Originally a baritone in opera, Langley made his film debut in 1922 for Herbert Wilcox and was an instant hit in heavy, villainous roles gaining the description of ‘Britain’s best ‘bad man’ and the British Lon Chaney.
Category Archives: Film
British SIlent Film Star Malcolm Tod
The British Silent Film Star Malcolm Tod 1897-1968
‘A rising notability on British screens,’ Motion Picture Studio 2/6/23 Malcolm Tod was ‘blessed with plenty of push and go.’ Picturegoer February 1924
Quintessential English looking and with youth and good looks on his side, Tod became a rising star on the British screen, first in juvenile roles and then playing smart, slightly snobbish aristocrats and gentlemen. He became even more prominent in continental productions during the slump of the mid-1920s but faded from view by the early 1930s.
Valia (1899-1993)
Her philosophy of life was simple ‘you know… I am really a fatalist at heart – I live for today. Tomorrow can look after itself.’ Picturegoer July 1923
Christened the British Barbara Le Marr, Valia was somewhat type-cast as ‘the charming movie vamp’ which was in stark contrast to her real personality. Valia starred in numerous melodramas in just a three-year period from 1921, but made a big splash and was highly regarded, before marrying an American millionaire and deserting the screen forever in 1924.
The Fox Picture Fig Leaves, 1926
This splendid advertising card was created to advertise the 1926 Fox picture Fig Leaves that was screened at the Capitol Theatre in the Haymarket, London in October 1926, along with a stage fashion show provided by the department store Stagg and Russell in Leicester Square.
Merci et Cie the Movie Modiste
Merci et Cie the Movie Modiste
Post World War 1 there was renewed optimism for the British Film industry and various moves were made to improve the quality of productions with effective and original costume design recognised as being of crucial importance. Between 1919-1922 this was evident by the formation of two dress-designing departments at the newly formed Islington studio for Famous Players Lasky, headed by Marcelle de St Martin and the Alliance Studios, headed by Gladys Jackson. But there were various other independent designers rising to the occasion as well. One such person was the fashion designer and costumier Mde de Petier of Merci et Cie (sometimes spelt Mercie) based at 90 Charing Cross Road, whose business was described as ‘milliners.’
Dolly Tree and The Lodger (1926)
On watching the film closely (once again) I saw something that had not registered before – a rather tantalising and interesting visual connection – that the famous dress-designer Dolly Tree made an appearance in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger (1926)
Marcelle de Saint Martin and British silent film
Marcelle de Saint Martin and British silent film
French born Marcelle De Saint Martin, became the first true head of a cohesive costume or wardrobe department for a British film studio beginning work at the Islington film Studio in the early 1920s.
Continue reading Marcelle de Saint Martin and British silent film
