Special Sub-Topic: More Classic Silent Films Click Here To Play: More Classic Silent Films

"Pandora's Box"(1929) tells the story of Lulu, a prostitute, who is the downfall of nearly all she meets. Escaping from a manslaughter charge, she goes into hiding, is nearly sold into slavery, escapes again into England where she is forced to return to prostitution. What happens to Lulu?

She is killed by Jack the Ripper. Louise Brooks stars as Lulu and generates a highly charged sexuality on the screen. This was a German film directed by Georg Wilhelm Pabst which was partly based on a previous film made in 1921.

D.W.Griffith ranks as perhaps the outstanding director of his time. "Birth of a Nation"(1915) is a film achievement with not only a strong narrative but a host of inventive camera techniques. What organization used this film as a recruitment device?

The Ku Klux Klan. The film seems to glorify the Klan and endorse white supremacy. Surely there was no intent to be politically incorrect. The Klan used the film to show potential members how the Klan was able to be a white-hooded posse and go beyond ineffective legal protections. The film would be considered today because of its scope to be a 'blockbuster'. Its failure on correctness issues does not deter the fact it was a break-through film of its time.

"Nanook of the North"(1922) is often cited as the first full length documentary. It follows the life of an Inuit in northern Canada through perils and survival. Its Director and Producer Robert Flaherty came under criticism. Why?

Most of the action was staged. Flaherty was working without a net. There were no guidelines for what constitutes a documentary. Therefore, the hunters used spears in the film when in reality they used guns; the family shown were not related. They did not die of starvation as the camera crew was right there. But it was a bold attempt to show the struggles of survival in a desolate land.

"The Sheik" (1921) is a romantic film that launched the career of what silent screen star?

Rudolph Valentino. This film was made on a small budget, but it became the prototype 'chick flick'. Valentino became what we call today a 'pop icon'. Women flocked to his films. When Valentino wore a wrist watch rather than a pocket watch, sales of wrist watches increased. He was once sued for bigamy. He died young at thirty-one of peritonitis after a gastric operation. It is estimated that 100,000 people tried to attend his funeral under near riot conditions. Reportedly there were suicides over the death. For years a rose was deposited at his grave by a mysterious someone.

Although only 12 minutes long, "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) is a benchmark of film making. It introduces new film techniques such as cross-cutting and double exposure. What actor in this film went on to become one of the most popular western star of that period?

Broncho Billy Anderson. Anderson made 148 short western movies and probably appeared in or produced another 300. In "The Great Train Robbery" he played three roles. The classic scene where a gun is shot directly into the camera was duplicated in Scorsese's "Goodfellows".

"Wings"(1927) tells the story of pilots in World War One. Its budget was over two million dollars, costly for a film of that time. But given the hype of Charles Lindbergh Atlantic flight, the public was ready for a film of flying heroes. How was this film honored as no other silent film was?

It was the only silent film to receive an Academy award as Best Picture. The Academy Awards came into being in 1928. Although "Wings" was cited as Best Picture, it shared the award with "Sunrise" (1927) which was awarded 'Most Artistic'. William Wellman, the director, and Richard Arlen, the actor, were both pilots during the war and bring a tone of realism to the dog fight scenes. The film contains brief female and male nudity. Clara Bow was the female lead with Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen her suitors. Gary Cooper makes a brief appearance.

"The Kid"(1923) touched the heartstrings of movie-goers of the time. Charlie Chaplin, in his tramp character, takes in a foundling (The Kid) and suffers the trials of parenthood and the difficulties that ensue. Chaplin introduced to the world a child star who in the height of his career earned three million dollars. What was his name?

Jackie Coogan. Coogan's career as a child star came to a halt when he grew up. He became penniless and was supported by Chaplin in the 1930s as his parents had squandered his earnings on high living. During World War Two he was a glider pilot in combat areas. Modern audiences will remember him as Uncle Fester on the Adams Family sitcom. He died of a heart attack at 69.

"Intolerance"(1916) is D. W. Griffith's follow-up film after "Birth of a Nation". The film has four story lines from four different eras of mankind. Which of these was NOT a story line?

Russian pogroms upon Jews in the 19th century. Griffith erected huge sets, had 3000 extras, and gathered around him talented people who would make marks for themselves later - such as Tod Browning and Anita Loos as writers and Lillian Gish and Douglas Fairbanks as actors. The musical score was composed for formal presentations. The fourth story line that was omitted from the question were the circumstances that led in France to the Saint Bartholomew Day Massacre where Catholics took the lives of thousands of Protestants.

"Sadie Thompson"(1928) was one of Gloria Swanson's most successful films. Based on a short story by Somerset Maugham, a prostitute, trying to turn her life around, travels to the South Seas where a puritan preacher, played by Lionel Barrymore, undertakes to rehabilitate her. The film was so popular that it has been remade three times. Who was the female star of the 1953 musical remake?

Rita Hayworth. Swanson got an Academy Award nomination and the film won Best Cinematography. The 1932 version, called "Rain", starred Joan Crawford and Walter Huston and got lukewarm reviews. The musical version, called "Miss Sadie Thompson" was mainly a showcase for Hayworth's return to the screen after a four year absence. Francine Everett was a star in what was called at the time Race Movies. These were films made for Black audiences that white people did not generally see until the advent of the VCR. This time it was called "Dirty Gertie from Harlem" (1946) and was moved to the Caribbean.

"The Crowd" (1928) concerns the impersonalization of modern society. A couple struggles with life but because they are only one of a 'crowd' they are never able to emerge from the trap set by society. This film lost out to "Sunrise" (1928) for Best Artistic Production but did win Best Director for ________?

King Vidor. Vidor's first silent movie was "Hurricane in Galveston" (1913) and his last major production was "Solomon and Sheba" (1959). He was the director of several acclaimed silent era films such as "The Big Parade" (1925) and "Show People" (1928). He made a smooth transition into the 'talkie' era and directed such films as "Our Daily Bread" (1934),"Stella Dallas" (1937), "Fountainhead" (1949), "Duel in the Sun" (1946), and "War and Peace" (1959)