The Glories of Ukraine's KINO and Chwila film magazines

When we think of the silent era in Europe, films from countries like France, Germany, Italy or the Soviet Union might come to mind. Each produced great actors and directors and landmark motion pictures. However, there were also vital film industries emerging elsewhere - in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, etc... This blog's recent series of posts highlighting Poland's KINO magazine suggest there is much to discover in other European nations - not only in their interest in American film stars, but in their own stars and emerging film industries. If you haven't already done so, be sure and check out 

The Glories of Poland's KINO Magazine, part one

The Glories of Poland's KINO Magazine, part two

The Glories of Poland's KINO Magazine, part three

Ukraine's Online Periodical Archive, The Libraria, contains a number of periodicals for those who like me enjoy surfing the internet and browsing old newspapers and magazines, even though I can't read a word (but I can "read" and appreciate the visuals). I wish to follow-up on those three Polish posts with a similar post highlighting Ukraine's KINO and Chwila  magazines, which I was able to survey. (The Chwila covers continue after the break = "Read more.")

Let's begin with KINO magazine, which was dominated, seemingly, by Soviet actors and films? Unfortunately, because of the way this database is controlled, I wasn't able to look into the magazines themselves - just their 109 covers.  But still, there are some great covers to be seen featuring the likes of Buster Keaton, Anna May Wong and others. Unfortunately, I didn't notice any featuring Louise Brooks. I have included a few other covers simply for their design, which is similarly interesting.

Buster Keaton, 1929

Anna May Wong, 1929

Ramon Novarro ? 1929

Adolphe Menjou? Douglas Fairbanks? 1928

a great design, 1926

another great design, 1928

Louise Brooks, Clara Bow and Peggy Joyce are part of the Smart Set

Smart Set was one of the leading literary magazines during the Jazz Age. Founded in 1900 by Civil War veteran William d'Alton Mann, the magazine published a veritable who's who of American writers - everyone from Jazz Age stars F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker and Anita Loos (each of whom Louise Brooks met or knew) to Frank Wedekind (author of Pandora's Box) and Jim Tully (author of Beggars of Life). The celebrated magazine also published mystery writer S. S. van Dine (author of The Canary Murder Case), Ben Hecht (contributor to The City Gone Wild) and Dashiell Hammett (author of The Maltese Falcon, who Brooks once met). Read more about Smart Set on its Wikipedia page, which contains links to old back issues.

Though serious minded (the magazine was once edited by H.L. Mencken), it hoped to appeal to the sometimes frivolous youth of the Jazz Age, as seen in this 1928 advertisement featuring Velva Darling. Be sure and check out the Jezebel article, "Forever 23: The Rapid Rise and Sudden Disappearance of Velva Darling, Modern Girl Philosopher."

Well anyways, this is all prelude to mentioning that Smart Set also hoped to lure young female viewers by utilizing the likes of  actresses Louise Brooks, Clara Bow and Peggy Joyce.

A silent film collage in an Italian futurist magazine

I have always been drawn to collage, whether in the visual arts or in film or literature. Despite the jumble, it makes sense. Early modernism, especially dada and surrealism made use the technique, as did futurism. Recently, while looking online through some vintage Italian magazines, I came across this collage featuring some early film stars. It really appeals to me. I believe this Italian futurist magazine dates from 1932. How many film stars can you name? (Unfortunately, no Louise Brooks.)

An interior page

The magazine cover