Welcome to Silent Movies

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2010-03-06T16:15:00.001-08:00

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Silent Movies on YouTube

2010-03-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

YouTube has quite a few silent movies available to watch. Clicking the link takes you to search results for the term "silent movies," so pop some corn and have some fun!

Thomas Gladysz Articles

2010-02-28T19:30:00.000-08:00

Another new link added:

Thomas Gladysz, founder of the Louise Brooks Society, is also the SF Silent Movie Examiner for Examiner.com.

On his page are links to the various articles he has written for the site. I'm including a link to the main page, A) because there's a lot of articles! B) it makes more sense and C) he links to this site for which I'm very grateful.

There's a lot to explore here, so grab some tea (or coffee), settle in, and enjoy!

New Link

2010-02-26T16:14:00.001-08:00

Also added a new link to At the Movies, this one to The Silent Movie Blog, A blog with some great information, photos, and (most important) ways to donate to help preserve silent movies.

Learn to Dance the Charleston!

2010-02-26T15:44:00.001-08:00

While doing some research today, I came upon a few references to the Charleston. It's one of those Twenties things that everyone who loves the era knows about, but...does anyone really know how to do it up, like Joan Crawford in Our Dancing Daughters?

I didn't think so. To help you out, I've assembled some resources to help you get started.

: A PDF with the footwork outlined
: A very nice basic instructional video
: Another instructional video with a little more fancy moves (including switching the arms across the knees)
: The Charleston for two from era films
: A bit of history, a bit of instruction
: Information on the dance from Wikipedia

Have fun!

Metropolis Goes Back to the Future

2010-02-11T21:12:00.000-08:00

A great article on the various versions of Metropolis throughout the years, and the recently released, restored version.

Information from Kino via Twitter.

Film at First Sight

2010-02-03T12:46:00.001-08:00

I'm back, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and that your new year has started off with all good things.

I just found this, and thought it was interesting: Today's NYTimes.com has an interesting blog posting talking about movie title cards and opening credits.

It also discusses a Web site, The Movie Title Stills Collection, devoted to the subject and includes information from the silent era. I haven't visited it yet but I plan to sit and really explore - it sounds interesting.

I'm always fascinated by what fascinates others, and this is a subject I never would have considered!

New Updates

2009-11-27T19:52:00.000-08:00

A free day has left me a lot of time to do some routine maintenance to the site, as well as add new links, etc.

Some of note:

A site on Karl Dane;
a new one for Colleen Moore;
additional articles available from Bright Lights Film Journal;
new items in the store, and a whole lot more! (Sorry for the rhyme.)

If you haven't taken a run through the links available on At the Movies, then now would be a great time!

British Silent Movie Stunt

2009-11-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

I received an interesting email from the BBC this week. Stephen Stafford wrote in to alert me to an article that describes one of the most expensive and extensive movie stunts in British silent film history: The complete destruction of a train.

The film, The Wrecker, was recently digitally restored, remastered and rescored by composer Neil Brand.

According to the article, "Remarkably, the real crash in The Wrecker is still regarded as the most spectacular rail crash in British cinema history."

Very interesting article, and another film to add to the "buy" list.

The BBC was also kind enough to include a link to WTSM; thank you very much!

Brooks and Garbo

2009-11-22T13:06:00.001-08:00

Was doing a little poking about on the Web today, and came across two small bios/photos of Louise Brooks and Greta Garbo on Style.com.

They are lovely.

Douglas Fairbanks: 125 Years Old and Still Going Strong!

2009-11-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

In an effort to bring you yesterday's news today, I went trawling around the L.A. Times Web site.

Chances are, this article may have made the rounds and I just missed it. But in case it didn't, here is a story on Douglas Fairbanks and Sparrow Morgan, who first organized a memorial for him in 2003 and continues to do so (at least as late as 2008, when the article was first published).

A nice story on how silents continue to fascinate and enthrall audiences even now!

Harold Lloyd's Christmas Tree

2009-11-07T20:05:00.001-08:00

Normally I get annoyed at people who trot out holiday-themed decorations, et. al. right after Halloween, but I loved this story so much I didn't want to wait.

It's a story from the L.A. Times on Harold Lloyd and his infamous annual Christmas tree. Lovers of the holiday, Lloyd and his wife would decorate the tree to within an inch of its life.

It's an interesting story, accompanied by a wonderful picture. You won't want to miss it.

(ETA: Here's a link to some interior shots of Greenacres and the tree.)

Rosa Rio, Still Going Strong

2009-10-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely astounded to read that not only is silent film organist Rosa Rio alive and well, but she is still playing -- at 107 years old.

And, she looks fabulous. She looks like she could be in her sixties, tops.

Crime of the Century? Really?

2009-10-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

So Time magazine has recently released its "Top 25 Crimes of the Century," and included is the Fatty Arbuckle scandal.

I don't know; I suppose I can see where they're going with it. And perhaps at the time, it really was considered a "Crime of the Century."

But unlike the others included in the list, Arbuckle was innocent, and I can think of a few other crimes that are more deserving of inclusion.

Frank Coghlan Jr.

2009-10-03T13:22:00.001-07:00

Sadly I report the passing of another actor from the silent era: Frank Coghlan Jr.

His obituary is on NYTimes.com.

ETA 10-25-09: Here is a story on his passing from the LA Times.

French Innovation at Cinema’s Dawn

2009-09-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

I stole the title of today's entry; it's the headline from the NYTimes.com article that accompanies it, a review of a new set from Kino.

“Gaumont Treasures 1897-1913,” is "a fascinating three-disc set from Kino International." According to the review, the set features films from Gaumont, the oldest continuously-running film production company in existence and showcases "an era in which innovation was the norm and formal discoveries were being made almost daily."

With films from Alice Guy, Léonce Perret, Louis Feuillade and others, the set is "an abridged version, with English subtitles, of 'Le Cinéma Premier,' a seven-disc collection issued in 2008 in France by Gaumont."

Nonetheless, the review gives it high marks for offering "a satisfying, well-chosen sample for more casual visitors to this astoundingly rich, fast-moving period in film history."

Swimming with Marion

2009-08-29T20:59:00.001-07:00

Like stepping back in time...

Want to swim with Marion, Charlie, Harold, and Greta? While they, and the fabulous beach cottage of Marion Davies, may be long gone, the original Venetian marble saltwater pool and the 7,000-square-foot guesthouse, the only building from the original estate, are still around. And, happily, they have been renovated and are open to the public!

According to the article on NYTimes.com:

"Reservations to swim in the mansion’s original pool sell out within minutes each day. Rooms for private parties in the new two-story pool house, with sweeping views of California’s once storied Gold Coast, are booked until early next year."

There is also a photo gallery accompanying the story; there's only a few photos of the pool, more of vintage beach gear that's on display. Nonetheless, I may have to change my vacation plans and head for California, instead!

ETA: Here is the link to the Annenberg Community Beach House, with some photos and a brief history of the pool/guest house.

Fun Fact

2009-08-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun fact, courtesy of Mental Floss magazine (via Twitter):

Charlie Chaplin once entered in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest in a theater in San Francisco...and lost.

Virginia Davis McGhee

2009-08-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

I saw on NYTimes.com that Virginia Davis McGhee has died.

I saw her in Pordenone back in 1992, when the Alice shorts were featured throughout the festival. They were wonderful, and she was a very gracious lady, sharing stories with the audience.

What an experience she had, not only being in a brand-new medium but in a form that was decades of its time!

God rest, Mrs. McGhee.

ETA 10-25-09: Here is a story on her passing from the LA Times.

More NYTimes.com DVD Reviews

2009-08-02T20:53:00.001-07:00

I kept meaning to post these in July, but as usual real life (and work) interfered:

The first is a link to a review of a "Becoming Charley Chase," a four-disc collection from VCI Entertainment "that traces the early career of one of the most creative and influential comedians of the era."

The second is a surprise to me; I was not aware that Bardelys the Magnificent had been found, "rediscovered only two years ago in a private collection in France." The double-feature (also including Monte Cristo) is available from Flicker Alley.

Finally, the Times reviews the recently-released boxed set from Kino featuring John Barrymore.

I never fail to comment on how wonderful it is that the Times includes silents in their reviews; what I love the most, though, is their comment, "In a season that has already seen some major additions to the tiny, precious pool of silent films available on DVD..." That's exactly it: A tiny, precious pool that lovers of silent film are so happy to have.

NYT Article: Harry Langdon

2009-06-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

I had the distinct pleasure of hearing from Bill Eggert, formerly the president and director of the Silent Film Society of Atlanta.

He had a link to a wonderful article on Harry Langdon, from the New York Times, so I thought I would pass it along.

I add articles from the Times a lot, I know, but what can I say? There's a lot there. If anyone has articles from other sources, please let me know!

Queensland Art Gallery: Free Film Screenings

2009-06-16T19:05:00.001-07:00

I just received this in my Inbox:

I am writing on behalf of the Australian Cinémathèque, part of the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art, one of the largest public art museums in Australia. For more information on our institution, please see our website.

The Cinémathèque is currently screening a film program titled 'Hollywood on the Hudson' accompanying the 'American Impressionism and Realism, A Landmark Exhibition from The Met', The Metropolitan Museum of the Arts, New York at the Queensland Art Gallery.

'Hollywood on the Hudson' features classic films from the 1920s and 1930s which encapsulate a rich, vibrant and culturally aware New York City at a time of great economic and social change and I believe these films maybe of great interested to your community members. Entry to this program is free admission and no bookings are required. The several silent films in the program will be accompanied live by organist David Bailey on the Wurlitzer organ.

We have been fortunate to source very rare film prints from the Museum of Modern Art, Library of Congress and UCLA Film and Television Archive presenting an exceptional opportunity for patrons to see these titles as most are unavailable for viewing outside of 35mm film projection environment.

I have attached information regarding the full film program for 'Hollywood on the Hudson' which I hope you will consider forwarding the document to interested patrons or including on your website / community notice board.

Also included was a PDF.

ETA:
Well, what do you know: While New York Sleeps is on the bill. I reviewed this back in October (bottom of page), after a trip to New York when I saw it at MOMA; it must be doing the film festival circuit.

And FYI: It is most decidedly NOT 65 minutes long.

New Article, New Book

2009-05-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Another find from NYTimes.com:

Jeanine Basinger has written a review of a new book from Michael Sragow, a biography of Victor Fleming.

While mostly remembered as the director of such gems as The Wizard of Oz and given credit for Gone With the Wind, Fleming also got his start during the silent era, working on Intolerance and becoming a cameraman for Allan Dwan, shooting many of Douglas Fairbanks' films.

If anyone has read it, please let me know; I'd be interested to find out if the book glosses over his silent era work, concentrating more on his well-known films or if it goes in-depth.

Another NYT Article

2009-05-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Finding the NYTimes.com article on Fort Lee, New Jersey inspired me to an archives search; I found another recent article on accompanist and composer (and author) Stuart Oderman.

For over 50 years, Oderman has been composing scores and accompanying silent films for MOMA, thanks to a chance meeting with Lillian Gish at a showing of Broken Blossoms.

I've added his books to the WTSM Store, in case you're interested in reading more.

Fort Lee, NJ, or Hollywood East

2009-05-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

There's a fabulous article on NYTimes.com about Fort Lee, New Jersey's history as a center for filmmaking in the early days of the movies. While brief, it's still a great article; the best tidbit is the discovery of rolls of film buried beneath the soil at the site of the old Eclair studio. Don't miss this one.

Even more: The article was written as New Jersey prepares to commemorate next year as the centennial of the first studio opening in Fort Lee. Turner Classic Movies is currently in the process of preparing a 10-part series on the history of the American film industry. Titled “Moguls and Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood,” the documentary is scheduled to air in 2010.

I can't wait!