Hello and welcome to another vintage Media millennial blog post. I wanted to write this today as I have a goal which I would like to achieve, and I was eager to make it known.
My Entry, Intrigue Yet Intimidation of Silent Film
For many years, I have been fascinated by the silent film era. My interest in the subject stems from when I first saw the 2011 film The Artist on the big screen. I remember being awestruck by the self-inflicted limitations being pushed to their full effect. After I left the cinema, I realized the potential of storytelling in that medium and was eager to find out more.
I recently came across a documentary series by Paul Merton where I learned about Lloyd, Chaplin, Keaton and other performers from the silent era. Despite studying film at university, I’ve shied away from writing about the silent era on this website. I felt intimidated and didn’t think I had anything to add to the conversation. Surprisingly, we barely touched on the era’s intricacies during my film studies.
I previously wrote a review about the 1927 film Wings, but I considered that a different case. Despite when it was made, the techniques used felt very current. Some of the things that director William A. Wellman employed in the mid-1920s would feel somewhat outlandish today to seemingly dinosaur-like directors.
What I’m Going to Do
After considering the need for regular content on the website, I’ve decided to explore early silent films. I will begin by examining films that are now in the public domain, made in the early 20th century. They are also easy to obtain and study in detail. I’m interested in exploring these films from a modern millennial perspective.
This is where my thought process has changed. I spent so long avoiding that kind of thing that I didn’t realize I might have a unique perspective on it. Perhaps beneath the sometimes jittery footage are some levels of universal enjoyment.
The first films that I should be diving into are the ones starring Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle. I recall learning about him in a university module, and I’ve always been fascinated to see his work; evaluating his legacy beyond the scandal that claimed his career.
After that, I’ll be drawing my attention to the early films of Laurel and Hardy. I have been a fan of the duo for many years but often skip their silent work. I may move onto either Mary Pickford or Buster Keaton, but I’m unsure at present.
Conclusion
Here’s hoping that I can develop a regular series dedicated to silent cinema. Maybe we’ll even encourage some new fans too! I don’t have a definite timeline for these posts, but expect to see something within the next two months.
Share your Thoughts
What is your favourite silent film? Let us know on social media, or comment below with your thoughts
