Author Archive: Retro

In August of 1914, dogged Australian photographer Frank Hurley joined Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated Trans-Antarctic expedition. Shackleton had hoped to make an historic first crossing of the icy continent while recording valuable scientific data, but when the men reached the bottom of the world, things didn’t go exactly according to plan. The ship Endurance, which had been slated to explore the treacherous coastline after ferrying Shackleton and company to the Weddell Sea, became frozen in place between two gigantic ice floes. This silent film, first released in 1919 and then restored in 2000, is the stunning photographic record of the long months these men spent fighting for survival — learning to ski, hunting seals and penguins, and warding off madness and despair. Hurley filmed everything, right up to the moment when their beloved ship disappeared beneath the ice — he even photographed wildlife on the island of South Georgia, where the explorers were eventually taken to [...]

To test his wife’s fidelity, a wealthy man disappears after making his two children the chief beneficiaries of his will, and soon finds that his wife and brother are conspiring to kill the children for the money. Dir. Charles and Sidney Franklin.

Neil Burgess’ play about life in New England.

Movie Trailer for feature film.

Another version of the classic “Faust” tale with a naive student making a pact with the Devil. Written by Henrik Galeen. English titles. Dir. Henrik Galeen.

Early Wolfman film where doctor uses the blood of a wolf to save a man’s life.

Young man, rejected by the girl he loves, tries to prove his manhood by going to Africa. Dir. Maurice Elvey.

One of Rin Tin Tin’s many canine imitators, Ranger, starred in this silent Western melodrama as a sheep dog falsely accused of “sheepicide.” Outraged local sheep ranchers attempt to drown the dog, but he is saved by his owner, Jed Springer (Sam Nelson), and hidden away in a cave in the hills. Evidence later proves the dog to be innocent. Nelson was Ranger’s owner and trainer. Tracked was photographed by one of the best in the business, Robert De Grasse.

The Silent Serials Silent Star Corine Griffith