Watching Silent Films

A tantalizing futuristic wonder, Metropolis is a Silent lingering with choreography that makes your eyes wander throughout the tale as a spectacle like no other. Director Fritz Lang pulls out all the stops on what critics claim today as a creative masterpiece, Metropolis becoming an immediate classic in respect where you will never forget this film. Lily's film watch: The Man Who Laughs (1928) with Conrad Veidt, Dir. Paul Leni; The Artist (2011), Dir. Michel Hazanavicius. Bob's film watch: State of the Union (1948), Dir. Frank Capra; The Third Man (1949) Dir. Carol Reed. YiFeng's film watch: Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954); It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Dir. Frank Capra. Harold Lloyd's estate has a YouTube channel, publishing some rare and unseen gems almost daily! Go and Subscribe! We have! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4A3IJ4FssK3b7SeXc2kMMw Roger Ebert's review from June 2010 - https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-metropolis-2010-restoration-1927 We want to thank our listeners for joining us on this podcast, and here's hoping we spoke about some films you hadn't seen yet! To keep up to date with your "Silent itch," we suggest the forum NitrateVille, a site where you can talk, and share your stories about preserving and collecting vintage films. https://www.nitrateville.com/ Fritzi Kramer's blog Movies, Silently is a tour de force website dedicated to the lost art of, and for, sharing the beauty of silent films. Her articles are fantastic! https://moviessilently.com/about/ We want to thank our recurring hosts Diane and Adam for their insight and willingness to be "on the air" and talk about classics of the day with us. We'll see you in Season 2! Recorded on February 25, 2021 Hosted by YiFeng, Bob, and Lily

One of the most well-known (dare we say famous!) silent films of all time due to a man dangling from the arm of a clock, Safety Last! anchored Harold Lloyd among the comedic greats of the moving pictures era. Lloyd plays a small-town "Boy" trying to make it in the big city, who finds employment as a department-store clerk. He comes up with a wild publicity stunt to draw attention to the store after his roommate's successful climb of escape from a cop, resulting in the incredible feat of a death-defying stunt! Laugh-out-loud funny and jaw-dropping in equal measure, Safety Last! is a movie experience you won't soon forget. Lily's film watch: Greta (2019), Dir. Sparkman Clark. Found on Amazon Prime. Adam's film watch: Greed (1924), Dir. Erich von Stroheim, and Die Nibelungen (1924), Dir. Fritz Lang. A silent fantasy film! Subscribe to Harold Lloyd on YouTube! The estate has been releasing his filmography, so why not see something of his that you haven't yet?! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4A3IJ4FssK3b7SeXc2kMMw/featured HOW they filmed Safety Last! https://silentlocations.com/2012/02/29/how-harold-lloyd-filmed-safety-last/?fbclid=IwAR1xDxAzkmtQk2wNRZPckRqEw3q3EesSQ_l3OZ5gCqodxeddMeoz7udFYhQ We want to thank Adam so much for joining us on this podcasting journey! Being able to bond over silents has been a joy, and we can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge and being an overall fan! Hosted by YiFeng, Adam, and Lily. Originally recorded on December 6, 2020.

The fable-like, poignant story, subtitled A Song of Two Humans, Sunrise is an American silent melodramatic masterpiece by German director F.W. Murnau (In his American film debut) - a beautiful, atmospheric, lyrical and poetic work of art with roots in the German Expressionist movement (from 1914 to 1924). Starring George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, and Margaret Livingston, the story of corruption and redemption involves a rustic farmer in a romanticized rural town who falls prey to the seductive wiles of a city vamp in an illicit affair. He plots to murder his loving wife during a boat trip to the temptation-ridden city. His conscience is awakened during the attempted killing and he relents, and in the city the couple fall in love again. On their return trip, a tempestuous storm appears to drown the wife, but she is eventually found and the family is reunited and reconciled. The script was adapted from the short story "The Excursion to Tilsit," from the 1917 collection with the same title by Hermann Sudermann. Sunrise is one of the first feature films with a synchronized musical score and sound effects soundtrack. The film won the Academy Award for Unique and Artistic Picture at the very first Oscars in 1929 (this particular award was created for the film itself. The category has since been disbanded since the 30s onward). Gaynor won the first Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film. Sunrise is widely considered a masterpiece and one of the greatest films ever made. Many claim it to be the best picture made during the silent era. ** We do apologize for a bit of strange overlap during the episode, especially around 38.2 minutes in. We promise we're not talking over one another! Also featured on this episode is the Laurel and Hardy silent Battle of the Century! UPDATE 3/5/21: Link to Battle of the Century is no longer available for viewing, account terminated. However we still recommend watching this interview with collector Jon Mirsalis on discovering the lost reel to "Battle." https://youtu.be/2MxC4glhB5Y Lily's film watch: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), feat. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Adam's film watch: Judex (1916), a French silent film serialization. YiFeng also mentioned these silent melodrama serializations during the podcast, and we hope you'll watch! The Perils of Pauline and Exploits of Elaine, both made in 1914. Hosted by YiFeng, Adam and Lily. Originally recorded on November 17, 2020.

When Letty Mason (Lillian Gish), an impoverished young woman from Virginia, relocates to West Texas, she finds herself unsettled by the ever-present wind and sand. Arriving at her new home at the ranch of her cousin (Edward Earle) she receives a surprisingly cold welcome from his wife (Dorothy Cumming). With tension in the family building and unwanted attention from a trio of suitors, including neighbor Lige Hightower (Lars Hanson), Letty grows increasingly disturbed as time shifts on. An unwanted marriage, an unwanted lover, and a liable cause for hysteria, Swedish director Victor Sjöström (Seastrom) takes Dorothy Scarborough's 1925 novel of the same title to rattling heights. You know the subtleties of what is coming, even if it’s not explicitly recognized. Though the film differs from the novel halfway through, this stunning silent is a visual treat which will stay with you even when the wind has finally calmed down. You can view the TCM restoration of this stunning classic here! https://archive.org/details/the-wind-1928-tcm-restoration Some films on our "watch" list included, Lily: Daddy (2019), featuring Ron Rifkin and Dylan Sprouse, Dir. by Christian Coppola. Adam: Theater of Blood (1973), featuring Vincent Price and Diana Rigg, Dir. by Douglas Hickox; and The Floating Weeds (1959), Dir. by Yasujiro Ozu. YiFeng: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), featuring Lon Chaney, Dir. by Wallace Worsley. Our show notes include two unique articles depicting The Wind's legacy: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3402/jac.v1i0.4641#aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGFuZGZvbmxpbmUuY29tL2RvaS9wZGYvMTAuMzQwMi9qYWMudjFpMC40NjQxP25lZWRBY2Nlc3M9dHJ1ZUBAQDA= https://moviessilently.com/2014/04/29/silent-movie-myth-5-the-wind-ended-wrong-and-is-too-windy/ Hosted by YiFeng, Adam, and Lily. Originally recorded on November 17, 2020.

As a party of aristocrats gathers at the Vogelöd family manor house for a hunting weekend, the uninvited arrival of Count Oechst (Lothar Mehnert) interrupts their plans. While rumors persist that the urbane and disdainful Oechst may have murdered his own brother (Paul Hartmann), social discomfort increases further when the Baron (Paul Bildt) and Baroness (Olga Tschechowa) arrive, as she is the recently remarried widow of Oechst's brother. When the Baroness' confessor, Father Faramond (Victor Blütner), unaccountably disappears, the villa becomes the arena for separating truth from lies, via two dreams and two flashbacks, plus multiple deceptions, accusations and confrontations. "The Haunted Castle" is one of the lesser known earliest accomplishments by the great visual artist/director F.W. Murnau. Schloß Vogelöd is a treat not only visually for the eye, but instills intrigue for the viewer in this new age of filmmaking. Mentioned in this podcast: Cinderella (1899) https://youtu.be/Wv3Z_STlzpc Adam's watchlist included: The Student of Prague (1913), and The Man Who Laughs (1928), starring Conrad Veidt and co-written by Victor Hugo. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Adam. Recorded on November 13, 2020.

Post WW1, F.W. Murnau directs this German-Danish co-production, showcasing some of his best intentions toward future films. Der Gang in die Nacht (Journey into the Night) is derived from a screenplay by the Danish scenarist Harriet Bloch. It’s an example of the “nobility film,” a genre cultivated by the Nordisk studio where Bloch worked. In these stories, an upper-class man becomes obsessed with a working-class woman, and she leads him to disaster. In Murnau’s film, the well-to-do protagonist is Dr. Eigil Börne. Uneasy with his courtship of his wispy fiancée Helene, he plunges into an affair with the dancer Lily. They move to a seaside cottage, where their idyll is interrupted by the spectral figure of a blind artist (Conrad Veidt). After Dr. Börne restores the Painter’s sight, Lily falls in love with him and leaves Börne. Unhappiness ensues for all, and yes, suicide is involved. Be sure to join KANOPY if you currently have not. Check your local and surrounding libraries for access and entertainment. KANOPY is available throughout the United States. For a "live" accompaniment experience in the current age of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ben Model's Silent Comedy Watch Party on YouTube is a great way to enjoy film and live entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/user/silentfilmmusic One of Adam's film picks this week included Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford in 1927's The Unknown. A great article on Murnau before Nosferatu: http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2016/11/06/murnau-before-nosferatu/?fbclid=IwAR00jtMv4kcCR-AMnDKFQ7_3cCvqqvDkkvGOHQXXjbPn53NEenltRqw-Rl0 Hosted by YiFeng and Adam. Recorded on October 22, 2020

In Robert Wiene's final film entry, Wiene proved that he not only had impeccable taste when it came to creating the rococo ambience of the original opera, but was also perceptively tuned into the ironic element which distinguishes Rosenkavalier as one of the major 20th century operas. The film is based on the music of Der Rosenkavalier opera by Richard Strauss. It was arranged in an instrumental form to suit the film medium and was played by a repetiteur on set. Taking the opera’s story line as its central theme, the result was a film comedy enlivened with attractive locations, including Schönbrunn Castle and its extensive grounds in Vienna. The ‘people’s film opera,’ as Strauss liked to call it, was staged in an opulent scenography produced by Alfred Roller who had furnished the setting for the opera’s premier. Film versions of operas were already popular in the silent film era; however, few other opera films of the time were as spectacular and of such a high musical quality as Der Rosenkavalier. For more on Richard Strauss, this unique playbill talks about the making of the film, his music, and his life. https://issuu.com/orchestraenlightenment/docs/der_rosenkavalier_programme_pdf Host Diane spearheaded one of the Internet's first silent film related websites, and now runs The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! on Facebook. Be sure to join this public group for daily, silent era content! https://www.facebook.com/groups/484423584978921 Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Diane Recorded on September 30th, 2020

By the director of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, this is the Passion embedded in a contemporary story. An anarchist jailed for an attempted assassination is told the Passion story by the prison chaplain, who seeks to convince him that it is better to sacrifice one's own life than take the life of one's enemy. The framing story, taken from a novel, is believed to have been intended to give the Biblical story an anti-Bolshevist propaganda function. In any case, it was added without the knowledge of the actors in the Passion story, who included some of the major stars of the period: Asta Nielsen as Mary Magdalene, Henny Porten as Mary, Grigori Chmara as Jesus, and Werner Krauss (Caligari himself) as Pontius Pilate. Have some free time? Diane's picks in the classic realm are both Academy Award winning films: CITIZEN KANE and Casablanca, and From the Manger to the Cross (1912). For the modern realm, Academy Award winning film The King's Speech is an excellent pick on our behalf. Diane runs The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! Be sure to join this public group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/484423584978921 Brad's review: https://letterboxd.com/film/inri-a-film-of-humanity/ Did you know? Famous for his watercolor paintings, James Tissot is one of THE largest inspirations for many of the Passion-based films. Originally recorded on Sept. 16, 2020. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily, and Diane.

For the viewer who has grown accustomed to Douglas Fairbank's and his similar "themes," films dealing with swashbuckling or youth or joy, The Gaucho is a silent film classic that will strip away any misconceptions about what role Fairbanks will play or which type of character is best identified toward his bustling career. The Gaucho is unique in both tone and look--a combination of action/adventure with a morality tale featuring heavy atmosphere and a darker sensibility than any other Fairbanks film. Tragic yet somehow more rugged and realistic, the film and its cast, featuring Lupe Velez as the spunky Mountain Girl and Joan Barclay as the Girl of the Shrine, show the truths we hide and seek thrill from in a tale told so profoundly it can be enjoyed no matter which year it's been watched. Ready to watch more in the classic realm? Bob's films included Father Goose featuring Cary Grant, Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney, and How to Steal a Million with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole. Interested in something of the modern time? Lily's recent work on Luna, The Witch can be seen on Amazon Prime or Angelwood Pictures at https://www.angelwoodpictures.com/lunathewitch/index.php?LunaPage=3 Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily. Originally recorded on August 28, 2020

"Crime and Punishment," the original story written in twelve monthly installments during 1866 by Dostoevsky, focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in Saint Petersburg who formulates a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money. Before the killing, Raskolnikov believes that with the money he could liberate himself from poverty and go on to perform great deeds. However, he finds himself racked with confusion, paranoia, and disgust for what he has done. His justifications disintegrate completely as he struggles with guilt and horror and confronts the real-world consequences of his deed. This version by Caligari filmmaker Robert Weine similarly follows along the same lines of the novel, Gregori Chmara starring as the disparaged Raskolnikov. Although the 1923 version we observed for this podcast wasn't of the greatest quality, we recommend checking out many of the other remakes of Crime and Punishment -- there are at least 30 others! Hosted by YiFeng, Bob, and Lily Recorded on September 9, 2020

The most cherished film by Charlie Chaplin, City Lights is also his ultimate Little Tramp chronicle. The writer-director-star achieved new levels of grace, in both physical comedy and dramatic poignancy, with this silent tale of a lovable vagrant falling for a young blind woman who sells flowers on the street (Virginia Cherrill) and mistakes him for a millionaire. Though this Depression-era smash was made after the advent of sound, Chaplin remained steadfast in his love for the expressive beauty of the pre-talkie form. The result was the epitome of his art and the crowning achievement of silent comedy. Part two of this episode continues with a scene-by-scene analysis of the film, the progressiveness of Chaplin's direction and style, and we wrap up this episode with some interesting facts about City Lights itself. Read more from David at: https://thecelluloidhistorian.wordpress.com/ Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily Recorded August 12, 2020

Robert Wiene's Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire follows-up his massively successful 1919 film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, using the same writer, production designer, and cinematographer who had worked on the previous film. Genuine (Fern Andra) is not actually a vampire in the film, but rather a vamp (succubus) who uses her powers of seduction to torment and control the men who love her. The plot utilizes the old it was all just a dream-type ending, as the proceedings are revealed to be a dream suffered by a man who falls asleep while reading a scary book. The film did not do well at the box office, and Genuine was edited down into a 45-minute condensed version, which is the cut that has most commonly been available, making it very hard to judge the film, as discussed within this podcast. Want to watch something short after listening to this podcast? Check out The Portrait (1915) - a Russian silent horror film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZaxq-POoQU Looking to read more about Robert Wiene? Beyond Caligari By Uli Jung & Walter Schatzberg is a fantastic start! Paperback and hardcover copies of the book can be found at Amazon.com Need another take on the movie? Read this article: Obscure Films: “Genuine: A Tale Of A Vampire” (1920) https://silentology.wordpress.com/2017/10/24/obscure-films-genuine-a-tale-of-a-vampire-1920/ Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily Recorded on September 2, 2020

The most cherished film by Charlie Chaplin, City Lights is also his ultimate Little Tramp chronicle. The writer-director-star achieved new levels of grace, in both physical comedy and dramatic poignancy, with this silent tale of a lovable vagrant falling for a young blind woman who sells flowers on the street (Virginia Cherrill) and mistakes him for a millionaire. Though this Depression-era smash was made after the advent of sound, Chaplin remained steadfast in his love for the expressive beauty of the pre-talkie form. The result was the epitome of his art and the crowning achievement of silent comedy. This episode opens with the history behind City Lights, what life was like in the years outside of filmmaking, and mentions Chaplin's other accomplishments and dark times. Follow David for more at https://thecelluloidhistorian.wordpress.com/ WSF is hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily Recorded August 12, 2020

Part of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock's "9," The Pleasure Garden marks his directorial debut with this British-German wonder. For the Master of Suspense, Hitchcock shows in this film many of the talents he would develop eventually, notably a great mastery of image composition and lighting, with a probable influence of German expressionism in his use of shadow and on-location shooting to natural sets to recreate the appropriate atmosphere. Patsy (Carmelita Geraghty) is a young chorus girl at Mr. Hamilton's Pleasure Garden Theatre in London. One evening after the show, she meets Jill (Virginia Valli) whose money and letter of introduction to Mr. Hamilton have just been stolen. Offering help to Jill, Patsy takes her home and promises to introduce her to the boss. Jill manages to convince Hamilton that she should be the lead, and eventually begins to climb up the social ladder, leaving behind Patsy and her fiancé, Hugh (John Stuart), being courted by rich men, notably the wealthy Prince Ivan. Hugh's partner Levet (Miles Mander) convinces Patsy to marry him, though it turns to be a false romance. An excellent watch for WSF and every new viewer, "This first production of Alfred Hitchcock promises much for the future." The Pordenone Silent Film Festival, October 3rd - October 10th! REGISTER HERE: http://www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/en/ SCHEDULE: http://www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/3_Calendario_Schedule.pdf The Pleasure Garden Restored: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nxnWnFEoig&t=137s Host Diane runs The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! Be sure to join this public group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/484423584978921 Hosted by YiFeng, Lily, and Diane Recorded on 9/24/20

With Autumn quickly approaching, WSF takes on another German expressionist silent horror written and directed by Caligari's Robert Wiene. FURCHT (FEAR) is the tale of Count Greven (Bruno Decarli)'s eventual descent into madness and hysteria with his obsession of collecting one too many of the world's greatest treasures. Lured by rumors of a sacred statue's mystic qualities, Greven's theft from an Indian temple leads to a masterpiece of torment and guilt, gradually rising the wrath of a High Priest (Conrad Veidt) who gives Greven just seven years to live . . . FURCHT is noted as being Veidt's earliest (known) surviving film. + Mentioned in this podcast: Article featuring David Bowie and how Buster Keaton influenced him: https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/8840/david-bowie-and-buster-keaton-by-steve-schapiro Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily. Originally recorded on July 31, 2020

We rejoin Diane MacIntyre again this week as we talk about The Thief of Bagdad, starring Douglas Fairbanks. Freely adapted from One Thousand and One Nights, and directed by Raoul Walsh, this American silent swashbuckler film tells the story of a thief who falls in love with the daughter of the Caliph of Baghdad. Featuring Julanne Johnston as the Princess and Anna May Wong as her Mongol Servant, be prepared to have fun and be mesmerized by this classic tale retold on screen. In 1996, the film was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Often known in English as the Arabian Nights, from the first English-language edition, it is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age (c. 1706–1721). Our Guest Diane MacIntyre spearheaded one of the Internet's first silent film related websites in the 90s! Though The Silents Majority is no longer up and running, you can find Silents Majority through archives here: http://web.archive.org/web/19990422234040/http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/tour.htm Or on the public Facebook group: The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! We also mention Asian-American legend Anna May Wong on this episode, so be sure to watch some of her films as well! The WSF team recommends watching Wong's performance in The Toll of the Sea. Recorded on 7/22/20 Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily A note to our listeners: We do our best to bring you a new podcast each Sunday, though it is summer! We thank you for your patience! :)

When corrupt Governor Alvarado (George Periolat) crushes the poor people of Spanish California under his iron heel, wealthy fop Don Diego Vega (Douglas Fairbanks) sheds his silks, dons a mask and cape and becomes the legendary Zorro, defender of the people. Infuriated by Zorro's meddling, Alvarado dispatches his right-hand man, Captain Ramon (Robert McKim), who has a score to settle with Zorro for stealing away the object of his desire: the lovely Lolita Pulido (Marguerite De La Motte). This week we talk with Diane MacIntyre from The Silents Majority, one of the Internet's first silent film related websites! You can find Silents Majority through archives here: http://web.archive.org/web/19990422234040/http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/tour.htm Or on the public Facebook group: The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! Need something fresh? Here are some 'Silent' films to watch this week: https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Laurel-and-Hardy-The-Definitive-Restorations-Blu-ray/263565/ https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Cinema-Paradiso-4K-Blu-ray/271419/ https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hugo-Blu-ray/181798/ https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Artist-Blu-ray/37971/ Hosted by YiFeng and Bob Recorded on July 15, 2020

In D.W. Griffith's "Masterpiece," Intolerance intercuts between four separate stories about man's inhumanity to man. In Babylon, pacifist Prince Belshazzar is brought down by warring religious factions. In Judea, the last days of Christ are depicted in the style of a Passion play. In France, Catherine de Medici presides over the slaughter of the Huguenots. And in California, a woman pleads for the life of her husband when he is sentenced to hang for a murder he did not commit. In Intolerance, Griffith chose to explore the eponymous theme partly in response to criticism of his previous film, The Birth of a Nation, which was criticized by the NAACP and other groups as perpetuating racial stereotypes and glorifying the KKK. It was not, however, an apology, as Griffith felt he had nothing to apologize for. In numerous interviews, Griffith made clear that the film's title and overriding themes were meant as a response to those who, he felt, had been intolerant of him in condemning The Birth of a Nation. In the years following its release, Intolerance would strongly influence European film movements. In 1989, it was one of the first films to be selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. References in this podcast --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=664zc1M5jUs Gofundme link for Bruce Miller --> https://gf.me/u/yfd95f Hosted by YiFeng and Lily Recorded on July 9th, 2020

In Buster Keaton's last independent film for United Artists before moving on to MGM, this silent comedy is known for what might be considered Keaton's most famous film stunt: The facade of an entire house falling on top of him as he stands in the perfect spot to pass through the open attic window without being flattened. The story involves the tale of an educated, effeminate, simple-minded son who ultimately is transformed and triumphant when he assists and impresses his burly, hard-working Mississippi steamboat captain father ("Steamboat Bill") in combating the threatening efforts of a rival tycoon (and typhoon) to take over the Mississippi steamboat business in the South - also win over the business rival's daughter. In 2016, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Bob. Recorded July 1, 2020

The Canfield and McKay families have been feuding for so long, no one remembers the reason the feud started in the first place. Twenty years later, Willie McKay (Keaton) receives a letter informing him that his late father's estate is now his. His aunt tells him of the feud, but he decides to return to his Appalachian homestead anyway to claim his inheritance. On the train ride he meets a girl, Virginia (Natalie Talmadge), and falls for her, shortly inviting Keaton to dinner. The only problem is her family has vowed to kill every member of his family. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Bob GUEST Hay from All That Film, you can find him everywhere podcasts are available and also on https://www.youtube.com/allthatfilm Recorded on June 24, 2020

This clever parody of D. W. Griffith's INTOLERANCE follows Buster's hard-luck romantic adventures in his first independently produced feature film. Teeming with inventive flourishes, Buster tells of love and romance through three historical ages: from the dawn of man in the Stone Age, through the gladiatorial arenas of Ancient Rome, to the city streets of the American Jazz Era. Hosted by YiFeng, Bob and Lily. Recorded 6/16/20

Jilted by her fiance, Sylvia Landry (Evelyn Preer) returns down south to her roots, and takes a job teaching at the Piney Woods school for black children. With the school facing bankruptcy, Sylvia journeys north to Boston to try to raise funds. After much hardship, she secures the finances from a wealthy philanthropist and returns home in triumph to her beloved school. At the moment of her greatest joy a shadowy figure emerges to blackmail Sylvia. She is forced to either flee or have her tragic past revealed. Within Our Gates is the earliest surviving feature by legendary pioneering filmmaker Oscar Micheaux. Created as a response to D.W. Griffith's The Birth Of A Nation which depicted southern whites in need of the KKK to protect them, Micheaux shows the reality of Dixie racism in 1920, where a black man could be lynched for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. His bold feature length productions which asserted an educated black man's point of view and featured black stars and all black casts, continued for three decades and included dramas, comedies, westerns and musicals. In response to current events over the murder of George Floyd, our team recording the Watching Silent Films podcast touched upon this 100 year old film by African American director Oscar Micheaux. From 1920-2020 and discussing our thoughts outside of the published broadcast, we not only see black voices being smothered out over these years, we find that "minority" directors like Micheaux are few and hard to come by. We find that by talking about these silent films might promote inclusivity to the directors, actors, and crew which might otherwise be snuffed out due to ignorance and neglect. References mentioned in this Podcast --> https://twitter.com/MoviesSilently/status/1267966101737967617?fbclid=IwAR1O8rngBXNUeoLKS56lIt8AnHKe0qOJIRN4SqWIw9CdE-NV5N9tw4cxWr0 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_racial_violence_in_the_United_States https://youtu.be/Wf4cea5oObY Instagram: @sonyareneetaylor: "Why Talking to Your White Family About Black People is the Wrong Approach." Hosted by Yifeng, Lily and Bob. Recorded 6/9/20

Buster plays a movie projectionist who daydreams himself into the movies he is showing and merges with the figures and the backgrounds on the screen. While dreaming he is Conan Doyle's master detective, he snoops out brilliant discoveries. Buster plays a movie projectionist who daydreams himself into the movies he is showing and merges with the figures and the backgrounds on the screen. While dreaming he is Conan Doyle's master detective, he snoops out brilliant discoveries. "A master of movement and stillness, Keaton developed a comedy style that was as intellectual as it was physical, and this small gem shows us why he's as purely American a film genius as the motion pictures have produced." - Kenneth Turan, The Los Angeles Times Hosted by YiFeng, Lily, and Bob. Recorded June 4th, 2020

As new generations discover the magic of silent cinema, Buster Keaton has emerged as one of the era’s most admired and respected artists. Behind the deadpan expression and trademark porkpie hat was a filmmaking genius who conceived and engineered some of the most breathtaking stunts and feats of visual trickery, while never losing sight of slapstick cinema’s primary objective: laughter. The Keaton silent short comedies, 1920-1923. All films directed by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline unless otherwise noted. Daydreams (1922) The Electric House (1922) The Balloonatic (1923) The Love Nest (1923) Referenced in this podcast: https://quietbubble.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/buster-keaton-15-the-electric-house-1922/ Article by Walter Biggins The films in this collection are presented with orchestral scores by Frank Bockius, Neil Brand, Timothy Brock, Antonio Coppola, Stephen Horne, Robert Israel, The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, Dennis Scott, and Donald Sosin. hosted by YiFeng, Lily Recorded on May 26, 2020

As new generations discover the magic of silent cinema, Buster Keaton has emerged as one of the era's most admired and respected artists. Behind the deadpan expression and trademark porkpie hat was a filmmaking genius who conceived and engineered some of the most breathtaking stunts and feats of visual trickery, while never losing sight of slapstick cinema's primary objective: laughter. How are intertitles created? https://www.nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=29932 Blu-Ray edition: https://www.kinolorber.com/product/buster-keaton-the-shorts-collection-1917-1923-blu-ray The Keaton silent short comedies, 1920-1923. All films directed by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline unless otherwise noted. The Haunted House (1921) Hard Luck (1921) The Goat (1921) (directed by Buster Keaton and Malcolm St. Clair) The Play House (1921) The Boat (1921) The films in this collection are presented with orchestral scores by Frank Bockius, Neil Brand, Timothy Brock, Antonio Coppola, Stephen Horne, Robert Israel, The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, Dennis Scott, and Donald Sosin. hosted by YiFeng, Lily Recorded on May 13, 2020

As new generations discover the magic of silent cinema, Buster Keaton has emerged as one of the era's most admired and respected artists. Behind the deadpan expression and trademark porkpie hat was a filmmaking genius who conceived and engineered some of the most breathtaking stunts and feats of visual trickery, while never losing sight of slapstick cinema's primary objective: laughter. The Keaton silent short comedies, 1920-1923. All films directed by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline unless otherwise noted. The "High Sign" (1921) One Week (1920) Convict 13 (1920) The Scarecrow (1920) Neighbors (1920) The films in this collection are presented with orchestral scores by Frank Bockius, Neil Brand, Timothy Brock, Antonio Coppola, Stephen Horne, Robert Israel, The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, Dennis Scott, and Donald Sosin. hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded on May 5, 2020

Russian auteur Sergei Eisenstein's first full-length feature, set just before the 1905 Bolshevik Revolution, depicts a workers' strike against their oppressive factory bosses. When a worker is accused of stealing a piece of machinery, he commits suicide, and his fellow employees revolt against the Czarist regime controlling the factory. As the strike drags on and government officials grow more desperate to end it, their methods of dealing with the rebellious workers become grislier. hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded on April 29, 2020

In an unnamed "western state" where women can vote, an all female political party fields a lady lawyer, Clara Madison, to run for superior court judge, which she wins after her husband declines to run against her. A fierce opposition newspaper editor is killed at the hands of bomb throwing Italian anarchists, yet Clara's husband is implicated with them, and may be sentenced to death if she won't intervene. Link the full film and printed materials: https://silentfilm.org/preservation/mothers-of-men/ Referenced on this podcast: wiki links to the film itself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Woman's_Problem The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra: https://www.mont-alto.com/recordings.html hosted by YiFeng, Lily Recorded on April 21, 2020

Few individual artists have exerted as profound an influence upon the evolution of cinema as Alice Guy (later known as Guy-Blaché). With this collection of more than 60 films, culled from the world’s leading archives and carefully mastered, Guy may no longer be seen as a “woman filmmaker.” These films, produced by Guy for Gaumont before she moved to the US, reveal her to be an unqualified pioneer whose work stands alongside that of the Lumière Brothers, Georges Méliès, and Edwin S. Porter, in cinema’s rapid growth from an optical illusion to a storytelling medium to an art form. Among the highlights are a 19th-century serpentine dance, early “trick” films, experiments with hand-coloring and synchronized sound, comedies, social commentaries, and (as the collection’s centerpiece) a 33-minute religious epic: The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ (1906). 1906 An Obstacle Course Madame’s Cravings A Sticky Woman The Hierarchies of Love The Cruel Mother A Story Well Spun The Drunken Mattress The Parish Priest’s Christmas The Truth Behind the Ape-Man The Consequences of Feminism Ocean Studies The Game-Keeper’s Son 1907 The Race for the Sausage The Glue The Fur Hat The Cleaning Man A Four-Year-Old Hero The Rolling Bed The Irresistible Piano On the Barricade The Dirigible “Homeland” * In the original hand-tinted color † A synchronized-sound “Phonoscène” Curated by Pierre Philippe Total running time: 225 Min. Full-frame (1.33:1) Music by Sorties d’Artistes, except The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ: Music by Patrick Laviosa American Edition produced by Bret Wood hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded on April 14, 2020

A 33-minute religious epic: The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ (1906) based on Tissot's The Life of Christ watercolors in 25 scenes. James Tissot The Life of Christ the complete set: https://amzn.to/3fPMBXj hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded on April 8, 2020

Few individual artists have exerted as profound an influence upon the evolution of cinema as Alice Guy (later known as Guy-Blaché). With this collection of more than 60 films, culled from the world’s leading archives and carefully mastered, Guy may no longer be seen as a “woman filmmaker.” These films, produced by Guy for Gaumont before she moved to the US, reveal her to be an unqualified pioneer whose work stands alongside that of the Lumière Brothers, Georges Méliès, and Edwin S. Porter, in cinema’s rapid growth from an optical illusion to a storytelling medium to an art form. Among the highlights are a 19th-century serpentine dance, early “trick” films, experiments with hand-coloring and synchronized sound, comedies, social commentaries, and (as the collection’s centerpiece) a 33-minute religious epic: The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ (1906). 1897 The Fisherman at the Stream Bathing in a Stream Serpentine Dance by Mme. Bob Walter 1898 The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man At the Hypnotist's The Burglars Disappearing Act Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak 1899 At the Club Wonderful Absinthe 1900 Avenue de l’Opéra Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder At the Photographer's Dance of the Seasons: Winter, Snow Dance The Landlady Turn-of-the-Century Surgery Pierrette’s Escapades* At the Floral Ball* The Cabbage-Patch Fairy 1902 Serpentine Dance by Lina Esbrard Midwife to the Upper Class An Untimely Intrusion Miss Dundee and Her Performing Dogs 1903 How Monsieur Takes His Bath Faust and Mephistopheles 1905 The O’Mers in “The Bricklayers” The Statue The Magician’s Alms Clown, Dog and Balloon Spain The Tango The Malagueña and the Bullfighter Cook & Rilly’s Trained Rooster Cake Walk, Performed by Nouveau Cirque Alice Guy Films a “Phonoscène” Saharet Performs the Bolero* Polin Performs “The Anatomy of a Draftee”† Dranem Performs “The True Jiu-Jitsu”† Dranem Performs “Five O’Clock Tea”† Félix Mayol Performs “Indiscreet Questions”* † Félix Mayol Performs “The Trottins’ Polka”† Félix Mayol Performs “White Lilacs”† * In the original hand-tinted color † A synchronized-sound “Phonoscène” Curated by Pierre Philippe Total running time: 225 Min. Full-frame (1.33:1) Music by Sorties d’Artistes, except The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ: Music by Patrick Laviosa American Edition produced by Bret Wood hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded on March 31, 2020

Edith Hardy uses charity funds for Wall Street investments in hopes of buying some new gowns. She loses all the money and borrows from wealthy oriental Tori. When her husband gives her the amount she borrowed, Tori won't take it back, branding her shoulder with a Japanese sign of his ownership. hosted by Lily Recorded on March 20, 2020

Terje Vigen lives happily with his wife and little girl on a small island in Norway. ... When he was finally freed in 1814 and can return home, he finds that his wife and daughter have died. He takes up a solitary life in his house overlooking the sea. One night he sees a British yacht in distress in a storm. Referenced in the podcast: The Seventh Seal: https://amzn.to/3fLkyZn Ingmar Berman's Cinema: https://amzn.to/2WULGfD Henrik Ibsen poem Terje Vigen: http://www.oftebro.com/Terje_Vigen_english.pdf The Lighthouse: https://amzn.to/2WQHrBS language culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture hosted by YiFeng, Lily Recorded on March 3, 2020

1908 to 1917 was a decade of major change in the film business. Here are a few highlights: American cinema saw an expansion out of New Jersey and New York, into Jacksonville, Florida, for warmer weather; it then took hold in Hollywood, California, between 1909 and 1915. “One-reeler” films (1000ft in length, or about 10 to 12 minutes of runtime) gave way to feature-length epics, tinted with different colors to match the mood of each scene. Intertitles containing lines of dialogue began to be used consistently from 1908 onward. Studio cameras became more portable, and 35mm film was accepted as an industry standard. The “star system” began in 1909, emphasizing actors over plot lines to promote films. African-American movie makers entered the market, as well as more women directors. Film-making also began to take hold in Russia, India, and Latin America. 1917 marks the beginning of the Classical Hollywood era with films characterized by a formulaic narrative and style, particularly through major film studios like Universal and Paramount. In the following decade, we’ll finally enter into an era that some people alive today were around to see the film premieres. http://zepfanman.com/2018/12/videos-world-cinema-1908-1917-10y10f3/ ^titles from the list: 1912 – The Revenge of a Kinematograph Cameraman (Starevich; Russia) 1913 – Fantômas [trailer only] (Feuillade; France) 1914 – Mabel’s Strange Predicament (Normand; USA) 1915 – Two Knights of Vaudeville (Ebony Film; USA) hosted by YiFeng, Lily Recorded on March 3, 2020

Dante is barred from entering the hill of salvation by three beasts that bar his path (Avarice, Pride and Lust). Beatrice descends from above and asks the poet Virgil to guide Dante through the Nine Circles of Hell. Virgil leads Dante to a cave where they find the river Acheron, over which Charon ferries the souls of the dead into Hell. They also see the three-headed Cerberus, and Geryon, a flying serpent with the face of a man. They see the Devil eating human beings whole, harpies eating the corpses of suicides, an evil man forced to carry his own severed head for eternity, people half buried in flaming lava, etc. There follows a series of encounters in which the two meet up with a number of formerly famous historical figures whose souls were denied by both Heaven and Hell, and they listen to some of their tales told in flashback. These characters include Homer, Horace, Ovid, Lucanus, Cleopatra, Dido, the Queen of Carthage, the traitor Caiphus, Count Ugalino, Peter of Vigna, Francesca Da Rimini and her lover Paulo, Brutus and Cassius, Mohammed and Helen of Troy. The main attraction of the film are the fantastic set designs depicting the horrors of Hell, with excessive violence and gore, designed to frighten the audience into becoming pious and God-fearing. Copy we watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRUkyHvsvfg&feature=youtu.be hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob. Links referenced: The Divine Comedy by Dante, Illustrated, Purgatory, Complete by Dante Alighieri: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8795 Spark's Notes for The Divine Comedy: https://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/inferno/ Aeneid: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeneid Bosch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Garden_of_Earthly_Delights Santa Claus (1898) - G.A. Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Garden_of_Earthly_Delights What Dreams May Come (1998): https://amzn.to/3dyjdmx Recorded on February 25, 2020

1908 to 1917 was a decade of major change in the film business. Here are a few highlights: American cinema saw an expansion out of New Jersey and New York, into Jacksonville, Florida, for warmer weather; it then took hold in Hollywood, California, between 1909 and 1915. “One-reeler” films (1000ft in length, or about 10 to 12 minutes of runtime) gave way to feature-length epics, tinted with different colors to match the mood of each scene. Intertitles containing lines of dialogue began to be used consistently from 1908 onward. Studio cameras became more portable, and 35mm film was accepted as an industry standard. The “star system” began in 1909, emphasizing actors over plot lines to promote films. African-American movie makers entered the market, as well as more women directors. Film-making also began to take hold in Russia, India, and Latin America. 1917 marks the beginning of the Classical Hollywood era with films characterized by a formulaic narrative and style, particularly through major film studios like Universal and Paramount. In the following decade, we’ll finally enter into an era that some people alive today were around to see the film premieres. http://zepfanman.com/2018/12/videos-world-cinema-1908-1917-10y10f3/ ^titles from the list: 1908 – Wilbur Wright flying in France (British Pathé; France) 1909 – Moscow Clad in Snow (Mundwiller; Russia) 1910 – White Fawn’s Devotion (Young Deer; USA) hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded on February 25, 2020

1888 is a somewhat arbitrary year to begin this series, but it evens out the decades to finish up 130 years later. Since there was no reliable way to project movies until 1896, most of this post is considered “pre-cinema.” 1896 was also the year that movies were shown outside of Europe and the United States, so as more people used the new medium, it developed (no pun intended) more quickly. Perhaps too quickly, as filmmakers didn’t take the time to preserve what they had created; Martin Scorcese’s Film Foundation has estimated that half of all American films made before 1950 and over 90% of films made before 1929 are lost. The ones that remain are a gift that allows us to go back in time. http://zepfanman.com/2017/11/videos-world-cinema-1888-1897-10y10f1/ ^titles from the list: 1888 – Roundhay Garden Scene (Le Prince; France; 2sec) 1889? Monkeyshines, No. 1 (Dickson & Heise; New Jersey; 30sec) 1890 – Fly (Marey; France; 7sec) 1891 – Dickson Greeting (Dickson; New Jersey; 3sec) 1892 – Poor Pete (Reynaud; France; 4min) 1893 – Blacksmith Scene (Dickson, New Jersey; 27sec) 1894? Dickson Experimental Sound Film (Dickson; New Jersey; 17sec) 1895 – Workers Leaving the Factory [1] (Lumière; France; 45sec) (1896) 1900 – The Cabbage Fairy (Guy; France; 1min) 1897 – The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight (Rector; USA; 20min)720 Article about The Fly 1890: http://www.essential-films.co.uk/article/the-fly-mosquinha-1890.html hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded on February 18, 2020

The film centres around the 1978 discovery of 533 reels of film in Dawson City. These works had been sealed within a swimming pool. The unearthed reels tell the story of Dawson City, the dawn of 20th century America, and Hollywood in the silent era. hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Bob. referenced links: Ozu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Spring Bill Morrison https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Morrison_(director) Brisco County Jr: https://amzn.to/3bfRB4h By Brakhage: An Anthology, Volumes One and Two: https://amzn.to/3bgpZfb Nanook of the North: https://amzn.to/35KPh45 The Magnificent Ambersons: https://amzn.to/35KaFXf Greed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greed_(1924_film) Metropolis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(1927_film) Recorded on January 31, 2020

The Earl of Huntingdon (Douglas Fairbanks) learns from his beloved Lady Marian Fitzwalter (Enid Bennett) that the throne of King Richard the Lion-Hearted (Wallace Beery) has been usurped by his treacherous brother, Prince John (Sam De Grasse) while the king was off fighting the Crusades. Huntingdon adopts the name Robin Hood and gathers a band of merry men led by the stalwart Little John (Alan Hale) to fight the prince and his henchman, the High Sheriff of Nottingham (William Lowery). hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Bob. referenced links: wiki on the film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Fairbanks_in_Robin_Hood Recorded on November 29th, 2019

One of the most revered comedies of the silent era, this film finds hapless Southern railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) facing off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. When Johnny's fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), is accidentally taken away while on a train stolen by Northern forces, Gray pursues the soldiers, using various modes of transportation in comic action scenes that highlight Keaton's boundless wit and dexterity. hosted by YiFeng, Lily and Bob. Links referenced: Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhQ47kiC7JY Recorded on November 22nd, 2019

When they are fed rancid meat, the sailors on the Potemkin revolt against their harsh conditions. Led by Vakulinchuk (Aleksandr Antonov), the sailors kill the officers of the ship to gain their freedom. Vakulinchuk is also killed, and the people of Odessa honor him as a symbol of revolution. Tsarist soldiers arrive and massacre the civilians to quell the uprising. A squadron of ships is sent to overthrow the Potemkin, but the ships side with the revolt and refuse to attack. Referenced in this episode: Nosferatu Kino 2 disc edition: https://amzn.to/3fqEQqT Scorsese on Marvel movies: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/opinion/martin-scorsese-marvel.html Maltin on Movies: Kevin Feige: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/independent-content-provider/maltin-on-movies/e/49610850?autoplay=true History of Russia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Russia real life history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_battleship_Potemkin hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded November 15th, 2019

In this highly influential silent horror film, the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) summons Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen (Greta Schroeder). After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok's servant, Knock (Alexander Granach), prepares for his master to arrive at his new home. Referenced in this episode: Walt Disney's & Salvador Dali Destino (2003): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn-HPVep7Ss Shadow of the Vampire (2000): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_of_the_Vampire Silentology thoughts on Nosferatu: https://silentology.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/thoughts-on-nosferatu/ Coitus Interruptus: Sex, Bram Stoker, and Dracula: https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/ron/2006-n44-ron1433/014002ar/ Kino's release: https://www.kinolorber.com/product/fw-murnaus-nosferatu-deluxe-remastered-edition-blu-ray hosted by YiFeng, Lily, Bob Recorded November 8th, 2019

A hybrid of documentary and fiction, this silent film explores the history of witchcraft, demonology and satanism. It shows representations of evil in a variety of ancient and medieval artworks, offers vignettes illustrating a number of superstitious practices and presents a narrative about the persecution of a woman accused of witchcraft. The film ends by suggesting that the modern science of psychology offers important insight into the beliefs and practices of the past. Hosted by YiFeng, Lily & Bob Referenced in this podcast: F for Fake (1975) https://www.criterion.com/films/908-f-for-fake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_Bosch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malleus_Maleficarum The Parade's Gone By (Kevin Brownlow): https://amzn.to/3cYloQ6 Recorded October 23rd, 2019

YiFeng & Lily discuss In the Hands of Orlac (1924) directed by Robert Wiene Referenced: Maltin on Movies Ken Burns Hands of Orlac book The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells Island of Lost Souls The Man Who Laughs Seven Samurai Recorded October 12th, 2019

YiFeng & Lily discuss The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) directed by Robert Wiene Referenced: The Catcher in the Rye Mise-en-scène Recorded October 5th, 2019

YiFeng & Lily talk about Oscar Micheaux's Body and Soul (1925). Here are the films referenced on this podcast: Kino Lorber box set Pioneers of African-American Cinema (2015) Body & Soul (1925) Criterion version with new musical score composed by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. Ruggles of Red Gap (1935) The Kid (1921) Recorded September 27th, 2019

YiFeng & Lily chat about this Lois Weber directorial feature; Recorded September 20th, 2019

YiFeng & Lily chats about Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018) by Pamela B. Green https://benaturalthemovie.com/;Recorded on September 13th, 2019

YiFeng & Lily chats about G.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915); Recorded on September 6th, 2019

YiFeng & Lily wrap up the dawn of cinema by chatting about Georges Méliès's A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la Lune) from 1902 and Edwin S. Porter's The Great Train Robbery from 1903. 00:00 What our podcast is about! ~2:00 Film preservation/restorations ~14:00 Context of Part II ~16:30 Lily's 1st experiences w/silent films ~26:00 YiFeng's 1st experiences w/silent films ~34:00 A Trip to the Moon (1902) ~1:20:43 The Great Train Robbery (1903) ~1:52:32 Wrap/Conclusion Recorded on August 9th, 2019

YiFeng & Lily discuss the dawn of cinema, context and how to watch silent films. They review the top films from 1898-1907: 1898 – Santa Claus (Smith; England; 77sec) 1899 – Maple Leaf Viewing (Shibata; Japan; 2min) 1900 – The Enchanted Drawing (Blackton; New Jersey; 2min) 1901? The Maasbrug in Rotterdam (Nöggerath? Netherlands; 85sec) 1904 – Westinghouse Works (Bitzer; New Jersey; 70min) 1905 – The Misadventure… (Mullens; Netherlands; 5min) 1906 – The Story of the Kelly Gang (Tait; Australia; 60min) 1907? Dranem Performs ‘The True Jiu-Jitsu’ (Guy; France; 2min)| 00:00 Why did I create this podcast? ~6:50 Context is King! ~9:14 Historic context leading upto silent films ~14:50 How film preserves the image on nitrate ~31:00 Intro. & discussions to the 10 films we have watched ~1:28:00 Conclusion/wrap up Recorded on August 2nd, 2019