Greetings and salutations everybody and welcome to the third and final day of the 22nd ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY SILENT FILM FESTIVAL here at the Edison Theater, the home of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum! A lot of fun and excitement took place on Sunday, so folks, if you don't mind, let's get this day started!
The morning program was entitled THEY RODE OUT OF THE SILENT SCREEN, which was hosted by friend of the museum Larry Telles.
The early afternoon screening was 16mm SURVIVORS: THE ROLE OF THE 16mm COLLECTORS IN FINDING LOST FILMS.
The late afternoon program was the screening of LORRAINE OF THE LIONS.
Well folks, there you have it! Another great festival and another great
time at the museum. Remember that the museum has weekly Saturday shows,
and they will also be showing Laurel and Hardy talkies on Sunday afternoons. To learn more
about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and
view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Showing posts with label Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Phil attends the 22nd ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY SILENT FILM FESTIVAL: DAY TWO at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - July 27, 2019
First off, we were once again treated another WALKING TOUR OF NILES, lead again by our Niles residents and gurus Rena and David Kiehn (they also did this tour during the Charlie Chaplin Days event). For those who chose to stay at the museum for the festival, they were treated to a screening of BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT’S SECRET, along with the making-of documentary WINDOW TO THE PAST.
Afterwards, there was the A SALUTE TO THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS: ESSANAY CAMERAMEN AND THE BELL & HOWELL CONNECTION presentation at 1pm. Here, David Kiehn talked about all the various cameramen that worked for the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, both here in Niles and at their Chicago location. Of course, Kiehn talked about the great and legendary cinematographer Rollie Totheroh, who would go on to become Chaplin's main cameraman. He also talked about other cinematographers who would join the ASC, including Fred Jackman, Ira Morgan, and Jackson Rose. Kiehn also talked about Frank D. Williams, the man who invented the Williams travelling matte process for special effects work.
TEN NIGHTS IN A BARROOM (1909): A cautionary tale about a family man who ends up spending too much time at his local bar, which ends up having a negative affect on his family and his job. A super cool rare short film from the Chicago studio. The movie was directed by Gilbert Anderson and was released on June 9, 1909.
A RANCHMAN'S RIVAL (1909) Made in the same year as the first short, but filmed in Golden, Colorado. Here, Gilbert Anderson portrays Broncho Billy, . This was the infamous film that Anderson was directing when his lead actor refused to listen to him. As a result, Anderson fired his actor right thee on the spot, and he took over the lead role, thus becoming the world's first cowboy superstar and making cinema history! The movie was directed by Gilbert Anderson and was released on December 11, 1909.
THE COWBOY COWARD (1911): Made in San Rafael, California (located in Marin County in the North Bay), Anderson plays a no-good card gambler that gets rejected by his sweetheart Gladys Field because of said bad habits. She meets the good-looking Robert Henry Gray, but lies to her to cover up his cowardly demeanour. The movie was directed by Gilbert Anderson and was released on December 16, 1909.
ALKALI IKE'S PANTS (1912): Made here in Niles, California, this was part of the Snakeville Comedy series. Here, Alkali Ike tries to woo the lovely and very available Margaret Joslin, but a monkey wrench is thrown into hi plan as Mustang and Coyote steals his only good pair of pants!
The movie was directed by Gilbert Anderson and was released on September 21, 1912.
FROM THE SUBMERGED (1912): Made in Chicago, the film stars E.H. Calvert as a poor homeless man who's about to commit suicide by throwing himself into the river when he is stopped by the good natured Ruth Stonehouse. When Calvert inherits his father's fortune, he remembers Ruth and begins to look for her, only to save her from trying to commit suicide as he tried to earlier. The movie was directed by Theodore Wharton and was released on November 12, 1912.
After the program, it was time for some dinner! So I headed over to my favorite place in Niles, Broncho Billy's Pizza Palace, where I ate some of the best pizza in town! After filling my belly up, it was time to head back to the museum for the night time show!
THE BROKEN BRAKE (1920): Chapter of the popular serial by the name of "The Hazards of Helen", the short stars Helen Gibson, considered to be the first professional stunt woman. Here, she must save a both a train and a boxcar filled with dynamite! And she performs a really cool and dangerous stunt towards the end of the movie. Not many of her shorts survived over the years, so this was a really cool treat to watch! The short was released by the Capital Film Company in 1920.
Then it was intermission time! After, we all settled back in the theater, where Rena Kiehn awarded author/historian/researcher Marc Wanamaker with the prestigious Ray Hubbard Award for his contributions to preserving and protecting of film history.
RED SIGNALS (1927): Filmed on the Santa Fe Railway in and around Los Angeles in the late 1920s, the film is packed with action, this film showcases wooden box cars, speeding freight and passenger trains, explosions, derailments and almost a complete lack of regard for safety. There’s even a treacherous switching move with a box car of dynamite. Starring Wallace MacDonald, Earle Williams, Eva Novak and directed by J.P. McGowan, the film was released by Sterling Pictures on March 1, 1927.
And that was it for Day Two of the festival!! Remember the Broncho Billy Film Festival concludes this Sunday! So make plans to attend this event! To purchase tickets and passes, view the festival's film schedule, and to become a member, visit the museum's official website at http://nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 22nd ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY SILENT FILM FESTIVAL: DAY ONE at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - July 26, 2019
The night began with THIS IS FRANCES X. BUSHMAN (2019), a work-in-progress documentary about the biggest star from the Chicago Essanay Studio. Produced by the museum, the film was introduced by the director himself Lon Davis. This was cool to see, mainly because I've only seen a couple of images from the Chicago studio. I cannot wait to see when this project is completely finished!
After a brief intermission and social mingling, it was time for the feature presentation.
Directed by Albert Kelly and released by in Argentina on May 10, 1928, the film was screened here in the states on September 16th that same year. However, it only played in theaters for a brief time before fading away to film obscurity. For years the film was thought to be forever lost, until a print of the movie was discovered in 2013. Tonight’s screening was considered to be the film’s first screening here in the states since 1928, and was an astounding silent classic! The print had Italian titles, which were lovingly translated by Jackie Capurro.
This was a historic film production, mainly because this was a major Hollywood studio production that was actually financed, supervised and produced by an Argentinean producer, in this case Julián Ajuria. The movie was released Film Booking Offices of America (FBO) to theaters in the fall of 1928. Ironically, Film Booking Offices of America would eventually morph into RKO Radio Pictures. The film's title was changed to THE BEAUTIFUL SPY for the American market, since most didn't know what a gaucho was.
I was familiar with director Albert Kelly, due to his contribution to the world of exploitation cinema. He directed some true cult classics, such as NO MORE CHILDREN (1929), JUNGLE BRIDE (1931), DOUBLE CROSS (1941), and my personal favorite STREET CORNER (1948), which is available on DVD from the fine folks over at Something Weird Video!
And that my friends was the opening night of the festival! There’s still plenty more fun to be had, so don’t miss out on all this silent film festivities! To learn more the festival’s schedule, weekend passes, and how to become a member, please visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Phil attends the 16th ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY SILENT FILM FESTIVAL: Day Three-June 30, 2013
I arrived at the Edison Theater where I along with over two dozen silent film fans took a WALKING TOUR OF NILES! Led by David and Rena Kiehn, the tour consisted of visiting various locations and landmarks in Niles that the Essanay Film Studios used for their films. From the old building that used to be original location of the studio itself, David and Rena gave a fun and informative tour! Also as an added bonus, David included the locations that he used for his new silent film BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET!
After the tour, we all returned to the Edison Theater for the next screening. STUNT LOVE is an half hour Australian documentary focusing on stunt pioneers (and real life Hollywood couple) Helen Holmes and J.P McGowan. Interviewed in the documentary were David Donaldson, Richard Maltby, Geoff Mayer, modern day daredevil Zoe Bell. It also contained movie clips and archival footage of this powerful dynamic couple!
The film was introduced Shirley Frietas, J.P. and Helen's granddaughter. And after the screening, their was a discussion about the subject moderated by board member Sprague Anderson and featuring silent film actress and author Diana Serra Cary and author/historian Bob Birchard.
Afterwards there was an hour break, then the fun continued with closing night film! But before the film, Rene announced the winners for the raffle as well as the silent actions that was happening during the festival. Ukulele sweetheart and singer Janet Klien performed a couple of songs (using her ukulele that lights up in the dark), and John Bengston (author of the Silent Echoes series of books) gave a presentation on the various locations that the great Buster Keaton used in tonight's film.
The museum had an encore screening of their new silent film BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET. At this screening, many of David's family members were in the audience, including of the film's stars: Diana Serra Cary!! After the screening, it was time for the main feature!
SHERLOCK JR. (1924): In the movie Buster Keaton plays a projectionist (and janitor) in a movie theater. However, he's also studying to become a detective. He's also in love with a beautiful girl (Kathryn McGuire), but he has competition in the form of Ward Crane. One day he is accused of stealing his girlfriend's father's watch and thus is told he can never see her again. He goes back to the theater, where he falls asleep and dreams that he's a Sherlock Holmes-type detective, solving the case of who stole a valuable pearl necklace.
This was a clever film-within-a-film movie that really showed off Buster's amazing acrobatic abilities while also creating a witty and loveable character that we all cheer for! Buster directed the film and he did all of his own stunts as well as for actor Ford West (in the scene where the motorcycle he is driving with Keaton on the handlebars, hits a deep pothole and bucks him off flat on his behind). Also, there's the scene where Keaton was hanging off of a tube connected to a water basin. The water poured out and washed him on to the track. It was here where he suffered a broken neck, but he was unaware that he did it. It wasn't until he saw a doctor years later that he discovered this fact out courtesy of a X-ray that he had gotten. The film was released to theaters on April 21, 1924. The movie was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress in 1991.
Well folks, there you have it! Another great festival and another great time at the museum. Remember that the museum has weekly Saturday shows, and they will also be showing Laurel and Hardy talkies on Sunday afternoons. To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 16th ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY SILENT FILM FESTIVAL: Day Two, Part Three-June 29, 2013
Before the night's films, both Rene Kiehn and museum president Dorothy Bradley present the Ray Hubbard Award Recipient for 2013 to Walter and Marcia Levy. The Levy's have been major supporters of the museum long before the museum even existed. I have seen them in attendance at the museum every Saturday night since I've been coming since 2006. I didn't know them well, but they were very nice and loved watching silent films. Walter passed away back in October 2012. A couple of weeks ago, the museum visited Marcia to present her with the award in person. She was very excited and honored. She passed away a couple of days ago. They will be missed here!
After the Hubbard presentation, archivist David Kiehn came back up to discuss about the short film we were about to see, which was the hilarious...
SOPHIE'S HERO (1913): The film was part of a series of western comedies called Snakeville comedies. In the short, three and a half local cowboys (one is about 5ft tall so he counts as half) are vying for the affection of Sophie Clutts (Margaret Ike), who is the only woman in the town of Snakeville. Also starring in the film are Essanay actors Harry Todd, Fred Church, Victor Potel, and Alkali Ike (he left for Universal Pictures to star in his own series, but it didn't last).
After a brief intermission, the show continued with...
HIS NIBS (1921): Directed by Gregory La Cava, the film stars vaudeville comedian Charles "Chic" Sale. The comedy takes place in a movie theater called The Slippery Elm Nickelodeon, where an old and craggy projectionist named Theodore "His Nibs" Bender (Sale) is showing a movie called HE FOOLED THEM ALL, starring...yup, you guessed it...Sale!! He played SEVEN different characters in the film! Besides Bender and the boy in the film, Sale also portrayed Wally Craw, Mr. Percifer, Elmer Bender, Peelee Gear Jr., and Miss Dessie Teed. The clever movie-within-a-movie premise provides Sale an opportunity to showcase his comedic timing and talent that he used in his vaudeville acts. Starring as his love interest is none other than Colleen Moore, in one of her early screen appearances! The film was released by Exceptional Pictures on October 22, 1921.
And that was it for Day Two of the festival!! Remember the Broncho Billy Film Festival concludes this Sunday! So make plans to attend this event! To purchase tickets and passes, view the festival's film schedule, and to become a member, visit the museum's official website at http://nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Phil attends the 16th ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY FILM FESTIVAL: Day Two, Part Two-Jue 29, 2013
THE MAKING OF BRONCHO BILLY (1913): The film is an early attempt as what we would call a "prequel." After making several Broncho Billy shorts for the past couple of years, G.M. Anderson decided to give his character a backstory, giving audiences a look at how Broncho Billy came to be. Basically, the East Coast transplant Billy is pretty mush a wimp. He drinks soda pop in a salon, which gets him teased by the locals such as Wilkes (Brinsley Shaw). Soon Billy gets a gun and practices until he becomes an expert marksman. He then sets off to find Wilkes to prove his manhood. This 16mmprint came from the museum's own vault!
WHY BRONCHO BILLY LEFT BEAR COUNTY (1913): This print is from the vaults of the NESFM! Broncho Billy helps out his friend Marion Rivers (Marguerite Clayton) with carrying her drunk father home. Marion repays the favor by preventing Broncho Billy from robbing a stagecoach. Unfortunately her father does rob the stagecoach, so it's up to BB to save the day!
BRONCHO BILLY'S GUN-PLAY (1913): Broncho Billy gets called in by Sheriff Waters (Brinsley Shaw) to help round up a bunch of fierce bandits led by a man called Hawk Eye (Fred Church). The 35mm film print came courtesy from the British Film Institute.
BRONCHO BILLY'S GRATEFULNESS (1913): Broncho Billy wonders in the country with a terrible fever. He stumbles across the home of John Harding (Brinsley Shaw) and his wife (Evelyn Selbie). He gets better and says if they need anything let him now. When Fred Church comes back to attempt to blackmail Mrs. Harding with her old love letters, John hunts him down to kill him. So she aks BB's help to save her husband. The 35mm film print came courtesy from the British Film Institute.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE SHERIFF'S KID (1913): Our friend Broncho Billy breaks out of jail and hides out in the back country. While the sheriff looks for him, his daughter, while walking home from school, falls down a step cliff. BB finds her and takes her home to her mother. While fetching the town's doctor, he gets shot by the sheriff, but when makes it to back to the sheriff's house, his wife has a story to tell him! The 35mm film print came courtesy from the British Film Institute.
THE SHERIFF'S WIFE (1913): A pair of thieves try to rob the sheriff's house where his wife is safe guarding a bag of gold that was confiscated. Little to the thieves realize is that this one sheriff's wife that you don't want to messed with!! The 35mm film print came courtesy from the British Film Institute.
And that's it for this afternoon! Now I'll be back later on to talk about the afternoon show! Remember the Broncho Billy Film Festival is going on all this weekend! So make plans to attend this event! To purchase tickets and passes, view the festival's film schedule, and to become a member, visit the museum's official website at http://nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 16th ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY SILENT FILM FESTIVAL: DAY TWO, PART ONE-June 29, 2013
At 11am the museum had author Gary Lee Parks give a slide show presentation entitled CLASSIC BAY AREA THEATERS. An avid theater lover, Parks gave us a tour of movie theater from all around the country, with many pictures of theaters located here in the Bay Area. One of the pictures shown was the old Jose Theater located in my hometown San Jose. The Jose is now the Improve Theater, the popular comedy club in the heart of Downtown SJ. I also saw a picture of the Golden State Theater in Monterey (I've seen several silent films there back in the day), plus theaters from Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Oakland, and of course, San Francisco. After his presentation, he had table set up where he signed several copies of his books.
At 12:30, our next speaker Professor Russell Merritt introduced the next segment of the morning: animation! However, he focused on the animation that was coming out from Europe. He spoke about Emile Reynaud, the forgotten pioneer of animation. He talked about how the animation from America was mostly based on comic strip characters like Felix the Cat or Koko the Clown, the European animators were creating experimental and avant garde animated short films that were really extraordinary. He screened two shorts and a main feature.
PAUVRE PIERROT (1892): This simple cartoon featuring a love triangle between two men who are both in love with the same woman. What really surprised me the most was that the short still exists! The cartoon is 121 years old! And it was cute and quite funny! It was just astounding to see history being screened right before my eyes! The film was directed by Emile Reynaud.
THE CAMERMAN'S REVENGE (1912): The titles sounds like a typical, rambunctious cartoon, full if slapstick and sight gags. However, in actuality, it's a stop motion animation short with dead insects being animated to walk around like people. Yes, it was crazy bizarre, but really funny to watch! Directed by Ladislas Starewicz, the short is also known as REVENGE OF THE KINEMATOGRAPH CAMERMAN.
After the two shorts, then introduced the main feature of the morning.
THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMEND (1926): Directed by Lotte Reinger, the film is considered a landmark film in the world of animation. Telling that tale of the beloved classic Arrabian Nights, the film was made in silhouette using animated puppets to tell the story. I had the opportunity to see the film years ago at the Castro Theatre during the San Francisco Silent Film festival and it was amazing to see the genius of the film again. Of course credit goes to Lotte Reinger, who animated a truly original work of art!
What a great morning program of films! Now I'll be back later on to talk about the afternoon show! Remember the Broncho Billy Film Festival is going on all this weekend! So make plans to attend this event! To purchase tickets and passes, view the festival's film schedule, and to become a member, visit the museum's official website at http://nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the Opening Night of the 16th ANNUAL BRONCHO BILLY SILENT FILM FESTIVAL-June 28, 2013
The festivities began Friday night with a gala reception over at the Fremont Bank Building, located a couple blocks from the theater. There were foods and refreshments to enjoy, plus as an added bonus, live music courtesy of ukulele sweetheart and singer Janet Klien. Klein hails from Los Angeles where she has a band called Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys. Specializing in performing naughty and lovely tunes of the teens, 20's, and 30's, have released a staggering seven CDs! She's a very talented ukulele player as well as a having an angelic voice, look for her and her band performing in a town near you!
After the reception, everybody made it over to the Edison Theatre for a night of silent film celebration, and there was a lot to celebrate that night. Janet Klien once again performed a couple of songs. Board members Michael Bonham and Rene Keihn welcomed the sold-out crowd and introduced the films we were going to see, especially the brand new silent film that archivist/historian/author/ projectionist (and now director) David Keihn has been working on for the past year! Performing on the piano was the always fantastic Bruce Loeb!
BILLY McGRATH ON BROADWAY (1913): Once believed to be lost, a rare nitrate print of the film was discovered in a projector in the basement of a home in Grand Junction, Colorado! After Billy's sees a terrible play, he comes up with the idea of producing a play of his own. However, when the entire casts walks out on him, the stage crew helps Billy out by becoming his new cast. Like the old saying goes, the show must go on! The film was made at the Essanay Chicago studio.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET (2013): The brand new short film that museum has been working! Directed by David Keihn, with scenario by Keihn and Sprague Anderson, the film was made using the same cameras and techniques that were used during the silent film era! The film is a western, filled with train robbers, the local sheriff, and the man himself, Broncho Billy Anderson, back up on the big screen where he belongs! In their intro, both Keihn and Anderson mentioned that their new film was the workprint, meaning that this was a rough version of the film. It still needs a little more work, but what from I saw, it looked incredible! Many of the actors were in the audience, dressed in their costumes! I can't wait to see the final version of this soon to be silent classic!
After a brief intermission, the show continued with:
SHOW PEOPLE (1928): Directed by King Vidor, the film stars Marion Davies as Peggy Pepper, a Southern Belle who comes to Hollywood with her father to become a star in the movies. However, she has to start at the bottom, and in Hollywood, that means starring in slapstick comedies, a far cry of her dreams; becoming a dramatic actress of period films. She befriends comedian Billy Boone (William Haines) who shows her the ropes and helps her with realizing her dreams. Once she makes it to the top, will stardom go to her head? And what will happen to her loveable Billy?
Marion Davis had fantastic comedic timing and execution, and she loved making them. However, her lover William Randell Hearst thought comedies were beneath her and she should star in dramas and period pieces. King Vidor did a great job of capturing Davis' comedic performances. The film was released by MGM in 1928, just as the silent film world was in transition of becoming "talkies."
What a wonderful night! Spirits were high, the crowd was awesome, the films were funny, what could be better? More movies, maybe? Well guess what? The Broncho Billy Film Festival is going on all this weekend! So make plans to attend this event! To purchase tickets and passes, view the festival's film schedule, and to become a member, visit the museum's official website at http://nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Phil wishes all of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!-January 1, 2013
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| Me at Cinequest 22 Film Festival in San Jose. |
The year 2012 will go down as one of my busiest years of all time. Since launching my movie blog back in March of 2011, I was able to attend several film festivals! My very first festival that I covered was also my most favorite of all: The Cinequest 22 Film Festival! This film festival is my absolute favorite fest to attend and since it's right here in my hometown of San Jose, it felt like I was coming home. During Cinequest I attended 56 screenings in 13 days!! This was an all-new personal best for me! Let's see if I can top that at this year's festival! Keep your fingers crossed for me and hope I don't go blind!!
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| With friends Jason Weiner & Elijah Berry at the SF Silent Film Festival. |
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| Me & Rena Riffel at the SHOWGIRLS 2 show at the Castro, |
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| Me & actress Debra Lamb at Miss Misery's Days of Terror Con. |
In October I once again did my annual horror movie marathon, where I watched and reviewed one horror movie throughout the month. This has inspired me to one again rethink about relaunching my horror movie blog The Midnight Horror Sinema Show! So look for that happening in the next few months!
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| Me & Horror Movie Hostess Miss Misery at the SJ Toy Fair. |
Overall 2012 was a epic year for me. It goes without saying that 2013 will be an even more exciting year! And of course, I would like to thank all of you who joined me on my cinematic adventures!! I hope you enjoyed my reviews and thoughts. Now let's say goodbye to 2012, and welcome 2013 with a bang!!
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Phil attends the 15th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Three, Part Two: CLEOPATRA screening-July 1, 2012
In 1912, Gardner became the first film-actor, male or female, to form her own production company: Helen Gardner Productions. The film was directed by her husband Charles L. Gaskill. Their production of CLEOPATRA (their first production for the company) was the first film adaptation of the famed Queen and was one of the first American full-length films. Also it was made five years before the Theda Bara version. Gardner produced eleven feature films before closing her studio in 1914. The film was originally released on November 13, 1912.
After the film ended, David Kiehn came up and talked about the special project that the museum is currently working on: a brand new silent film! Entitled THE CANYON, Kiehn, along with camera historian Sprague Anderson, will be using the same techniques AND equipment as Broncho Billy Anderson did back when he first came to Niles back in 1912! There is a fundraiser for this very special project. To make a contribute, please visit www.indiegogo.com/nilesfilm.
Well folks, there you have it! Another great festival and another great time at the museum. Remember that the museum has weekly Saturday shows, and they will also be showing Laurel and Hardy talkies on Sunday afternoons. To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Phil attends the 15th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Three, Part One: BABY PEGGY, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM screening-July 1, 2012
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| Baby Peggy (1921) |
Entitled BABY PEGGY, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, this hour long film directed by Vera Iwerebor chronicles the rise of Baby Peggy. After being discovered when she was just 19 months old, her fame took off and she became one of Hollywood's first major child stars. But like her peer Jackie Coogan, her parents had squandered all her money, and at age 11, Baby Peggy was broke and a has-been. Over the next several decades, she reinvented herself as Diana Serra Cary and became a film historian and a successful author. Now she is even more popular than ever, appearing at film festivals all over the world.
Now there is a scene in the film to which I was very happy to see. In 2008, Cary celebrated her 90th birthday here at the museum, and I was there to witness this very special occasion. Also at that celebration was Vera Iwerebor, capturing it all on camera. This event made its way into the documentary, and all of us here at the museum was very happy and pleased to be a part of not only the film, but of Cary's life as well!
immediately after the screening of the documentary, the two shorts was shown. On the piano for this program was the amazing Frederick Hodges.
BROWNIE'S LITTLE VENUS (1921): This funny and cute little short has Baby Peggy and her trusty sidekick Brownie the Dog helping her parents out by stopping a burglar that has broken into their house. Now in 2010, a copy of this film was discovered in a collection in Switzerland. The film has now been preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archives, which is where this 35mm print came from. The film was originally distributed by Century Film to theaters on September 14, 1921.
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD (1922): Our Baby Peggy plays the lead in this adaption to that beloved children's story. The film is an incomplete film, with a lot of the scenes at the beginning of the film still missing. To make them film somewhat complete, the UCLA Film and Television Archive used some of Cary's still photographs to complete the 35mm film print. The film was again released by Century Film on November 6, 1922.
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| Larry Telles and Diana Serra Cary |
And that's it for this afternoon! Only one more program left of the festival, so come back here and read all about it! To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum and their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 15th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Two, Part Three: HELEN'S BABIES screening-June 30, 2012
The second short film of the night was THE SHOTGUN RANCHMAN. Again another 35mm print from the BFI, the film was made here in Niles and is about a rancher named Jake Nixon (Arthur Mackley). He's not the nicest man to know, and when a widow (Julia Mackley) and her child (Audrey Hanna) come to his ranch looking for help, old Jake sends them away. But his helper (True Boardman) hides them on the ranch without Jake's knowing. However Jake finds out, but when the little girl becomes severely ill, will Jake have a change of heart? The film was released to theater on October 21, 1912.
The last short film screened was THE PROSPECTOR. Another beautiful 35mm print from the Library of Congress, the film was written and directed by Arthur Mackley and was filmed here in Niles. The film also starred Mackley, Fred Church, Evelyn Selbie, and Audrey Hanna. The film was released by Essanay on December 12, 1912.
After a brief intermission, the show continued with:
Another day done, and one more left to go! It's still not too late to purchase tickets for Sunday's programs. To view the festival's film schedule, visit the museum's website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 15th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Two, Part Two: The Essanay Niles Films-June 30, 2012
BRONCHO BILLY'S NARROW ESCAPE: A 35mm print film from the BFI (British Film Institute), the film stars Anderson as Broncho Billy and Vedah Bertram as his love interest Lois Martin. Bertram was a very good in the film, but only appeared as Anderson's romantic lead in a couple of his films before her tragic death on August 26, 1912 at the age of only 20. The film was released on July 6th.
A WIFE OF THE HILLS: A 35mm print film from the EYE Film Institute, the film's titles were all in dutch, but the audience could still make out what the film was about. Anderson stars as Bart McGrew (an non Broncho Billy role but still looked like him) who finds himself on the wrong side of the law. He is saved at the last minute but his faithful wife, played once again by actress Vedah Bertram. Also starring Arthur Mackley and Brinsley Shaw. Released to theaters on July 20th.
AN INDIAN SUNBEAM: A 35mm print from the Library of Congress, it starred Anderson, True Boardman, Edna Sharpe, Fred Church, Brinsley Shaw, Frank Pementel, Victor Potel, and Harry Todd. The film was released on September 28th.
THE TOMBOY ON BAR Z: Another 35mm print from the EYE Film Institute, the film starred Virginia Eames, Jay Hanna, Brinsley Shaw, Fred Church, Augustus Carney, Roland Totheroh (future cameraman for Charlie Chaplin), Texas George Briggs, True Boardman (Virginia's husband) Frank Pementel, Victor Potel, Willis Elder, Pat Rooney, and Harry Todd. The film was released to theaters on October 22nd.
BRONCHO BILLY'S HEART:Another 35mm print from the BFI, the film starred Anderson, Arthur Mackley, Julia Mackley, Fred Church, Audrey Hanna, and Patrick Rooney. The film was released to theaters on November 22nd.
And that was it for this program! Amazing to see these 100 year old films made here in Niles! Now there's still the evening show HELEN'S BABIES starring Clara Bow and Baby Peggy! So make sure you check out that show because it will sell out fast! If you'd like to come check out the festival, be sure to visit the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum's website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Phil attends the 15th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Two, Part One: The Murray Glass Films-June 30, 2012
For the 12:30pm show, the museum hosted an amazing interview with the great Murray Glass, founder of the Em Gee Film Library. The interview was conducted by film historian David Shepard. Glass talked about his early days when he first started collecting film prints while working as a chemist. After several years of collecting films and receiving requests from academic scholars asking to borrow his prints, Glass quit his day job and started working full time on his once called "hobby." His library consisted of over 6,500 film prints, mostly silent films. After 50 years of film collecting, preservation, and making his films available for screening all over the world, Glass retired and donated his vast film collection to the museum. After the interview, Glass participated in a Q&A session with the audience. The museum president Dorthy Bradley presented Glass with an award for his lifetime dedication to film preservation and made him an honorary member of the Essanay Museum.
After a brief ten minute break, the show continued with a surprise short film from Glass:
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| Theatrical Movie Poster (1920) |
And that was it for the early afternoon show! At the 3:30pm show the museum will be screening Broncho Billy films made here in Niles! So make sure you come on down and check out all the fun! If you'd like to come check out the festival, be sure to visit the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum's website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 15th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day One-June 29, 2012
The night began with the short film ARRIVAL OF ESSANAY IN NILES. This short film was shot during the big 100th Anniversary of Broncho Billy and the Essanay Studio coming to Niles back on April 1st. The film was shot on 35mm in both black and white and in color. The film was an reenactment of that very special historical event and was shot using the very same film cameras that were used back in the silent film era!
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| Theatrical Movie Poster (1913) |
Now originally the museum was going to show three 1912 Biograph short films before ATLANTIS: THE NEW YORK HAT starring America's Sweetheat Mary Pickford, THE MUSKETEERS OF PIG ALLEY with Lillian Gish, and THE TOURISTS starring Mabel Normand. Since the film was over 2 hours long, a vote was taken and it was decided to show just one of the shorts. Now THE TOURISTS was a one-reeler short and featured funny girl Mabel Normand and her friends who miss their bus and hang out visiting a local Native Indian town. But when Mabel becomes too friendly with their Chief, his wife wants her scalp! Overall very politcally incorrect and hilariously funny! The film was released to theaters on February 18, 1912.
What a great why to kick off the film festival! There are still more shows on both Saturday and Sunday, so come on down and join me at the Edison Theatre. To view the festival film schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the museum's website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Phil attends the 14th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Three, Part Two: THE FAMILY SECRET screening-June 26, 2011
Hello again and welcome back to third and final day of my trip to the 14th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. Today being the last day, they've saved the best for last. So let's not waste anymore time folks, and away we go!
The final movie of the festival was a very special event. The museum screened the film THE FAMILY SECRET, starring the legendary (and adorable) Baby Peggy. The film's introduction was done by none other than Baby Peggy herself Diana Serra Cary. Ms. Cary treated the crowd with some fun an interesting stories about her filmmaking career. Once again returning to the piano was the great David Drazin.
In the film Baby Peggy stars as the (secret) child whose parents Abigail Selfridge (Gladys Hulette) and Gary Holmes (Edward Earle) are secretly married. Soon Abagail's father Simon Selfridge (Frank Currier) discovers their secret and forces Gary out of the picture. Fast forward three years and a half years later and Baby Peggy is busting out of her confined room and begins exploring her home and what's life is like outside. Simon is released from prison and is trying to get his life together without his beloved wife and daughter (the grandfather told Abigail that he died but was actually sent to prison). Down on his luck, he meets a shady individual and persuades him in to taking a job. Soon all three lives seem to become reacquainted, but will it last this time around?
This was a fun film and was interesting to see Ms. Cary so young. She was about six years old when she made the film and she still has those same eyes, full of life. At the age of 92, Diana Serra Cary is the last living actress from the silent era. It was a real pleasure to see her again.
Well folks, there you have it! Another great festival and another great time at the museum. Remember that the museum has weekly Saturday shows, and they will also be showing Hollywood Musicals on Friday nights, as well as the Laurel and Hardy talkies on Sunday afternoons. To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and view their film schedule, visit their website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
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| Baby Peggy circa 1922 |
In the film Baby Peggy stars as the (secret) child whose parents Abigail Selfridge (Gladys Hulette) and Gary Holmes (Edward Earle) are secretly married. Soon Abagail's father Simon Selfridge (Frank Currier) discovers their secret and forces Gary out of the picture. Fast forward three years and a half years later and Baby Peggy is busting out of her confined room and begins exploring her home and what's life is like outside. Simon is released from prison and is trying to get his life together without his beloved wife and daughter (the grandfather told Abigail that he died but was actually sent to prison). Down on his luck, he meets a shady individual and persuades him in to taking a job. Soon all three lives seem to become reacquainted, but will it last this time around?
This was a fun film and was interesting to see Ms. Cary so young. She was about six years old when she made the film and she still has those same eyes, full of life. At the age of 92, Diana Serra Cary is the last living actress from the silent era. It was a real pleasure to see her again.
Well folks, there you have it! Another great festival and another great time at the museum. Remember that the museum has weekly Saturday shows, and they will also be showing Hollywood Musicals on Friday nights, as well as the Laurel and Hardy talkies on Sunday afternoons. To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and view their film schedule, visit their website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 14th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Three, Part One: The Two Helens-June 26, 2011
Hello again and welcome back to the third and final day of the 14th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival at the Edison Theater in the Niles District of Fremont. Hosted by the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, I'm once again giving you the up-to-the-minute blogging of the festival. Now the time has come to wrap up this fun-filled film festival, and boy what a way to end the it. Let's take a look at the first program for the day!
The title for this afternoon's program was called Women In Action: The Two Helens. Helen Holmes and Helen Gibson were stars in a serial series known as THE HAZARDS OF HELEN. Holmes was the series original star, but when she left she was replaced by Gibson. Both women were know for their amazing stunts: jumping on, off, and stopping runaway trains. Both were beautiful and intelligent, which also radiated in their films. Both women were pioneers and gave the men in Hollywood a run for their money. During the film festival, the museum showed two films; the first starred Holmes, while the preceding short starred Gibson. The films were introduced by author and film historian Larry Telles and Shirley Freitas, the great-granddaughter of Helen Holmes. On the piano for the films was David Drazin.
WEBS OF STEEL: Starring Holmes, Bruce Gordon, Arthur Morrison, and Andrew Waldron, the film's about Helen Webb (Holmes) falling in love with the mysterious John Andrews (Gordon), despite the disapproval of her father Tim Webb (Waldron). Her father wants her to marry his friend and business partner Jim Haggerty (Morrison). Soon there's trouble as Helen and John try to stop a gang of robbers from holding up their train. Filled with some amazing stunts by Holmes herself, the film was directed by her husband J.P. McGowan and released in 1925.
GHOSTS OF THE CANYON: Starring Helen Gibson, the film featured her doing some daredevil stunts, from leaping from trains to some sweet kisses, along with solving the mysterious ghost that haunts a railroad trestle, the film was released by Capital Pictures in 1920.
The afternoon program was a really cool discovery for me. I had heard of these famous stuntwomen, but I had never seen any of their films. This is what is so great about the museum; showing films that haven't been seen in years. This is the purpose and the mission of the museum. To educate while entertaining the audiences. I'm was very excited and happy to see these daredevil women in action!
One program left for the day! To view the film schedule, and to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, visit their website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
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| Helen Holmes (1893-1950) |
WEBS OF STEEL: Starring Holmes, Bruce Gordon, Arthur Morrison, and Andrew Waldron, the film's about Helen Webb (Holmes) falling in love with the mysterious John Andrews (Gordon), despite the disapproval of her father Tim Webb (Waldron). Her father wants her to marry his friend and business partner Jim Haggerty (Morrison). Soon there's trouble as Helen and John try to stop a gang of robbers from holding up their train. Filled with some amazing stunts by Holmes herself, the film was directed by her husband J.P. McGowan and released in 1925.
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| Helen Gibson (1892-1970) |
The afternoon program was a really cool discovery for me. I had heard of these famous stuntwomen, but I had never seen any of their films. This is what is so great about the museum; showing films that haven't been seen in years. This is the purpose and the mission of the museum. To educate while entertaining the audiences. I'm was very excited and happy to see these daredevil women in action!
One program left for the day! To view the film schedule, and to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, visit their website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Phil attends the 14th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Two, Part Three: THE EXTRA GIRL screening-June 25, 2011
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| Actress Mabel Normand |
THE THIEF CATCHER: This film made headlines in the news last year. This was a lost Keystone film, but what made it more extraordinary was that it boasts a cameo appearance by none other than Charlie Chaplin as a Keystone Kop. He was discovered by Sennett in late 1913 and soon was busy making movies for him the following year. Chaplin made 37 film for Sennett in 1914 before leaving to work for the Essanay Film Company in January of 1915. The film was released by Keystone on February 19, 1914.
WITH THE U.S. ARMY IN SAN FRANCISCO: A facinating documentary short released by Keystone on January 4, 1915, this special doc short was filmed at the Presidio in SF. Known back then as an "Actuality," Keystone did release a small number of these types of films. Which lead me to...
PROTECTING SAN FRANCISCO FROM FIRE: Demonstrating the latest equipment and techniques to combat fire in SF, this documentary short was released by Keystone Films on December 18, 1913. These films are very rare and most of them have been lost or disintegrated. Luckily these two (which barley survived) were shown and we were able to see them.
THE DAREDEVIL: Starring the great Ben Turpin, the film's about his journey at becoming a Hollywood stuntman and stand-in. It's a funny film that pokes fun at the magic of movie making. The film was released on November 25, 1923.
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| Theatrical Movie Poster (1923) |
Afterwards the show resumed with THE EXTRA GIRL with Mabel Normand portraying Sue Graham, a small town girl who wishes to become a movie star. She also has two suitors vying to win her heart: her father's pick Aaron Apple John (Vernon Dent) and her long-time sweetheart Dave Giddings (Ralph Graves). She wins a Hollywood contract when a picture of a beautiful woman is sent to the studio instead of hers. When she comes out for an interview, the mistake is caught, but she ends up working in the props department. Even Dave follows her to the studio, working as a set carpenter. Soon her parents come out as well to California to deal in a money investment with a shady gentleman named T. Phillip Hackett, played by Ramsey Wallace.
The film print came from the old PBS series The Silent Years, which was shown during the 1970's. The introduction was done by the late, great Orson Welles. The film was funny, fantastic, and was the perfect film for Normand to star in. The movie was released by Mack Sennett Comedies on October 28, 1923.
Another day done, and one more left to go! It's still not too late to purchase tickets for Sunday's programs. To view the festival's film schedule, visit the museum's website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the 14th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival: Day Two, Part Two: Mack Sennett in the Twenties-June 25, 2011
Hello everyone and welcome back to my LIVE up-to-the-minute blogging on the 14th Annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival, hosted by the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum! Magic is being made here at the Edison Theater here in the Niles District of Fremont, so let's not waste any more time. Let's talk about this afternoon's program!
The focus of Mack Sennet continued with the late afternoon program entitled Mack Sennett in the Twenties. Four two-reel comedy shorts were shown showcasing how Sennett's comedic style evolved during this era. Around this time, many events were transpiring. The most obvious was his main competitor Hal Roach started he's own film studio, Hal Roach Studios, and he was making a dent in Sennett's profits (also his films as well as Roach's were being distributed by Pathe). Roach Studios was the home to several top comedic stars such as Charley Chase, Laurel and Hardy, and the Our Gang/Little Rascal series. Audiences were into the more mature, well defined comedic offerings from Roach than the frantic, fast paced slapstick offering from Sennett. To ensure revenue, Sennett offered audiences several new films that showcased his new roster of talent. The films shown this afternoon were some of the funniest films that I was privileged to view. Once again historians Richard Roberts and Brent walker did the film introductions and the wonderful Judy Rosenberg provided the music accompaniment.
WANDERING WILLIES : Starring Billy Bevan and Andy Clyde, this comedic duo play homeless bums who hatch out a scheme to scam free food at a restaurant. Comedy is defiantly on the menu in this funny short. Produced by Mack Sennett Comedies and distributed by Pathe on March 28, 1926.
BROKE IN CHINA: Another classic Ben Turpin film, who first got started in the industry working for the Essanay Studios in Chicago along with Gloria Swanson. Turpin portrays a sailor who is flat broke in China and longs for his lost love of his life, who married another guy. The ending of the film was great, which begs the question if George Lucas saw this film and ripped off the ending. Directed by Edward F. Cline (who directed films for Buster Keaton) and released by Sennett on April 23, 1927.
THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE: Starring Mack Swain, Dot Farley, Daphne Pollard, and a young and sexy Carol Lombard, the film was mainly made to feature Sennett's Bathing Beauties, which by the way were very beautiful. It also features some very funny scenarios that one would come to expect from a Sennett shoot. Also for all you Lombard fans out there, this was one of her earliest screen appearances. In the film her name is spelled out "Carolle." The film was directed once again by Edward F. Cline and was released on December 11, 1927.
SMITH'S PICNIC: The final film for this afternoon's program, the film's about a group of friends heading out to the beach for some picnic fun. Featuring Raymond McKee, Ruth Hiatt, Irving Bacon, Sunshine Hart, Mary Ann Jackson, and Mildred June, the film was released to theaters on December 12, 1928.
That's it for this afternoon. There is still an evening show, which is sure to be a sellout show! And yours truly will be back with another live blog for the special screening of THE EXTRA GIRL starring the lovely Mabel Normand. If you'd like to come check out the festival, be sure to visit the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum's website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
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| Mack Sennett (1880-1960) |
WANDERING WILLIES : Starring Billy Bevan and Andy Clyde, this comedic duo play homeless bums who hatch out a scheme to scam free food at a restaurant. Comedy is defiantly on the menu in this funny short. Produced by Mack Sennett Comedies and distributed by Pathe on March 28, 1926.
BROKE IN CHINA: Another classic Ben Turpin film, who first got started in the industry working for the Essanay Studios in Chicago along with Gloria Swanson. Turpin portrays a sailor who is flat broke in China and longs for his lost love of his life, who married another guy. The ending of the film was great, which begs the question if George Lucas saw this film and ripped off the ending. Directed by Edward F. Cline (who directed films for Buster Keaton) and released by Sennett on April 23, 1927.
THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE: Starring Mack Swain, Dot Farley, Daphne Pollard, and a young and sexy Carol Lombard, the film was mainly made to feature Sennett's Bathing Beauties, which by the way were very beautiful. It also features some very funny scenarios that one would come to expect from a Sennett shoot. Also for all you Lombard fans out there, this was one of her earliest screen appearances. In the film her name is spelled out "Carolle." The film was directed once again by Edward F. Cline and was released on December 11, 1927.
SMITH'S PICNIC: The final film for this afternoon's program, the film's about a group of friends heading out to the beach for some picnic fun. Featuring Raymond McKee, Ruth Hiatt, Irving Bacon, Sunshine Hart, Mary Ann Jackson, and Mildred June, the film was released to theaters on December 12, 1928.
That's it for this afternoon. There is still an evening show, which is sure to be a sellout show! And yours truly will be back with another live blog for the special screening of THE EXTRA GIRL starring the lovely Mabel Normand. If you'd like to come check out the festival, be sure to visit the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum's website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org./
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
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