The growing re-popularity of Classic Silent Films

Cult classics, Budget films, public domain movies -- these are the fastest growing "fad" on the internet right now, and we're extremely happy to be a part of it.

We certainly can't ignore the films that started the motion picture industry in the first place -- films starring Charlie Chaplain, Lillian Gish, Mary Pickford, Rudolph Valentino, and so many others -- the Classic Silents.

The Classic Silents are now mostly part of the Public Domain, and are interesting to watch for many reasons. For some, it's the historical value, allowing us to peek in the windows of yesteryear for a glimpse of what life was like a century ago. For others, it's the artistic value of the actors and actresses being able to relate a story without using words, similar to mime. (Can today's actors do that?!)

The entertainment value alone is extraordinary, and it's nice to be able to watch a movie (or, in the case of the silents, to also read it) and not have it ruined by erotic sex scenes that leave nothing to the imagination, repeated sexual inuendos, slobbery kisses, or foul language.

The golden era of Cinema, including the silent era, was a time when the actors and actresses looked good, and despite the scandals of the time, still maintained, at least, a well dressed look. They dressed up for special occasions and awards, and had every hair in place.

Ah, yes, those were the days, weren't they?

Movie Requests

Got a hankering to watch a movie that you haven't seen in a long time? Perhaps a friend of yours was telling you about an old budget movie and now you are curious to see it, but you don't see it anywhere on our site.

Well, fret no more, we're taking movie requests.

We can't promise that we'll be able to find the movie you're looking for, or that we'll be able to find it right away, but we'll certainly look for it, and as long as it's legal for us to show the movie when we find it, then we'll play it for you.

Simple as that -- simply request your movies as a comment in response to this blog entry, and we'll see what we can do for you.

Classic Documentaries

I think documentaries are a terrific way of looking at history, and while they aren't really considered to be a "classic film" do have their place in the industry.

The most recent documentaries that we are adding to Classic Cinema Online is the Why We Fight series, which were directed by Frank Capra and Anatole Litvak. This series was commissioned by the US Government and released during the WWII era. WWII came to a close in 1945, this series began in 1942 and the first chapters released was in 1943.

The series has seven parts:

1. Prelude To War
2. The Nazis Strike
3. Divide and Conquer
4. The Battle of Britain
5. The Battle of Russia (Part I & Part II)
6. The Battle of China
7. War Comes To America

I can't help but wonder what role the release of these documentaries played in the general unification and cooperation of US Citizens towards the war effort, as we just don't see that kind of support today.

When viewing these documentaries, one can see some of the many parallels of then to now. Some of the power and control issues that were being expressed in those days appear to be happening again today, only the faces and countries have changed. Could it be that we're headed for another WWII, only worse?

Certainly something to think about.

Still to come as part of our classic war documentaries series are The Battle of Midway, The Fighting Lady, Report from the Aleutians, and The Memphis Belle.

Welcome To Classic Cinema Online!

Classic Cinema Online is a relatively new website that grew in popularity literally within days of it's having been published in January of this year. It's popularity without even having yet been formally promoted has been a pleasant surprise, there were over 1 million hits in it's first month online, which is pretty good considering that it hadn't yet been entered into any search engines or anything.

I've read many comments from people who are enjoying the site, and I am pleased to know that so many of you out there are enjoying Classic Cinema Online. It's certainly my pleasure to bring you these movies, and I look forward to adding even more to the collection for your enjoyment.

If there are any requests, questions, concerns, or whatever, please don't hesitate to send an email or discuss them here.

My warmest welcome to all of you, and thanks for discovering and enjoying Classic Cinema Online. Glad to have you with us!