Unearthing Silent Cinema: A VHS Journey Through Time
Around 1987, I stumbled upon “The Unknown” (1927) on VHS at my local video store. The cover featuring Lon Chaney’s haunting gaze was all I knew, aside from the fact that it was directed by Tod Browning of “Freaks” fame. Curious, I rented it, unaware I was about to embark on a wild, macabre journey. The film, a twisted love story about Alonzo, a circus performer who fakes a deformity to win the love of Nanon (Joan Crawford), left me spellbound with Chaney’s transformative performance and raw emotion. Watching this overlooked masterpiece on a grainy VHS felt like unearthing a piece of cinematic history—bizarre, brilliant, and a testament to the power of silent cinema.Discovering “The Unknown” on VHS was more than a nostalgic moment; it ignited a lifelong passion for silent and early films that defined my childhood and school years. Back then, without IMDb, I relied on books like “Cinema: A Critical Dictionary” and “The Film Encyclopedia” by Ephraim Katz to learn about films, creating lists of movies I could only hope to one day see.
That’s why I’m refocusing part of “VHS Rewind!” to delve into the films that sparked my love for storytelling. We’ll revisit classics like Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis” and “M,” Orson Welles’ “The Hearts of Age,” Charlie Chaplin’s “Monsieur Verdoux,” Buster Keaton’s “Sherlock Jr.,” and explore the works of Italian filmmakers like Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Michelangelo Antonioni. We’ll also shine a light on hidden gems such as “Greed” (1924), “The Wind” (1928), “Destiny” (1921), “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), and “The Man Who Laughs” (1928).
While these episodes might differ from our typical “VHS Rewind!” content, expect the same fun and energy that Christopher Hasler and I bring to each episode, as we plan to keep the series going indefinitely.
If you’re passionate about film or curious to explore these cinematic treasures, feel free to send me a PM. I’d love to have you on the show to discuss these amazing films and share my personal journey through them.
– Mark