100 Favorite Silent Movies

[RCMerchant]

I know lots of folks don't watch silent movies. But if you do- what do you consider the best?

For me- and this is in no real order.

1. SAFETY LAST (1923) with Harold Llyod.

The clock scene, of course, is classic.

http://youtu.be/VFBYJNAapyk

It's like Keaton mixed with Hitchcock.

[Allhallowsday]

BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925)

THE GENERAL  (1926)

THE KID  (1921)

THE GOLD RUSH  (1925)

BROKEN BLOSSOMS (1919)

[Alex]

7) The Phantom of the Opera.

[RCMerchant]

8. PANDORA'S BOX (1929)
This movie is...I can't explain it. It oozes despair and sex.
With the stunning Louise Brooks. I dare anyone to show me any actress who is this sexy and cool...and you never hear her voice. She is dangerous.

[Rev. Powell]

I doubt I've seen 100 silent movies... I'd guess it's closer to 50 or so. But if we're making a list then one of my all-time favorites,

9. THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920)

[RCMerchant]

 ^ I'm certain I haven't either. But we can give it the ol' BAD movies try!

10. the GOLEM (1920)
Though a 1914 version once existed, only snippets remain now.
The 1920 version is a beautiful watch. The Karl Freund cinematography is stunning.

[bob]

11 Nosfertu (1922)

[RCMerchant]

^ I knew that was coming up soon!   And well it should!
A film that is 100 years old and still gives folks the willies? Classic.



OK- I'm going to try and keep track of what's going on. I usually fail. 

1. SAFETY LAST (1923)
2.BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925)
3. THE GENERAL  (1926)
4.THE KID  (1921)
5.THE GOLD RUSH  (1925)
6. BROKEN BLOSSOMS (1919)
7. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925)
8. PANDORA'S BOX (1929)
9. the CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920)
10. the GOLEM (1920)
11. NOSFERATU (1922)

[RCMerchant]

I'm not surprised that comedy and horror is the most beloved genres of silent film. It was all visual. Beyond some guy playing a rinky-dink piano.
Dramas need a plot. Slapstick needs a guy falling on his ass and horror needs a "BOO!"

12. DR.MABUSE,THE GAMBLER (1922)

Fritz (METROPLIS) Lang's take on the 'Master Villain' ( which had already been done in serials like FANTOMAS and such).
So outrageous only Lang could have done it so beautiful and grimy at the same time. The birth of film noir, I think.
I saw it on PBS in the mid 70's, on a small black and white TV late at night. Perfect.

[Allhallowsday]

13.  SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS (1927) 

[RCMerchant]

^ A beautiful movie.
It's a shame Murnau died so young. It's like Lon Chaney. Or James Dean. How much more they had to give was gone too soon.

[Trevor]

14. Harold Shaw's De Voortrekkers [The Pathfinders, 1916]

One of the few surviving South African silent films. What remains of it can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1yDtedt2iw

I'm not sure who the idiot was who added sound to it.

[Trevor]

15. Symbol of Sacrifice (1918): another early silent which exists partly with us.

[bob]

16 Sherlock Jr. (1924)

[claws]

17. The Phantom Carriage (1921)