THE LOST WORLD

The aptly named Professor Voyager organizes an expedition to an uncharted part of the Amazon to prove his claims of huge prehistoric beasts and primitive cavemen in a land that seems to have been skipped by evolution. After surviving numerous perils, the explorers bring back a giant dinosaur to London where he breaks free and wrecks havoc.

This granddaddy of all the giant creature features is most noteworthy for the incredible special effects by Willis O'Brien who would later do the effects on King Kong. O'Brien used 49 dinosaur models which were built of wire and wooden skeletons covered in flexible rubber. The animation, against scaled miniatures, was achieved by single frame stop motion. There are also a number of sequences in which the miniatures, animation and live action are combined in a single frame---a remarkable achievement at the time.

Directed by Harry O. Hoyt. From the Arthur Conan Doyle novel. Cast: Wallace Beery, Bessie Love, Lewis Stone.

1925, 80 minutes. Silent film with added music score. Video transfer is at original silent film speed.
ISBN: 1-55881-338-1

HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Deep within the sanctuary of the cathedral, the deaf, half blind hunchback is protected from the ridicules, cruelties and horrors of the outside world. His horrible external appearance actually conceals a beautiful interior; a warm and caring soul. It is this kindness that moves him to save Esmeralda, a beautiful Gypsy woman. The first, and in many respects, the best filming of Dumas' story. Lon Chaney’s performance established him as a major star.

Complete version transferred to video at original film speed.

Directed by Wallace Worsley. Cast; Lon Chaney, Fatsy Ruth Willer, Norman Kerry, Ernest Torrance, Raymond Hatten.

1923 119 minutes. Silent film with added, music score. Video transfer is at original silent film speed.

ISBN 1-55881-339-X

THE SHOCK

Mysterious Chinatown is the setting for this exceptional Laemmle / Chaney collaboration. A female gangster,'Queen Anne', wishes revenge on a banker whose testimony had put her in prison. She summons one of her hitmen, a miserable, crippled old man to carry out the job. Along the way he is sidetracked by love and a spiritual transformation, abandons his mission and brings Queen Anne's wrath upon himself. Despite the title and the Laemmle / Chaney pairing this is not a horror film but a fine melodrama that serves as a showcase for Chaney who abandons his trademark grotesque make-up and displays the character's anguish and ecstasy through his awesomely versatile talent.

Produced By Carl Laemmle. Directed by Lambert Hillyer. With Lon Chaney, Virginia Valli.

1923 96m. Silent film with added, music score.Video transfer is at original silent film speed.
ISBN 1-55881-341-1

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

The first filming of the classic tale. A horribly disfigured man roams the sewers under the Paris Opera House. His love for a young singer leads him out of his secret world and brings him face to face with the real world which cannot understand him. A thrilling, "essential cinema" film featuring some of the most spectacular sets and costumes ever produced. Chaney's amazing makeup and performance remain a testament to his extraordinary talent.

This complete NYFA VIDEO Edition contains the complete color tinted banquet sequence.

1925. 120 minutes. Silent film with added music score.Video transfer is at original silent film speed.
ISBN 1-55881-483-3

THE MAN FROM BEYOND

One of the most unusual films from the silent era was this story of reincarnation and suspended animation from the great magician, Harry Houdini. As the story opens, two arctic explorers discover a derelict ship held in the ice near the Pole. On the ship's deck is a frozen man, Howard Hillary (Houdini). Hillary is thawed, brought back to life and taken to the home of a Doctor who will oversee Hillary's new life —100 years after his 'death'. The plot thickens when Hillary finds a woman he is convinced is his fiancee -- from 100 years ago -- as young as when he last saw her. After a few melodramatic twists the story ends with a chase and rescue scene on canoes in vicious waters.

Directed, Written and Produced by Harry Houdini. Cast; Nita Naldi, Harry Houdini.

1922 91 min. Silent film with added music score. Video transfer is at original silent film speed.
ISBN 1-55881-329-2

THE BELLS

A murderer is haunted by visions of his crime and the sound of the jingle bells on the victim's sleigh. One day, a mysterious mesmerist who claims the ability to see all---even one's most intimate secrets --- shows up in town and throws the murderer into a mad frenzy. Highlights include some highly expressionistic photography, and a brilliant performance by Barrymore as the murderer. But the best element is Karloff who gives a deliciously wicked performance as the mystic and hints at the horrifying characters tie would portray in the years to come.

Cast; John Barrymore, Boris Karloff.

USA 1926, 110 minutes. Silent film with added music sore. Video transfer is at original silent film speed.
ISBN 1-55881-340-3

SILENT GERMAN SCI-FI AND HORROR:
LANG
~ MURNAU
WEGNER

ALSO AVAILABLE :
CLASSIC AMERICAN AND BRITISH SCI-FI 7 HORROR
FILM NOIR
BEST OF THE WORST
THE WORLD OF ED WOOD
1960'S HORROR
GREAT DETECTIVES
BELA LUGOSI

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