We all realize that children should be seen and not heard. After all, that’s why we plant them in front of the latest Disney direct-to-video mishmash while we eat a quiet meal by ourselves, for once. Quite a bit has changed since that adage was first uttered, including cinema. What about the movies that the wee ones watch?

Unless you’re pushing 90, you don’t remember the silent film era. If you are pushing 90, the least of your worries is exposing your offspring to old flicks. However, you could be a parent considering self-asphyxiation by stuffed animal if you have to spend another minute with Barney or Arthur or Dora or Blue or Elmo or whatever else P.Blodeon blurts into our national juvenile consciousness. On the other hand, The Matrix may not be the best choice for the little scragamuffins.

Consider the humble silent movie. If you expose them now to films that challenge expectations, maybe the day will be a little bit closer when they sit still in a restaurant or talk intelligently with you about… whatever. So, what can you possible watch that will entertain the children and not expose your own silent-film-phobia? Nineteenth century film was heavy on short (like a couple minutes) documentaries, which nowadays serve as travelogues, geographical and chronological. Comedy is especially good. The Dryden Theatre shows silent films on Tuesday nights, often in better condition than you’ll find anywhere else. On October 18, Harold Lloyd stars in Safety Last!, a classic for any era. Before then, do some family warm-ups with Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton who are available on DVD and video. If you’re feeling particularly bold, a lot of entertaining experiments are out there: Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and the films of Georges Méliès. Be aware that the silent film era was pre-code and a wide variety of misguided and misanthropic films were made. On the other hand, these films often display the joy of creation. Such ubiquitous choices as moving the camera or doing a close-up were brand new ideas, abused less and loved more.

September, 2005