Wildcat Files 2/The Wildcat Files 2 (Arsenal Computer).ISO/epub/sr000.txt

Text File | 1994-12-18 | 11KB | 187 lines

     Silent Reels, by Rodney Schroeter
     Column #0:  Introductory notes

     In recent years, I have become very interested in silent
movies.
     I discovered that they are more than quaint curiosities from
the past, good for a few contemptuous laughs.  I found silent
movies that are good enough to stand along side, and hold their
own against, any sound film that is considered a classic.
     I decided to write a column about silents.  I did not know
where it would appear, or if I could find a source of publication
at all.  But I didn't want that to stop me.  Having made some
initial, cautious connections with the Internet and with computer
bulletin boards, I have several options.
     My goal in writing these columns is not a modest one.  I
intend to develop a significant interest, among people who enjoy
good movies, in the silent era--an interest that will grow to
such proportions, that there will some day be a Silent Movie
Channel, a special Silents section in the video rental shops, and
film restoration will become a multi-billion dollar business
(financed completely by the free market; I do not consider the
arts a proper concern of the government).
     To write these columns, I intend to enjoy watching and re-
watching a huge number of good films.  In the course of my
writing and viewing, I intend to take pleasure in learning about
actors and other movie-makers of the silents.
     I am not an authority on silent movie history, but I plan to
become one.
     As I see it, this will be a life-long project, though I
doubt it will ever become a full-time one.
     All right, so why should you take an interest in silent
films?
     First, for your own enjoyment.  I hope to convince you to
pick up and try viewing some of the movies I write about.
(Statement of policy:  I will not discuss a specific film at
length, unless I know it is available on video.  What good would
it do to excitedly describe some masterpiece, only to end with,
"Oh, yeah, I saw this at the local revival theater.  It was the
only print in existence.  Guess you'll never see it!")
     Second, to share that enjoyment with others.  Believe it or
not, back when all movies were silent, families and couples
attended them in large numbers and actually found them
entertaining.  But why watch a silent movie, today, by choice?
Precisely because it is silent.  Without dialogue, you're free to
ask what just happened, or to make comments on an event or camera
technique.  By the nature of silent films, you are able to
interact more with your friend or loved one, than with sound
films.
     This is especially true when watching with children.  All
other things being equal (subject matter and pacing, for
example), I believe a silent movie will hold their attention as
well as, or even better than, a sound film.  A kid can pick up on
a look or a gesture (especially the overly melodramatic movements
that turn some people off), more easily than a string of fast,
high-class verbiage.  And most rewarding, you and the child will
be interacting much more.  Talking about a sound film when it's
in progress can be impossible.  Answering all the "What did he
just say?" questions only leads to missing subsequent dialogue,
leading to further questions, sometimes building up to an angry
and regretted "Just shut up and watch it!"
     You might be surprised by how perceptive the kid you're
watching with is.  I was.  Half-way through Buster Keaton's
"Sherlock Jr." (1924), my five year old niece turned to me and
said, "He's still dreaming."  The other kids in the room, ranging
in age up to eleven, continually made comments that indicated a
deep understanding and enjoyment of the movie.  Asking questions
like, "Why is she doing that?" or "Can you tell what he's
thinking?" or "What does she have to do now?" can bring some very
perceptive answers from children.
     Try this with the kids:  Get a copy of Keaton's "The
General" (1927).  (I'll be writing about Keaton in my first
column.)  The first few minutes establish the story and might not
hook a young person's interest.  Have them do a puzzle or
something in the same room.  When the action starts, get their
attention and say, "Those men stole his train."  The kid is not
likely to know or care about the Civil War, but will understand
that Buster's train has been stolen, and that he's trying to get
it back.  Prepare yourself for a great film, where the kids won't
have to maintain an unnatural silence.
     Third reason... this might sound like the ravings of a
madman, but if you continue reading my column, you'll find out
about it eventually.  I believe our culture is in a state of
decline.  (However, I do not believe this is inevitable--beyond
human control to reverse--and am cautiously optimistic about the
future.)  Now, cranks who claim this are a dime a dozen, so I
won't ask you to take my word for it.  The burden of proof would
be on me, anyway, to explain what "culture" is, what a "decline"
would consist of, and what evidence indicates it is happening.
     And I might be able to convince you.  But it's best if you
can decide for yourself.  To do that, you need to know about more
than just the culture of your lifetime.
     If you don't know what the past was like, you have nothing
to measure today's culture by.  Yeah, I thought that was a bunch
of baloney, too, at one time--something made up by teachers in a
feeble attempt to get kids to study.  But it's really true.  If
you're only familiar with the TV shows and movies of your recent
lifetime, it's like trying to look at the big wide world through
the confining field of view of a toilet paper tube (gee, was that
metaphor by accident?).
     Just as, if you limit your familiarity with politics to your
own lifetime, you might think that moral blandness and lack of
principle are inherent in politics, and you might share the
average person's tired cynicism for the subject.  But suppose you
read some of the work of the Founding Fathers, like John Locke,
Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson.  You might find yourself
wondering how things could get as bad as they are today; if so,
you might also realize that things don't have to stay as they
are.
     Asking "Why watch silent movies?" is like asking, Why take
an interest in literature written in the past?  Art work created
in the past?  Political or economic theories that were
established in the past?
     Are any of the above relevant?
     Yes, if you consider the present and future to be relevant.
     If you're interested in putting the present into
perspective, look into the past.  But don't think it has to be
some dull, full-time academic course of study.  One (but only
one) indication of the role of philosophy in individual lives,
and in a culture, is to look at the arts.  You can learn what you
can, and enjoy it at the same time, by reading popular literature
of the time, becoming familiar with the art of the time, or...
watching silent movies.
     Now, a warning.  If you consider yourself firmly entrenched
in today's intellectual and political mainstream, and cannot
tolerate challenges to your views, spare yourself the frustration
and rage--don't follow my column.
     I am a student and advocate of Objectivism, the philosophy
originated by Ayn Rand.  If you detest her philosophy (and are
truly familiar enough with her work to have formed that
evaluation), I don't think I'll have anything constructive to
offer you.
     The focus of this column is on silent movies, not on
philosophy.  But philosophical issues will come up.  One can't
write about art in a vacuum (unless, of course, like much of
modern "art," it has no content; in which case, it is not art).
It's not enough to arbitrarily claim a film is good.  The basis
for my evaluation is also important.  While such remarks cannot
be avoided, I won't go into great detail on them.  Philosophy is
a serious matter to me, which cannot be properly dealt with via
insults, counter-insults, one-liners, etc.  Believe it or not, I
have confidence in my views, and do not go to pieces with every
disagreement I meet.  Some disagreements are based on willful
dishonesty; they don't merit my time.  On the other hand,
genuinely honest questions would deserve more time than I can
devote to them.  Most often, my best answer and recommendation
will be, "Read _Atlas Shrugged_ by Ayn Rand."
     A few other statements of policy.
     Part of this project involves research.  An enormous amount.

I always welcome additions or corrections to the factual
information I include.  I most sincerely appreciate being told
about sources of information (books, articles, etc.).
     And then, there is the ultimate source.  Now and then, I am
saddened to read the obituary of a star of silent films.  If any
reader knows the address of any person still living, who has
worked in silent films, on whatever modest or spectacular scale,
and that person would not mind being contacted, I would greatly
appreciate that information.
     I won't have much to say about movies I _don't_ like.  If I
ever run out of good material, I'll write about some other
subject.
     Take a look at the copyright notice at the bottom.  I wish
to retain ownership of my columns, but for the time being they
may be freely distributed.  Just don't change them to be
politically correct.  If you would like to use them for your
newsletter, magazine, or bulletin board, go right ahead, but
please extend me the courtesy to let me know.
     Ready?  Are you open to my challenge?  If so, while the rest
of the family is watching the latest sit-com, where the most
honored form of intellectual exercise is to come up with the most
vitriolic insult, and scream it out in the most psychotic
fashion, you can calmly seclude yourself in the back room, fire
up the VCR or disk player, select a promising silent candidate,
pick up or get on the exercise device of your choice, and get set
for some top-quality entertainment.


Rodney Schroeter  /  Box 37766  /  Milwaukee WI 53237-0766
[e-mail]

12-18-94

Entire contents of this column copyright 1994 by Rodney
Schroeter.  Permission is given by the author to freely
distribute this article, if kept intact & unchanged.  Such
permission may be withdrawn in the future--from specific
individuals, or from the general public.