Author Archive: Retro

Two versions of the classic Harriet Beecher Stowe tale of slavery. Latter version features Sam Lucas, the first black man to get the lead role in a movie, and also stars Hattie Delero, Irving Cummings.(1903 & 1914) Dir. Robert Daly.

Comedy depicting the cross-cultural conflicts which arise when two youngsters from different families fall in love.

Starring famous Russian actor Ivan Moujouskine. French titles. COLOR-TINTED.

A husband, mistakenly believing his wife has cheated on him and that he is now the father of their newborn son, throws both her and her child out of the house. Frantic to the point of madness, she abandons her baby, and when she gains her sanity she flees to Alaska to start a new life. However, her husband finds out and follows her there.

Blacks’ views on BIRTH OF A NATION. COLOR-TINTED.

French experimental film. English titles.

After breaking a mirror, a man has seven years worth of “bad luck” all in one day! A hilarious film from French actor Max Linder, the original master of silent comedy.

Nell refuses Bill’s aid when her rancher father can no longer work, but when her father dies, she turns to Bill for help.

This muddled murder mystery-comedy was based on the Max Marcin stage play The Night Cap. Bank president Robert Andrews (James Kirkwood) has loaned someone money out of the bank funds and he wants to distract the bank examiner from examining the books and discovering the shortage. So he invites him, and the directors, over to his house. All sorts of intrigue happens at the gathering — Andrews argues with Jerry Hammond (Tom Ricketts), who is in love with his ward, Anne Maynard (Madge Bellamy). Lester Knoles (Arthur Stuart Hull), meanwhile, is jealous of Andrews’ friendship with his wife (Rosemary Theby). In addition, we discover that Andrews has a life insurance policy that will cover the shortage should he die. Not too surprisingly, after some strange goings-on, Andrews is found dead in Mrs. Knoles’ room. The police investigate and everybody seems to have a motive to kill Andrews. A lot of confusion ensues, until it is [...]