stuthehistoryguy wrote:
Michael Elliott wrote:
I've seen over 125 Griffith films but THE GREATEST THING IN LIFE might be my #1. I read a scene-for-scene layout of the film and the scene of the dying black soldier in the arm of the racist white man sounded incredible. Apparently the rest of the film wasn't as powerful but this scene certainly makes me wish the film turns up.

LAM probably wouldn't make my top 10 list. The hype everyone has built up over the film would only lead to disappointment even if it was a good film (which most say it wasn't). There are many other Chaney films I'd pick before this one as well.

It seems the legend of LAM comes mainly from those who saw a certain picture in FM magazine. Many other silent boards don't seem to be all that impressed when they make their lists of what they want found.

I'd expand on that just a bit in that EVERY picture I've seen from LAM has made me want to see that movie, and I do think this is a key to why it's discovery is such a priority for some people.  There is a plethora of publicity shots for the movie and each one (well, nearly each one) looks so impressive that the vampire movie and Lon Chaney cultists mentally slate it in their lists of must-see flicks, then are driven to frustration when they can't check it off.  I used to have a bit of a thing for John Wayne movies myself, and his first billed role is in a lost film, Words and Music.  The John Wayne cult is at least as driven as the vampire movie sect, but I've never heard a fan of the Duke pine to see WAM because there's no enduring image of it--nobody cares.  The stills from LAM look like their from a great silent film, so we care.

More to your excellent point, Michael, is there a base of people seeking The Greatest Thing in Life with anywhere near the ardor of the London After Midnight crowd?  If not, do you think it's because there just isn't the sexy angle to drive such a furor?
  
But how many people actually think LAM would be a good film?  Reviews say it wasn't that good and if it was anything like the remake I'd say it would probably be pretty boring.

I think the problem I have (as well as many silent film buffs) is that you have a large number of people who HATE silent films with a passion wet they'd set fire to an uncut print of GREED just to discuss LAM.  I know Forry is looked at as a God here but I was always shocked to see the pure hatred certain silent boards had for the man.  Venom might be more like it.  I think the majority of those die-hard silent fans wouldn't put LAM in their top 10.  I'm not sure if it would make their top 5 Chaney films. 

I think a lot of the passion comes from those who saw clips in the magazine.  These LAM discussions are more than actual discussions of silent films we've seen and can actually talk about.

As for the Griffith film, there are more people who never want it found simply because it would show the director wasn't the monster people make him out to be today.  I do think if you went to a non-horror board you'd certainly get more votes for it.

Another thing to think about is that LAM has had several stories of "discovery" over the past four decades so that keeps it in the hot topic mode.
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