Grapevine Gems

Open, general discussion of silent films, personalities and history.
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mwalls
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Grapevine Gems

Post by mwalls » Wed Mar 16, 2016 5:55 pm

I have bought a number of silent films from Flicker Alley, Kino, Warner Archives, and Grapevine. Normally, the ones I get from Flicker Alley, Kino and Warner Archives I either know about or have read much discussion. The ones I have bought from Grapevine, while usually enjoyable, are a bit more hit and miss.

I understand that Grapevine's scores often leave something to be desired, but I am very glad they exist because they make a lot of films available that would otherwise not be. Now, I have a couple from them that I consider Gems; Beggars of Life and Bare Knees. I knew about Beggars from discussion on this site, and Bare Knees was suggested to me by a friend. Had it not been for those two sources, I would not have known to get them. Grapevine does have a search function, but basically, unless you know what you are looking for there is not much to recommend one movie over another.

But, since I got those two Gems from Grapevine, I was wondering if there may be more in their catalog for which I can add to my wishlist queue. Can anyone recommend some really good movies that Grapevine offers?

Thanks,
Matthew

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Mike Gebert
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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by Mike Gebert » Wed Mar 16, 2016 6:49 pm

The Cruise of the Jasper B is a totally zany farce about a modern day pirate, from an absurdist book by the author of archy and mehitabel.

http://www.grapevinevideo.com/cruise_jasper_b.html" target="_blank
Cinema has no voice, but it speaks to us with eyes that mirror the soul. ―Ivan Mosjoukine

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boblipton
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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by boblipton » Wed Mar 16, 2016 6:56 pm

My first reaction is to see everything, good, bad and indifferent. However, among the comedies, I particularly recommend:

Charley Chase - Jimmy Jump Comedies
The Clinging Vine
Ella Cinders
Hands Up!
Luck
Mantrap
Max Linder Shorts 1905-1913
A Pair of Silk Stockings
Skinner's Dress Suit
Up in Mabel's Room
You'd Be Surprised

Bob
The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.
— L.P. Hartley

tguinan
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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by tguinan » Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:50 pm

I enjoyed Seven Keys to Baldpate, and Barnum Was Right

WaverBoy
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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by WaverBoy » Thu Mar 17, 2016 2:40 am

I'll add these to the Grapevine Gems list:

GETTING GERTIE'S GARTER
BLONDE FOR A NIGHT
FEEL MY PULSE
GETTING MARY MARRIED
OH, DOCTOR!
A GIRL IN EVERY PORT

dr.giraud
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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by dr.giraud » Thu Mar 17, 2016 4:32 am

The Duchess of Buffalo - Great Constance Talmadge comedy with ornate William Cameron Menzies sets.

White Tiger - Tod Browning melodrama with a great cast. Raymond Griffith, Matt Moore, Wallace Beery, and star Priscilla Dean. Nobody looks more badass with a shotgun than Dean.

Barbed Wire - WW1 POW drama with the great Pola Negri.
dr. giraud

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bobfells
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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by bobfells » Thu Mar 17, 2016 11:57 am

All real gems. Let me recommend LUCRETIA BORGIA (1922) a German extravaganza starring Conrad Veidt, Albert Basserman, and others. Beautifully tinted and taken from 35mm.
Official Biographer of Mr. Arliss

http://www.ArlissArchives.com" target="_blank
http://www.OldHollywoodinColor.com" target="_blank
https://www.Facebook.com/groups/413487728766029/" target="_blank

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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by Eric Cohen » Thu Mar 17, 2016 2:09 pm

me shouting: THE CANADIAN 1926
http://www.grapevinevideo.com/canadian.html" target="_blank"
Last screened in Columbus with killer piano accompaniment by Mr. Phillip Carli in 2013, here are the program notes:
http://www.silentcomedymafia.com/viewto ... f=12&t=732" target="_blank"
Also:
Are Parents People?,
Casey At the Bat - two pleasing comedies with perfect casting.
The Michigan Kid,
Arizona Express- two great action pictures.
The '20s films of Tom Mix and Rin Tin Tin
Wonderful, shimmering Kodascope 16mm prints which, though often edited, are all that survives, incl.
Many late '20s DeMille Productions like Jasper B
Tiger Rose- Charles Rosher-lensed exteriors dazzle and he tells of his experience making it in The Parade's Gone By -p233.
Guardians of the Wild- John Howard Reid sums it up well on IMBd:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018963/" target="_blank"
March used to be Kodascope month. Many of us would dogsled to the snowbound outskirts of Syracuse to crane our necks in a motel meeting room to view these rare treasures, now many available from Grapevine, incl.
Code of the Sea- screened one last time at the end of the last Syracuse Cinevent.

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mwalls
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Re: Grapevine Gems

Post by mwalls » Thu Mar 17, 2016 4:23 pm

Great suggestions. Looks like Grapevine has quite a few Gems that I need to add to my wishlist queue. I do have a few of the ones mentioned, but not many. So, I have lots to look forward to.

Matthew

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