Author Archive: Retro

The story of an orphan boy who, due to the cruelty of others, is drawn into a life of sin on the streets prior to the redemption of a caring foster family.

A feature about Native Americans with an all-Native American cast — this was quite a concept in the silent era, when Caucasian actors played everything from African-Americans to Asians (and an often hired ethnic star, the Japanese Sessue Hayakawa, played everything from Latins to Indians). None of the actors are credited, but director John E. Maple (a Caucasian) is, as is the writer, W.E. Wing. The story is the kind of melodramatic fare that critics of the day referred to as “hokum,” and about the only really interesting aspect of this romance is the cast. After purifying himself in a ceremony, Big Elk asks pretty Che-wee-na to be his bride. She accepts, but White Wolf, the son of the chief of a rival tribe, is determined to have the girl at any cost. Big Elk and White Wolf fight it out for Che-wee-na, and Big Elk wins. White Wolf gets revenge by kidnapping one of [...]

Part two detailing Dr. Mabuse’s descent into complete madness. English titles. Dir. Fritz Lang.

Based on a 1901 novel by Marah Ellis Ryan, this silent Western starred Blanche Sweet in the title-role of Montana Rivers, whose cardsharp father, Lee Holly (Edward Peil, Sr.), raised her as a tomboy. When the gambler is kicked out of town, Montana seeks shelter with the Indians, by whom she is taught womanly ways and assumes the name Tana. She falls in love with handsome but married prospector Dan Overton (Mahlon Hamilton) but an acquaintance of Overton’s, the villainous Jim Harris (Frank Lanning), recognizes her as Lee Holly’s brat. The girl is denounced by both Harris and the jealous Mrs. Overton (Claire Du Brey), but events take a new turn when Lee Holly reappears, revealing that Montana is not his child at all but the offspring of Harris. Holly is killed by the enraged Harris, and the unfaithful Mrs. Overton suffers the same fate in the hands of a jealous lover (Jack Roseleigh), leaving [...]

A modest man unknowingly has a baby with a woman from a affluent family.Through a series of coincidences he is reunited with his daughter, forcing the family to confront its secrets.

Pre-WWII tale of a scheming young girl who takes advantage of two men.

A government agent investigates a ring that is smuggling Chinese aliens across the border from Mexico. His investigation takes him to the Grand Canyon. He finds a dazed girl wandering around who has become separated from her companions and is lost. He and the girl are soon found by her companions – the smuggling ring!

Thrill to the escapades of Rin Tin Tin in this silent drama in which he is sentenced to death for the suspicion of sheep murdering. However, when Rin Tin Tin rescues a little girl from a giant condor, he is released of all charges.