Author Archive: Retro

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.

Vintage German expressionism, as a nobleman entertains guests at a strange castle where peculiar things occur. English titles. Dir. F.W. Murnau.

Two lovers in a small town in Maryland are torn apart by the Civil War–she is loyal to the south while he heads north to join the federal army, determined to protect the Union. Eventually his unit arrives in his hometown and he is reunited with his lover, but things aren’t the way they used to be.