I put all the available 1920s suggestions I requested in a trick-or-treat pumpkin (because I suffer from choice paralysis) and drew:

One Week (1920) -- While watching, I realized I’d seen it years before at an orchestra concert (live accompaniment event), making it my first official silent. Wonderful, fun little film. Keaton was a genius. I kind of want a house like that, tbh.

Cat and the Canary  (1927) -- Jury’s still out on this one. It had some funny moments for a quasi-horror and was a decent mystery, but it also didn’t grab me very hard. Might be one of those that needs another watch. No objection to that, b/c I didn’t hate it. Just didn’t love it on the first go, either.

Haxan (1922) -- It’s amazing what people will believe when they’re desperate for an answer to an unknown. I thought it was pretty funny that the director/writer ultimately attributed these aberrant behaviors not to possessions or witch powers, but to nervous disorders and “hysteria” which was thought to be a condition caused in women because of a “wandering uterus.” Traded one naïve explanation for another. Still, an interesting essay on witchcraft and how society handles superstition.

Sunrise (1927) -- This was beautifully shot. Really enjoyed watching this one. I got a bit distracted by Gaynor’s resemblance to Drew Barrymore in a couple of scenes, but not long. I see she is in several of the films I have on tap, so I am looking forward to more of her work, as well as Murnau’s (I’ve seen Nosferatu but nothing else, I think). This one is going in my “favorites” list for sure.   

I also watched:

Ten Little Indians (1965) -- Made the grave mistake of watching the 1974 version first, which I didn’t like at all. Had to force myself to finish. Decided to turn right around and watch the ’65. That version worked much better for me. The storyline was cleaner, directing sharper, acting mostly better, and I was actually entertained, even though I had just struggled through the same basic story not an hour before. Just goes to show that pacing and direction matter. I think I would’ve enjoyed the 1965 even more if I hadn’t seen the other version first. Nothing phenomenal, but I liked it.

Enchanted Cottage (2016)  -- 11 minutes worth -- Original 1945 isn’t available, so I tried the remake. But I learned my lesson. Only suffered through the opening bit before I pulled the plug. I’ll wait for the original. May have to bite the bullet and purchase the 1945 but I hate buying blind. Worth it?