> Well, the antagonism generated by the topic of silent films has seemed > "petty and slightly ridiculous," yes. Those who've spoken lovingly and > longingly of silent films have not exactly written off the sound era. > Those who don't know the silent era are not only missing a potential > treat--de gustibus . . .--but lack a context for understanding what > followed in film history as well as an important chapter of cultural > studies, history of narrative, history of the arts, twentieth century > experience, etc. Harriet: Why do you assume that the two sides of the debate are, on the one hand, those who speak lovingly about silent cinema, and on the other, those who do not know silent cinema? Why do you assume that the ones who do not believe that nothing of importance has been produced after the Twenties are necessarily incompetent about the topic, that they speak out of ignorance? Some attitudes here.... Gloria Monti Yale University [log in to unmask]