February 16, 1970
The Adventures Of Prince Achmed (1926) ***
Fig Leaves (1926) ***
Dura lex (1926) ***
An adaptation of a story by Jack London, set in the Yukon. One goldminer kills two of his friends and is put on trial by the two surviving members of the expedition.
Faust (1926) ***
Tramp Tramp Tramp (1926) ***
Menilmontant (1926) ****
Russian emigré filmmaker Dimitri Kirsanoff directed this excellent French melodrama about two orphan girls in Paris. Length: 38 minutes.
The Bat (1926) ***
Excellent silent horror/comedy starring Jack Pickford and Jewel Carmen, who would both be involved in a great Hollywood scandal later on - Pickford dying of a drug overdose, and Carmen perjuring herself under oath during the investigation of actress Thelma Todd's death, in which her husband - "The Bat" 's director Roland West - was the chief suspect.
Mother (1926) ****
An adaptation of Maxim Gorky's novel about strikes and demonstrations in tsarist Russia.
So This Is Paris (1926) ****
Sophisticated comedy about two French couples flirting with infidelity. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch.
So's Your Old Man (1926) **
W.C. Field's comedy about an inventor, a princess and a snobbish small town.
Torrent (1926) **
There is one memorable scene in the film, a disastrous rain storm, with a dam burst leading to a severe flood causing destruction to the small town. But the rest of the film is a hopelessly dated melodrama starring Greta Garbo.
The Holy Mountain (1926) **
Leni Riefenstahl's film debut as a lead actress is a disappointing melodrama about a mountain climber and a skiier who are both in love with a dancer. There is some nice imagery (especially skiers at night carrying torches), but lame pacing makes it very difficult to watch.
Bardelys The Magnificent (1926) **
One superb action sequence near the end, but otherwise a routine swashbuckler set in pre-revolutionnary France.
Love 'Em And Leave 'Em (1926) **
Louise Brooks stars in this silent drama about two sisters getting in trouble over gambling.
Son Of The Sheik (1926) *
Rudolph Valentino's most famous film is very disappointing. Its story has been told so many times, it is now beyond cliché. It doesn't even qualify as camp.
The Bells (1926) *
A ridiculous silent film starring Lionel Barrymore as an Alsatian innkeeper who kills a travelling Jewish merchant and feels guilty about it.
Flesh And The Devil (1926) *
Deeply misogynist silent melodrama starring Greta Garbo as a terrible slut of a worthless woman who ruins a wonderful friendship between two wonderful men. One of those films that made Molly Haskell foam at her mouth and inspired an entire generation of militant feminists.
Black Pirate (1926) *
Douglas Fairbanks' most laughably bad aventure film. He isn't even a pirate in this film. One of the earliest color films.
Nana (1926) *
A prostitute ruins all men she meets. The story proceeds at snail's pace towards a predictable ending. One of Jean Renoir's weakest film. Catherine Hessling's ridiculously hysterical overacting is pure camp.
Wandering Willies (1926) *****
Danger Ahead (1926) ***
Circus Today (1926) ***
Thundering Fleas (1926) ***
Mighty Like A Moose (1926) ***
Along Came Auntie (1926) ***
45 Minutes From Hollywood (1926) ***
Bromo And Juliet (1926) **
Drunken Charley Chase disrupts a Shakespearean festival. Oliver Hardy plays an obstinate taxi driver. Uneven, occasionally amusing farce. Directed by Leo McCarey and produced by Hal Roach.
Saturday Afternoon (1926) **
Poor Harry, terrorized by his wife, decides to fool around with other women. This Harry Langdon comedy has a coherent plot, but weak gags. Directed by Harry Edwards.
Long Fliv The King (1926) **
A princess from Thermosa marries a death row convict (Charley Chase) to inherit the throne. To her pleasant surprise, Charley is granted a pardon and comes to Thermosa to assume his royal functions. Directed by Leo McCarey and produced by Hal Roach.
Clara Cleans Her Teeth (1926) **
Walt Disney's niece, Marjorie Sewell, stars in this live-action educational film about dental hygiene. There is some very brief animation during a dream sequence.
Rien que les heures (1926) *
Now You Can Tell One (1926) *
Several gentlemen are competing for the prestigious title of "King of Liars". Charles Bowers (who also directs) wins by telling an unbelievable story about a house ravaged by mice. It's basically a life-action short, but it includes some stop-motion animation effects.
For Sadie's Sake (1926) *
A man causes havoc during a theatrical presentation. A rather tedious comedy starring Jimmie Adams (remember him ?). The film was produced by E.W.Hammons (for Educational) and directed by Frank Roland Conklin.
Chasing The Chaser (1926) *
Stan Laurel directed this short about a cross-dressing private detective catching a philandering husband (James Finlayson).
Three Of A Kind (1926) *
Frank "Fatty" Alexander, Hillard "Fat" Karr and "Kewpie" Ross, also known as "The Ton of Fun" trio, perform a comedy routine in a trendy restaurant. The patrons aren't amused. A slow, unmemorable comedy directed by Harry Sweet for Standard.
Where Friendship Ceases (1926) ****
Alice's Mysterious Mystery (1926) ****
A very memorable movie about dogs being kidnapped and turned into sausages. Probably the best of Walt Disney's "Alice In Cartoonland" films.
Anemic Cinema (1926) ***
Watered Stock (1926) **
Farmer Al Falfa is a milkman. Mischievious cats are stealing his milk and breaking his bottles. Even a policeman cannot help him.
Through Thick And Thin (1926) **
Farmer Al Falfa's kid is kidnapped by a gypsy wolf. The climactic scene, set on ice floats near a waterfall, was certainly inspired by D.W.Griffith's "Way Down East" (1920).
Buck Fever (1926) **
Farmer Al Falfa is hunting big game in a tropical country. A typical Paul Terry cartoon, though more coherent than most. Highlights include a lion getting a haircut and a pedicure.
Roman Scandal (1926) **
A Mutt and Jeff cartoon set in ancient Rome. There is an exciting chariot race, undoubtedly inspired by "Ben Hur" (released only a year earlier). Directed by C.Bowers.
The Windjammers (1926) **
A cat and a mouse use a very original method of catching fish (air pressure). They are chased by an army of cops.
Why Argue (1926) **
Farm animals are playing cruel tricks on farmer Al Falfa. The poor man also has problems with a local utility company that insists on erecting a pole right in front of his house. Al Falfa sends his bull to solve that problem.
In The Good Old Summertime (1926) *
A curiosity - a silent "bouncing-ball" cartoon ("bouncing-dog" might actually be more accurate). The lack of synchronized sound is definitely a liability. Produced by Max Fleischer.
Cyganka Aza (1926) ***
Ludzie ze wsi obracają się przeciw młodym, których spotykają teraz codzienne szykany. Żyją w biedzie, lecz udaje im się własnymi siłami zbudować na uboczu skromną chatę, rodzi im się dziecko. Zły na swoją córkę ojciec Motruny podpala domek, niszcząc cały dorobek młodych. Tymczasem niemogąca zapomnieć Tumrego Aza doprowadza do powrotu taboru do wsi. Cygan Tumry – przygnieciony bagażem nieszczęść – jest rozdarty między miłością do żony a pożądaniem Azy, między wolnym życiem w taborze a egzystencją we wsi, gdzie jest traktowany jak wróg. Próbuje popełnić samobójstwo. Porzuca żonę i wyrusza wraz z Cyganami. Widząc to, Motruna pada martwa.
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