Margot's Silent Film Emporium
@margotflickers.bsky.social
I'm a 40 something lesbian in love with silent films and all the flotsam, jetsam and minutiae that goes with it. Here I yap about it.
My alter-ego can be found at @margotmetroland.bsky.social, but she's too shy to be active much.
My alter-ego can be found at @margotmetroland.bsky.social, but she's too shy to be active much.
Alan Hale (senior, not the Skipper) is fantastically brilliant as the fantastically rotten bad guy. If he had been the Skipper he would have made Gilligan kill the passengers and serve them up for lunch. It's funny how father and son look so much alike btw.
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Alan Hale (senior, not the Skipper) is fantastically brilliant as the fantastically rotten bad guy. If he had been the Skipper he would have made Gilligan kill the passengers and serve them up for lunch. It's funny how father and son look so much alike btw.
He was both menacing and hilarious, a rare combination indeed.
Tully Marshall as Jim Bridger was flamboyantly excellent, though not at all historically correct. Marshall was one of the best character actors ever, and this role doesn't nothing to disprove that. He and Torrence are great together.
Tully Marshall as Jim Bridger was flamboyantly excellent, though not at all historically correct. Marshall was one of the best character actors ever, and this role doesn't nothing to disprove that. He and Torrence are great together.
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
He was both menacing and hilarious, a rare combination indeed.
Tully Marshall as Jim Bridger was flamboyantly excellent, though not at all historically correct. Marshall was one of the best character actors ever, and this role doesn't nothing to disprove that. He and Torrence are great together.
Tully Marshall as Jim Bridger was flamboyantly excellent, though not at all historically correct. Marshall was one of the best character actors ever, and this role doesn't nothing to disprove that. He and Torrence are great together.
A note about Kerrigan, he was gay and retired shortly after this picture to spend his life relaxing with his partner, away from the picture business. Must be nice.
Aside from Lois Wilson's eyes, what made this picture shine was the supporting cast.
William Torrence as Kerrigan's friend was great.
Aside from Lois Wilson's eyes, what made this picture shine was the supporting cast.
William Torrence as Kerrigan's friend was great.
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
A note about Kerrigan, he was gay and retired shortly after this picture to spend his life relaxing with his partner, away from the picture business. Must be nice.
Aside from Lois Wilson's eyes, what made this picture shine was the supporting cast.
William Torrence as Kerrigan's friend was great.
Aside from Lois Wilson's eyes, what made this picture shine was the supporting cast.
William Torrence as Kerrigan's friend was great.
Kerrigan's acting isn't bad, he's just lacking in charisma. Lois Wilson, as the female lead, is quite lovely and acts quite well, as is her wont. Cruze does a great job with Wilson's first scenes and the audience is mesmerized (or should be, if they know what's good for them) the rest of the way.
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Kerrigan's acting isn't bad, he's just lacking in charisma. Lois Wilson, as the female lead, is quite lovely and acts quite well, as is her wont. Cruze does a great job with Wilson's first scenes and the audience is mesmerized (or should be, if they know what's good for them) the rest of the way.
Cruze captures the expanse of the West and the hardships faced by the settlers quite well, and even portrays the indigenous folks sympathetically (usually).
However J Warren Kerrigan as the hero left me cold. I think it's more my fault for watching the picture now, rather than in 1923. But meh.
However J Warren Kerrigan as the hero left me cold. I think it's more my fault for watching the picture now, rather than in 1923. But meh.
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Cruze captures the expanse of the West and the hardships faced by the settlers quite well, and even portrays the indigenous folks sympathetically (usually).
However J Warren Kerrigan as the hero left me cold. I think it's more my fault for watching the picture now, rather than in 1923. But meh.
However J Warren Kerrigan as the hero left me cold. I think it's more my fault for watching the picture now, rather than in 1923. But meh.
Because I had read about it and it's authenticity and felt that, as one who fancies herself a connoisseur of silent pictures, I needed to see it. So I did. It wasn't bad and sometimes I, dare I say it, even enjoyed it.
Direction from James Cruze was quite good, though not overly adventurous.
Direction from James Cruze was quite good, though not overly adventurous.
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Because I had read about it and it's authenticity and felt that, as one who fancies herself a connoisseur of silent pictures, I needed to see it. So I did. It wasn't bad and sometimes I, dare I say it, even enjoyed it.
Direction from James Cruze was quite good, though not overly adventurous.
Direction from James Cruze was quite good, though not overly adventurous.
Last night I finally watched The Covered Wagon (1923). Disclaimer: I hate westerns, and that still goes after seeing this film. I grew up in Texas (but I've overcome that handicap) and westerns just bring back past trauma of idiots, lots and lots of idiots.
So why did I watch it?
#silentfilm
So why did I watch it?
#silentfilm
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Last night I finally watched The Covered Wagon (1923). Disclaimer: I hate westerns, and that still goes after seeing this film. I grew up in Texas (but I've overcome that handicap) and westerns just bring back past trauma of idiots, lots and lots of idiots.
So why did I watch it?
#silentfilm
So why did I watch it?
#silentfilm
This film is so good-natured and just the thing to lift one's spirits after a day of doom scrolling.
For the eagle-eyed viewer, there's even a flash of nipple in a scene with Ossi in the bathtub, showing that she is not wearing a hidden towel. Ooh la la. ❤️🙂
For the eagle-eyed viewer, there's even a flash of nipple in a scene with Ossi in the bathtub, showing that she is not wearing a hidden towel. Ooh la la. ❤️🙂
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
This film is so good-natured and just the thing to lift one's spirits after a day of doom scrolling.
For the eagle-eyed viewer, there's even a flash of nipple in a scene with Ossi in the bathtub, showing that she is not wearing a hidden towel. Ooh la la. ❤️🙂
For the eagle-eyed viewer, there's even a flash of nipple in a scene with Ossi in the bathtub, showing that she is not wearing a hidden towel. Ooh la la. ❤️🙂
The Black men are actually played by Black men, and there are no racist jokes or other demeaning treatment of the men. They are merely his servants and they are quite funny.
Julius Falkenstein as Josef is great, and Harry Liedtke as Prince Nutki is good if underused.
Ossi is wonderful, of course.
Julius Falkenstein as Josef is great, and Harry Liedtke as Prince Nutki is good if underused.
Ossi is wonderful, of course.
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The Black men are actually played by Black men, and there are no racist jokes or other demeaning treatment of the men. They are merely his servants and they are quite funny.
Julius Falkenstein as Josef is great, and Harry Liedtke as Prince Nutki is good if underused.
Ossi is wonderful, of course.
Julius Falkenstein as Josef is great, and Harry Liedtke as Prince Nutki is good if underused.
Ossi is wonderful, of course.
The film could be considered early screwball comedy mixed with a heaping of Marx Brother's style absurdity. The Quaker family depends much too much on servants, and this is a running gag throughout the picture. In fact, Janson has four Black servants who follow him constantly.
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The film could be considered early screwball comedy mixed with a heaping of Marx Brother's style absurdity. The Quaker family depends much too much on servants, and this is a running gag throughout the picture. In fact, Janson has four Black servants who follow him constantly.
Another Lubitsch favorite is Victor Janson, who plays the father, an American (!) oyster magnate named Quaker. Mr Quaker's spoiled daughter is unhappy because other American girls are marrying royalty, and she wants too as well.
Her doting father agrees to find her a prince, and mayhem ensues.
Her doting father agrees to find her a prince, and mayhem ensues.
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Another Lubitsch favorite is Victor Janson, who plays the father, an American (!) oyster magnate named Quaker. Mr Quaker's spoiled daughter is unhappy because other American girls are marrying royalty, and she wants too as well.
Her doting father agrees to find her a prince, and mayhem ensues.
Her doting father agrees to find her a prince, and mayhem ensues.
It is well on display in this picture, which is a hilarious romping farcical homage to absurdity.
The titular character is played by Ossi Oswalda, who was die Puppe in Die Puppe made that same year. In fact, much like Wes Anderson today, Lubitsch had his favorites and they appear often in his films.
The titular character is played by Ossi Oswalda, who was die Puppe in Die Puppe made that same year. In fact, much like Wes Anderson today, Lubitsch had his favorites and they appear often in his films.
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It is well on display in this picture, which is a hilarious romping farcical homage to absurdity.
The titular character is played by Ossi Oswalda, who was die Puppe in Die Puppe made that same year. In fact, much like Wes Anderson today, Lubitsch had his favorites and they appear often in his films.
The titular character is played by Ossi Oswalda, who was die Puppe in Die Puppe made that same year. In fact, much like Wes Anderson today, Lubitsch had his favorites and they appear often in his films.
The world being what it is, I am still not up to a heavy silent drama (which is a pity), so yesterday I watched Ernst Lubitsch's Die Austernprinzessin (The Oyster Princess) from 1919. It was, of course, great fun.
Long before Lubitsch went to Hollywood, he possessed the Lubitsch Touch.
#silentfilm
Long before Lubitsch went to Hollywood, he possessed the Lubitsch Touch.
#silentfilm
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The world being what it is, I am still not up to a heavy silent drama (which is a pity), so yesterday I watched Ernst Lubitsch's Die Austernprinzessin (The Oyster Princess) from 1919. It was, of course, great fun.
Long before Lubitsch went to Hollywood, he possessed the Lubitsch Touch.
#silentfilm
Long before Lubitsch went to Hollywood, he possessed the Lubitsch Touch.
#silentfilm
The film isn't perfect, but it clearly shows Hitchcock as a first class director even then. There are many Hitchcock-esque shots, the mood is moody and the suspense is suspenseful.
It's also noteworthy for being that rarest of things- a good British silent picture.
It's also noteworthy for being that rarest of things- a good British silent picture.
June 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The film isn't perfect, but it clearly shows Hitchcock as a first class director even then. There are many Hitchcock-esque shots, the mood is moody and the suspense is suspenseful.
It's also noteworthy for being that rarest of things- a good British silent picture.
It's also noteworthy for being that rarest of things- a good British silent picture.
Gwenn, by the way, was Santa in Miracle on 34th St.
The Lodger was played by Ivor Novello, a talented musician as well as actor, and even for someone like me who doesn't like boys, he's quite lovely to look at.
June Tripp is indeed one as Daisy, and Malcom Keen plays a convincing dick.
The Lodger was played by Ivor Novello, a talented musician as well as actor, and even for someone like me who doesn't like boys, he's quite lovely to look at.
June Tripp is indeed one as Daisy, and Malcom Keen plays a convincing dick.
June 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Gwenn, by the way, was Santa in Miracle on 34th St.
The Lodger was played by Ivor Novello, a talented musician as well as actor, and even for someone like me who doesn't like boys, he's quite lovely to look at.
June Tripp is indeed one as Daisy, and Malcom Keen plays a convincing dick.
The Lodger was played by Ivor Novello, a talented musician as well as actor, and even for someone like me who doesn't like boys, he's quite lovely to look at.
June Tripp is indeed one as Daisy, and Malcom Keen plays a convincing dick.
The cast is excellent. I particularly liked the performance of Marie Ault as the worried mother. Arthur Chesney did good work as the father, and I was sure I had seen him in another Hitchcock picture, Foreign Correspondent (1940) but I was surprised to find out that was his brother, Edmund Gwenn.
June 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The cast is excellent. I particularly liked the performance of Marie Ault as the worried mother. Arthur Chesney did good work as the father, and I was sure I had seen him in another Hitchcock picture, Foreign Correspondent (1940) but I was surprised to find out that was his brother, Edmund Gwenn.
On one hand, Joe is indeed an asshole, and is one 365 days a year, while the serial killer only kills blondes (as Daisy is blonde this is a minus) but only does so on Tuesday evenings, so six days a week he's quite okay.
There will be no spoilers here, but she does make the right choice. Maybe.
There will be no spoilers here, but she does make the right choice. Maybe.
June 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
On one hand, Joe is indeed an asshole, and is one 365 days a year, while the serial killer only kills blondes (as Daisy is blonde this is a minus) but only does so on Tuesday evenings, so six days a week he's quite okay.
There will be no spoilers here, but she does make the right choice. Maybe.
There will be no spoilers here, but she does make the right choice. Maybe.
Daisy has a choice of two suitors, police detective Joe, who is a pompous boor, and as appealing as roadkill, and the new lodger, who is handsome, a gentleman, apparently rich, but who may be a serial killer.
We follow Daisy as she finally decides on which gentleman's affection to accept.
We follow Daisy as she finally decides on which gentleman's affection to accept.
June 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Daisy has a choice of two suitors, police detective Joe, who is a pompous boor, and as appealing as roadkill, and the new lodger, who is handsome, a gentleman, apparently rich, but who may be a serial killer.
We follow Daisy as she finally decides on which gentleman's affection to accept.
We follow Daisy as she finally decides on which gentleman's affection to accept.
This weekend I saw The Lodger (1927). While this isn't Alfred Hitchcock's first film, it could be thought of as the first Hitchcock film, as we define such a thing.
The plot features the love life of Daisy, a fair-haired English beauty, played by June Tripp, a fair-haired English beauty.
#silentfilm
The plot features the love life of Daisy, a fair-haired English beauty, played by June Tripp, a fair-haired English beauty.
#silentfilm
June 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This weekend I saw The Lodger (1927). While this isn't Alfred Hitchcock's first film, it could be thought of as the first Hitchcock film, as we define such a thing.
The plot features the love life of Daisy, a fair-haired English beauty, played by June Tripp, a fair-haired English beauty.
#silentfilm
The plot features the love life of Daisy, a fair-haired English beauty, played by June Tripp, a fair-haired English beauty.
#silentfilm
The power in the family centers on the mother, who treats younger daughter Marion like she were Cinderella, whilst the father advises Marion on how to get around her mother's iron rule. It could have been a typical melodrama of the era but fortunately we are treated with this light comedy.
June 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The power in the family centers on the mother, who treats younger daughter Marion like she were Cinderella, whilst the father advises Marion on how to get around her mother's iron rule. It could have been a typical melodrama of the era but fortunately we are treated with this light comedy.
The plot was quite unimportant, but it involved Marion trying to steal Jane's boyfriend while Jane was in the process of being stolen by another man. The family dynamics are quite interesting, as there seems to be two factions, the mother and Jane and Marion and her dad.
June 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The plot was quite unimportant, but it involved Marion trying to steal Jane's boyfriend while Jane was in the process of being stolen by another man. The family dynamics are quite interesting, as there seems to be two factions, the mother and Jane and Marion and her dad.
The cast was excellent, with Marie Dressler as the mother, Dell Henderson as the dad and the lovely Jane Winton as the big sister (who was actually 7 years younger than Marion).
One fun part saw Marion impersonate Mae Murray, Pola Negri and Lillian Gish, all beautifully.
One fun part saw Marion impersonate Mae Murray, Pola Negri and Lillian Gish, all beautifully.
June 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The cast was excellent, with Marie Dressler as the mother, Dell Henderson as the dad and the lovely Jane Winton as the big sister (who was actually 7 years younger than Marion).
One fun part saw Marion impersonate Mae Murray, Pola Negri and Lillian Gish, all beautifully.
One fun part saw Marion impersonate Mae Murray, Pola Negri and Lillian Gish, all beautifully.
The film is nothing but fluff, but as such it works quite well. Director King Vidor lets Davies show off her comedic skills to their fullest. Marion is absolutely gorgeous, but she is also a very fine comic. I guess when she wasn't giving Hearst a woody she was making him laugh.
June 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The film is nothing but fluff, but as such it works quite well. Director King Vidor lets Davies show off her comedic skills to their fullest. Marion is absolutely gorgeous, but she is also a very fine comic. I guess when she wasn't giving Hearst a woody she was making him laugh.
Hello darlings, I finally had a chance to watch another picture. I've been dealing with a lot of stuff lately and me time has been at a premium. And silent pictures are definitely me time, no one else will watch them with me. 🙂
I watched The Patsy, a Marion Davies vehicle. It was great!
#silentfilm
I watched The Patsy, a Marion Davies vehicle. It was great!
#silentfilm
June 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Hello darlings, I finally had a chance to watch another picture. I've been dealing with a lot of stuff lately and me time has been at a premium. And silent pictures are definitely me time, no one else will watch them with me. 🙂
I watched The Patsy, a Marion Davies vehicle. It was great!
#silentfilm
I watched The Patsy, a Marion Davies vehicle. It was great!
#silentfilm
And geez, with Betty Bronson playing Peter the whole picture was just dripping with homoeroticism. The only thing I didn't like was that some characters were killed, it kind of rained on the charm parade. But if you've had a shitty week, I can highly recommend it!
May 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
And geez, with Betty Bronson playing Peter the whole picture was just dripping with homoeroticism. The only thing I didn't like was that some characters were killed, it kind of rained on the charm parade. But if you've had a shitty week, I can highly recommend it!