Early innovation in camera movement

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The Last Laugh (1924)

Mocking laughter and ironic laughter
are soundlessly the same
in this film where nothing is spoken and
nothing need be said to make it better; it's all

in the motion--of the camera! whose famous fluidity
gave birth to cinematic innovation
in 1924, in Germany, the lens

of F. W. Mirnau is unchained, to fall
down as a man's dignity is dashed, and then
to swoop up again as he becomes
the most unlikely Master of the Universe

and only the night watchman gives a damn
in this important silent gem.

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