San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2009

James Bazen · Post by **James Bazen** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:12 pm

Frederica wrote:
azjazzman wrote:
Harlett O'Dowd wrote: While there is much to admire in Ms. Gish's film, *fun* and The Wind do not belong in the same sentence.

We're contemplating doing SFSFF instead of Cinecon this year. Mike? Bob? Can anything be announced now to change our minds?
I would *highly* encourage you to try the SFSFF. After the last couple of years, it has become my favorite movie weekend. (Although that may change this year as I am finally going to make it to Telluride.)

--John A.
Yes, we kinda morphed away from the subject line, didn't we? But I agree with John, the SFSFF is a wonderful festival and this year's lineup looks great.

Fred

Thanks for this. I am attending my first SFSFF next month. I'm looking forward to it.

Rodney · Post by **Rodney** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:16 am

Frederica wrote:
Harlett O'Dowd wrote: Well, we haven't been to SF since 2000 and finances pretty much dictate one festival per year - if that.

And I'd *really* like to see Bardelys on the big screen, so, yes, it *is* tempting me this year.
(Sigh.) My finances must have been speaking to your finances. I won't be attending SFSFF this year, either, so I'm really, really hoping Bardelys is shown at Cinecon (hint???). I too have the "one film festival per year" rule, only this year my "one festival" is a trip to the Sierras. Bardelys lost out to Tufa Rock formations and Bristlecone Pines.

Fred

Well, I'm sorry you can't make it -- I don't think I've ever met you (we only played Cinecon once, when Beau Geste and Johanna Enlists were shown). But I doubt it will play Cinecon --- for the practical reasons that it isn't available on film, and by then will have been released on DVD. So the big attraction at SFSFF will be the fact that it will only have been out for a few days, and it will have Mont Alto playing live, and it will be introduced by the ever-fascinating and over-achieving David Shepard (who will probably get the story behind the reconstruction right, which I've never quite been able to do).

The original film elements were in very bad shape, and unlike Metropolis there wasn't a big budget for the restoration. (Though those with sharp eyes will note the credit to the alt.movies.silent calendar project for contributing to the funding.) So the fragile nitrate was copied to a preservation print, and that was transferred to video. Then a heroic effort (both technical and legal) was made to pretty it up in the video domain, which is probably where it will remain unless huge funds show up (the video transfer was not the mega-high resolution required for making a true 35mm print, since old-print restoration software doesn't work at those resolutions yet.) And I have to say that it is very pretty -- I hope that the final DVD has some comparison side-by-sides, because except for the missing reel (nicely bridged by stills and the original intertitle text), it's hard to believe that it was ever in a tattered condition.

I believe that this will be the first time video is used at the SFSFF, but I believe that the quality of the architecture, audience, live music, the presence of a key member of the restoration team, and the novelty of it being the West Coast Premiere of an important find will make up for any deficiencies.

I tried to get a showing in L.A. for the tour as well, but was unable to find a willing and able venue. But you get plenty of other fine features showing in L.A. that don't show elsewhere, so check them out.

Rodney · Post by **Rodney** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:05 am

Rodney wrote:
rudyfan wrote:Well, I've seen a fair number of the films, and on the big screen, too. That said, a fun looking program with not one, but 2 cant em 2 action pictures (assuming there is some action in Bardleys).
Note also that if you want more comedy than is being presented at the festival, hang out for a couple of days. We'll be presenting our score for Buster Keaton's THE CAMERAMAN at the Rafael Theater across the bridge on Tuesday, July 14.

A change in plans -- due to issues getting a print, the Rafael Theater show has been changed to Harold Lloyd's THE KID BROTHER, for which a very nice 35mm print has been reserved. This was the film we showed at the Rafael Theater on our second tour there in 2000, and was a big hit at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival last year.

thomas_gladysz · Post by **thomas_gladysz** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:50 am

For all you book and DVD collectors . . . . the author line-up for the San Francisco Silent Film Festival has been announced. Text below excerpted from
http://www.examiner.com/x-7605-SF-Silen ... m-Festival

Books and DVD's will be for sale at the event - or bring a book from home!

Friday, July 10 - before and after The Gaucho
Jeffrey Vance returns to the Festival along with writing partner Tony Maietta to sign copies of their new book, Douglas Fairbanks (University of California Press). Vance, a film historian, producer, and lecturer is also the author of an acclaimed trilogy of books on silent-film comedians. Vance and Maietta will be signing books in the Castro lobby.

Saturday, July 11 - after “Amazing Tales from the Archives” (approximately 11:00 am)
Shawna Kelly, the great granddaughter of Daredevil DeLay (an innovator of several aerial firsts for motion pictures), will be signing copies of her new book, Aviators in Early Hollywood (Arcadia). Also signing after “Amazing Tales from the Archives” is film historian Christel Schmidt, from the Library of Congress. Schmidt contributed to Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture (Little, Brown and Company). Both Kelly and Schmidt will be signing books on the Castro mezzanine.

Saturday, July 11 - after Bardelys the Magnificent (approximately 1:45 pm)
Legendary film preservationist David Shepard will be signing copies of Bardelys the Magnificent (Flicker Alley), the just released two disc set of lost films starring John Gilbert. The DVD makes its debut at the Festival. Also signing is retired cartoonist and current comic’s herstorian Trina Robbins, who edited The Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley’s Cartoons, 1913-1940 (Fantagraphics). Interestingly, the Robbins’ book contains the likenesses of a handful of silent film stars, including Gilbert. Both Shepard and Robbins will be signing on the Castro mezzanine.

Saturday, July 11 - after Wild Rose (approximately 4:00 pm)
Film scholar Richard Meyer will be signing copies of his new book, Jin Yan: The Rudolph Valentino of Shanghai (University of Washington Press). Joining him on the Castro mezzanine will be Qin Yi, widow of the Chinese film star Jin Yan and the subject of Meyer’s book.

Saturday, July 11 - after Underworld (approximately 6:45 pm)
Film noir authority Eddie Muller, who will introduce Underworld, will be signing copies of Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir (St. Martin's) and Art of Noir (Overlook). Joining Muller is author and San Francisco Chronicle film critic Mick LaSalle, who will be signing copies of Joan Crawford: The Enduring Star (a new book on the one-time silent film & noir star) to which LaSalle contributed the forward. Both Muller and LaSalle will be signing on the Castro mezzanine.

Sunday, July 12 - after the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (approximately 11:45 am)
Leonard Maltin will be signing copies of his various books including Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons (Plume). Joining him will be Leslie Iwerks, the granddaughter of Disney artist Ib Iwerks and herself an Academy Award-nominated producer/director. Iwerks is the author of The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story (Disney Editions). Both Maltin and Iwerks will be signing on the Castro mezzanine.

Sunday, July 12 - after Erotikon (approximately 3:15 pm)
San Francisco novelist Glen David Gold, author of the best selling Carter Beats the Devil, will be signing copies of Sunnyside - his new novel about Charlie Chaplin. Gold will be signing on the Castro mezzanine.

Sunday, July 12 - after So’s Your Old Man (approximately 5:15 pm)
Director Terry Zwigoff, who will introduce So’s Your Old Man, will be joined by acclaimed comix artist Dan Clowes to sign copies of their recently released Ghost World: The Special Edition (Fantagraphics). For their work on Ghost World, Clowes and Zwigoff received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Rodney · Post by **Rodney** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:21 am

thomas_gladysz wrote: Saturday, July 11 - after Bardelys the Magnificent (approximately 1:45 pm)
Legendary film preservationist David Shepard will be signing copies of Bardelys the Magnificent (Flicker Alley), the just released two disc set of lost films starring John Gilbert. The DVD makes its debut at the Festival.

Thanks, Thomas, for all of this organizing! Naturally, if you want your new copy of BARDELYS THE MAGNIFICENT signed by the musicians as well, we'll be there too. We'll have a table as well with a selection of the DVDs we've produced over the years, but only before and/or after our particular screenings, so it won't be there the whole time.

rudyfan · Post by **rudyfan** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:09 am

I'm so anxious for this weekend to get here!

rudyfan · Post by **rudyfan** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:15 am

Okay, who is going to be in SF? Greta? Are you and Ray in attendance all weekend? Chance for lunch/dinner at Fuzio?

James, I know you will be in town, no idea if you have access online so I hope I see you!

James Bazen · Post by **James Bazen** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:00 am

rudyfan wrote:Okay, who is going to be in SF? Greta? Are you and Ray in attendance all weekend? Chance for lunch/dinner at Fuzio?

James, I know you will be in town, no idea if you have access online so I hope I see you!

Hey Donna,

We'll work something out. I won't leave SF without seeing you.

rudyfan · Post by **rudyfan** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:22 am

James Bazen wrote: Hey Donna,

We'll work something out. I won't leave SF without seeing you.

Cool! I PM'd you my cell which I will hope to remember to keep on during the intervals. I won't be hard to find among 2500-3000 people

Mark Pruett · Post by **Mark Pruett** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:22 am

The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra unveiled its stunning score for The Gaucho last night before a packed Castro Theater. My wife, who had never attended an Opening Night before, says she now knows what the fuss is about. Great film, rousing music, pumped crowd--what could be better? Can't wait for Bardelys today.

Gagman 66 · Post by **Gagman 66** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:30 pm

Mark,

Could THE GAUCHO been getting a new DVD release? And has the Technicolor footage been found?

rudyfan · Post by **rudyfan** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:48 pm

In short an awesome weekend. I'm too tired right now, but I will post tomorrow. ***** totally

Missed James ------***** and have no idea how that happened, I'm very sad about that.

Mark Pruett · Post by **Mark Pruett** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:18 am

Gagman 66 wrote:Mark,

Could THE GAUCHO been getting a new DVD release? And has the Technicolor footage been found?

Haven't heard about a DVD release, but I hope it's in the works. The print from MoMA was in black and white, though we did get to see fascinating Technicolor outtakes of Mary Pickford as the Madonna.

rudyfan · Post by **rudyfan** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:16 am

For what it's worth, my comments are here:

http://strictly-vintage-hollywood.blogs ... -film.html

I had a blast, as usual. It's just a great weekend in my home town.

Donna

precode · Post by **precode** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:41 pm

Frederica wrote:
(Sigh.) My finances must have been speaking to your finances. I won't be attending SFSFF this year, either, so I'm really, really hoping Bardelys is shown at Cinecon (hint???).

BARDELYS is certainly a possibility for Cinecon. Since it's on DVD and has a track, we could play it Monday afternoon after our accompanists have left.

When it comes to mispronounced L.A. names, nothing tops "Sepulveda."

And as for the SFSFF itself, I'll simply quote Comic Book Guy: Best. Fest. Ever.

Mike S.

Chris Snowden · Post by **Chris Snowden** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:55 pm

precode wrote:BARDELYS is certainly a possibility for Cinecon. Since it's on DVD and has a track, we could play it Monday afternoon after our accompanists have left.

But by Labor Day, everyone who wants to see it will already have the DVD. So's Your Old Man and Lady of the Pavements aren't nearly as easy to find...

precode · Post by **precode** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:49 pm

Chris Snowden wrote:
precode wrote:BARDELYS is certainly a possibility for Cinecon. Since it's on DVD and has a track, we could play it Monday afternoon after our accompanists have left.

But by Labor Day, everyone who wants to see it will already have the DVD. So's Your Old Man and Lady of the Pavements aren't nearly as easy to find...

True, but they might still want a chance to see it on a big screen. We can't run the other two because, as I said, we'll have no accompanists.

Mike S.

Jim Roots · Post by **Jim Roots** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:52 am

precode wrote:
Chris Snowden wrote:
precode wrote:BARDELYS is certainly a possibility for Cinecon. Since it's on DVD and has a track, we could play it Monday afternoon after our accompanists have left.

But by Labor Day, everyone who wants to see it will already have the DVD. So's Your Old Man and Lady of the Pavements aren't nearly as easy to find...
True, but they might still want a chance to see it on a big screen. We can't run the other two because, as I said, we'll have no accompanists.

You could run it completely soundlessly and say it is a tribute to your good friend Jim Roots...

Jim

precode · Post by **precode** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:48 pm

Jim Roots wrote:
precode wrote:
Chris Snowden wrote: But by Labor Day, everyone who wants to see it will already have the DVD. So's Your Old Man and Lady of the Pavements aren't nearly as easy to find...
True, but they might still want a chance to see it on a big screen. We can't run the other two because, as I said, we'll have no accompanists.
You could run it completely soundlessly and say it is a tribute to your good friend Jim Roots...

Jim

I like the way you think!

Mike S.

Gagman 66 · Post by **Gagman 66** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:00 pm

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San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2009

Author line-up for San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Re: Author line-up for San Francisco Silent Film Festival