NFPF/EYE Repatriation of U.S. Films Announced March 30, 2014

[craig2010]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/mo ... z2xSGqrTHv

"Long-missing comedy shorts such as 1927’s “Mickey’s Circus,” featuring a 6-year-old Mickey Rooney in his first starring role, 1917's "Neptune's Naughty Daughter"; 1925’s “Fifty Million Years Ago,” an animated introduction to the theory of evolution; and a 1924 industrial short, “The Last Word in Chickens,” are among the American silent films recently found at the EYE Filmmusem in Amsterdam.

EYE and the San Francisco-based National Film Preservation Foundation have partnered to repatriate and preserve these films -- the majority either don’t exist in the U.S. or only in inferior prints.

The announcement was to be made Sunday in Amsterdam at EYE Museum with a public screening of the first film saved from the project “Koko’s Queen,” a 1926 “Out of the Inkwell” cartoon, which had been available in the U.S. only in substandard video copies."

Annette Melville, director of the National Film Preservation Foundation, said EYE came to them after learning of NFPF’s partnership four years ago with the New Zealand Film Archive, which repatriated nitrate prints of nearly 200 silent U.S. films, including a missing 1927 John Ford comedy, “Upstream.” The following year, the NFPF and the New Zealand archive also identified the 30-minute portion of the 1923 British film “The White Shadow,” which is considered to be the earliest feature film in which Alfred Hitchcock had a credit.

“We had so much on our plate,” said Melville. “We took responsibility for funding the preservation of a good number of the 176 films. We didn’t want to bite off more than we could chew. There are a lot of resources involved in bringing the films back and preserving them. Most of this work is funded through grants.”

With support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the NFPF last year sent researcher Leslie Lewis to Amsterdam, where she spent two months examining more than 200,000 feet of highly combustible 35mm nitrate film. A veritable Sherlock Holmes of celluloid, Lewis also was one of two nitrate experts dispatched to identify the films in the New Zealand Archive.

“There’s a good reason these films haven’t been preserved,” said Melville, noting that credit sequences on many of the titles had decayed over the years. “Many of them haven’t been identified because the way films sit on their reels, sometimes the credits are most exposed to the atmosphere.”

Then there was the language problem. In the instances in which credits did survive or the film had intertitles, they were generally in Dutch.

“There was a lot of detective work going on,” said Melville.

Working with research teams at the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., Lewis would take photos of scenes from the films, as well as copies of intertitles and then send them off to experts for identification.

“We would look up the stuff and send information back the next morning,” said Melville, adding that this is the first large-scale repatriation project involving the translation of intertitles back into English.

Not only does the EYE collection feature shorts, animated films, dramas, serials and westerns, there is also a cache of nonfiction films, including footage from a 1920 Chicago rodeo; 1923’s “The Crystal Ascension,” which chronicles an exploration of Mt. Hood; 1917’s “The Dairy Industry and the Canning of Milk” and 1925’s “Uncommon Clay," a survey of America's art pottery heritage.

“After World War I, many of the film companies in Europe had taken a big hit, and the U.S. government supported the film industry by helping to send over films overseas,” said Melville. They sent short comedies and features, but they solicited big business to send over films about what they do.”

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Twenty-six of the short films, thought to be the best surviving source material on these titles reported anywhere, have been shipped for preservation at Colorlab in Rockville, Md., under the guidance of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Library of Congress.

The Oregon Historical Society has joined the effort to restore “The Crystal Ascension.” And just last week the NFPF received a $260,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities to fund the preservation and Web presentation of the nonfiction films.

There are more titles that the NFPF wants to repatriate, including two feature films, 1924’s “The Reckless Age,” a comedy with Reginald Denny, and the 1922 melodrama “For the Defense,” with ZaSu Pitts.

When the restoration work is done, the American archives will have custody of new digital scans, 35mm masters, prints and access copies. EYE will receive new prints and digital copies. And the NFPF plans to post copies of the film for streaming on their website.

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[craig2010]

http://www.filmpreservation.org/about/PR-2014-03-30


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DUTCH-AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP TO SAVE
AND MAKE AVAILABLE “LOST” AMERICAN SILENT FILMS

Contact: David Wells (415-392-7291, [email protected]" target="_blank)

San Francisco, CA (March 30, 2014)—EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam and the San Francisco-based National Film Preservation Foundation today announced a partnership to preserve and make available dozens of early American films that have been unseen anywhere in decades.

Among the one-of-a-kind prints slated for preservation are Fifty Million Years Ago (1925), an animated introduction to the theory of evolution; Flaming Canyons (1929), a tour of national parks in the Southwest; short comedies featuring Mickey Rooney, Oliver Hardy, and Chester Conklin; Happy Hooligan and Koko the Clown cartoons; the only known work from the Esperanto Film Manufacturing Company of Detroit; The Reckless Age (1924), a flapper feature starring Reginald Denny; and the crime melodrama For the Defense (1922), with ZaSu Pitts. The first 26 films are already in the laboratory queue; more will follow in the months ahead.

[craig2010]

Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/l ... und-692160

Variety
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/natio ... 201150168/

[boblipton]

The NFPF has been excellent about posting beautiful copies on their site, often including fine scores.While I will cavil at their stodgy frame speed, this is excellent news and I await the films eagerly.

Bob

[Gagman 66]

I saw the article on Facebook this morning. What about the 3 Olive Thomas features they restored? How about that early Evelyn Brent, and Colleen Moore's DINTY? We got a Trailer for EAST IS WEST? Are we to assume this has already been repatriated? Or prints were made and shared with other archives?

[telical]

I hope the Eye representatives that frequent Nitrateville can make a list public
of what is there. They obviously have a list as a memo/correspondance. I don't
see why in the interest of good public stewardship we can't know what it is. If
we knew, maybe we could generate funds for distribution of certain films, at least
more public acclaim for what they are doing.

Has a list gone public for all the films involved? I looked for one a bit but didn't
find anything that substantial.

[silentfilm]

Here is the list of the first 26 films: http://www.filmpreservation.org/preserv ... in-2013-14

EYE Project: Films Slated for Preservation in 2014

The NFPF will contribute preservation funding for those titles marked with an asterisk.

The Backyard* (Jimmy Aubrey Productions, Vitagraph Company of America, 1920), comedy featuring Oliver Hardy as “the ruffian.” Thanks to the Library of Congress for cofunding the preservation of this title with the NFPF.
Bashful Charley’s Proposal (Universal Joker Company, 1916), comedy, set on a houseboat, involving look-alike brothers who court a widow and her daughter. Thanks to the Library of Congress for funding the preservation of this title.
Chicago Rodeo (1920)
Tommy Kirnan (right), from S&E Enterprises’ film presenting Tex Austin’s 1920 rodeo competition in Chicago.
[Chicago rodeo]* (S&E Enterprises, 1920), remarkable footage from Tex Austin’s rodeo show, held in Chicago’s Grant Park in July 1920 and featuring appearances by Ruth Roach, Foghorn Clancy, “Yiddish Cowboy” Dizzy Izzy Broad, and a fearless (though slightly injured) cameraman. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
Clarence Cheats at Croquet* (Thanhouser Film Corporation, 1916), comedy in which a romantic rival stretches the rules and gets his just deserts. Thanks to Thanhouser Company Film Preservation, Inc. for co-funding the preservation of this title with the NFPF.
The Crystal Ascension* (Kiser Studios, 1923), exploration of Mt. Hood’s Eliot Glacier, Oregon’s largest glacier, as filmed by Kiser Studios. To be preserved by the Oregon Historical Society.
The Dairy Industry and the Canning of Milk* (Libby, McNeal and Libby?, 1917), industry film detailing the canning of condensed milk at Libby, McNeal and Libby’s state-of-the-art facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
The Darling of the C.S.A.* (Kalem Company, 1912), tale of a daring crossdressing spy, played by Anna Q. Nilsson, who defies capture to secure explosives for the Confederates. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Fifty Million Years Ago* (Service Film Corp, 1925), introduction to the theory of evolution told through animation. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Fine Paper* (Strathmore Papers?, ca. 1917), industrial short showing how the Strathmore Paper Company of Massachusetts made its celebrated rag paper. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.

Flaming Canyons (1929), a travelogue showcasing Bryce, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks.
Flaming Canyons* (Castle Films, 1929), stencil-colored travelogue promoting the wonders of Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
From Ore to Finished Product, Reel 4* (National Tube Company, 1917?), tour of the community betterment projects of this Pennsylvania manufacturer (later a founding member of US Steel), prepared as the final installment of a comprehensive film survey of company operations. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
A Knight of Daze (Fox Film Corporation, 1928), comedy, with Tyler Brooke as Van Bibber, set at a self-service men’s salon. Thanks to the Library of Congress for funding the preservation of this title.
Koko’s Queen (Fleischer Studios, 1926), mind-boggling Out of the Inkwell cartoon in which Koko designs his ideal woman. Thanks to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for funding the preservation of this title.
The Last Word in Chickens* (Fox Film Corporation, 1924), survey of modern egg production and poultry raising techniques, as demonstrated on a large Long Island farm. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Mickey’s Circus (Larry Darmour Productions, 1927), comedy featuring Mickey Rooney, in his first starring role, as the ringmaster of a kids’ circus. Thanks to the Library of Congress for funding the preservation of this title.
A Model Husband* (Victor Film Company, 1916), tale in which the moral failings of a “model husband” are unmasked by prohibitionists. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
A Mountain Ranch* (Dodge Bros., 1923?), scenic profile of a Colorado sheep ranch and its environs. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
Neptune’s Naughty Daughter (Century Comedies, 1917), comedy about a fisherman’s daughter who defies her father and falls for a sailor. This Library of Congress-funded restoration will also involve materials from the British Film Institute.
Patsy’s Elopement* (Lubin Manufacturing Company, 1915), the ninth installment in the Patsy Bolivar series, featuring Clarence Elmer as the guy who never seems to do anything right. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
Red Saunders’ Sacrifice* (Lubin Manufacturing Company, 1912), Western in which the bandit braves capture to fetch a doctor for his sweetheart’s mother. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
A Smash-Up in China* (International Film Service [Hearst],1919), a Happy Hooligan cartoon directed by Gregory La Cava. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
A Trip Though Lassen Volcanic National Park* (A. Phillips & J. J. Hammer?, 1918?), tour of California’s active volcano two years after the area was made a national park. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Uncommon Clay* (Fox Film Corporation, 1925), survey of America’s art pottery heritage from Acoma Pueblo to Rookwood Pottery. To be preserved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Village Chestnut* (Max Sennett Comedies, 1918), comedy about tangled classroom romances, directed by Raymond Griffith and starring Chester Conklin and Louise Fazenda. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
When Ciderville Went Dry* (Esperanto Film Mfg. Co., 1915), temperance spoof that is thought to be the only surviving work from the Esperanto Film Manufacturing Company of Detroit. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.
Who’s Who* (Essanay Film Mfg. Co., 1910), comedy of mistaken identity, involving a minister and prizefighter—both with the initials S.O.B.—who arrive into town on the same train. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.

[s.w.a.c.]

Exciting list! I've seen a lot of Koko cartoons, but I don't think I've seen Koko's Queen. Maybe some day we can see them all collected in a single volume.

[craig2010]

More info and a slide show here
http://www.filmpreservation.org/preserv ... ye-project

[boblipton]

A fascinating list with many titles that look important, Bruce. I assume Paul Gierucki is already planning his break-in to liberate the copy of Village Chestnut.

Bob

[sepiatone]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/mo ... z2xSGqrTHv



There are more titles that the NFPF wants to repatriate, including two feature films, 1924’s “The Reckless Age,” a comedy with Reginald Denny, and the 1922 melodrama “For the Defense,” with ZaSu Pitts.

FOR THE DEFENSE is a 1922 feature starring Ethel Clayton. C'mon lets give this lady some due. Zasu was a supporting player. Glad to see one of her features survive. Daniel Blum mistakenly has a photo from this film in films for the year 1916 in his "Pictorial History of the Silent Screen".

[Darren Nemeth]

When Ciderville Went Dry* (Esperanto Film Mfg. Co., 1915), temperance spoof that is thought to be the only surviving work from the Esperanto Film Manufacturing Company of Detroit. To be preserved by the Library of Congress.

Being from Michigan I'd really like to see this and learn more about the Esperanto Film Manufacturing Company of Detroit.