Author Archive: Retro

A twisted sleazebag stalks and strangles gorgeous women in this Spanish terror classic.

In this early stop-motion silent film a fairy grants two dolls, Mary and Gretel life but tells them not to pick the flowers in the forest. Meanwhile some gnomes take a keg back to their cave followed by a white rabbit. Mary and Gretel come upon Rip Van Winkle and tickle his nose with a branch he wakes up but then goes back to sleep. They follow a squirrel to the mouth of the gnomes cave. Inside the gnomes start playing bowling and drinking ale from the keg. The rabbit now in the cave too starts sneaking drinks from the keg when the gnomes aren’t looking. This film was released in 1916.

Before the revolution in France the nobility exercised a most despotic rule over the peasants, subjecting them to abject slavery. Not only did they suffer pecuniary oppression, but their humble households were invaded and defiled by the noble profligates. Henri Provost, a perfumer, receives a call from his landlord in quest of some perfume. During his visit this nobleman is attracted by Henri’s pretty young wife. Her beauty so enthralls him that he, during her husband’s absence, exercises his presumed rights, and invites, or rather commands her to attend his house fete. Here he dresses her in finery and promises to make a great lady of her, so that when her husband, who finding whither she had gone, bursts into the palace, she denies him. The heartbroken perfumer at first would return to the palace and in vengeance murder both his wife and the nobleman, but the old priest stays him, by showing him the [...]

Since Zoya Verenskaya’s husband passed away ten years ago, she has been devoted to her daughter Lee. At present, Lee is in poor health, and she is in danger of losing her eyesight. Zoya’s suitor Dmitry wants to get married, but Zoya is determined to wait until Lee is better. Then, on a vacation in the Crimea, they learn Lee’s true feelings for Dmitry, and suddenly all of their lives are thrown into turmoil.

Comedy about a film crew shooting a movie about guns and robbers, when real robbers turn up. Having to go home in robbers costume, they are mistakingly accused. In the end the real robbers are brought to justice.

A fairy brings two dolls to life, part of a short lived stop-motion puppet series

A young woman’s peaceful existence is shattered when she is abducted by the crew of a boat of smugglers, who then also turn against their captain.