Really? Is this because your brother has seen dozens of silent
films? Or because your brother hasn’t seen very many?
My first thought was Chaplin in “City Lights”. Have him look at
the performances of Chaplin and the very young Jackie Coogin in
“The Kid” and then with a straight face say neither of them showed
much acting and their characters have very little identity.
And that’s just two films. Want a list of actors and silent films?
Or is it the case that your brother has seen all these amazing
actors and iconic characters and still finds them all lacking?
You want acting tips for silent films? Look at Keaton, Arbuckle,
Tallula Bankhead, John Barrymore and Lon Chaney.
Seriously, tell me that there isn’t much acting or character
identity in Chaney’s Hunchback or Phantom. If his Hunchback
doesn’t break your heart and the character stick with you for the
rest of your life then there is something wrong. Tell your brother
to watch the 1925 “The Unholy Three” and say there’s not much
acting in that movie.