Silent Film Friday in Gilroy, CA

[jelloshooter848]

Hello all,

I am brand new to this board, so I apologized if I make any errors. We have recently become in possession of Gilroy's first 35mm projector from the 20's. We had an idea to use it to show silent films at a local restaurant that just (re)opened in what used to be a popular hotel in the city.

Anywho, we have the projector (it does work, I was able to borrow film from a local college to test it), we have a location, and we have a piano player. WHat we don't have is any film to play. Does anyone have leads on a reliable source to buy or rent classic silent films on 35mm? Or does anyone still print 35mm film? Would it be possible to produce a print of older movies that are presumably in the public archive by now?

Thanks for your time.

[silentfilm]

Archives do have 35mm prints that can be projected. However, they can be expensive and the archive will want to make sure that you have experience with 35mm projection and don't mangle their print. You would probably have better luck with 16mm. There are no new 16mm films being printed, but collectors and some university libraries still have them.

The Niles Silent Film Museum is not too far from you. Someone there can probably give you some advice.

[Marr&Colton]

I would HIGHLY DOUBT running rare 35mm silent films on an old antique projector would be a good idea by anyone other than an experienced (in that era equipment) projectionist.

You would be much better off getting nice restorations of silent films on DVD and projecting that way.

Very old portable projectors could really be rough on film--especially with amateur operators.

I don't know of any rental company that would ship 35mm film to anything other than an established theatre
with experienced operators. If the film was damaged, you could be liable for replacement of a print.

There are few labs left that would be able to print 35mm film---you would need a negative to work from and the end cost would be astronomical.

BTW--You have your terms mixed up---your last statement is referring to PUBLIC DOMAIN.