Acting In Silent Movies - article by MOREinfo-About.com

Acting in Silent Movies

Women acting in silent movies were definite types, able to clearly define a character simply by general appearance and pantomime acting. There were those acting the part of "vamps" or seductive and flirtatious women...and those who were wickedly seductive. Silent movies were a great venue for both romance (typified by such exotic leading men as Rudolph Valentino) and comedic masters of pantomime acting like Charlie Chaplin.

Actors in silent movies had no need for voice training or for learning dialogue to enhance their acting. Only body language and facial expression (usually quite exaggerated) facilitated acting out their various roles. As silent movies were present during the "roaring twenties" romance and comedy prevailed over heavy drama. Dramatic acting took place in the type of suspense story where the villain tied the heroine to the railroad tracks. Female actors in the zenith of silent movies usually had bobbed hair, cupid-bow lips and silken, short skirts.

With the advent of sound in motion pictures, the acting scene changed dramatically. Suddenly pantomime acting didnd't suffice; the hero and heroine had to speak. To the dismay of many a silent movie star, their vocal and acting limitations shut them out.

Acting in movies with sound was a whole different thing. And it ushered in a time when acting techniques and talents had to be sharpened and trained for both more specific and more subtle elements in acting techniques.

The transition from silent movies to sound pictures challenged the attributes and talents of those acting in the former. Some rose to stardom, and some were left behind. Acting in silent movies was relegated to the past and the museum of motion pictures.

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