Annotated list of extant treasures from the last decade of American silent films. Before getting started, read this brief history of American silent films.
The Mark of Zorro (1920)
Directed by Fred Niblo
Starring Douglas Fairbanks, Marguerite De La Motte
In early California, a masked figure known as Zorro, protects the weak and helpless from mistreatment by the soldiers and allies of the corrupt governor.
After five years of social comedies in which he played the all-American youth, Douglas Fairbanks Sr starred in a costume romance featuring a masked protector of the weak and helpless. It was a smashing success. After one more comedy, Fairbanks became a swashbuckler for the remainder of the twenties.
The Kid (1921)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Starring Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Coogan
The little Tramp finds a seemingly abandoned baby and adopts him. The Tramp struggles to care for the child.
Chaplin's first feature film was highly successful at the box office and made a star of child actor Jackie Coogan who milks the poignancy of his part. The film's story and setting dramatize the dreary life of Chaplin's youth. In his dreams, the Tramp transforms the blighted neighborhood where they live into a heaven on earth.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)
Directed by Rex Ingram
Starring Alice Terry, Rudolph Valentino
Julio Desnoyers, a young Argentine of French descent, moves to Paris and enters into the high life of the French capital. He meets and falls in love with Marguerite Laurier, a beautiful, married woman. The war disrupts French life and Marguerite's husband and Julio go off to war. French and German soldiers and civilians are devastated by the war.
Director Rex Ingram based his film on a popular novel, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, by Vincente Blasco Ibañez. In the novel and the film the effects of the war are associated with the devastation visited on mankind by the coming of four horsemen described in the biblical Book of Revelation. Alice Terry and Rudolph Valentino star in the poignant love story. Valentino's sexy tango from Julio's Argentinian period drew much notice and praise.
Nanook of the North (1922)
Directed by Robert Flaherty
Starring Allakariallak
The film documents the daily life of an Eskimo family, highlighting the human endurance of the indefatigable Nanook against the harshness of his environment.
Actually a semi-documentary, much of the action was staged for the camera.
Grandma's Boy (1922)
Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer
Starring Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis
A shy young man, devoted to his grandmother, thwarts both his rival for the girl and a dangerous thief.
Harold Lloyd's second feature puts Lloyd in his element as a shy young man who demonstrates his innate goodness and courage.
Foolish Wives (1922)
Directed by Erich von Stroheim
Starring Erich von Stroheim, Rudolph Christians, Miss DuPont
A trio of bogus aristocrats, who make their living by passing counterfeit bills, live in a castle in Monte Carlo. The fake count, whose life is encompassed by sex and luxury, is determined to possess the beautiful, but innocent and foolish, wife of the American envoy to Monte Carlo.
The plot is daring and advanced for 1922. Sexual pursuit and conquest, examined with sardonic wit, was not a typical subject of Hollywood movies.
Safety Last (1923)
Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer
Starring Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis
Harold, a country boy working in a big city department store, tells his girl back home that he is the manager of the store. When his girl comes to visit, Harold needs money fast. The store offers him $500.00 to climb the 10 story facade as a publicity stunt. As he climbs, Harold is beset by multiple obstacles.
Fast, funny, and thrilling, Safety Last is one of Lloyd's best known films.
Scaramouche (1923)
Directed by Rex Ingram
Starring Alice Terry, Ramon Navarro
After his friend is killed by an upper class swordsman, Andre-Louis Moreau learns swordsmanship. As a member of the French Parliament, Andre plots revenge and taunts the upper class delegates.
An entertaining historical drama is set just prior to the French Revolution.
The Marriage Circle (1924)
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Starring Florence Vidor, Monte Blue
Marital discord disturbs the tranquility of two couples, one pair happily married and one pair discontented. The happy couple are nearly separated when the discontented wife pursues the innocent husband.
Ernst Lubitsch was a master at romantic comedy that depicts the sexual intrigues of the upper middle class.
Thief of Bagdad (1924)
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Starring Douglas Fairbanks, Julanne Johnston
The Thief competes with the Prince of the Mongols and the Prince of Persia to win the hand of the beautiful Princess and save her kingdom from the Mongol horde.
Douglas Fairbanks's most elaborate production, a fantasy set in a fairytale land of genies, flying carpets, and magic wishing dust.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Directed by Buster Keaton
Starring Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire
The film projectionist longs to be a detective. One night he steps into the film and becomes a detective on the trail of a thief.
In this inventive movie, the fantastic nature of the projectionist's presence in the film allows the highly athletic Keaton to utilize all sorts of stunts and unrealistic effects.
The Navigator (1924)
Directed by Donald Crisp, Buster Keaton
Starring Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire
Rollo Treadway and his girl are the only people on an ocean liner. Rollo has to do all the work of operating and steering the vessel.
Keaton has lots of creative fun with the opportunities given to him by this situation.
He Who Gets Slapped (1924)
Directed by Victor Siöstrom
Starring Lon Chaney, Norma Shearer, John Gilbert
Scientist Paul Beaumont, betrayed by his wife, becomes a circus clown, named "He Who Gets Slapped". He loves fellow performer Consuelo and sacrifices himself to save her from marriage to the man who betrayed him.
A strong drama for Chaney allows him to express unfulfilled emotional yearning. The first film produced by newly formed MGM was a critical and box office success.
Peter Pan (1924)
Directed by Herbert Brenon
Starring Betty Bronson, Ernest Torrence
Peter, the boy who never grows up, takes Wendy and her brothers to Neverland, his fantasy island, where Peter battles the scheming Captain Hook.
A delightful version of James A Barrie's play.
Greed (1924)
Directed by Erich von Stroheim
Starring Gibson Gowland, Zasu Pitts
A woman wins $5000.00 in the lottery and becomes so attached to the money she refuses to spend any of it. Meantime, her husband loses his business, and they sink into poverty. The presence of the money leads to antagonisms and tragedy.
A powerful depiction of the corrosive effects of "greed". Erich von Stroheim was seemingly unable to bring his film to an end, and much of the original footage was cut shortly after the film was made. Of a reported original 200,000 feet of film, the studio reduced the footage to a final length of approximately 10,212 ft.
The Gold Rush (1925)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Starring Charlie Chaplin, Georgia Hale
The Tramp prospects for gold in the Yukon.
Chaplin's Tramp goes on the Alaskan gold rush, his experiences are both comic and heart breaking. The film is funny and poignant.
The Freshman (1925)
Directed by Sam Taylor
Starring Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston
Harold is a shy college student who incorrectly believes that he is a "big" man on campus. He gets to win the big football game anyway, running around wildly.
Very funny example of Lloyd.
The Merry Widow (1925)
Directed by Erich von Stroheim
Starring John Gilbert, Mae Murray, Roy D'Arcy
A beautiful, rich widow is courted by two princes. Prince Danilo sincerely loves her. Prince Mirko admires her beauty but mostly wants her money.
Director Eric von Stroheim turned a lightweight romantic musical comedy into a dramatic romance with emphasis on the sensuality of all his stars.
The Big Parade (1925)
Directed by King Vidor
Starring John Gilbert, Renée Adore
American doughboys enjoy the life in the French countryside before entering into the horrors of trench warfare.
Along with the soldiers, the viewer transitions from pleasant leisure into mortal combat. John Gilbert was a very good silent actor. This was one of the highest grossing films of the silent era.
The General (1926)
Directed by Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton
Starring Buster Keaton, Marion Mack
Johnnie Grey is a Confederate engineer whose engine, named "The General", is stolen by Union raiders. Johnnie, following in another train, is intent on getting "The General" back.
An exciting chase with Keaton performing all kinds of stunts that produce some marvelously funny moments.
The Black Pirate (1926)
Directed by Albert Parker
Starring Douglas Fairbanks, Billie Dove
The Duke of Arnoldo revenges himself on pirates and saves a beautiful princess.
Typical Fairbanks swashbuckler includes lots of action.
Mare Nostrum (1926)
Directed by Rex Ingram
Starring Alice Terry, Antonio Moreno
Freya Talberg, a beautiful spy, recruits Ulysses Farragut, a Spanish mariner, to assist in the refueling of a German U-boat. Farragut's son is killed aboard a passenger ship torpedoed by the U-boat. Aiding the French navy, Farragut avenges his son. Freya is caught by the French and executed.
An artfully made World War I melodrama is set in the Mediterranean.
Flesh and the Devil (1926)
Directed by Clarence Brown
Starring Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Lars Hanson
Leo von Hardin falls madly in love with beautiful, sensual Felicitas, whom he believes is unmarried. After a duel in which he kills Felicitas' (unexpected) husband, Leo is stationed in a far post for five years. When he returns, Leo finds that Felicitas has married his best friend, Ulrich, who is rich. Despite her new marriage, Felicitas wants to renew their affair.
Garbo is sensuous and alluring. Gilbert makes passionate love to her. The highly sensual scenes between Garbo and Gilbert enraptured the public.
Sparrows (1927)
Directed by William Beaudine
Starring Mary Pickford
Milly, the oldest child on a baby farm in the swamps. leads the other children on a perilous journey to safety.
Even at 33 yrs old, Mary Pickford, a unique personality who easily projected goodness and innocence, could still please her public by playing a teenager.
The Kid Brother (1927)
Directed by Ted Wilde, Harold Lloyd
Starring Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston
Harold, the youngest son of the Hickory family, is much smaller and weaker than his robust, powerful father and brothers. When thieves steal the town's money entrusted to his father, Harold proves his mettle by capturing the thieves and saving his family's honor.
A strong story includes lots of comedy and showcases Lloyd's athletic abilities.
My Best Girl (1927)
Directed by Sam Taylor
Starring Mary Pickford, Charles "Buddy" Rogers
A rich young man, learning about the family business by working in the storeroom, falls in love with Maggie, a fellow employee. His family wants him to marry a society wife.
Mary Pickford was a great actress within her range. She progresses through a succession of emotions rapidly and believably and captures the heart of the audience doing it.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Directed by F.W. Murnau
Starring Janet Gaynor, George O'Brien
A simple country husband is enticed by a beautiful city woman into a clumsy attempt to drown his wife. He regrets his actions immediately and attempts to convince his shocked and frightened wife that he is repentant and loves her.
A simple love story of betrayal and redemption is beautifully acted and photographed.
The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927)
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Starring Ramon Navarro, Norma Shearer
Prince Karl Heinrich, attending the university in Heidelberg, finds his first romance with a pretty bar maid. Duty and his high social position separate them.
Ernst Lubitsch directs a bittersweet romance of young love.
Underworld (1927)
Directed by Josef von Sternberg
Starring George Bancroft, Clive Brook, Evelyn Brent
Tough gangster Bull Weed controls the bootlegging business in his city. Bull's beautiful girlfriend, Feathers, falls in love with his lawyer, Rolls Royce. Bull seeks revenge before forgiving them at the sentimental ending.
Atmospheric late silent anticipates the gangster films of the early thirties.
Wings (1927)
Directed by William A. Wellman
Starring Clara Bow, Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Richard Arlen
Comradeship supports US Air Service fliers who face the peril of flying over enemy territory in their small, weakly built airplanes.
The first Academy Award Best Picture is renown for its thrillingly realistic air combat scenes.
7th Heaven (1927)
Directed by Frank Borzage
Starring Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell
Chico, who works under the streets of Paris, saves waif Diane from her brutal sister. Chico takes Diane to his apartment on the seventh floor of a tenement. In their small piece of heaven, the pair find love. Even Chico's battlefield service in WWI cannot break their connection.
This delicate and poignant film was extremely popular in its time.
Valley of the Giants (1927)
Directed by Charles Brabin
Starring Milton Sills, Doris Kenyon
A lumberman fights to protect his forest holdings from a ruthless rival.
An exciting, well paced, and fun film features Milton Sills at his best.
Chicago (1928)
Directed by Frank Urson
Starring Phyllis Haver, Victor Varconi
Roxie Hart, a cheating wife, kills her lover. After a sensational trial, she is found not guilty. Her husband leaves her. Her national celebrity lasts only a short time. The amoral Roxie is left alone and destitute.
Originally a play (1926) this is the first of several film versions.
White Shadows in the South Seas (1928)
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
Starring Monte Blue, Raquel Torres
A drunken doctor denounces white influence on Pacific Islanders and moves to an untouched island. The doctor lives with the contented people who maintain their native culture. When white traders move onto the island, the Doctor tries to stop them. Unsuccessfully.
A strong story of the social, cultural, and personal tragedy that results from outside intrusion on the native cultures of the Pacific islands.
The Crowd (1928)
Directed by King Vidor
Starring Eleanor Boardman, James Murray
John Sims has come to New York seeking a high paying job. Denied this success, he marries and settles into a middle class life with a wife and two children living in a small apartment.
A powerful, realistic examination of middle class life in the early 20th Century.
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Directed by Charles Reiner, Buster Keaton
Starring Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Marion Byron
Steamboat Bill Jr, son of Steamboat Bill Sr, is a small, skinny college boy while Bill Sr is a tall, rugged steamboat captain. Bill Jr's girlfriend is the daughter of his father's worst rival. Bill Jr is about to return to college when Bill Sr is jailed and a hurricane arrives. Bill Jr proves his capability when battles through the hurricane and saves his father, his girl, the girl's father, and the steamboat.
Very funny with great Keaton stunts.
The Wind (1928)
Directed by Victor Sjöström
Starring Lillian Gish, Lars Hanson
A farmer brings his bride, a Virginian, to his farm on the western prairies where the wind blows continually. The woman finds the loneliness oppressive.
Lillian Gish and Lars Hanson are masterful as the unhappily married couple. The unceasing wind is almost a living presence.
Docks of New York (1928)
Directed by Josef von Sternberg
Starring George Bancroft, Betty Compson
A stoker on a tramp steamship has a few hours leave while his ship is in port. He saves a woman from suicide and befriends her. He marries her with the intention of leaving in the morning. He is preparing to go to sea again when he decides not to abandon her.
This late silent film is an emotionally affecting love story of two lonely people.
Street Angel (1928)
Directed by Frank Borzage
Starring Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell
Angela and Gino are lovers. On the day Gino gains a commission for a mural, innocent Angela is arrested for prostitution and jailed for a year. Gino, thinking the fallen woman has deserted him, is unable to paint and becomes a despairing semi-derelict. When the year is up, Angela is released. On the waterfront, Gino meets Angela in the fog. Assuming that she is a fallen woman, Gino attacks her. She pleads her innocence. He sees the truth and they are happily reunited.
The theme of the film is stated in the opening intertitle: "Everywhere, in town and city, we pass, unknowingly, human souls made great by love and adversity."
Eternal Love (1929)
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Starring John Barrymore, Camilla Horn
Due to his weakness, lovers Marcus and Cilia are separated. Each marries on the rebound. They cannot stay apart, and their longing for one another leads to tragedy.
Director Ernst Lubitsch concentrated on comedies and made few dramas. This film demonstrates his mastery of intense romantic melodrama.
City Lights (1931)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Starring Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cheryl
The Tramp gains the money to pay for an operation to restore the sight of a blind girl, but ends up in jail getting it. When he returns, she can see him.
Comedy and tragedy combine in one of Chaplin's funniest and most heart breaking films.
Further Reading