Z, who has been charged with retu read more

Silent Take is back! This time, I am recasting the iconic Indiana Jones in the world of silent film. Indiana Jones was based on the classic cliffhanger serials of the thirties and forties but those serials were in turn based on the exciting offerings of the silent era. My choice for Indy is Richar read more

I love vintage ads but there are times when they failed spectacularly. Take this magazine ad for Harold Lloyd’s comedies from 1925. I get that they are trying to say he is the king of comedy (and his movie’s profits certainly gave him legitimate claim to at least the title of prince) bu read more

The End of the Rainbow (1916) Status: Both complete and incomplete 35mm prints held by the Library of Congress and the Museum of Modern Art. Jeanie Macpherson’s reputation has been overshadowed by that of her employer. As Cecil B. DeMill’s go-to brainstormer for story ideas, Macpherson read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 18, 2014 in Blog, GIF, Humor Adam’s Rib was on the Cecil B. DeMille’s last silent marital comedies. While not his best, it still has its moments of wit and wisdom. Here, Anna Q. Nilsson is explaining the facts of life to her daughter. Falling in love? Easy. Sta read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 16, 2014 in Video Here is the 1911 version of Cinderella, produced by the Thanhouser motion picture company, one of the popular studios of the nickelodeon era. It stars Florence La Badie, who was a full-fledged movie star when she was killed in an automobile accident in 19 read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 15, 2014 in Blog, Feature, Silent Movie Review Moscow is in the grips of highly contagious disease: Chess Fever! An ongoing chess tournament has turned Russia’s addiction to the game into a frenzy. One young man in particular has a dire case. In fact, it’s so ba read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 14, 2014 in Blog, Fun Size Review One of the earliest Frank Capra movies that is really a Frank Capra movie. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (still a teen at the time) is a cub reporter who must solve a murder, romance a girl, expose political corruption and win his job back. He als read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 13, 2014 in Article, Blog, Feature, Photoplay Cookbook Welcome back! I am cooking my way through the 1929 Photoplay cookbook (recipes of the stars!) and you are invited to tag along. (I have listed all the tested recipes I test on this dedicated page. Check back often.)   read more

Corporal Kate (1926) Status: Complete 35mm and 16mm prints and negatives held by the Library of Congress and the UCLA film archive. Hollywood went through a major gender-reversing trend in the silent era. Film after film took plots and tropes and swapped the guys for the gals. Usually intended to b read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 11, 2014 in Blog, GIF, Humor “Hey, whatcha guys doing? Can I help? Can I sit with you?” Yes, we’ve all known this kind of person. Maybe they are our friends. Our neighbors. They certainly tend to be the lady beside you on the airplane who will not shut up read more

One fashion piece that I really love is a belted sweater. It is just the right combination of formal and cozy. The ‘teens and twenties was jam-packed with belted sweaters, they went very well with the silhouettes of the period. Here is Gloria Swanson wearing one in Teddy at the Throttle, back read more

By Fritzi Kramer on June 9, 2014 in Blog, Feature, Silent Movie Review Concerning the lives and loves of a small Russian village, this little gem has been all but forgotten. Gorgeous scenery, heartfelt performances and an intriguing look at a time and place that were about to disappear forever, thi read more

How does a movie become a classic? A great cast, a great script, great direction, iconic scenes… But then there are the movies that achieve greatness from another direction. I’m talking about the turkeys, the cheese fests, so bad they’re good. This event is all about celebrating movies that are read more