"Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life" is a short comedy directed by Mack Sennett.  The film is included in our program to illustrate the contributions of Helen Holmes, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

Barney Oldfield was the fastest auto racer in his time.  In the film he chases an engine to rescue a girl chained to the tracks by an evil unsuccessful suitor. 

The way Ford Sterling overplays the role of the villain makes one think that the film was conceived as a parody of contemporary melodramas.

"The Musketeers of Pig Alley" is a short crime drama directed by D. W. Griffith. This film illustrates the work of actor Robert Harron and cinematographer Billy Bitzer, stars of Silent Hall of Fame.

"The Musketeers of Pig Alley" is the first gangster film in history.  It has some excellent acting by a very strong cast and a lot of suspense.  The film is also a predecessor of what would become known a quarter of a century later as "the film noir".

"Balked at the Altar" is a short comedy directed by D.W. Griffith, featuring Arthur V. Johnson and Robert Harron, stars of Silent Hall of Fame.

A spinster, desperately looking for a husband (Mabel Stoughton), and her gun-loving father forcefully convince a reluctant man to marry her.  Could there be a surprise when the bride and groom face the minister and their destiny?

"Resurrection" (1909) is a short drama directed by D.W. Griffith, featuring Arthur V. Johnson, Florence Lawrence, and cinematographer Billy Bitzer, stars of Silent Hall of Fame.

A rich man has a brief affair with his maid.  Years later he sees the girl, which has been reduced to poverty and crime.  The man feels guilt and remorse for his responsibility in the girl's fate. Arthur V. Johnson and Florence Lawrence deliver very fine performances.

"Orphans of the Storm" is a historical drama directed by D. W. Griffith starring Lillian Gish. This film illustrates the work of cinematographer Billy Bitzer, a star of Silent Hall of Fame. 

The events in the film occur before and during the French revolution of 1789, which was caused by the extreme societal inequalities, with aristocracy enjoying unlimited privileges and the common people deprived of human rights and often doomed to starvation.

"Judith of Bethulia" is a historical drama, directed by D. W. Griffith.  This film illustrates the work of actor Robert Harron and cinematographer Billy Bitzer, stars of Silent Hall of Fame.

When an enemy army besieges the city and its citizens are doomed without food and water, its most prominent resident Judith makes a desperate and risky move to save her people.

The film enjoys a strong 7.9 rating in IMDB.

"The Champion" is one of Charlie Chaplin's Essanay short comedies, featuring Edna Purviance, a star of Silent Hall of Fame. 

You can see a slideshow of stills from this film and other interesting stuff on our website silent-hall-of-fame.org.

Silent Hall of Fame is the only place where we actively work to bring back from oblivion the names and legacy of formerly illustrious silent movie stars, which have made a major contribution to the industry and the world but do not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"Fighting Blood" is a short Western directed by D.W. Griffith, featuring actress Florence La Badie, actor Robert Harron and cinematographer Billy Bitzer, stars of Silent Hall of Fame.

"Fighting Blood" seems to be the film in which a 18 year old Robert Harron plays his first leading role.

"The Adventurer" is another one of Charlie Chaplin's Mutual short comedies, featuring Edna Purviance, a star of Silent Hall of Fame. 

The film is very entertaining with a lot of action.  It is the most popular of the 12 Mutual comedies and at the time made Charlie Chaplin the most popular screen personality.

You can see a slideshow of stills from this film and other interesting stuff on our website silent-hall-of-fame.org.

"The Black Viper"  is a short crime drama, featuring cinematographer Billy Bitzer, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

A man saves a girl after she is attacked in the street by a thug nicknamed Viper.  Later the thug comes back with a gang, overpowers the man and takes him away on a cart. The girl organizes a pursuit with the help of friends, and they chase the gang on a rocky mountain terrain.

D.W. Griffith plays the role of one of the rescuers in addition to the director's job.