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Sep 18 10 7:40 PM
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?
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.
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