Category Archives: opinion

MABEL NORMAND’S BEST SILENT COMEDIES (1921-1927)

Balladeer’s Blog takes its third and final look at the best silent film comedies of the legendary comedienne Mabel Normand. For 1910-1915 click HERE. For 1916-1920 click HERE.

MOLLY O (1921) – This film was produced by Mabel’s longtime romantic partner Mack Sennett (the musical Mack & Mabel is about them) and co-written by Mary Hunt. Originally 80 minutes long, this comedy was once considered completely lost like so many other silent movies.

Part of the surviving 57 minutes of footage has an unusual survival story. Because the film centers on the romance of a poor struggling Irish girl, Molly O’Dair (Normand) and wealthy MD John Bryant (Jack Mulhall), much of the comedy centers on class stereotypes of Molly’s poor but honest family and Jack’s wealthy but villainous family.

The Soviet Union edited out all the funny parts and presented what was left as one of their propaganda films depicting life in America as one long nightmare of evil rich capitalists ridiculing and being cruel to poor working-class people.

That footage from the fallen U.S.S.R.’s film archives helped UCLA film historians flesh out what surviving footage they held with the chopped-up Russian version to make the 57-minute cut. Luckily the ending is intact and reviews from 1921 help fill in any missing story beats.

Molly’s Irish family runs a laundry and when she delivers some clothing to Dr. John Bryant, they fall for each other. Dr. Bryant is the only decent member of his family, and he & Molly struggle to make their romance work despite the snobbish machinations of his hoity-toity clan who despise the Irish.

The brother of John’s former lady is the main villain and tries to send Molly/ Mabel to her death from a high-flying dirigible in the thrilling finale. Dr. Bryant uses a bi-plane to reach the dirigible and executes a daring leap to board the lighter than air vessel so he can overcome the bad guy and save his true love.    Continue reading

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NEWS ROUNDUP: APRIL EIGHTH

Time for another current events roundup from Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog.

IN SPECIAL GEORGIA ELECTION TO REPLACE MTG, THE TRUMP-ENDORSED CANDIDATE CLAY FULLER WINS. Like I always say, I’m skeptical about what can be read into special election results, but we all know that if the anti-Trump candidate had won Democrats would be insisting it proved Trump is doomed.

DEMOCRATS SUPPORT REQUIRING I.D. TO ENTER OBAMA’S LIBRARY BUT NOT TO VOTE. The party of insanity. 

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S POLICIES BRING PAY INCREASE TO MEATPACKERS. The greatest president for the working class and the poor during my lifetime.

DEMOCRAT “SANCTUARY” NEW YORK LET LOOSE THREE-TIMES DEPORTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT NOW CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING A FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL. Still no sanctuary for victims under Democrats – only for perpetrators. 

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTED FOR BEATING A WOMAN TO DEATH. Bruce Springsteen should be asked about this. Continue reading

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APRIL SIXTH NEWS ROUNDUP

Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog starts the week with a current events roundup from an America where Democrats are feigning outrage that Trump used an F-bomb but we all know they would spin it as “cool” and “real” if a Democrat president did that.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PRAISES RESCUE OF SECOND AIRMAN IN IRAN. But haters gonna hate.

TURNER: TRUMP STOPPED IRAN’S ABILITY TO BECOME A NUCLEAR SUPERPOWER. Someone had to after Obama financed their nuclear weapons program. More HERE.

A LOOK AT THE OVERSEAS TYCOONS WHO FUND THE RIDICULOUS “NO KINGS” EXERCISES IN PARANOIA AND SELF-CONGRATULATIONS. The silly little asses who attend such things need to grow up and/or seek professional help.

PRESIDENT TRUMP MAKES RETIREMENT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE ONLY TO THE WEALTHY AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. The greatest president for the working class and the poor during my lifetime.

PRIVILEGED WHITE ONE-PERCENTER STEPHEN KING, LOOKING NOTHING AT ALL LIKE A CREEP WHO STALKS CHILDREN, GETS SMACKED DOWN FOR HIS COLOSSALLY STUPID POST ON X.

DEMOCRATS FALSELY CLAIM PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS HOSPITALIZED. How stupid does someone have to be to believe Democrat lies about Trump after all these years?

VIDEO: BLACK AND GAY VOTERS ARE DONE WITH DEMOCRAT ACTIVISM.

NEW YORK TIMES DOESN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE FOUR LETTERS IN N.A.T.O. STAND FOR. What a farce.

SOUTH KOREA AND UKRAINE HELPING TO SECURE THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

IN DEMOCRAT “SANCTUARY STATE” CONNECTICUT, ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MS-13 MEMBER FOR MURDER. Victims get no sanctuary from Democrats – only perpetrators do.

ILHAN OMAR CALLED OUT FOR ASSISTING FRAUDSTER IMMIGRATION IN EXCHANGE FOR A FEE. Continue reading

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FLASHBACK: MORE OF 2019’s ANTI-TRUMP LIES AND HYSTERIA

The kind of loons who check under their bed for President Trump every night before going to sleep were just as frantic and unhinged during his first term, too. Picking up where we left off last week:

APRIL 18th, 2019 – EVEN ANTI-TRUMP REPORTER MICHAEL TRACEY IS HONEST ENOUGH TO LIST ALL OF THE ANTI-TRUMP LIES FROM THE DEMOCRAT MEDIA AND FROM ELECTED DEMOCRATS LIKE ADAM SCHIFF.

APRIL 13th – NEW YORK TIMES IS UPSET THAT TRUMP’S POLICY AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS WINNING OVER MANY BLACK VOTERS.

APRIL 14th – BIGOTED ANTI-TRUMP FANATIC ATTACKS HISPANIC AMERICAN WOMAN FOR SUPPORTING PRESIDENT TRUMP

MAY 6TH – EVEN TWO CNN REPORTERS ADMIT THAT TRUMP-HATERS ARE LYING ABOUT HIS “FINE PEOPLE” REMARK. Continue reading

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NEWS ROUNDUP: APRIL THIRD

Here’s a week-ending current events roundup from Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog.

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S POLICIES HAVE CUT TAXES FOR COUNTLESS MILLIONS IN THE U.S. THANKS TO THE “BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” The greatest president for the working class and the poor during my lifetime.

TRUMP EFFECT: JOBLESSNESS FELL AGAIN AS JOB SECURITY CONTINUES TO BECOME STRONGER. Like I mentioned above …

JOBS NUMBERS GO HIGHER THAN EXPECTATIONS.

FOUR TIMES DEPORTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, RAPING AND STRANGLING A GIRL UNDER TWELVE YEARS OLD IN KENTUCKY. Privileged white one-percenter Bruce Springsteen cares nothing for such victims. He just rails against enforcing immigration laws. 

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS REFUSING TO TURN TWO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WANTED FOR MURDER OVER TO IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS. Democrats are apparently going to protect illegal immigrant murderers and rapists to the bitter end.

THIRD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MURDERER IN THE LAST MONTH ARRESTED IN “SANCTUARY” VIRGINIA. No sanctuary for victims under Democrats, only for the perpetrators.

NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS ON CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS WHICH MAY BE FACING DEMOCRAT FUND-RAISING ORGANIZATION OVER DECEIVING CONGRESS ABOUT FOREIGN DONATIONS. More HERE. Democrats are always working with hostile nations against the U.S. Continue reading

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APRIL SECOND NEWS ROUNDUP

 Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog is back with another current events roundup from an America where a permanent headline could be PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS OR DOES SOMETHING, AND HIS FROTHING AT THE MOUTH HATERS LIE ABOUT IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSED THE NATION REGARDING THE IRAN CONFLICT.

NATO SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER PIERRE ADMITS THAT EUROPEAN NATIONS HAVE BEEN “FREE RIDERS” IN THEIR OWN SECURITY SINCE THE COLD WAR ENDED AND NEED TO RAMP UP IN ALL DOMAINS.

VIRGINIA’S DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR – FORMER CIA EMPLOYEE ABIGAIL SPANBERGER – STILL REFUSING TO TURN OVER TO ICE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WANTED IN FAIRFAX COUNTY STABBING DEATH

AND ANOTHER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTED FOR MURDER IN DEMOCRAT “SANCTUARY STATE” VIRGINIA. No sanctuary for victims under Democrats, only for perpetrators.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN MICHIGAN FAKE DOCUMENT RING.

CHICAGO’S DEMOCRAT MAYOR FEELS THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE THE REAL VICTIMS.

NASA’S ARTEMIS II ON ITS WAY TO THE MOON.

COMIC RELIEF KETANJI IDIOTICALLY CLAIMS FOREIGN TOURISTS QUALIFY FOR BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP. More HERE.

TRUMP OVERSAW RECORD LEVELS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION IN 2025.

DEMOCRAT PARTY

FLORIDA TEACHER ARRESTED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL. Democrats, can you please leave youngsters alone?

TRUMP EFFECT: U.S. MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY ACCELERATES TO FASTEST PACE IN YEARS.

FLORIDA RENAMES PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

U.S. HIRING BOOM BRINGS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED INCREASE IN INCOME. Continue reading

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JESUS: A PASSION PLAY FOR AMERICANS (1969)

teuber as JesusJESUS: A PASSION PLAY FOR AMERICANS (1969) – For Easter Week here’s a look at an experimental take on the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, all accompanied by music.

BEFORE the concept album Jesus Christ Superstar became a stage production and before Godspell came this rock, improv jazz and blues version of the Passion of the Christ.

Peter Ivers composed the curtain-to-curtain music, while director Timothy S. Mayer wrote the dialogue and lyrics, adapted from the King James Bible version of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Continue reading

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NEWS ROUNDUP: MARCH THIRTIETH

Here’s a Monday current events roundup from Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog.

DEMOCRAT CONGRESSWOMAN ILHAN OMAR, ALREADY UNDER FIRE FOR HER ROLE IN THE MINNESOTA FRAUD RINGS, EXPOSED OVER HER TIES TO SOMALILAND GENOCIDE.

DEMOCRAT CONGRESSWOMAN PRAMILA JAYAPAL CALLS FOR REPARATIONS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. What an obscene insult to all the victims of illegal immigrant crime and their loved ones.

BLACK ICE AGENTS LAUGH AT DEMOCRAT SOYBOY WHO CALLS THEM FASCISTS. More HERE.

JUAQUIN JAMES MALPHURS SAYS HE IS STICKING WITH TRUMP AND PRAISES HIM

IRANIAN REFUGEE SAYS TRUMP IS THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO CLEARLY SEE THE THREAT POSED BY THE CURRENT IRANIAN REGIME

TWO TEXAS POLICE OFFICERS CHARGE INTO BURNING MOTEL AND SAVE GUESTS. Remember, you will NEVER see anti-police “activists” risking their lives to save the lives of others like this.

PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRATS CHEER FOR MORE DEAD AMERICAN SOLDIERS. How very on-brand for the party of criminals and fascists.

HEY DEMOCRATS, ZELENSKY RECOGNIZES THE THREAT POSED BY THE CURRENT IRANIAN REGIME. Iran’s current regime is at least as bad as crazed war criminal Vlad Putin’s Russia. Continue reading

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MARCH TWENTY-SEVENTH NEWS ROUNDUP

Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog is back with another current events roundup from an America where wormy, weaselly people who will celebrate when President Trump inevitably dies pretend to be outraged that he doesn’t follow their orders to mourn the corrupt, failed and disgraced Robert Mueller.

     AND where Democrats try to pretend they aren’t causing the shutdown but also keep saying they will “keep the shutdown going” until their demands are met.

ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FOR RAPING A FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL ON LONG ISLAND. Privileged white one-percenter Bruce Springsteen couldn’t care less about the victim and still rails against ICE instead. 

YET ANOTHER BIDEN-RELEASED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH KILLING SIXTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD VICTIM.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HONORS SHERIDAN GORMAN, ANOTHER VICTIM OF DEMOCRAT “SANCTUARY” POLICIES. I will point out again that victims get no sanctuary from Democrats – only the perpetrators do.

FOUR-TIMES DEPORTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN DEMOCRAT “SANCTUARY” CITY NEW YORK CHARGED WITH MURDERING EIGHTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD MAN. Should illegals be referred to as “Bruce Springsteen fans?” 

DEMOCRAT SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY OPENLY STATES THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE THE PEOPLE DEMOCRATS “CARE ABOUT MOST.”

MARLOW POINTS OUT THAT DEMOCRATS ARE SACRIFICING INNOCENT PEOPLE’S LIVES ON THE ALTAR OF THEIR LATEST “PECULIAR INSTITUTION” – ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

EXAMINING THE UTTER HEARTLESSNESS OF 2026 DEMOCRATS.

UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP’S POLICIES JOBLESSNESS IS NEARLY AT AN ALL-TIME LOW.

DEMOCRATS FEEL PROTECTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIMINALS IS JOB ONE. Continue reading

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MORE SILENT MOVIES FROM CUBA (1908-1913)

Last March Balladeer’s Blog examined several pioneering silent movies made in Cuba, from Havana’s Fire Drill (1897) – the very first Cuban-made film – to 1901 coverage of the Constitutional Assembly, to 1906 film footage of the religious festival La Tutelar de Guanabacoa, which could be openly celebrated back then.

Wrapping up the nine shorts was Cuba’s first horror film – 1907’s La Leyenda del Guije del Rio Sagua – about an evil man being transformed into a clawed, hairy monster called a guije.

A TOURIST IN HAVANA (1908) – A documentary short depicting the sights to be seen by tourists in 1908 Havana. The director was Enrique Diaz Quesada, who founded the first film studio in Cuba alongside his brother Juan. This short debuted on September 15th at Havana’s Payret Theater.   

EL CABILDO DE NACION ROMUALDA (1908) – Another Quesada short, this one capturing a publicly performed Cabildo Afro-Cuban religious ceremony. Such Cabildos dated back centuries and originated as figurative “bread and circuses” for the Cuban slave population, but they also preserved songs, dances, chants and drum music dedicated to the deities that had been worshipped back in Africa. No copies of this movie have survived. The work was filmed at a garden in the Esquina de Tejas. Pepe Acosta produced.

RESTORATION OF THE REPUBLIC (1909) – Part of the silent newsreel series Cuba al Dia, this covered the departure from Cuba of the disgraced and corrupt Provisional Governor Charles E. Magoon.

INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT GENERAL JOSE MIGUEL GOMEZ (1909) – Another newsreel, this one filming the inauguration of Magoon’s elected successor.

JUAN JOSE (1910) – First filmed version of the irreverent Spanish satirical play of the same name written in 1895 by Joaquin Dicenta. The storyline involved a worker fighting with his employer over a woman they both love. This 1910 production ran 16 minutes and starred Boffield Garrido.        Continue reading

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