RIFLE RANGE BOY

City Lights (1931) Written, Produced, Directed, Acted: Charlie Chaplin Hailed as one of the best movies of all time, this silent film was released when sound system was already coming to the mainstream. Chaplin also wrote the musical score. The famous musical tune in it, 'La Violetera', was contested for copyright infringement and was won by its Spanish composer Jose' Padilla . Keeping with Chaplin's political views, this story paints a very impersonal picture of modern capitalist living. It is comical to see (besides Chaplin's antics) how the general public is seen in such a hurry to be heading to nowhere. They party in such a meaningless way without actually enjoying themselves. It seems as if the revelry is forced upon them. Almost robotic, they carry on their life after all the merrymaking without any attachments. Town folks only seek for you when they are in dire straits or in need of a shoulder to cry on. Otherwise it just everybody with their ways. ...

Man with a Movie Camera ( Человек с киноаппаратом, Silent; 1929) Director: Dziga Vertov In a BBC poll recently, this documentary from the silent film era got the nod as the best documentary film ever made. It is surprising that even with the modern investigative journalistic techniques and presentations, this Russian entry won hands down. And the best part is that there is no story, no plot, no actors and no inter-titling (the message that comes in between scenes to convey the unspoken words). What the director is showing are his newly thought movie making techniques which were considered avant-garde at his time. The use of slow motion, panning, super-imposing, zooming and others are highlighted. He also tries to promote his 'state of the art' mobile camera on a tripod. His wife did an excellent job on editing. The subjects were ordinary subjects from three Russian towns doing their daily chores like dancing, sleeping, cleaning, washing, commuting from the trams and...

Safety Last (1923) Malaysians who came of age in the 70s and 80s would have viewed Harold Lloyd's 'World of Comedy' over the terrestrial TV for umpteen times. It is a 1923 silent full-length comedy with plenty of stunts which would give plenty of butterflies in the belly of those with a weak spot for heights. Despite losing a thumb and a forefinger in a previous stunt, Lloyd still managed to perform many of the stunts here. The highlight of his comedy is the trick the camera plays on the viewers with the clever use of props. Like in the opening scene, the bars, priest, the noose and the emotional relatives makes it appear like a scene where Harold going to be hung when it is actually a scene at a ticketing counter at a railway station! Harold leaves to work in town to save some marry his sweetheart. Even though he is working as a lowly sales assistant in a textile store, he paints a rosy picture to his girlfriend by sending her pricey gifts. The girlfriend, Mi...

Metropolis (Silent, 1927) Director: Fritz Lang This silent film is a treasure that was lost in the annals of time, and the reel of films was recovered piecemeal in Argentina. It was written by a husband and wife team of Thea von Harbou and Fritz Lang, who later separated due to a difference in political ideologies.  In essence, it portrays a futuristic time (2026) when a city built by Joh Frederson is divided into two social classes. The ruling party enjoys a cushy life on land whilst the oppressed robotic-like workers live deep underground, literally working themselves to death to keep the evil machines in working order so that life as they knew in Metropolis, the city, can function. The film references many biblical events, although many of these religious innuendos can be construed as a pure figment of our own interpretation of the story. The copy I watched had some exciting director's comments explaining cryptic messages hidden in the story. Metropolis ...

The passion of Joan of Arc (1928, French silent) La Passion de Jeanne D'Arc This 1985 restored French silent movie is the result of restoration of lost rolls and miraculous re-appearances. This 1928 film which courted controversy even before its release has a surprisingly elaborate set-up and effects. Most of the expressions rely on facial expressions as there no musical score in the background. The story is a short one depicting the last hours of the heart of France, Joan of Arc. Even though we studied about Joan of Arc in our Standard 5 history lessons, I was shocked that the present 17year olds in the national schools are clueless about this lady who has bestowed a saints status! The film starts with the interrogation of Joan by the Jesuit priests and judges. She was asked about her allegation that she was God sent. She was then asked about her dream when St Michael appeared. They also enquired about her dressing, like that of a man? Re...

With all the technological advances in sounds systems and colour, some people may think that I must be nuts still watching silent movies after all these years. But hey, they are still producing them, you see. The Artist from which the Best Actor for the 2011 Oscars came from - The first recipient of Awards since 1927! It is a completely speechless movie (barring the two minutes of a dream scene when people started talking and the closing lines). The movie narrates the story set from 1927 to 1932 of a silent movie star, George Valentin, a swashbuckling toothy grinned hero who has has problem adjusting to the introduction of talkies. The movie starts with the premiere of his movie 'Russian Affair ' which receives a roaring approval from the masses. During a photo shootout with fans, George meets Peppy Miller who makes it as a chorus girl extra in Valentin's new movie. Slowly Peppy moves up the ladder of stardom. Come 1929, the studio decides to go talkies with the introduc...

This is the earliest of the collection of the silent movies that is currently in my possession. When I told one of my friends that I was going to watch a 1925 (released in 1927) silent movie called 'Pleasure Garden', he asked whether it was an adult themed porn flick! Of course not, it is Alfred Hitchcock's directorial debut. Pleasure Garden is the name of the hall where Jill and Patsy were dancing girls. Jill's fiancé, Hugh, who is working in an estate overseas visits her with his friend, Levet. After a brief vacation, Hugh returns to work. Jill's fame skyrockets afterwards and is wooed by a rich prince. Patsy's advice to Jill on being level headed and faithful to Hugh falls to deaf ears and their relationship sours. Patsy is smitten with Levet and decide to tie the knot. Towards the end of her honeymoon, Patsy realizes Levet's true colour. Levet returns overseas to continue his work. Virginia Valli as Patsy  In one of the rather infrequent letters s...

Downhill (1927) Director: Alfred Hitchcock People may frown and sneer at me watching silent movies. After all the advancement in acting and sound systems, it can be mind boggling to have one sitting through a full length silent movie as if you are living in a world filled with the hearing impaired or speech challenged people! What is important to me in a film is not the glitz of props and razzmatazz of ornaments draped around the actors but rather, I am a sucker for good stories. Of course, a silent movie is not silent. There is an ascending and descending crescendo of musical score. Only the actors are acting, not speaking to be heard. I recently watched one of the oldest silent movies that I have watched - Downhill, a 1927 Alfred Hitchcock directed British film. There is more to silent movies than Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin's antics. As speech expression is a handicap, the players compensate with sometimes, exaggerated, facial expressions and hand gestures. It is int...