Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Open, general discussion of silent films, personalities and history.
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telical
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Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by telical » Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:55 pm

Who is the silent star that was most like Klaus Kinski,
as Kinski represents to me a very original actor, someone who is quotable,
and generates some kind of following or respect (even if he was hard to work
with and crazy at times). Also, robustness should be in there, since Kinski
made 130 films. It's one thing if an actor is over the top and only made five
movies, but if they make over 50, something is working in them.
So, who are the most intelligent and original silent stars that were kind of
"out there" (extra points the further out there they are).

I would love to hear a female version, also.
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Rob Farr
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by Rob Farr » Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:11 am

Erich Von Stroheim.
Rob Farr
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Ed Watz
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by Ed Watz » Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:56 am

Rob Farr wrote:Erich Von Stroheim.
Rob, I was also going to say Erich -- my fave -- and Lon Chaney.

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Gagman 66
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by Gagman 66 » Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:42 am

:? Mae Murray was also noted for her eccentricity.

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telical
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by telical » Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:56 pm

Seems like the directors may have been more colorful than the actors.
Wellman certainly was a personality.
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barafan
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by barafan » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:37 am

I'd throw in Pola Negri, too, as practically the definition of silent movie queen.
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kaleidoscopeworld
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by kaleidoscopeworld » Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:54 am

Rob Farr wrote:Erich Von Stroheim.
Bingo.

Josef von Sternberg might be my runner-up choice.

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entredeuxguerres
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by entredeuxguerres » Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:11 pm

Does drinking & whoring (as well as extraordinary acting) earn one a place in the pantheon of Over-the-Toppers? If so, then John Barrymore, certainly.

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telical
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by telical » Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:14 pm

entredeuxguerres wrote:Does drinking & whoring (as well as extraordinary acting) earn one a place in the pantheon of Over-the-Toppers? If so, then John Barrymore, certainly.

Yes, Barrymore came to my mind, too. But I think the thread answered my question.
There really hasn't ever been an actor (or director) even remotely like Klaus Kinski.
His picture really has to be there next to the dictionary definition of the phrase.
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Re: Silent Stars with most over the top personalities

Post by Micromegas » Sat Feb 18, 2012 2:59 pm

Hmmm. Off the top of my head: Jetta Goudal? Corrinne Griffith in later years.
Always interested in silents with a fantastic theme (and, yes, others too)

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