Maciste in Hell (1925). Photofest.
(Maciste all’Inferno, Guido Brignone, Italy 1925, 95 min., 35mm)
Silent Tuesdays. The Marvelous Maciste made his debut in the 1914 Italian classic Cabiria and in fifteen years appeared in 27 silent films, played by Bartolomeo Pagano in all. The pattern established for these films shows strongman Maciste as a hero dedicated to restoring order, overthrowing evil rulers, and in the end, getting the virtuous girl while resisting the temptress, in many locations around the world. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before the perpetrator of all evil called on Maciste. Dragged down into the fiery depths of hell, Maciste can rely on only his virtue and his strength to get him back to the land of the living. Live piano by Philip C. Carli.