Monday, December 28, 2009

What? New Reviews?!

That's right! Next week I'll be welcoming in 2010 with reviews of the original silent Ben-Hur (1925), the part-talkie The Younger Generation (1929), and the pre-Code fluff Golddiggers of 1935. Until then enjoy your holidays and have a safe, happy New Year!



Jean Harlow ushers in a change of the calendar.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Happy Holidays!


Clara waits up for Santa.  Lucky Santa!

A very happy holidays to my readers - Silent Stanzas will be back in January!  So enjoy this special time (and perhaps catch a silent film or two *wink*).

With fond wishes,

Jennifer Redmond





Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Yes, Virginia

Four foot eleven, a sparkler, an imp,
Leaving critics enchanted whilst on the bill,
Until the pictures stole you away-
Girls like you weren't made to sit still.
Randy and pert with a dangerous smile,
Any sadness that touched you quickly dispersed,
That beautiful face hid a spirit of iron,
Hardy, unbreakable, never coerced.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Viola Dana 

Also, thank you to Lolita of Lolita's Classics for giving me the Over the Top Blog Award! 


Thursday, December 10, 2009

He Who Got Slapped

Dear Jack

I am sorry for your pain
Your whole life people hurt you
you didn't deserve that

A good man, a good actor
your only mistake was being
human

you were beautiful once

I hate that the only thing
people remember
is the malicious treble
mayer be damned

there are many of us
our candles lit to your memory
and we will never let them go out






















John Gilbert

Thursday, December 3, 2009

C. C. C.

The form is in homage to the style of the Chinese T'ang poems.  The title refers to a nickname she earned hanging around film sets in her youth: CCC for "curious Chinese child".


In the dark of the flickers
Sat little Liu Tsong.
Willows bend but never break.
Her name would serve her well.

Talented and beautiful
She was Hollywood's muse.
Too Chinese to play Chinese -
She was Hollywood's victim.

In an era thought modern
Hyprocrisy reigned.
Großstadtschmetterling,
Your legend has outflown them.