Silent Movies | Hollywood Yesterday

Louise Brooks: Pandora’s Box

September 10, 2020 By Joi

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: The Closing Shot of Modern Times

September 9, 2020 By Joi

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.

This was actually meant to be Charles Chaplin’s first talkie. He even went as far as writing a script (with dialogue) and experimented with sound. However, because the film was going to feature Charlie Chaplin’s much-loved Little Tramp character, a silent film made much more sense – sound seemed inappropriate for the little guy!

I think they made the ABSOLUTE right decision – even though the film was made in 1936, it needed to be a silent.

You know a film is extra special when even an unplanned moment shows up in the final scene’s screenshot. The photo above is beautiful for many reasons – it’s, frankly, just a gorgeous shot. For those of us who watch and love Charlie Chaplin, we see it as “vintage Chaplin.” He had an eye for the grand scheme of things and the beauty of this shot and moment is just what one comes to expect from the genius.

I love the way they’re walking off – side by side into the wide open world, a world of possibilities, adventures, and hope. I love how he is there, in all of his adorable Tramp splendor, with a trusting and lovely lady by his side. I love the contrast of their hats and that his crazy shoes are pointing in opposite directions!

There’s something extra special if you look closely enough (something I excel at – I swear, I stare at and mentally dissect every old Hollywood photo in existence!). See the shadow on the ground of the Little Tramp’s bag?

The shape of a heart.

When loveliness happens by happenstance, you know you’re into something magical

If you’ve never seen Modern Times, I hope you’ll make a point of seeing it soon. These two stars are outstanding and downright delightful in every way – especially together. You can order the Modern Times (Amazon link) dvd on Amazon or watch it now on Prime Video.

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times

Clara Bow: Pictures of the Day from The Fleet’s In

August 7, 2020 By Joi

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:

Buster Keaton
Clara Bow
Charlie Chaplin
Georgia Hale
Harold Lloyd
Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle
Lothar Mehnert
Marion Davies
Mildred Davis
Marceline Day
Marion Mack
Marion Byron
Mary Pickford
Zasu Pitts

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?!

Buster Keaton and Marion Mack, The General

February 1, 2020 By Joi

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!

Buster Keaton: Two of His Best Films: Steamboat Bill, Jr and The Cameraman

September 23, 2019 By Joi

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. This Buster Keaton Double Bill is available on Amazon for less than $15. While I have every intention of grabbing one for myself, it’d also make a perfect gift idea for any fan of Old Hollywood and/or Buster Keaton.

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.

Buster Keaton and Marion Byron Steamboat Bill, Jr.

The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Collection

September 17, 2019 By Joi

One of my favorite gifts for my birthday is pictured above – The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Set! Obsessed…. I am completely obsessed with Buster Keaton films, so this was as perfect a gift as it could be for me.

And, yes, of course I’ve already watched each of them.

Twice.

This set includes:

The General
The Goat
The Blacksmith
Steamboat Bill, Jr (my personal favorite Buster Keaton Silent Film)
Cops
The Love Nest

The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. are considered to be two of the greatest silent films of all time. In fact, Orson Welles once called The General “… the greatest comedy ever made.” High praise and very deserved.

You can find The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Set on Amazon for currently under $10.

Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups by Georgia Hale

June 27, 2019 By Joi

Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups by Georgia Hale

From the Intro: Charlie Chaplin was not one but two. For many years I was under contract to Charlie Chaplin. Now I want you to know him as I do. These intimate close-ups of him reveal the still calm of a sun-lit lake, the fury of an unspent sea. ~ Georgia Hale

Georgia Hale was an especially beautiful and talented silent film star and a very gifted writer. Unless you’re pretty familiar with Silents, you probably aren’t familiar with her. After all, she wasn’t in very many films and her career did not continue on into “talkies.” In fact, she only has 17 films to her credit and four of these roles weren’t even named – one was “Second Wife,” one was, “the girl…” you get the idea.

She does have a very big… huge, even… feather in her cap. She starred alongside Charlie Chaplin in one of the most popular, beloved, iconic and brilliant silent films ever made – The Gold Rush.

If you’re going to have one movie that’s truly a stand out, make it legendary.

I often talk about the instant impact many stars and films have on those of us who cherish Old Hollywood. While some actors and actresses become favorites over the course of three, four, or even five films – others leave their fingerprints on your life immediately. There’s just something about them – their screen presence, the way they walk, the way they talk (when applicable), the way they make their character come to life. Sometimes there’s just something in their eyes that you resonate with and… make no mistake about it… you know they’ll be one of your “absolute favorites” for the rest of your life.

When I watched The Gold Rush for the first time, Charlie Chaplin had already been one of my favorites for a while. However, his beautiful co-star, Georgia Hale (portraying his love interest, Georgia) was completely new to me. Within two scenes, I knew she’d be one of my “absolutes.” While she reminded me of a hybrid of two of my all-time favorite actresses (Barbara Stanwyck and Keira Knightley), she was most definitely totally unique and very fun to watch.

To see someone totally new to me holding their own with the breathtakingly brilliant Charlie Chaplin left quite an impression.

When a new “absolute” arrives in my world, I want to read everything about them and see as many of their films as I can find. As is the case with a lot of silent film stars, finding all of her films will be a little tough. But as soon as I saw that she had written a book, I knew that reading more about her would be as easy as it would be enjoyable.

Georgia Hale Publicity Still Photographed by Paralta

Her book, “Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups” is as unique as Georgia. It’s also just a little bit sad because She had written a biography and could not find a publisher. It was only when she wrote it from the standpoint of being about Charlie Chaplin that she found someone willing to publish it.

Although, as a fan of Georgia’s, this kind of makes me sad, I cannot help but admire and applaud her determination to have her say! The book is every bit as much an autobiography as it is a Charlie Chaplin biography… in spite of the fact that someone thought it had to have his name on the cover before her name.

In the end, she got her book published and that’s all that matters!

I feel rich for having been so close to him. – Georgia Hale

There are many things I love about this book and we’ll get to them in a minute, but first I want to assure fellow Charlie Chaplin fans that this is not a hatchet job. Yes, she talks about how much she loved him and how he never quite returned this love. He comes to life as, at times, selfish and other times incredibly desperate for attention and love. He can be aloof and bewilderingly unpredictable. He broke her heart as well as other hearts.

In other words, he was a flesh and blood human. Flesh and blood humans are capable of all sorts of things – especially when they’re in the middle of the kind of CRAZY success he had. Georgia does not judge him – she tries to understand him. And to love him.

I respect the fact that she does not wade into bitter, “He did this and this and this… the jackass!” waters. Unlike a certain celebrity daughter (won’t name any names, here), she does not try to knock him down and make a joke of him just to shine a spotlight on herself with a t-shirt that reads VICTIM.

She had too much love in her heart for that.

She explains their complicated relationship, which included great pain on her part, but she loved him… I believe until the day she died.

If Charles Chaplin carried within him many contradictions, was tender-hearted, cruel, sensitive, child-like, a poseur, all these qualities were part of his creative spirit. – Georgia Hale

In a previous post, I shared Georgia’s beautiful story of how Charlie Chaplin changed her life… possibly even saved her life… before she ever even met him. She said, “He made my heart laugh for the first time…” When you’re done here, be sure to read her beautiful words here.

As I always mention in my Old Hollywood book reviews, I am possibly more cautious than any reviewer in the world when it comes to trying to be brief. The internet is always in the fast-lane and I don’t want to slow my readers down. I’m even more tenacious when it comes to NOT giving anything away. Doing so isn’t fair to the author or the reader. I want you to enjoy books as much as I did, journeying from one page blissfully to the next…. without anything being ruined for you.

Continued Below….

Charlie Chaplin and Georgia Hale on the set of The Gold Rush

I will allow you to discover the first meeting between these two stars on your own and allow you to explore their relationship without throwing in my two cents. I do, however, want to say that no matter how badly their relationship ended, the fact that she was able (many years later) to still speak of him with love – and at times even a great deal of sympathy for him – tells me that he was a special man. He left a lasting impact on Georgia, one she was never able to run away from.

He also helped her grow and to find herself. Her childhood and teen years weren’t very happy. She dealt with poverty, feelings of not being good enough, and a seemingly unloving father. After Charlie Chaplin came into her life, she found herself able to stand up for herself and TO herself. Later in life, she became very wealthy in real estate – at a time when women weren’t given many opportunities.

She also found a way to get her book published! (I love this fact, could you tell??) While she never married, she did have a loving relationship later in life and left him a wealthy man after she died.

So, yes, she found her happy ever after and, personally, I think Charlie Chaplin had a lot to do with it – in spite of not sharing the ever after with her.

I hope you’ll find a copy of Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups (Amazon) or e-Bay. This is a fascinating book about two even more fascinating stars. You’ll also meet other wonderful Old Hollywood stars as you read through Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups – Marion Davies, Marlene Dietrich, Mary Pickford, the Gish sisters, Douglas Fairbanks.. and many more.

Wonderful Georgia Hale Quote About Charlie Chaplin (A Man She Spent a Lifetime Loving)

May 16, 2019 By Joi

I’ll be writing more about Georgia Hale’s Biography/Autobiography, “Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups” in future posts. I cherish this particular book a great deal. Not only are Georgia Hale and Charlie Chaplin two of my personal favorites, it’s very difficult to get my hands on Georgia Hale information, photographs, or collectibles. Her career (while dazzling) was very, very brief and there simply isn’t a lot out there.

Needless to say, this book is a very prized possession. It’s a wonder I don’t keep it under lock and key!

For those who may not know, Georgia Hale loved Charlie Chaplin a great deal. She spent most of her adult life loving him. They never married and the extent of his affections for Georgia can only be guessed at. He seemed to have a great deal of affection for her, on one hand, but on the other hand? Wedding rings… to other women.

As I often say on this Old Hollywood blog, I am not here to judge, nor would I ever attempt to. There had to be something strong and very real in their relationship or Georgia simply wouldn’t have loved him as strongly as she did. This much I’m certain of.

You know, unlike Georgia, a lot is written about Charlie Chaplin. Sadly, it isn’t all favorable. However, within one quote in her book, Georgia has (in my opinion) tied all the pieces of his complex and beguiling personality together…. as, really, only she could.

I can’t possibly even BEGIN to tell you how much I love this quote about Charlie Chaplin by Georgia Hale: “If Charles Chaplin carried within him many contradictions, was tender-hearted, cruel, sensitive, child-like, a poseur, all of these qualities were part of his creative spirit.”

When I first read this quote, it struck me that this type of approach could be taken with many of our favorite Old Hollywood actors and actresses. So many of these wonderful stars behaved and even thought along some pretty original and inexplicable lines. Yet… the qualities we can’t often get our heads around are, as Georgia so eloquently said, part of their creative spirit.

Georgia Hale and Charlie Chaplin in The Gold Rush

Harold Lloyd: Silent Movie Legend (Ten Fast Facts)

April 17, 2019 By Joi

When most people think of “Silent Movie Stars,” they first think of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Mary Pickford. Even people who have never seen a silent movie in their life (boy, are they missing out!) have heard of these three legends.

However, those of us who live and breathe old movies, know there’s a HUGE name missing on this list of household names – Mr. Harold Lloyd. One of my favorite soapbox subjects on Hollywood Yesterday is this quandary: Why are so many (equally deserving) stars overlooked while others achieve lasting fame – even among casual old movie fans. I simply do not know. Was Lloyd as talented and hilarious as Chaplin? Yes. Is he as celebrated today as Chaplin? No.

I have no answers. Only questions. But, that’s essentially why I began and continue to publish Hollywood Yesterday – to keep as many of these wonderful stars in the public eye as possible, while doing my part to introduce them to new generations of fans. The Chaplins, the Keatons, the Pickfords AND the Lloyds of the world.

If you aren’t familiar with Harold Lloyd, I hope you’ll enjoy reading a little about him below, then promptly find a few of his movies to enjoy. Trust me, you’ll soon be asking, “Why isn’t he a household name?!” too.

If you come up with any answers, let me know.

10 Fast Facts About Harold Lloyd:

Harold Clayton Lloyd was born on April 20, 1893 in Burchard, Nebraska,
I love lasting Hollywood marriages (mostly because they’re so rare), so I am in love with the fact that Harold Lloyd and silent movie star Mildred Davis were married from 1923 to her death in 1969. They were frequent co-stars.
Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, and Buster Keaton are considered to be the three most influential film comedians of the silent film era. They’re often referred to as “The Big Three.”
While he was never credited as a writer, make no mistake about it, Lloyd was the brains behind all of his movies. He came up with most of the gags, props, and stories.
Unlike many other stars of the silent era, Lloyd was known to be very smart with his money. While he had many expensive hobbies, he would still leave an inheritance of $12 million dollars after his death in 1971. At one time, he was one of the 10 richest entertainers in the world.
One of his fascinating hobbies was 3-D photography. He took hundreds of images of Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Richard Burton and Roy Rogers. Many of his photos are reproduced in the book “3-D Hollywood: Photography by Harold Lloyd“, which was edited by his granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd Hayes.
Other hobbies included breeding Great Danes, collecting cars, movie-watching (it’s said that he would have “marathon movie nights” several times each week… the man is my hero), record-collecting, and photography. He had an insatiable appetite for photography.
In 1919 Harold Lloyd was handed what he thought to be a prop bomb. Horrifyingly enough, it was a real bomb and when he lit it with his cigarette, it exploded, blowing off his right thumb and index finger. He spent months in the hospital but, when he recovered, he returned to work.
His movie Safety Last is included on Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” list.
Mildred and Harold Lloyd had three children: Gloria Lloyd (1923–2012) and Harold Clayton Lloyd Jr. (1931–1971) and Marjorie Elizabeth Lloyd (1924–1986), who they adopted in 1930.

Find Harold Lloyd DVDs on Amazon

Buster Keaton’s The General: Full-Length Silent Movie

April 15, 2019 By Joi

Buster Keaton took on the role of director, writer, and star in this 1926 Silent Movie classic. The film also stars Marion Mack (as Annabelle Lee, Johnnie’s love interest), Glen Cavender (Captain Anderson), and Jim Farley (General Thatcher).

Plot: Johnnie Gray (Keaton) is an engineer who LOVES his locomotive, named “The General.” When the Civil War breaks out, he is turned down for service because he’s more valuable as an engineer than a soldier. His lady love, Annabelle, mistakenly believes he is cowardly.

When Union spies capture “The General” – with Annabelle on board – Johnnie must capture both of his great loves. He chases after them, right through enemy lines and the fun ensues.

Buster Keaton always claimed that The General was his favorite of all his movies. I can certainly see why he’d feel this way.. but, personally, I’d never be able to choose a favorite Buster Keaton film – they’re all sweet perfection.

Enjoy!