The Waltz Rio

onehellofascene:

GERTIE BROWN & SAINT SUTTLE
“Something Good-Negro Kiss,” the newly discovered William Selig silent film from 1898 is believed to be the earliest cinematic depiction of African-American affection. Thanks to scholars at the University of Chicago and the University of Southern California, the footage is prompting a rethinking of early film history. The performance by cakewalk partners Saint Suttle and Gertie Brown is a reinterpretation of Thomas Edison’s “The Kiss,” featuring May Irwin and John Rice. The film was announced December 12, 2018 as a new addition to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry—one of 25 selected for their enduring importance to American culture. The 29-second clip is free of stereotypes and racist caricatures, a stark contrast from the majority of black performances at the turn of the century.

silents-please:

Lyda Borelli in Rapsodia Satanica (IT 1915/17) - painted version of the scene from the introductory sequence of the Ma l’amor mio non muore (IT 1913) DVD.

vestatilleys:

Pauline Chase and Hilda Trevelyan in Peter Pan, 1907.

vintageeveryday:

38 bizarre and hilarious pictures show how funny Victorian life was.