Retroformat Silent Films

Happy Birthday, Rudolph Valentino!

May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926

Enjoy this special tribute by Joanna Ramos, aka @mysilentboyfriend on Instagram. Plus, Beyond the Rocks becomes 100 years old May 7, 2022!

Song: Angel of Mine, by Monica.

News from The Vault

The Vault is the web's archive of rare silent films and special content for members.

Go to The Vault

Vault exclusives include:

Tom Mix in "The Man from Texas" (1915) (from a beautiful tinted print) and "An Arizona Wooing" (1915).
Harold Lloyd in "Bumping into Broadway" (1919) and "High and Dizzy" (1921)
"The Masked Stranger", Episode 2 of “The Mystery of the Double Cross.” One of the last serials intended primarily for an adult audience, you’ll love it’s quirky, suspense-filled story of mystery and romance.
Jack Pickford in "The Man Who Had Everything," (1924)

- All with brand new, original scores by L.A.'s finest live film accompanist, Retroformat Musical Director Cliff Retallick!

For premium subscribers, legendary historian/writer Anthony Slide talks with Jason Culp about film preservation and his memories of working for Blackhawk Films.
And much, much more. Only at The Vault!

Visit The Vault

What is a Film Pioneer?

Film Pioneers have access to each month's new additions to The Vault, including Retroformat's most recent, exclusive digital scans of carefully selected, rare silent films! Film Pioneers also receive a subscription to "Gems from The Vault," a monthly magazine of rare silent movies, selected from Retroformat's growing online trove of cinema history! This month's films include

Legendary African American Filmmaker Oscar Micheaux's "Body and Soul" (1925) featuring the film debut of Paul Robeson
Felix the Cat, Koko the Clown and Pete the Pup in a spooky selection of animated film from the 1920s, and much more!

Become a Film Pioneer

Our Mission is to promote education and enthusiasm about the art of Silent Film.
Our Vision is a future where the silent film era is widely enjoyed & fully appreciated as a cornerstone of modern film & visual art.

Our Community Partners

Retroformat Silent Films is the proud recipient of a 2021 grant for $1,500.00 from the Los Angeles Breakfast Club Foundation, “in recognition of Retroformat’s efforts to promote education and enthusiasm about the art of silent film…We believe Retroformat Silent Films to be a worthy recipient and it is our sincere honor to be able to support (Retroformat) in this way.” We are proud to be honored by such a historic, distinguished ham-and-eggs organization.