Golden Age of Hollywood
Clara Bow, Wings
Wings (1927) was the very first winner of the category of Best Picture (then called “Best Production”) at the VERY 1st Annual Academy Awards on May 16, 1929.
The historical film was lost for decades until a copy was discovered in the Cinematheque Francaise film archive in Paris, France. This is why those of us who grieve over lost movies still hold on to hope – happy endings sometimes actually happen!
Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis, Haunted Spooks
In far less upbeat news, Harold Lloyd had a horrible injury to his hand while making Haunted Spooks. While posing for publicity photos, a prop bomb exploded in his hand. His face was badly burned and he was temporarily blinded. Even worse, he lost two fingers due to the horrific accident.
In future films, he is always seen wearing a prosthetic glove on his injured hand.
In spite of this, however, he (remarkably!) always insisted on doing his own stunts.
Clara Bow, Robert Agnew, and the Cast of Wine
As I’ve bemoaned before, it is incredibly frustrating when you come across films for favorite stars that are now considered “lost.” It happens fairly often with really early silent films and it always feels like a punch in the spleen.
I want to see them all!
Wine (1924) is one of the Clara Bow films listed as lost. When I look at the promotional photos (here are a few more), it drives me nuts… I want to see this one! Seriously, look at the pictures here… what could be going on?
Clara Bow, Robert Agnew, and Others from Wine
Louise Brooks, The American Venus
Today’s picture of the day is a lovely silent film actress who has bolted into my list of favorite silent film era stars – Louise Brooks. I have, admittedly, always gravitated to movies starring Buster Keaton, Clara Bow, Mary Pickford, Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, and Charlie Chaplin (long-time favorites)… but recently I branched out and discovered just how magical Louise Brooks was.
That’s the glorious thing about branching out… you never know what wonderful new favorites you’ll discover!
This gorgeous photo is from the 1926 silent movie The American Venus.
Louise Brooks
Clara Bow, Wine (1924)
One of the most frustrating things about loving silent films is living with the fact that so many of them are now lost. When you love so many of the stars from this era, you can’t help but feel that you’ve lost something precious. My personal favorite silent era stars are Clara Bow, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Georgia Hale, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford. I want to see everything they ever did!
Wine (1924) is one of the Clara Bow films listed as lost. The promotional photos make me even more anxious to see it!
Clara Bow and Robert Agnew, Wine
Louise Brooks
Today’s pictures of the day are of the lovely Louise Brooks from the silent film Pandora’s Box (1929). The original title was Die Büchse der Pandora.
Although they were very different actresses, I often think of Clara Bow and Louise Brooks along the same lines. Both were similarly beautiful and highly unique. People often tend to prefer one over the other (much as they do Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin), but… as far as I’m concerned… it’s best to just love them all!
If you aren’t familiar with Louise Brooks, I hope you’ll look up her films (a special edition of Pandora’s Box is available on dvd on Amazon). She truly was a remarkable actress with a “reach up and grab you by the lapels” screen presence.
Louise Brooks
Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times
Modern Times – written and directed by Charlie Chaplin – is one of the cutest, most entertaining silent films ever made, in my opinion. The film stars the great Charlie Chaplin and the equally wonderful Paulette Goddard.
Clara Bow, The Fleet’s In (1928)
Compared to my “talkie” Old Movie viewing, I’m relatively new to silents. I believe it was a mere 4 years ago when I watched my first silent film, in fact. I started off with Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid and have never looked back.
My favorite silent film stars (so far) are:
But I’m picking up new favorites to add along the way. Having said that, there will never (I’m certain of that) be a silent film star I enjoy any more than I do the wonderful, one-in-a-billion Clara Bow. A few I enjoy as much… but more than??… NEVER!
These great photos are from her film The Fleet’s In (1928) – a movie that is, unfortunately, considered lost. Isn’t that as criminally frustrating as it gets?!
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Two of my favorite Buster Keaton films are The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Amazon link to a dvd set which includes both) – then again, I love him in everything he was ever in – from his iconic silents to his outrageously fun The Passionate Plumber and from In the Good Ole Summertime to Beach Blanket Bingo… the man was simply brilliant.
The photos, here, are from The General (1926) and picture the lovely Marion Mack with him.
Buster Keaton and Marion Mack, The General
Oddly enough, although Buster Keaton is clearly the star of this film, he is listed last in the credits! I’m not sure what this signified, if anything, but I’m certain it was of Buster’s own choosing.
Buster Keaton always named The General as his favorite of his films. I am fairly obsessed with reading what film or films was an actor or actress’s favorites from their body of work. I always wish, however, that they’d elaborate on WHY the particular film stands out.
It can be tough to find silent films (as well as other old Hollywood movies) on dvd, which is why I buy all of my favorites. The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. are available on Amazon as a set. I’ve had to buy all of Buster’s films in “sets” because I have so much trouble finding them individually!
Talk about a double feature! While I love all Buster Keaton movies to distraction, Steamboat Bill, Jr. and The Cameraman are two of my absolute favorites. For them to be available in a “2 for 1” package makes me especially happy. 
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Tom McGuire, and Marion Byron star in one of Buster’s most popular and beloved films. I’ll always have a strong connection to this one because it was my first Buster Keaton film. It was this film that introduced me to an actor who is now one of my absolute favorites. It was also this film that made me fall head over heels in love with silent movies.
William Canning Jr. (Buster) comes to River Junction to meet his father who hasn’t seen him since he was a child. Junior isn’t AT ALL the type of son Senior was expecting or hoping for… at first, that is. By the end of the wonderful movie, he is EXACTLY the son he hopes for.
Senior Canning is being put out of business by J.J. King (Tom McGuire), who not only owns pretty much the entire town, but has recently acquired a new paddle wheel steamer that makes Canning’s older boat, the Stonewall Jackson, seem like a dinosaur.
In spite of the trouble brewing between their parents, Bill Jr. and Kitty King (J.J’s beautiful daughter) take a liking to each other. You can imagine how well this goes over with their fathers.
By the end of the movie, Bill Jr. is called upon to save his father, J.J. AND Kitty. This is one outstanding film and you’ll love every single minute.
The Cameraman
This film stars Buster Keaton and Marceline Day. After seeing a beautiful office worker, Sally (portrayed by Marceline Day), who works for MGM Newsreels, Buster decides to trade in his tin type setup for a movie camera – thinking he can impress both the beauty and MGM. Naturally, it’s a lot easier said than done and the result is absolutely hilarious. Watch for a monkey you’re sure to fall in love with.
Buster Keaton and Ernest Torrence Steamboat Bill, Jr.
From Amazon:
Steamboat Bill, Jr. – Step back in time to the golden age of classic Hollywood comedies. The hugely talented megastar of early cinema, Buster Keaton, provides hilarity in this great comedy. William (Bill) Canning, Jr. goes to River Junction to meet his father who hasn’t seen him since childhood. Neither are sure what the other’s reaction will be. But the old man has problems anyhow, he’s out of business because of the new paddle steamer which is far better than his old boat, Stonewall Jackson. But Bill falls for the daughter of the man who owns the new steamer to the dismay of both fathers. A storm hits River Junction and young Bill must save the daughter and both fathers! Action packed hilarity!
The Cameraman – Step back in time to the golden age of classic Hollywood silent comedies. Buster Keaton in one of his all-time classic films. He’s madly in love with a beautiful woman working at MGM Studios and so he decides to try and get closer to her. Problem is, he’s clumsy. He tries to make it as a motion picture cameraman, but it’s a lot harder than he thought! Lots of action and stunts as you would expect from the king of slapstick comedy.
For more information, see Buster Keaton Double Bill on Amazon.
The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name!
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.
Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)
We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)
The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)
The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)
The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)
Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)
El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)
Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)
Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)
The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)
Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)
To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)
Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)
Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)
The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)
More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews
Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…
Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright, charismatic, and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!
