Thoughts On: “America” (1924)

Posted on July 3, 2026 by Lea S.

Wishing all my fellow countrymen a happy America 250!! I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been to get to celebrate a milestone like this, a once-in-a-lifetime event. I hope my fellow Americans celebrate heartily and well this weekend–I know I will! Thanks for reading during this busy time, and Happy Fourth!

Overlooked and underdiscussed, D.W. Griffith’s America (1924) has the rare distinction of being the silent era’s only prominent feature to focus specifically on the American Revolution itself. There were other films set during the Revolutionary War that also boasted big budgets, such as Marion Davies’s Janice Meredith (1924), and there were nicely-produced features that focused on historical figures like Nathan Hale or Betsy Ross. But when it came to lengthy films explicitly about the war itself walking the fine line between drama and docu-drama, America stands alone.

Released as it was in 1924, a time still steeped in post-WWI weariness, it didn’t take off quite the way we’d imagine. And while viewing it today, you might sense that despite some definite highlights Griffith’s America could’ve been–and should’ve been–so much more.

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Obscure Films: “1776, or The Hessian Renegades” (1909)

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Lea S.

Time to bring this lightly-edited review out of the vaults! This obscure Biograph short not only contains one of Mary Pickford’s earliest film appearances, but it was also my first contribution to a blogathon back in Ye Olde Days of 2014! Yes, the year I started Silent-ology…how time flies. Please note my long-held love of em dashes long before AI was a thing–and enjoy!

Mary Pickford hessian renegades — Miss Pickford in this rare (clear) still.

Before his streak of famous epics and melodramas like Intolerance, Broken Blossoms, and Way Down East (and, yes, The Birth of a Nation), D.W.Griffith passed the time by making a paltry 500 or so short films for the American Biograph Company. This meager assortment spanned the years 1908-1914 and featured a wealth of dramatic, sentimental, political, and at times even comedic subjects. These films are records of more than just stories and actors, but of the amazingly quick evolution of film techniques and the growing sophistication of filmmaking.

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Where Are All The Silent Revolutionary War Films?

Posted on June 22, 2026 by Lea S.

When we examine what types of films were trendy in the silent film days, we’ll find the era well-stocked with Civil War films, WWI propagandistic adventures, tales from the pioneer days, and of course an abundance of Westerns. But what about Revolutionary War films?

They were curiously few and far between, much like they admittedly still are today. When you consider how much closer in time audiences of the early 20th century were to the American Revolution than we are today, this seems a bit strange. Wrap your mind around this: back in 1925 the events of 1776 were barely turning 150 years old!

There was certainly a reverence at the time for figures like George Washington, and the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution were very well-known organizations. Theater owners happily dressed their lobbies with bunting and American flags for the Fourth of July, and every town, no matter how little, seemed to put on a proud Independence Day parade. So why the disparity? I think there’s more than a few reasons, some involving the close proximity many Americans had with events from our history books, and some that depend on knowing a bit of cinema history.

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“Three American Beauties” (1906), An Early Patriotic Novelty

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Lea S.

In the days of nickelodeons and travelling shows when most films were under ten minutes long, audiences were typically treated to whole programs of travelogues, comedies, little dramas, and other early films. These often ran continuously throughout the day and were changed up 2-3 times a week. Just imagine the high demand for new films!

Exhibitors might add a bit of flair to ending a program by showing a lantern slide thanking audiences for their patronage or by showing a short novelty film. The Edison studio’s Three American Beauties (1906), directed by Edwin S. Porter, was one such novelty film. It ran under a minute long and featuring some of the lovely hand-stenciling that was so specific to the era. Take a minute to appreciate its straightforward charm:

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Announcing…

Posted on June 3, 2026 by Lea S.

…A new Silent-ology project for the summer of 2026. Because why settle for just one usual theme month, when I can spread it out over the whole summer?

2026 is a milestone year for Americans like myself: the 250th anniversary of the United Sates. In honor of this Semiquincentennial (or the Bisesquicentennial or Sestercentennial, if you will), I want to take my time and explore certain questions: how did Americans view patriotism back in the dynamic, fast-changing era of the early 20th century? A time when half the country grew up on farms and many country lanes were simple dirt roads, and also a time when mighty brick factories and skyscrapers were sprouting up in cities throughout the country?

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A Big Thanks To My Fellow Film Bloggers!

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Lea S.

As the 12th Buster Keaton blogathon comes to a close (although I’m still reading through your excellent posts, as I’m sure many people are!), allow me and “summer of 1926 Buster Keaton looking completely and totally in his element” say:

I love any and all Buster-related topics, but it sure was fun having all the nods to The General during it’s 100th anniversary. Many thanks to all the bloggers for committing their time and skills to help celebrate that milestone here on Silent-ology! The summer of 1926 was very special for Buster (not to mention the excited residents of Cottage Grove) and I dare say we’re helping to keep a bit of that long-ago spirit alive.

It wouldn’t be a Silent-ology Busterthon without thanking the participants with a “draw a name” style giveaway, so I shall grab my 1920s cloche hat accordingly! One lucky participant gets a copy of Ben Model’s excellent new book The Silent Film Universe, which I highly recommend.

And here we go!

The winner is:

Congratulations to Therese of The Thoughts of One Truly Loved! We will be in touch. And thanks again to everyone who participated in this fine annual tradition!

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The Great Locomotive Crash: How Keaton Filmed “The General’s” Most Famous Scene

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Lea S.

Day 2 of the 12th Annual Busterthon is in full swing, be sure to check out any new posts! This is my new post for the event; hope you enjoy!

It was the single the most expensive shot in a 1920s film–the mighty train crash in Buster Keaton’s Civil War comedy The General (1926). The climax of a lengthy chase that takes up the majority of the film, it was not only a stunning shot but was a real nail-biter to capture on film.

Anyone acquainted with Buster Keaton’s career is aware of the supposed backstory: a huge crowd of onlookers gathered to watch the filming, not sure exactly what they were going to witness. When the train crashed through the bridge, it was a genuine shock–some women even fainted when the head of a dummy (a stand-in for the engineer) floated by.

This isn’t quite what happened. In reality, onlookers absolutely knew a train stunt was going to happen, hence why the location drew such big crowds. But it was indeed an exciting event that took a ton of planning, a lot of set up on the fateful day itself and more than a little bit of good luck.

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Repost: Behind The Scenes Of “The General” (1926)

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Lea S.

This is post 1 of 2 that I’m contributing to the Twelfth Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon. I hope you get as much of a kick out of these exciting finds as I did!

One of the best-loved films from the 1920s is certainly Buster Keaton’s masterwork The General (1926). Fans are very familiar with the stories behind it–how it was filmed up in sleepy little Cottage Grove, Oregon, how the risky train stunts were pulled off, how the famous train crash into the river was orchestrated, and so on.

While researching an upcoming column on The General for Classic Movie Hub (a slight plug, but it is relevant), I had the happy opportunity to look through some behind-the-scenes photos. I knew a bunch were in circulation, but the more I searched the more kept popping up. There were even a few I swear I hadn’t seen before, chilling on Pinterest as if they were just any other photos or something. Many were on my friend Sara Zittel’s board–credit where credit is due!

So I thought we’d look at a few of them today, to get a fuller picture of what it was like to film The General back in that summer of 1926. It was a much more public event than we might realize!

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The Twelfth Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Lea S.

Greetings and good morning, everyone, and welcome to the return of Silent-ology’s longest running tradition:

Sharing the love of this great comedian and consummate filmmaker is one of my favorite things, so I’m delighted to not only be hosting this Buster celebration for well over a decade now, but also to be giving a special nod to The General‘s 100th anniversary. While bloggers are welcome to write about any Buster-related topic they choose, this year I’m especially welcoming any and all posts related to this great classic film.

Bloggers: Please send me the link to your post whenever it’s ready today or tomorrow! (Last minute signups are also welcome!) As a “thank you” for your participation I’ll be holding a drawing for all participants on Wednesday, April 15. The winner will be receiving a copy of the excellent new book The Silent Film Universe by Ben Model–it needs to be a part of your home library!

Readers: Please drop by often to see the latest posts and feel free to leave comments! We bloggers love comments the way Buster loved trains–very, very much!

If you’re curious as to what past blogathons were like, here are all the links to the mighty Busterthon Library: the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Annual Buster Blogathon!

The Roster:

Silent-ology | Rare photos from behind the scenes of The General, and

Silent-ology | “The Great Locomotive Crash: How Keaton Filmed The General‘s Most Famous Scene”

Welcome To My Magick Theatre | “The General At 100, And Why It Still Matters”

The Thoughts of One Truly Loved | “Why Buster Loved Trains”

Dakota Albertoni | The Railrodder (1965)

Special Purpose Movie Blog | Review of the book Camera Man by Dana Stevens

Nitrateglow | Marion Mack and The General

leonelvidaurresoto | “Sherlock Jr. and How Cinema Changes Lives”

The Everyday Cinephile | Review of The Silent Clowns by Walter Kerr

Three Enchanting Ladies | “Paris Pursuit: Audrey Hepburn, Buster Keaton and Richard Avedon for Harper’s Bazaar“

Whimsically Classic | Attending a showing of The General at the Hollywood Theatre

Thoughts On “The Wind” (1928)

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Lea S.

Happy weekend, everyone! The 12th Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon is less than a week away, and fellow bloggers are still welcome to sign up. In the meantime, please enjoy this piece on a film that we’re all waiting to be available on a fine Blu-ray/DVD set with a beautiful restoration…we can dream!

“I found a book by Dorothy Scarborough called The Wind, which excited my imagination,” Lillian Gish wrote in her 1969 autobiography. “Its main character is a wind which constantly blows sand, indoors and out, and finally drives the heroine to madness.” It was an unique choice of story, even considering the “man vs. nature” motif baked into our collective consciousness. The Wind would include this motif on a deeply intimate scale, and so skillfully that it’s difficult to discern where the psychology ends and the harshness of nature begins.