Tweet Who are you? (Formal introductions)

I also grew up near the ruins of an old east coast park:

Thanks for sharing that, Harlett. I wasn't familiar with that park!

Hello, NitrateVille-ians:
I wandered to this site by happy accident (looking for new Baby Peggy information), lurked for a while, and would now like to introduce myself. I am 47, live in a suburb of Houston, TX, and have seven cats (Muffin, Fondue, Biscotti, Moonpie, Scooterpie, Cupcake, and S'more, all rescues). We moved around a bunch when I was a child, and I was called "the great stone face Buster" at the age of 7 because I would not smile in pictures. I didn't understand the reference until I was 10, when I saw The General as part of a matinee. My sister thought it was hillarious that little girl me was told I had a man's face.
I do not have a large collection of films (VHS, DVD), but I have read many books on silent movies, actors, and actresses. I desperately wanted my hair to curl like Mary Pickford, or be very thin and angelic like Lillian Gish, but ... so it goes. I love Colleen Moore, but have not seen anything on film about her.
I'm really stunned by the important, knowledgeable people here (and Frederica gives me a giggle everytime I visit). Back in lurking/gathering knowledge mode -- Peggy

Hello everyone. Im so glad to be a part of the discussions in contrast to being just a 'lurker', if that's not the proper web phrase for someone who just 'stands outside the tent and doesn't go in'. But wow! lots of great topics and talk I feel I missed out on so much. The posts, from everyone, however, are just wonderful and informative especially the Warner Archives releases. The F. Gwyplaine saga, oh boy, I think me and ?someone from George Eastman on the IMDB got on his case a few years ago about having seen TREASURE ISLAND(1920). Not! But I hope he's at peace. I want to thank Bruce Calvert and Ms DeGroat for helping straighten out my problem with logging on. My original username was to be Gheorge Fitzmaurice, but as I wasn't having luck with the facsimilie of a moniker of one of my favorite(and underrated) silent directors, I decided to try something new. Well without much further adieu thanks for having me.

Welcome sepiatone! A great name!

I have seen a few Fitzmaurice films (Son of the Sheik is an obvious one) and I've liked what I've seen.

Hello, I’m Tor, a middle-aged movie buff residing in Oslo, Norway. For some time now I’ve been lurking on this site and felt it was time to take the plunge.

Love of silents goes back to my childhood: Buster, Charlie, Stan and Ollie. Around 1980 I became involved with the local film society, and started educating myself more thoroughly on film history. This was also the time when home video came along to offer more viewing possibilities, not to mention Brownlow and Gill’s fantastic Hollywood documentary, which helped to open my eyes to the vast treasure of early cinema beyond the ”usual suspects.”

I’ve continued watching and reading up on early film, and there’s always so much fascinating stuff to discover! While I’m a fan of just about everything from heavy expressionist drama to wild slapstick, for the past couple of years I’ve been especially interested in the ”light” comedies of the 1920s, featuring such players as Raymond Griffith, Reginald Denny, Adolphe Menjou, Colleen Moore, Harrison Ford, Marie Prevost, Phyllis Haver & Co. I hope we will all get the opportunity to see more of the relatively obscure titles from that crowd, and look forward to chatting about them with you folks.

For a few years I’ve been active on the IMDb, using the same moniker, ”Rollo Treadway”. Although there are many fine folks there I greatly enjoy interacting with, unfortunately the site is not moderated in any real sense, and all kinds of exasperating idiocy keeps popping up — which is one reason I’m happy to be joining a site where sanity does seem to prevail.

See ya in the funny papers!

And what site would that be, Rollo?

Bob

Greetings everyone,

There is nothing too spectacular to say: I'm a thirty-three year old high school Social Studies teacher with a cultural interest that is particularly intense for the years 1890 to 1930. I've been watching "older" (what am I supposed to call them?) films ever since I was ten. The first star that piqued my interest was Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. The first film of his that I viewed was the silent version of Mr. Robinson Crusoe. I will unabashedly admit that when I saw his 1930 film Reaching for the Moon for the first time at age eleven, it being my introduction to his talking films, I remember saying "it talks!" out loud. I also viewed an inordinate amount of Richard Dix's RKO films from the ages of 12 to 14, so there is always a soft spot in my heart for him. Also, gorgeous to me means Leila Hyams, under-rated as she is.

I have a fascination for early one reelers that pre-date World War I, but am equally interested in the maturation process of silent film that commenced in the late teens and culminated in the master years of 1925 to 1928 (to me anyway). Like all of you, I rue the fact that whatever ridiculous percentage of films over 75% from before 1930 are lost. I am also somewhat "stuck" on the transition period of 1926-31. To me, even though many of these films regress 10-20 years, it is with utter amazement that I see the baby steps being taken, and the nakedness that talkies brought forth. I welcome the addition of sound as something entirely natural, and yet I lament that the perfect world of silence had to be shattered. I suppose that makes me a fan of "goat gland" talkies.

I also like early westerns, B-westerns if you will, but not of the singing cowboy variety. Most of the talkie western stars that I like are hold-overs from silent days: Tom Mix, Buck Jones, Ken Maynard, and so forth. Please forgive me in advance for this guilty pleasure.

I have been viewing postings on Nitrateville for over a year now; and the combination of being able to ask questions and perhaps make a semi-decent posting once every few months has prompted me to join. I know that I won't regret this decision.

[Danny Burk]

Welcome to all of the new folks, and please don't be shy about posting!

Hi everyone

I’m one of the new ones here!

I recently found this site as a result of earlier this year watching a lot of old movies late night/early morning on a commercial-free free-to-air TV channel here. Then some silents started being shown – including “Intolerance”, “The General”, and “Birth of a Nation”.

There’s a real smorgasboard of interesting information about films in general to be found here, and in particular titles that interest me. Initially, I was looking for info about “correct” running length and running “order” of “Intolerance”. The version I recorded (off free-to-air TV straight to DVD) was excellent quality but shown in incorrect reel order, with titles in the middle of the 168 minutes, but with a beautiful music score by Carl Davis. Loved the tinting (and toning?). Unfortunately “Birth of a Nation” was shown in widescreen (squished people) – it was unwatchable, so I erased it. “The General” is excellent quality, but there is no screen credit for its music.

I’ve also got a bit side-tracked by the various discussions regarding preservation, restoration, and “digitally remastered” versions of old films. It amazes me how the print quality of some old films is still superb today – eg. “Irene (1940) - a B/W film with a stunning Technicolor sequence. Even “The General” is superb. Then I look at my DVD copy of The Red Shoes with its bleached colour and wobbling frames, and wonder why this was allow to happen. (Yes, I’ve now read about the new restored version). There’s obviously a lot of “strange” copies being commercially marketed these days – the TV version of “The Jungle Book” (1942) has vibrant colour and is of excellent quality compared to the apalling DVD version I paid good $$$ for.

A bit about me. I have always loved the movies – was given an 8mm projector and camera at a young age. Was later in several film societies (and ran one). Most of my working life I was a film editor. Now retired, but bit still do a bit of home movie video editing (some are on YouTube).

I was involved in editing mainly for TV – dramas, docos, etc. plus a few minor Australian features. A career highlight would have to be working in Germany at Bavaria Film Studios in the early 1970’s on “Cabaret” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (neither as editor). All very fond industry memories.

I have quite a few film books – two of my absolute favourites have always been “The Parades Gone By” (Kevin Brownlow – Columbus Books, 1989) and “Lulu in Hollywood” (Louise Brooks – Arena Books 1987). There are just too many to own

Love this site – could spend hours here!

I recently found this site as a result of earlier this year watching a lot of old movies late night/early morning on a commercial-free free-to-air TV channel here. Then some silents started being shown – including “Intolerance”, “The General”, and “Birth of a Nation”.

Welcome countryslicker from a fellow Aussie!

It's been terrific to see the ABC showing silents, hasn't it? I was disappointed by the prints that were used for `Intolerance' and `Birth of a Nation' (I seem to recall the latter was not even shown in the correct aspect ratio), but their copy of `The General' was excellent, and it went down a treat. From memory, the accompaniment was the Club Foot Orchestra - for some reason it's much maligned, but I'm quite fond of it.

The ABC also showed `The Son of the Sheik' a few months ago - I was hoping this would be the start of a series of silent showings (the first on Australian free-to-air in living memory!), but unfortunately it appears to have ceased.

You are very lucky to have worked on one of my favourite non-Nitrate era films, and to have observed another of them. I am jealous.

Thanks brooksie!

Must admit I scour the TV guides more thoroughly now - never know what pops up in the wee hours.

Your website is extremely interesting. Shame about all the old picture palaces being destroyed (world-wide as well), but there's still a few left here and there. Liked the photos of "The Jazz Singer" discs, and the silent-era programs. The only original programs I have are non-nitrate from the 60's - various Cinerama productions and big screen stuff like South Pacific and Spartacus, etc.

I was given some 35mm nitrate films back in the late 50's whilst in high school, and hid them under the house. My father found out about them, knew the danger, and took them away to be destroyed. Perhaps another lost Aussie feature

Hi everyone, I'm another "lurker" who's just deciding to join the group. Hopefully, I can contribute something halfway (how about 2%?) intelligent from time to time.

Anyway, my name is Ben Minnotte, I'm a Singer/Songwriter (emphasis on the latter, begging for forgiveness on the former), aspiring Audio Engineer and amateur silent film composer.

I saw my first silent at the age of 4 in some restaurant (pizza place perhaps?), it was Chaplin and the little tramp somehow simultaneously frightened and intrigued me--the lack of sound as well didn't hurt, I'd imagine. Everytime I saw a silent on TV or at the video store from then on, I'd watch--usually with both hands over my eyes. Eventually, the intrigue/fear turned into love and respect, which continues to this day. Not to mention a whole lot of tapes, DVD's, laserdiscs and 8mm's.

Lastly, at the risk of shameless self-promotion, I have a bit of a "Souls For Sale" (1925) score on my website at http://www.myspace.com/benminnottemusic and a brief high school-era (I was 17 or 18 at the time of recording) demo snippet of my aborted score for Garbo's "The Temptress" on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0sCZwxZjOA

Hope I can contribute.

Ben

Hello Everybody!

I should have really written this little introduction before posting. I hope you'll forgive me. I have been a lurker here for a while. I am passionate about silent films. I am as interested in European silents as in American ones. I try to chronicle as many French silents as I can on my Blog. But, at the moment, I am running a 'special feature'. It's the original transcript of a Kevin Brownlow interview (first publiched in French in 2008).

I am sure it will be of interest to all the silent movie lovers on this board.

Ann Harding

Welcome to Nitrateville, Ann! It's great to see you here!

~Roger

Greetings,

My name is Brian i am a college student. I have been interested in silent films since i was 12 years old. I have read most of the available books on the subject and enjoy discussing the medium. I hope i can contribute some worthwhile insight and become a valued addition to the community.

[Danny Burk]

Welcome to both Brian and Ann!

Finally found the intro thread! My name is Jan Kregers, and I live in San Diego, CA. I am currently a Library Assistant with San Diego Public Library, a Belly-dancer (still dance, but no longer professionally, which I did for 12 years), and I am a huge fan of Rudolph Valentino.

While I originally signed up with NitrateVille so that I could thank Donna Hill for posting online coupons here for both her Valentino book and calendar, I am also enjoying a lot of the other topics under discussion on the site. I am happy to know that there are other people out there who laugh like I do at Buster Keaton, and who love old Felix the Cat and Popeye cartoons.

I also enjoy horseback riding-- I was an extremely horse-crazy child, and I've never really grown out of it. Because I've always been particularly partial to Arabian and Andalusian horses, I've had more than a passing interest in Middle Eastern history, culture and even food, even as a kid. One of the first Halloween costumes I can remember asking my mother to make me was a 'harem-girl outfit', complete with billowing Turkish-style pants, a brocade vest-type top, and a golden headdress with an attached veil all tricked out with sequins. That's what comes of watching The Thief of Baghdad along with every Voyages of Sinbad movie ever made.

With these interests, it was just a matter of time until I collided with Valentino... and yes, his costumes in Son of the Sheik are gorgeous, authentic, and a belly-dancer's dream wardrobe, especially the black burnoose (hooded cloak), the embroidered vests, and the completely authentic Omani jambiyas (daggers) that both Ahmeds, father and son, wore in their waist-sashes.

Anyway, happy to be here, As-Salamu Alaykum!

Hi everybody

Well I am newbie I came on this site thanks to Gagman link from Turner classic movies forum and I love silent and classic some pre code film

I start get into silents back in 1980s when PBS was showing silent movies late at night when I used come from hanging out with my teenager friends back in 1980s there was usually Lon Chaney Sr silent movie during Halloween I saw Phantom of Opera I was hook

Then later on I got into Rudy Valentino I saw him Four horseman of Apocalyse I thought dude was hot also Greta Garbo Flesh and the Devil later on I thought she was most beautiful woman at that time

Classic films one of local SO CAL Channel used show lots of 1930s 40 Joan Crawford and Bette Davis

I remember I was sick one week from school I was watching marthon back to back Bette Davis and JOan Crawford movies

I think with Bette Davis it was Now Voyager and with Joan Crawford it was Mildred Pierce

I thought Ann Blyth was such a b***

Like I say on Buster Keaton thread I am Generation X Female I Got few fav comedy silent movie actors fav like Harold Lloyd Chaplin Buster Keaton that groups

Another newbie here. My name is Nathan and I've been lurking for sometime now, and decided to finally take the plunge and register. I don't know why a few of us are attracted to silent films and early talkies, while the majority would roll their eyes at the very suggestion of watching a black and white film. For some it's historical, others simply enjoy early cinema as an artform. I can enjoy classic cinema either way, as historical, or simply for the enjoyment of watching a story unfold.

I am looking forward to adding to the conversation in the future.

Hello
My name's Pamela and I have recently decided to join the site after lurking and nosing around it for a while. The first silent films I watched were early one- or two-reelers, which I really fell for. Since then, I've slowly been exploring the world of feature-length silents - and it's been fantastic.
I live in London, England and I really enjoy watching silent films with live music, the more outlandish the combination, the better (more or less). So I set up a blog last year about all the silent film screenings that are on in London. It's quite hectic trying to keep up with everything, but it's fun - and it means that (theoretically, at least) I should never miss a good show.

Look forward to joining in the chat here, and learning more about silent film as I do so.

Welcome Pamela, and thanks for your efforts in publicising London events.....a very useful blog you've created there.

Thank you!

Hi Pamela,

Welcome aboard.

Did you attend the GOLD RUSH at RFH the other week?

Hello - thanks for the welcome.
Sadly I couldn't make that one. The next date in my diary is Hamlet at the BFI. How was The Gold Rush?

I recently found this site as a result of earlier this year watching a lot of old movies late night/early morning on a commercial-free free-to-air TV channel here. Then some silents started being shown – including “Intolerance”, “The General”, and “Birth of a Nation”.

Geez, is it just we in the UK who are deprived of such delights???????

Hello!

I just read about this forum 5 minutes ago and it is just what I had been looking for.

I'm Linus from Sweden, 35 years old and I work as a projectionist.
Big fan of German cinema; especially the Weimar era.

See you around!

My name is Dave and I'm from Dallas, TX. As a kid, I always enjoyed watching Chaplin films growing up. I was a big fan of City Lights and remember doing a book report on Chaplin when I was in the 4th grade. Although I was a big Chaplin fan, I never ventured out and watched other silents until about 5 years ago. Once I saw Keaton's, The General, I was hooked. Since then, I've been on this never ending quest to watch and own every silent movie I can get my hands on. To date, my favorites are "The General", "The Big Parade", "Sunrise", and "Metropolis".

I'm looking forward to participate and learn more from this community.

[Danny Burk]

Welcome, Linus and Dave - glad to have you with us.

Hi all, my name is Paul Seno and have been a fan of silent film and early talkies for about 20 years. In this time I have accumulated quite a large collection of books, laser disks, DVD's and videos on the subject. My particular field of interest is early Hollywood up until 1935. My favourite films are Sadie Thompson, Thief of Baghdad and most early Warner Brothers musicals. Found this forum recently after looking at the Vitaphone Project website. So much great information and many passionate fans of early films. Looking forward to share in many discussions with members in the future.

Somehow I haven't gotten around to this intro thread even though I've been an occasional poster for two years or so. I find the level of knowledge and discussion among the posters on this site to be intimidating.

My name is Robert Fontenrose, and I'm a recently retired attorney with a career spent at a well-known tax administration and enforcement agency in Washington D.C., specializing in tax-exempt organizations. My roots are in Berkeley, CA, growing up in the 50's and 60's, attending college toward various degrees in Berkeley, Los Angeles, and Davis. My wife is a native of London which tends to mean that we travel over there with reasonable frequency. Unlike me, she has absolutely no interest in silent film, but we both are avid attendees of live theatre.

My interest in history has always been strong (B.A., M.A. before switching to law); not so my interest in classic film, which is very recent, and has arisen from a historical interest in tracing the development of the film industry from its origins to . . . well, I'm in mid-January 1918 now and progress is slow but fairly steady.

One focus is on what is available for home viewing, so I'm getting to know our cottage industry DVD companies quite well (and incidentally helping them turn a profit, to my wife's disgust). I watch at least twice every available film in strict chronological order by release date (or date of filming if a documentary) wherever possible, write a brief critical review, and weave the more significant films into a year-by-year (and season-by-season) narrative. The emphasis is as much on distributors and producers as on directors and actors. The chronological approach allows me to see what or who is new on the screen, the influence (if any) of prior films, how the quality or social mores of a film relates to others made at approximately the same time, and just who is pushing the envelope to hype box office appeal (usually De Mille).

Obviously, a lot has been lost, and that affects what I see and therefore necessarily warps my interpretation. In most cases the losses are regrettable -- but when you write up every available title there are some at whose absence you rejoice: my views on Broncho Billy and Tom Mix I've mentioned on another thread.

One thing I'm attempting to do is create a master chronology out of all the hodgepodge of film titles that our many DVD issuers have slapped onto their disks (as well as the stuff that's on the web), cross-indexed by country and (if American) by distributor and production company, and where to find each title. As my computer skills are limited, this may be in hard copy only unfortunately.

What will I do with all this? Well ... it is intended to be publishable but I rather doubt there will ever be a market. Mostly it is an enjoyable way to spend leisure retirement hours.