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 Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. 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!
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Phil attends the LAUREL & HARDY TALKIE MATINEE Screening at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - July 14, 2019
On the second Sunday of every month, the Niles Essanay Silent Film
Museum hosts a Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee show, hosted by the
Sons of the Desert gang. The museum has been doing this for years, and
it was the first show I've attended in a very long time. Because I was there volunteering that Sunday, I was able to check out the LAUREL & HARDY TALKIE MATINEE, with all the films dedicated to "The Boys", Charley Chase, and the Our Gang kids. And there were plenty of laughs to had!! Overall, there were four side splitting Hal Roach produced comedy short to watch!!
HOOK & LADDER (1932): Featuring the Our Gang kids, we see them set-up their own fire station. But when a real five alarm fire breaks out, the gang springs into action to combat the blaze, in their own hysterical fashion.And things get even more crazy, when they find crates of dynamite!
It's been a long time since I've seen a talkie OUR GANG short. I grew up watching these on TV back when I was a kid, and they're just as funny now as they were then when I was younger! The short was directed by Robert McGowan, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on August 27, 1932.
THEM THAR HILLS (1934): Poor ole Ollie! Taking his doctor's advise, he and Stan take a trip into the mountains so
that he can recover from his bad case of gout in his foot. However, a gang of bootleggers just dumped their
moonshine in the well that the boys sample their 'healthy'
mountain water.' from. Then, Mr and Mrs. Hall's car runs out of gas. He leaves his wife there while he heads back to the gas station. When he gets back, he finds his wife plastered, along with the boys! Oopsie!
This is a perfect example of the comedic timing and genius of Laurel & Hardy! This was one of the funniest short films that the duo made! I laughed my butt off! The short was directed by Charley Rogers, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on July 21, 1934.
MIDSUMMER MUSH (1933): Starring the great Charley Chase as a Boy Scout leader, he causes a major traffic jam, keeps falling of his bicycle, causes trouble for a traffic cop, and meets the girl of his dreams in the form of Betty (Betty Mack). He leads her and her father, and his scouts to the camp site, where even more crazy hijinks continues to plague our poor friend Charley!
This was the very first talkie Charley Chase short I have ever seen, and I loved it! The repeat gag with him falling into the lake over and over again was funny as hell! It's a real shame that Chase never became as big as his peers. Personal demons kept him from becoming a household name, and unfortunately, he's best known for his small role in THE SONS OF THE DESERT with Laurel and Hardy. But we still have his shorts to watch, and because of that, he will live on forever! The short was directed by Charley Chase (as Charles Parrott), produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on October 21, 1933.
TIT FOR TAT (1935): Picking up after the events in THEM THAR HILLS, Stan and Ollie encounter their old nemesis Mr. Hall, whose grocery shop
is next door to their home appliances store. Unable to let bygones be
bygones, a war breaks out between the two camps. Will those tit-for-tat battles ever end?
This was new to me, and it was quite the surprise! Here's another example of continuity that bridges shorts together to create a universe with the Hal Roach Studio. This was really neat to see! Yeah, I sound like a dork, but who cares! Anyway, I laughed my ass off again, but that shouldn't come as no surprise. It's Laurel and Hardy people! You're supposed to laugh your ass off! But that fact that a short that was made 84 years ago says something. These guys are comic legends, and this one of the many reasons why they are legends! The short was again directed by Charley Rogers, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on January 5, 1935.
Well, there you have it folks! Another fun-filled cinematic adventure here in Niles!! And I can't wait to come back for more silent film and talkie comedies! The museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, to view their film schedule, visit www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
It's been a long time since I've seen a talkie OUR GANG short. I grew up watching these on TV back when I was a kid, and they're just as funny now as they were then when I was younger! The short was directed by Robert McGowan, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on August 27, 1932.
This is a perfect example of the comedic timing and genius of Laurel & Hardy! This was one of the funniest short films that the duo made! I laughed my butt off! The short was directed by Charley Rogers, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on July 21, 1934.
This was the very first talkie Charley Chase short I have ever seen, and I loved it! The repeat gag with him falling into the lake over and over again was funny as hell! It's a real shame that Chase never became as big as his peers. Personal demons kept him from becoming a household name, and unfortunately, he's best known for his small role in THE SONS OF THE DESERT with Laurel and Hardy. But we still have his shorts to watch, and because of that, he will live on forever! The short was directed by Charley Chase (as Charles Parrott), produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on October 21, 1933.
This was new to me, and it was quite the surprise! Here's another example of continuity that bridges shorts together to create a universe with the Hal Roach Studio. This was really neat to see! Yeah, I sound like a dork, but who cares! Anyway, I laughed my ass off again, but that shouldn't come as no surprise. It's Laurel and Hardy people! You're supposed to laugh your ass off! But that fact that a short that was made 84 years ago says something. These guys are comic legends, and this one of the many reasons why they are legends! The short was again directed by Charley Rogers, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and was released by MGM on January 5, 1935.
Well, there you have it folks! Another fun-filled cinematic adventure here in Niles!! And I can't wait to come back for more silent film and talkie comedies! The museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, to view their film schedule, visit www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Phil attends the CHARLIE CHAPLIN DAYS Event at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - June 28-30, 2019
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| Charlie Chaplin as The Tramp (1915) |
Before I begin, let me tell you how Mr. Chaplin found his way to Niles real quick. In late 1914, Essanay Studio co-founder G.M. Anderson (also known as Broncho Billy, the screen's first cowboy superstar) signed the then yet well known comedian Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin had been discovered by Mack Sennett, founder of Keystone Films, the home of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Mabel Normand, and the infamous Keystone Cops. Anderson offered the young comedian complete creative over his films: he would write, direct, and star in his films. To sweeten the deal, Anderson offered Chaplin a $10,000 signing bonus, which was a large sum of money back in late 1914. Chaplin made one film for the Chicago Essanay Studio branch, but he didn't get along very well with co-owner George Spoor. Chaplin soon left to make films out in Niles. During this time he made an astounding five films in just three months, as well as discovering his leading lady Edna Purviance.
However, Niles was a little too boring and country-ish for Chaplin, who loved the city life. So with Anderson's permission, Chaplin took Purviance and a small crew to Los Angles, where he finished up his contract. The following year, Chaplin singed a deal with Mutual Pictures, where they offered him more money, his own production company, and a $150,000 signing bonus. But it was his time in Niles is where he developed his Tramp character. By combining pathos, sympathy, while still bringing a smile to our faces, Chaplin's Little Tramp became an overnight sensation, and thus creating one of cinema's most treasured characters.
The festivities began Friday evening at the museum, but the fun actually started in the early afternoon in San Francisco. Conducted by my old friend and a staple at the SF Silent Film Festival Rory O'Connor (under the auspices of the Friends of the Library City Guides), The WALKING TOUR OF SF SILENT FILM LOCATIONS took the group all over the city, showing the buildings, parks and locations where Chaplin filmed his movies.
Then at the museum, the fun began at 7:30 pm, where we had special guest visiting us, Dan Kamin! If you didn't know, Kamin created the Chaplin moves for Robert Downy, Jr. for his film CHAPLIN and worked with Johnny Depp for his role in BENNY AND JOON. Then was saw 1918's SHOULDER ARMS, which was a video transfer from an vintage film print. The great Jeff Rapsis provided the musical accompaniment. Afterwards, we saw the short film CHAPLIN STUDIO TOUR from 1953. This was exciting because not only this was very informative and cool, but this was a 35mm film print that we were watching! I visited the studio back in 2011, and it's now known as the Jim Henson Studios. Chaplin's cinematographer Rollie Totheroh was the host in the film, giving us a tour of the famed studio.
On both Saturday (in the expansion are of the museum) and Sunday (in the main theater), the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum showed all five of Chaplin's films he made here in Niles: A NIGHT OUT (co-starring Ben Turpin), THE CHAMPION, IN THE PARK, A JITNEY ELOPEMENT, and his most famous film THE TRAMP, featuring the most iconic image and ending in film history of the Little Tramp walking away in Niles Canyon. One of Chaplin's most important films he ever made.
On Saturday morning in the main theater, the museum screened BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET along with the documentary of the making of the 2012 silent film. Then the afternoon consisted of the following: CHAPLIN AND HIS MUSIC with host and moderator Nigel Dreiner, where he discussed the music that Chaplin written for his films, the documentary short THE MOVIES GO WEST, the 1974 PBS short that was narrated by the late, great Hal Angus, THE IMPORTANCE OF CHUCK REISNER, who contributed with Chaplin in several of his films and was conducted by author Hooman Mehran, then it was the repeat screening of the short film CHAPLIN STUDIO TOUR.
Later that night, the museum screened one of Chaplin's overlooked films THE PILGRIM from 1923. In the film, Chaplin's The Tramp is an escaped convict who is mistaken as a pastor in a small town church. Also shown was Chaplin's short HOW TO MAKE MOVIES from 1918, the short CHAPLIN STUDIO TOUR again, and A DOG'S LIFE released by First National in 1918, which was introduced by Hooman Mehran.
On Sunday the day began with the aforementioned Chaplin Essanay shorts from 1915. After the screenings, the museum held their annual Charlie Chaplin Look-a-Like Contest! Later, it was the special screening of the 2019 documentary entitled CHARLIE CHAMPION, which told the story of Dr. Ashok Aswani, who helped create the Charlie Chaplin Fan Club over in India.
This was such a fun filled weekend! It was a lot of hard work, but everything went well and everyone had a great time! I can't wait for next year's Chaplin weekend. In the meantime, there are plenty more excitement happening at the museum. To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and to view their film schedule, visit their website at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Phil attends the CHARLIE CHAPLIN DAYS: DAY THREE event at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - July 15, 2018
The fun began in the late morning with our Sunday Afternoon Matinees, which screened Chaplin's Essanay films and was divided up in two parts. Here's what happened in the first part:
A NIGHT OUT (1915): After a visit to a pub, Charlie and Ben Turpin cause a ruckus at a posh restaurant. Charlie later finds himself in a compromising position at a hotel with the head waiter's wife. The film was shot on location in Oakland and San Jose.
THE CHAMPION (1915): Walking along a street with his bulldog, Charlie finds a "good luck" horseshoe just as he passes the training camp of an enormous fighter named Spike Dugan, which states he is seeking sparring partners "who can take a take a punch." The movie was filmed in Niles and around the Essanay Studio.
Then it was time for the museum to show the now classic entitled Google's CHAPLIN DOODLE. Originally released on April 16, 2011 on the Google website, the short was made to celebrate Chaplin's 122nd birthday on that same day. The short was filmed here in Niles and was a real treat to see it on the big screen again. Then the museum held its annual Chaplin Look Alike Contest, which was amazing to see both young and old impersonating Chaplin. After that, it was time for part two of the Sunday Afternoon Matinees:
IN THE PARK (1915): A tramp steals a girl's handbag, but when he tries to pick Charlie's pocket loses his cigarettes and matches. He rescues a hot dog man from a thug, but takes a few with his walking stick. When the thief tries to take some of Charlie's sausages, Charlie gets the handbag. The handbag makes its way from person to person to its owner, who is angry with her boyfriend who didn't protect her in the first place. The film was shot in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
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| Original Theatrical Poster (1915) |
THE TRAMP (1915): Chaplin's the little Tramp finds the girl of his dreams and works on a family farm. He helps defend the farm against criminals, and all seems well, until he discovers the girl of his dreams already has a boyfriend. The movie was filmed in Niles, Niles Canyon and around the Essanay Studio.
WHEN THE MOVIES CAME FROM NILES (1964): This hour long film was narrated by Bill Cato: a real life cowboy and actor who worked at the Essanay studio and was also Broncho Billy's occasional riding double. We hear Cato recalling how much fun it was making these films for the studio and how mush pride they had making them. We also hear the voice of Anderson as well.
The weekend long celebration concluded with SHOW & TELL WITH JASON ALLIN.
This was such a fun filled weekend! And I can't wait till next year's Charlie Chaplin Days! In the meantime, there are plenty more excitement happening at the museum. We have a weekly Saturday Night shows, including the extremely popular Comedy Shorts Night. Plus in August the museum will have their annual Bronco Bill Film Festival! So don't delay! Come on down to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, where silent films live forever!!
To learn more about Charlie Chaplin, visit the official website at www.charliechaplin.com. To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and to view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the CHARLIE CHAPLIN DAYS: DAY TWO event at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - July 14, 2018
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! Those in attendance also received a Walking Tour of Niles booklet.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDITS SECRET (2012): In 2012, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum produced a two-reel silent western to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company arriving in Niles. This inspired our museum curators to create a film as special as our little hamlet. Using equipment and techniques from the silent era and locations that are much like they were over 100 years ago, the film presents a fictionalized account of Gilbert Anderson's arrival in Niles, and how the town sheriff joins forces with the movie gunslinger to bring a group of bandits to justice.
WINDOWS TO THE PAST (2017): A 40 minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDITS SECRET. Fun Fact: The documentary runs at 40 minutes, which is 10 minutes longer than the film itself.
Then it was time for the Saturday Afternoon Matinees, a series of Chaplin short films, documentaries and a lecture.
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| Original Theatrical Poster (1915) |
ONE A.M. (1916): After a night on the town, Charlie comes home to the house where he is staying, drunk and unable to find his key. For the next twenty minutes he staggers into, out of, and through the house in an inebriated confrontation with the house itself.
PRESENTATION: CHAPLIN AS A DIRECTOR: Conducted by Professor John Fawell, this informative symposium featured examinations on some of Chaplin's films, including THE KID, THE GOLD RUSH, and MODERN TIMES, his style of filmmaking, comedic timings, and the heart of his films and why they are regarded as not just classic silent films, but works of art in cinema's rich history.
THE MOVIES GOES WEST (1974): a PBS short film hosted by former Essanay actor Hal Angus, who was well in his 80's when he appeared in the film. Angus took us back in time when movies were still being made in Niles while recalling some great information about not only Anderson, but of the Essanay studios and all the fun they had making these silent film classics. We even got to see the old Essanay barn (their first studio in Niles before the state of the art studio was built) before it was condemned and torn down. The old barn door was saved and now it's part of a museum exhibit somewhere.
THE TRAMP (1915): Chaplin's the little Tramp finds the girl of his dreams and works on a family farm. He helps defend the farm against criminals, and all seems well, until he discovers the girl of his dreams already has a boyfriend.
CHAPLIN LOCATIONS IN HOLLYWOOD AND THE BAY AREA: Moderated by Marc Wanamaker and John Bengtson, this was a fun and interesting talk about some of the areas that Chaplin shot his films for the Essanay Studios in Northern and Southern California. Also discussed where the shooting locations for the films THE KID, THE CIRCUS, and CITY LIGHTS.
Then later that night, it was time for the centerpiece of the celebration with a Chaplin classic:
THE KID (1921): The film stars our favorite Tramp who happens to find an abandoned baby on his morning stroll. He cares for the baby and raises him as his own. Jackie Coogan plays the Kid, who was just five years old when he made the film. Chaplin discovered Coogan on the theater stage and casted him on the spot. Years later Coogan would also be known as Uncle Fester on The ADDAMS FAMILY television show. Purviance also starred in the film as the mother who abandoned her son and regretted her mistake. The film was released to the world on February 6, 1921. The film is highly regarded as on of the finest films ever made in cinema's history. The film was also introduced by Chaplin cameraman Rollie Totheroh's grandson David Totheroh!!
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| David Totheroh talks about his grandfather cameraman Rollie Totheroh and Chaplin. |
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Phil attends the opening night of the CHARLIE CHAPLIN DAYS at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - July 13, 2018
The festivities kicked off Friday night with a symposium entitled AN EXPLORATION OF PHYSICAL COMEDY. It included a panel of distinguished individuals who know a lot of this paticular subject. The panel was moderated by funny man Dan Kamin, Paul Mular, Jeffrey Weissman, Jason Allin, John Fawell. They discussed the comedic style and methods of not only Charlie Chaplin, but other comedians from the silent film era, including Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and the often forgotten Lupino Lane. Also, there was a short video of Steve Massa talking about the comedic timings of Chaplin and others. The crowd for that night's symposium were very much into the topic and there was a Q&A with them!
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| (L-R) Dan Kamin, Paul Mular, Jeffrey Weissman, Jason Allin, John Fawell. |
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Phil attends the SUNDAY EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY SHOW - April 15, 2018
THE DESTRUCTION OF SAN FRANCISCO (1906): The film is an amalgam of footage shot by the Edison, Pathe, and Biograph film companies as well as some footage shot by the Miles brothers. It shows the devastation caused by the earthquake an by the subsequent fires that blanketed the city in a cloud of smoke.
Another great earthquake show at the museum. Remember folks the museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, on how to become a member, and to view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Phil attends the LAUREL & HARDY TALKIE MATINEE VALENTINE EDITION at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - Feb. 11, 2018
On the second Sunday of every month, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum hosts a Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee show, hosted by the Sons of the Desert gang. The museum has been doing this for years, and it was the first show I've attended in a very long time. Because of Valentine's Day falling on Wednesday of this week, the show was dubbed the LAUREL & HARDY TALKIE MATINEE VALENTINE EDITION, with all the films dedicated to the two biggest emotions of them all: love and laughter. And there was plenty of laughs!!
HEARTS AND THUMPS (1937): A classic Our Gang short! It's Valentine's Day at school and all the boys and girls are giving cards to one another. Except Spanky, Alfalfa, and Buckwheat, who form the He-Man Woman Haters Club. That lasts for about three seconds for Alfalfa when his sweetheart Darla comes and takes him away. So Spanky and Buckwheat ruin their Valentine's Day lunch with soap.
I remember seeing this all the time on TV when I was a kid. There was a Little Rascals show that showed all of the old OUR GANG shorts that were originally shown in theaters. A fun-filled one-reel short! The film was produced by Hal Roach studios and was released to theaters by MGM on April 3, 1937.
MAIL & FEMALE (1937): All the boys, lead by Spanky, form the He-Man Woman Hater Club (again) because they were not invited to one of the
girl's parties. They make Alfalfa their leader, but he may not be it for too munch longer when the boys fine out he sent a love letter to Darla.
Again, another short I saw on TV when I was a kid. FYI: there is nothing more funnier than seeing Alfalfa dressed up as a girl and flirting with Spanky and Spike. This gag would be used regularly years later in the Bugs Bunny cartoons. The film was produced by Hal Roach studios and was released to theaters by MGM on November 13, 1937.
MEN O' WAR (1929): The boys are sailors on leave and meet a couple of lovely ladies (Anne Cornwall and Gloria Greer) in the park and invite them to have a glass of soda with them. However, they don't have enough money to pay for all their sodas, but they score big on a slot machine and then rent a boat and hijinks ensue.
This was only the third Laurel & Hardy talkie short. Hal Roach had beat MGM to the talkie market and soon Roach was making all his films with sound. Also known as MAN O' WAR, the film was released to theaters on June 29, 1929.
THE PIP OF PITTSBURGH (1931): Charley Chase helps his roommate out by going out on a blind date. Because his last date didn't turn out so great, he goes out of his way by being messy, gross looking slob. However, when he meets his date (the beautiful Thelma Todd) he regrets his decision immediately.
I've been a huge Charley Chase fan since I first saw his films back in 2006. It's unfortunate that he's not as remembered as his peers, such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. This is because Chase never made the transition from short films to full length features. He did appear in a couple of Laurel & Hardy films, but he died of a heart attack in 1940. He was only 46 years old. Fortunately, his films still remain and we are lucky to see them here at the museum and on DVD. Charley's brother James Parrott directed the short as well as other shorts for Hal Roach. The film was produced by Hal Roach Studios and released by MGM to theaters on March 21, 1931.
TWICE TWO (1933): Laurel & Hardy are married to each other's sisters and thus plan a dinner party to celebrate the wedding anniversaries together. What could go wrong? Well, a lot can go wrong....and it's funny! Mostly cause Laurel & Hardy are dressed in drag to portray the sisters.
This film was new to me and boy, was it funny! Over the years I've seen all of their silent films, but I'm still fairly new to their talking films. Another film I can scratch off my bucket list! The short was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and distributed by MGM to theaters on February 25, 1933.
Well, there you have it folks! Another fun-filled cinematic adventure here in Niles!! And I can't wait to come back for more silent film and talkie comedies! The museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, to view their film schedule, and purchase DVD copy of the film, visit www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
I remember seeing this all the time on TV when I was a kid. There was a Little Rascals show that showed all of the old OUR GANG shorts that were originally shown in theaters. A fun-filled one-reel short! The film was produced by Hal Roach studios and was released to theaters by MGM on April 3, 1937.
Again, another short I saw on TV when I was a kid. FYI: there is nothing more funnier than seeing Alfalfa dressed up as a girl and flirting with Spanky and Spike. This gag would be used regularly years later in the Bugs Bunny cartoons. The film was produced by Hal Roach studios and was released to theaters by MGM on November 13, 1937.
This was only the third Laurel & Hardy talkie short. Hal Roach had beat MGM to the talkie market and soon Roach was making all his films with sound. Also known as MAN O' WAR, the film was released to theaters on June 29, 1929.
I've been a huge Charley Chase fan since I first saw his films back in 2006. It's unfortunate that he's not as remembered as his peers, such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. This is because Chase never made the transition from short films to full length features. He did appear in a couple of Laurel & Hardy films, but he died of a heart attack in 1940. He was only 46 years old. Fortunately, his films still remain and we are lucky to see them here at the museum and on DVD. Charley's brother James Parrott directed the short as well as other shorts for Hal Roach. The film was produced by Hal Roach Studios and released by MGM to theaters on March 21, 1931.
This film was new to me and boy, was it funny! Over the years I've seen all of their silent films, but I'm still fairly new to their talking films. Another film I can scratch off my bucket list! The short was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach Studios, and distributed by MGM to theaters on February 25, 1933.
Well, there you have it folks! Another fun-filled cinematic adventure here in Niles!! And I can't wait to come back for more silent film and talkie comedies! The museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, to view their film schedule, and purchase DVD copy of the film, visit www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Phil sees BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - January 30, 2018
When I attended the 13 Years of Saturday Silents at the Edison! Program this past Saturday, one of the films shown at the museum that night was a short that has been five years in the making. Finally, the museum was finally going to screen BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET, the two-reel western that archivist/historian/filmmaker David Kiehn, cinematographer Sprague Anderson and the museum had been working on since 2012. The museum did screen the film during the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival back in June of 2013, but it was only a workprint, meaning that it was a rough version of the film. So not only they showing the completed film hat night, the museum was having a DVD Release party, and yours truly could not wait to finally get a copy for myself.
The film's official summery: In 1912, film pioneer and co-owner of the Essanay Film Manufacturing
Company Gilbert "Broncho Billy" Anderson arrived in the small town of
Niles, California, searching for the ideal location to film westerns.
There he set up shop and over 350 films later had cemented the west
coast branch of Essanay in film history, with major players such as
Charlie Chaplin, Wallace Beery and Ben Turpin along for the ride before
it all ended abruptly in 1916.
In 2012, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum produced a two-reel silent western to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company arriving in Niles. This inspired our museum curators to create a film as special as our little hamlet. Using equipment and techniques from the silent era and locations that are much like they were over 100 years ago, Broncho Billy and the Bandit's Secret presents a fictionalized account of Gilbert Anderson's arrival in Niles, and how the town sheriff joins forces with the movie gunslinger to bring a group of bandits to justice. Years in the making, with five different musical scores and an appearance by Diana Serra Cary (former silent film star Baby Peggy), it's a trip back in time unlike any other!
The movie was a sight to behold! It looked absolutely incredible! Anderson's cinematography was simply gorgeous! It looked like a 1913 silent movie! Kiehn's directing was fantastic as well, blending modern day with silent era set-ups and compositions. Both Kiehn and Anderson wrote the screenplay together, bringing that nostalgic magic to the silver screen. It's a simple story, yet it works very effectively. It brought me back to those days watching westerns with my friends.
The entire cast was phenomenal and should be commended for their performances! It's not easy to act in a silent movie. You must convey emotions without saying a word. It the expressions of their faces, the sad look in their eyes, body language; it's all these things and more. Christopher Green Goodwin was fantastic as the Sheriff. Bruce Cates has played Broncho Billy Anderson for years at the museum's film festivals and events, so he knew how to play the part. Together, they had great on-screen chemistry with each other. Add Felicity Hart (Sarah Paymer), William Rogue (Eli Paymer), Shawn Rowe (The Deputy), and a special appearance by the one and only Diana Serra Cary, and you have a cast that deserves a standing ovation!
While I was enjoying the movie immensely, I also found myself shedding a tear or two. This was the last film Sprague Anderson worked on. When I last saw him in late 2014, he was having health issues, but I paid it no mind. After all, he was way too stubborn to be sick and figured he'll bounce back. Then on October 31, 2017, on Halloween no less, Sprague passed away at 1:45pm. David's wife, Rena Azevedo Kiehn, made the announcement on her Facebook page.
During the intermission, I picked up my DVD copy of the film and since then I have been pouring through all of the excellent special features. It contains not one, not two, but five different musical scores by Judith Rosenberg, Bruce Loeb, Jon Mirsalis, Greg Pane and David Drazin! There's also an informative 40 minute documentary on the making of the film entitled Window to the Past, a short film of the centennial celebration and filmed recreation of Essanay's arrival in Niles shot back in 2012, outtakes, and a 1912 Essanay short film ALKALI IKE BESTS BRONCHO, directed by and starring Gilbert M Anderson, scanned in 4K and accompanied by Frederick Hodges.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET is a loving tribute to the silent film era! No where in the world will you see a silent film made with silent film cameras and techniques! What Kiehn, Anderson, and the rest of the cast and crew achieved is astounding! And is one of the finest films to come from Essanay! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!
The museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, to view their film schedule, and purchase DVD copy of the film, visit www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
In 2012, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum produced a two-reel silent western to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company arriving in Niles. This inspired our museum curators to create a film as special as our little hamlet. Using equipment and techniques from the silent era and locations that are much like they were over 100 years ago, Broncho Billy and the Bandit's Secret presents a fictionalized account of Gilbert Anderson's arrival in Niles, and how the town sheriff joins forces with the movie gunslinger to bring a group of bandits to justice. Years in the making, with five different musical scores and an appearance by Diana Serra Cary (former silent film star Baby Peggy), it's a trip back in time unlike any other!
The movie was a sight to behold! It looked absolutely incredible! Anderson's cinematography was simply gorgeous! It looked like a 1913 silent movie! Kiehn's directing was fantastic as well, blending modern day with silent era set-ups and compositions. Both Kiehn and Anderson wrote the screenplay together, bringing that nostalgic magic to the silver screen. It's a simple story, yet it works very effectively. It brought me back to those days watching westerns with my friends.
The entire cast was phenomenal and should be commended for their performances! It's not easy to act in a silent movie. You must convey emotions without saying a word. It the expressions of their faces, the sad look in their eyes, body language; it's all these things and more. Christopher Green Goodwin was fantastic as the Sheriff. Bruce Cates has played Broncho Billy Anderson for years at the museum's film festivals and events, so he knew how to play the part. Together, they had great on-screen chemistry with each other. Add Felicity Hart (Sarah Paymer), William Rogue (Eli Paymer), Shawn Rowe (The Deputy), and a special appearance by the one and only Diana Serra Cary, and you have a cast that deserves a standing ovation!
 |
| Sprague Anderson on-set. Photo by Rena Azevedo Kiehn. |
During the intermission, I picked up my DVD copy of the film and since then I have been pouring through all of the excellent special features. It contains not one, not two, but five different musical scores by Judith Rosenberg, Bruce Loeb, Jon Mirsalis, Greg Pane and David Drazin! There's also an informative 40 minute documentary on the making of the film entitled Window to the Past, a short film of the centennial celebration and filmed recreation of Essanay's arrival in Niles shot back in 2012, outtakes, and a 1912 Essanay short film ALKALI IKE BESTS BRONCHO, directed by and starring Gilbert M Anderson, scanned in 4K and accompanied by Frederick Hodges.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET is a loving tribute to the silent film era! No where in the world will you see a silent film made with silent film cameras and techniques! What Kiehn, Anderson, and the rest of the cast and crew achieved is astounding! And is one of the finest films to come from Essanay! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!
The museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, to view their film schedule, and purchase DVD copy of the film, visit www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Phil attends the 13 YEARS OF SATURDAY SILENTS AT THE EDISON! Program at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - Jan. 20, 2018
ALKALI IKE'S AUTO (1911): Starring Augustus Carney, Harry Todd, and Margaret Joslin, this fun short is about two guys named Alkali Ike and Mustang Pete (Carney and Todd respectively) who fight over the heart of Betty Brown (Joslin). After stopping them from shooting one another, they both try to one up each other, until Ike shows up in one of them fancy cars, which is actually a complete lemon! Hilarious!! The film was written and directed by Essanay co-founder Gilbert M. Anderson aka Broncho Billy. The short was released by the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company in May 1911.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BANDIT'S SECRET (2015): To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Anderson and the Essanay Company back on April 1, 1912, in that same month in 2012, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum begun making a silent western film, using the silent film cameras and techniques that these trailblazers used back then. The results were absolutely amazing! I had seen the rough cut of the film during the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival back in 2013, so I was extremely ecstatic to finally see the finished film. The museum had a DVD release party for the film. Look for a more in-depth review of the film coming very soon!
After a short intermission, the show continued with the main feature of the night.
 |
| Original Theatrical Poster (1926) |
You can see that Clara Bow was about to become a huge Hollywood star. In fact, she did just that two films later, when she starred in IT. The movie was written by Adelaide Heilbron and Ethel Doherty and was directed by the legendary Victor Fleming. Fleming had an amazing career, directing some of the greatest films of all time, including THE VIRGINIAN, TREASURE ISLAND, JOAN OF ARC, and quite possiby, two of the most beloved films of all time: THE WIZARD OF OZ and GONE WITH THE WIND. Fun Fact: both of those films were both nominated for Best Film at the Oscars in 1940. In case you were wondering, the Oscar went to GONE WITH THE WIND
And folks, there you have it! My triumphant return to one of my favorite places in the world! I can't wait to come back here again! Remember the museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, and to view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Phil attends the Comedy Shorts Night at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum-September 21, 2013
THE IMMIGRANT (1917): Charlie Chaplin stars in this short as an immigrant on a very rocky ship that's sailing for America. He meets a beautiful girl on the boat ride, Edna Purviance. They part ways but meet up again at a eatery with Eddie Campbell as the waiter/bouncer who serves them. And poor Charlie is broke!
This was one of films Chaplin made for the Mutual Film Company, which he signed with in early 1916 after leaving the Essanay Film Manufacturing Film Company. Mutual offered Chaplin a $150,000 signing bonus and his own production company called Lone Star Corporation. This is one of my favorite shorts from the Chaplin/Mutual era. The film was released on June 17, 1917.
NEIGHBORS (1920): Buster Keaton and Virginia Fox play young lovers who live next door to each other, but their fathers despise each other with a passion. With only a wooden fence separating the families, Buster uses it as a prop to perform some hilarious slapstick comedy. But will true love triumph over adversity?
The film was directed by Keaton and his long-time collaborator Edward F. Cline, and was produced by Joseph M. Schenck. Schenck would go on to produce some of Keaton's most beloved classics such as STEAMBOAT BILL JR. and THE GENERAL. NEIGHBORS was released on December 22, 1920.
After a brief intermission, the show continued with...
GET OUT AND GET UNDER (1920): Harold Lloyd accidentally oversleeps and wakes up late for the big amateur play that is happening that afternoon. He takes his brand new car to get their but unfortunately there's a lot of obstacles in his path: his angry neighbor whose plants that Harold ran over, his car keeps stalling and chases it up and down hills, and there's a lot of cops chasing after him. His tardiness compels his girlfriend/leading lady (his future wife Mildred Davis) to replace him in his role with his rival (Fred McPherson), so Harold must get to the theater fast!
The film was directed by the King of Comedy Hal Roach. Roach is a legend who has launched many comedians such as Charley Chase, Our Gang series aka The Little Rascals, and Laurel and Hardy. The film was released to theaters on September 26, 1920.
LIBERTY (1929): Yup, the boys are in the house! Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy portray escaped convicts.While trying to get dressed in the regular clothes in the back of their escape car, they realized that they are wearing each others pants. So they spent the entire movie trying to get their pants off, which leads them to the top of a skyscraper that is under construction! Uh-oh!!
To achieve the amazing looks of the boys dangling from the top of a skyscraper, the crew went to the top of a building and built a fake skyscraper about 10-15ft off the ground. And shot in perspective, it created the illusion of height. Harold Lloyd used this same trick in his 1923 silent movie masterpiece SAFETY LAST. The film was released on January 26, 1929.
What a great night for silent comedies! Remember the museum is open for tours every weekend from 12pm-4pm and every Saturday night there's a silent film show starting at 7:30 (doors open at 7pm). So if you would like to learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, becoming a member, and to view their film schedule, 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!
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