Rare Silent Classics: Man from Headquarters (1928) / Brothers (1929) (DVD)

Trem Carr Pictures was a short-lived independent studio located in California's Placerita Canyon. Though known mostly for Westerns, they also tried their hand at spy and gangster pictures. These films usually starred Cornelius Keefe, a leading man in silent "B" movies who went into retirement upon the arrival of sound. Over twenty years later, he would seek a comeback by changing his name to Jack Hill, appearing in the cult classic The Brain Eaters (1958). The studio's president, Trem Carr, would become one of the founders of the successful Monogram Pictures in 1931.

The Man From Headquarters (BW, 1928, Silent): Secret Service agent Yorke Norray is assigned to safeguard half of a map that leads to a priceless cache of gold. The other half is in the hands of a criminal organization led by the Countess Jalna of Albania. While traveling by train to Washington, Norray is attacked by the consortium's top hitmen. After several attempts on the agent's life fail, the Countess decides to use her sultry charms to coerce the location of the map from him. But, in the heat of passion, she instead falls in love with the handsome young man. Jalna reveals to him her true motivation -- to help the starving people of her homeland. Now the secret agent is torn between his duty to his country and his desire to aid the gorgeous aristocrat in her quest. Starring Cornelius Keefe and Edith Roberts. Directed by Duke Worne.

Brothers (BW, 1929, Silent): Brothers Tom and Bob Conroy are left parentless when their single mother dies from pneumonia. Separated in the orphanage, their lives take divergent paths. Tom becomes the leader of a band of hijackers, while Bob finishes school without a criminal record. Being fresh out of college as the Depression hits, however, leaves Bob without any employment prospects. He joins Tom's gang, completely unaware that the boss is his brother. A hijacking gone wrong leads to murder, for which Bob takes the fall. When Tom discovers that the fall guy is really his brother, he vows to get him out of jail and back on the straight and narrow...even if it costs him his position as the city's top gangster. Sexy Barbara Bedford, who plays a gun moll, appeared in several silent classics, including The Last of the Mohicans (1920), Tumbleweeds (1925), and Mockery (1927). George Chesebro would later appear in over 200 "B" Westerns during the sound era, mostly as villains, as well as five Three Stooges shorts. Starring Cornelius Keefe, Barbara Bedford and George Chesebro. Directed by Scott Pembroke.

• silent