Travis Simpkins

The Golem (1920): Paul Wegener's Influential Silent Horror Classic

Dark and stylish, German writer/director/star Paul Wegener's The Golem or Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam (1920) was the third in a trilogy of films depicting the Golem character. Sadly, the other two films have long since been lost. Nevertheless, the sharp cinematography by Karl Freund, the expressionistic sets of Hans Poelzig, and the masterful direction and acting of Paul Wegener work together to form an influential masterpiece. Based on the Jewish mystical folklore surrounding a man, the Golem, made from clay that is brought to life, Wegener's awkward and stiff movements obviously inspired Boris Karloff in his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster 11 years later.

Warned by a message written in the stars, a 16th century Rabbi creates a giant Golem out of clay to protect the Jewish people from their oncoming persecution...

The Golem. 1920

the Golem (Paul Wegener) comes to life...

The Golem. 1920

and is a strong protector...

The Golem. 1920

and servant of the people...

The Golem. 1920

but one man has ulterior motives, and uses his control over the Golem to get what he wants...

The Golem. 1920

Angry at being misused, the Golem rebels... and rampages...

The Golem. 1920

"The Golem" or "Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam"- full feature film

The Phantom of the Opera (1925): Lon Chaney

Directed by Rupert Julian, The Phantom of the Opera (1925) ranks as one of the greatest Silent Films, and one of the most interesting film adaptations of Gaston Leroux's novel. The film also marks "The Man of a Thousand Faces" Lon Chaney's most ambitious, Iconic role and one of his scariest make-up jobs. As in his previous roles, expert-artist Chaney was given freedom to design his own look, and the resulting visage is still shocking audiences nearly 90 years later. Co-starring Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry and masses of extras, the film is a marvel to watch. A notoriously expensive production, The Phantom of the Opera had a prolonged hand-colored sequence and meticulously detailed sets. The Paris Opera House set from the film still stands inside soundstage 28 at Universal Studios , and is still in use today. It is the oldest surviving structure built specifically for use in a film in the World.

The production of Faust is in full-swing, and the Paris Opera House has new owners, the old ones having been scared off by a mysterious phantom...

The Phantom (Lon Chaney) wishes to see understudy Christine Daae (Mary Philbin) in the lead role, and threatens the lead singer, telling her to be "ill" or else. This leads to a scary series of events that involve the famous unmasking of the Phantom...

Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera

his abduction of Christine...

Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera

a journey into his home in the catacombs beneath the Opera House...

Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera

and the valiant rescue effort undertaken by Christine's lover...

Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera

Lon Chaney in "The Phantom of the Opera"

a scene from "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925)

Intolerance (1916): D.W. Griffith's Epic and Influential Silent Saga. Lillian Gish

D.W. Griffith made Intolerance (1916) partly in response to criticism about the racist undertones in his previous film, The Birth of a Nation (1915). By far the most expensive film of it's time (estimated in the low-millions), Intolerance employed the use of lavish sets, costly equipment, artists and thousands of actors and extras. Despite the high esteem in which the film is held now, it was a disastrous failure at the box office upon it's 1916 release. The production costs and loss of ticket revenue were so great that Intolerance almost singlehandedly led to the bankruptcy of the Triangle Film Corporation in 1918. Intolerance has had a lasting influence, however, and it proved integral at the time as well... with great early directors Erich von Stroheim and Tod Browning gaining experience as assistant directors on the film. Griffith's favorite actress, Lillian Gish, returned to work with him once more and Douglas Fairbanks even appears as an uncredited extra.

The complex plot consists of four interwoven story lines, all depicting man's intolerance throughout different periods of human history. These include:

Ancient Babylon (539 B.C.)...