12 Movies You Probably Didn't Know Were First Made Silent

Pretty much all of us know that before films had sound, they were silent.  What most people don't realize however, is that several of Hollywood's most memorable classics, popular tales - whether they be fairy or folklore based, were first made as silent films.  So here we present 12 films that, before they became "talkies" had their first incarnations as silent classics:

1. Alice in Wonderland (1915)

That's right before it was made into an animated Disney classic, and reinterpreted as the strange and even more confusing live-action/heavy CGI hybrid of Tim Burton; this classic tale based on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland had a 52 minute silent adaptation made in 1915.

That Cheshire Cat is terrifying.

 

2. Cleopatra (1912, 1917)

Before Elizabeth Taylor starred as Cleopatra in the 1963 epic (and expensive) drama, it too was made into several silent films.  The most notable of those being the, unfortunately now lost, 1917 version starring Theda Bara, one of the silver screen's first sex symbols.  This version was known for its elaborate sets and revealing costumes.

Then the Hays Code came along, and doomed the film’s future.

3. Ben-Hur (1925)

Again, another historical epic with a silent predecessor.  Ben-Hur (1959) is best known for its chariot racing scene and winning an unheard of 11 Academy Awards, including one for lead actor Charlton Heston. But before Heston became Judah Ben-Hur, Ramon Novarro played the character in the 1925 silent version.

The first Ben-Hur.

4. A Christmas Carol (1908, 1910)

While there have been many adaptations of this Charles Dickens's novella, its first cinematic makings were as silent films.  Both the 1908 and 1910 adaptations told the story in 15 and 11 minutes.  In fact, the first adaptation of A Christmas Carol to be a talkie wasn't to be for over a decade. 

The 1908 version of Scrooge.

 

5. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

Another film that got the Disney treatment, The Hunchback of Notre Dame was also remade in 1939 with Maureen O'Hara.  Universal Picture's 1923 adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel not only made over $3 million but also starred the iconic silent movie actor Lon Chaney as Quasimodo.

Lon Chaney as the deaf and deformed hunchback.

 

6. Frankenstein (1910)

That's right! Before Boris Karloff was the memorable Monster in the well known 1931 version; Mary Shelley's Monster was first brought to life in a 16 minute film released in 1910.

Not exactly the monster that comes to mind when one thinks of Frankenstein.

7. Peter Pan (1924)

Before Disney, Paramount Pictures brought J.M. Berrie's play to the screen in 1924.  This particular film was notable for casting a Chinese-American for the role of Tiger Lily, the Indian princess.  Also, Peter Pan was played by a girl.

Ummm, yeah... Kind of puts a whole new meaning to the "I don't want to grow up" thing.

8. The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Another Lon Chaney film!  Before the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and the movie based on said musical, that haunted opera house was home to Lon Chaney's Phantom.  In fact, Lon Chaney even created the make-up for his character, which reportedly caused some in the audience to faint.

A credit to Chaney’s talent, his version of the Phantom is still pretty creepy; even by today’s standards.

 

9. Robin Hood (1922)

Again, before Disney, before Errol Flynn, before Russell Crowe, before Mel Brooks parodied it, Robin Hood was Douglas Fairbanks, the original "King of Hollywood."  This 1922 silent adventure classic was also written by Fairbanks and had the alternative title: Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood.

This was back when Robin Hood still wore tights.

 

10. The Ten Commandments (1923)

Cecil B. DeMille brought The Ten Commandments to the screen, not once but twice.  First, with the silent 1923 version starring Theodore Roberts as Moses.  Then again in 1956, with Charlton Heston as the deliverer of the Hebrews. The 1923 version, however, was groundbreaking due to its use of Technicolor for several scenes.

The non Yul Brynner and Charlton Heston version of Rameses and Moses.

11. The Three Musketeers (1921)

This was another film that was 'Disney-fied,' it had an annoying Chris O'Donnell as d'Artagnan. Douglas Fairbanks played the musketeer in this 1921 film.  Fairbanks pulled off, what was considered to be one of early cinema's greatest stunts, when during a fight scene he grabbed a sword while performing a one-handed handspring.

Why Disney? Why? Fairbanks didn't deserve this!

12. The Wizard of Oz (1925)

Written, directed, and produced by Larry Semon, who also starred as the Scarecrow in this 1925 silent classic, the only completed film made during that decade based upon L. Frank Braum's novel.  While Judy Garland's version is the best known and due to its songs, memorable dialogue, elaborate costumes, make-up, special effects, and use of Technicolor considered to be a cinematic masterpiece. Semon's version would be marked as his career highlight, both as a comedian and director.

 The Scarecrow's fate in this version didn't end so well.