Greta Garbo and Victor Sjostrom

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Scott Lord Silent Film: Biblical Drama, Ben Hur (Fred Niblo, 1925)

While heralding "Ben Hur" as "the biggest movie spectacle since Intolerance", Classics of the Silent Screen, published by author Joe Franlkin in 1959 notes that its two large scale production scenes take place during the first half of the film, too early in the narrative in regard to audience interest and reception, "Part two not only moved slowly but had no spectacular action highlights." The actual chatiot race takes place after an hour and a half of film, but there is in fact another hour left to the complete film. Classics of the Silent Screen claimed the film trailed off to follow an incidental character with leprosy. Starring in the film with Romon Navarro were actresses Kathleen Kay, Betty Bronson, Myrna Loy and Colleen Moore. Silent Film Ben Hur

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Scott Lord Silent Film: Midnight Girl (Noy, 1925)

Bela Lugosi appeared with actress Lila Lee during 1924 before having been catapulted into fame in Tod Browning's sound film "Dracula". Director WIlfred Noy had begun directing short comedies in 1911, later directing actress Gladys Jennings in the full legnth mystery "The Face at the Window" during 1920.

The periodical Exhibitor's Trade Review described actress Lila Lee as "wistful" in the titular role. Moving Picture World explained that the Chadwick Pictures Corporation had originally titled the film "The Street Singer" from a scenario written by Garret Fort.