Author Archive: Retro

A spiral design spins dizzily. It’s replaced by a spinning disk. These two continue in perfect alternation until the end: a spiral design, a disk. Each disk is labelled and can be read as it rotates. The messages, in French, feature puns and whimsical rhymes and alliteration. The final message comments on the spiral motif itself.

Jerry decides he will discontinue the companionship of Slim and shoulder life’s burden single handed. While the latter slumbers Jerry packs the combined wardrobe of the “firm” and attempts to make his exit by way of the window by means of a rope. But Slim is awakened by the noise. For a moment Slim watches the progress of Jerry and then decides to call him back. Halfway down the rope, Jerry is interrupted by his slender companion, who demands that Jerry return. The latter, showing no such desire. Slim cuts the rope and sends Jerry sprawling on the ground. Jerry, however, runs off. But Slim is soon after him. Jerry’s flight is interrupted by a policeman, who becomes suspicious of him. Jerry is arguing with the cop when Slim arrives and soon the policeman is the target for a volley of blows directed at Jerry by Slim, Jerry neatly ducking each blow to finally run [...]

Released under different titles in France–and not surprisingly, often confused with its analogous 1896 movie, “Le Manoir du Diable (1896)”–Georges Méliès’ Haunted Castle is considered, by all means, a remake.

Max is a stage struck youth, and because of a deep-seated desire to go on the stage, refuses to consent to a marriage his father has planned for him. The girl, whom Max has never met, is also stage struck, and entertains no wish of marrying him, though her mother is anxious to see her make the alliance. The parents finally manage to bring the young people together, and they, in turn, exert all their skill in an attempt to disgust each other. An accidental meeting between the two when they are off guard causes them to change their minds, and, as a climax of the scene, we see them gently clasped in each other’s arms. The scene following, and the last one, is subtitled, Six Months Later. The girl appears with a baby in her arms in a filthy tenement house. Max enters as a broken-down sport, and demands money from her. She refuses [...]

The wealthy but selfish parents of a lonely young girl begin to rethink what is important to them after a servant’s irresponsibility results in a crisis.

Young lovers pursued by her father — and then a series of sight gags based on the mayhem of their auto ride.

A boy from Ireland comes to America and makes good, but he doesn’t forget the poverty he left behind. He returns to rescue his sweetheart just as her family is about to be evicted from their land.