The Empress - 1917 - USA

The Empress - 1917 - 6/10

The painting “The Empress” makes artist Louis rich.
He invites his model Nedra to the country, where he tries to assault her and the landlord’s daughter.

 
Meanwhile, the landlord snaps photos for later blackmail, since who knows the tomorrow brings.
For famous model Nedra, tomorrow brings a rich husband, followed by steady blackmail.
Old-fashioned Melodrama creaks along and harks to the Edwardian era.
Inter-titles missing (as is music), although the attentive will have no trouble following.

’49-‘17 - 1917 - USA

’49-‘17 - 1917 - 6/10

 
Stifled by Eastern refinements, the Judge hankers for the wilder West of his youth.
Back when he was an original ‘49er.
He sends his young assistant to restore ghost town Nugget Notch and fill it with suitable inhabitants.
Unfortunately, by 1917, most weren’t as comfortable with shooting irons as the Judge had been.  
There are a few mysteries to unravel, pardner, as well as the town cutie lusted after by the gambler.
And Jean Hersholt as Gentleman Jim steals the money, the scene, and the movie.
Fun little Silent kinda moseys along, although it barely runs an hour.

The Immigrant - 1917 - USA

The Immigrant - 1917 - 7/10

 
Shipboard romance during the voyage to America.
Little Tramp befriends a young female and her mother.
Stateside, Fortune proves fickle, at best, yet has a heart.
Lovely Mutual film makes a perfect introduction for anyone curious about Chaplin.
Here, there is slapstick (from the earlier Essanay era), yet he is moving towards the more romantic (schmaltz) of the later features.
Lot of detail is packed in this, and Edna Purviance was always his most sympathetic leading lady.

Hilde Warren und der Tod - 1917 - Germany

Hilde Warren und der Tod - 1917 - 5/10

Actress Hilde has trouble relating to her role, which involves a suicidal character.
“I’m young, beautiful, with a world awaiting!”
Death appears, and foretells, soon enough she will beg for his embrace.

 
Hilde has a steadfast admirer, who offers marriage.
Yet, there are so many handsome men.  With one in particular.
Honey-tongued, also a robber, liar, murderer.
Film explores the joys and griefs of living.  And the planted seed.
Early script by Fritz Lang is a morality tale.

The Heart Of Texas Ryan - 1917 - USA

The Heart Of Texas Ryan - 1917 - 4/10
AKA - Single Shot Parker

 
Texas Ryan being the bossman’s daughter, just returned from a fancy Eastern finishing school.
Parker is the ranch foreman, a rootin-tootin, hijinks lovin’ cowpuncher.
Out in the sagebrush are cattle rustlers, led by a wily Mexican, who wants that new filly, Miss Ryan.
Lots of action, shooting, horses running all over, steers, saloons, whatnot.
Plot is skimpier than a jackrabbit.  Romance?  Educated girl, wild, boozing cowboy?
I reckon they’ll last a shade longer than this hour film.  Print is in terrible condition.

Satan’s Rhapsody - 1917 - Italy

Satan’s Rhapsody - 1917 - 6/10
AKA - Rapsodia Satanica

 
Merry party-goers leave Alba’s Castle of Illusions, while she, despondent, pines for her youth.
Out steps Mephisto, offering her youth and beauty, but she must not fall in love.
Of course, Alba is adored and soon has handsome admirers, including two brothers.
Slowish Silent melodrama is noteworthy for Pietro Mascagni’s only film score
Likewise the hand-coloring of Alba in fuchsia and olive green, and Mephisto is crimson.
Running less than an hour, Silent fans ought to give this a look.

The Eye Of Envy - 1917 - USA

The Eye Of Envy - 1917 - 5/10

 
Young “Ambition” works as a blacksmith in Sleepy Hollow.
A stream of travelers constantly hurry past on the road to Success.
Including the couple, “Innocence” and “Avarice”.
At the wishing tree, Ambition asks to have Innocence as his girlfriend, along with Avarice’s money.
Silent parable is a preachy melodrama, and an example of those that give Silent films a bad name.

Love Or Justice - 1917 - USA

Love Or Justice - 1917 - 6/10

 
Lawyer Jack, a dope addict, hangs in the Dolphin Club, underworld watering hole.
He intends to kill himself, but Nan takes a shine to him and soon masters him.
Nan is something between a moll and a prostitute.
In a beat, attorney and doll shack up, while John gives legal advice to gang leaders.
Sordid material for 1917, though perhaps audiences were harder than one assumed.
An odd story of gangsters, legal eagles, barrooms, and the slumming hoi oligoi.
Louise Glaum may remind some of Theda Bara or Evelyn Brent, hard faced fatales.
Her acting borders on melodramatic.
The print shows nitrate damage here and there, but is in excellent shape.

The Little American - 1917 - USA

The Little American - 1917 - 6/10

Stateside, circa 1913, Abigail toys with two suitors. A dashing Frenchman and a handsome German.
Before she has to choose, both return to their native lands as the Great War begins.
No sooner is the Von Schlieffen Plan implemented, than Abigail inherits a chateau in rural France!
She sets sail on the Lusitania - oops! - yet miraculously survives and reaches her chateau …
Just as a German division seizes it for a command headquarters.
Women are raped, villagers shot, looting is widespread.
Propaganda film, well directed by Cecil B DeMille, moves briskly and piles on the excesses.
I don’t know whether intentional or not, but the German top officers reminded me of Von Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
For folks who think Mary Pickford only played little girls, check this one.
(Every copy I have ever watched suffers poor video resolution.)