Capitolfest 2009 review

LouieD · Post by **LouieD** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:17 am

Just got back from Capitolfest 2009 last night and thought I'd add my 2 cents and give a mini-review of the films shown there. I only missed bits of 2 films so I will try to add a brief review to each. Rated on a 5 star system with one star = poor to 5 stars = excellent.

"pre-glow" at Elks Club:
The Speed Spook - **** I only caught the last 30-35 minutes of this feature but it sure moved. Why isn't there more outrage that there isn't any Johnny Hines films on DVD?? All of the films I have seen with him have been excellent and this one was great!

The Nickel-Hopper - ***1/2 Lots of laughs and fun with this Mabel Normand short. Selected star of the weekend Boris Karloff in a brief role here.

Parisian Nights - ** Not much to review here as this is about a 2 minute fragment but it seems like the whole thing may be just overacted.

The King of the Kongo - ** This is Chapter 1 of a Mascot serial that was a part-talkie. The sound discs were not available (but we were told they exist in a private collection). Another Karloff appearance as the villain. I'm not a huge fan of serials so maybe someone else would rate it higher, but I found it WAY to long and boring.

Let's Get Married - **** Excellent Richard Dix comedy that the star just shines in.

Capitol Theatre screenings (all in 35mm):
The Miracle Man - ***1/2 A remake of the 1919 film that I found a bit over-preachy but with excellent performances all around. Karloff has a bit part at the beginning as a creepy character and Ned Sparks gets the girl!!!

Movie Milestones No. 1 - *** Interesting in that it contains the only known footage from the 1919 version of "The Miracle Man" which was supposedly Lon Chaney's breakthrough performance.

The Charge of the Light Brigade - **** These early (1912) Edison's usually mean snoozeville for Louie, but I seriously enjoyed this short. Wonderfully photographed (for the time) and the performances weren't too over the top. One of the highlights of the weekend. SILENT accompaniment by Avery Tunningley

The Ballad of Fisher's Boarding House - **** An excellent short directed by Frank Capra. EXCELLENT photography and a fine story. Hard to believe this production was as independent and cheaply made as history tells us. SILENT accompaniment by Avery Tunningley

The Barker - ***** One of the best from the weekend. Great part-talkie with outstanding performances from Milton Sills and Dorothy Mackaill. An early role for Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. who was pretty decent, but it was Sills as the hard-boiled carnival barker that wins the award here.

Helen Morgan in “The Gigolo Racket” - Nice Vitaphone short with some good singing. Nothing earth shattering here but nice to see.

Viennese Nights - ***1/2 Here's another of those operetta films that I expected to be grabbing a nap during but I was pleasantly surprised. Nice 2-strip Technicolor print and the sound was good also. Louise Fazenda has a meaty and fun co-star role. Bela Lugosi in a very brief cameo in two scenes didn't add to anything but just nice to see Bela in color!

Afraid to Talk - **** An early Universal pre-code that packs a lot into 70 minutes. So many great performances in this one by Edward Arnold, Louis Calhern, and Matt Mchugh. Also a very brief appearance by Arthur Houseman. This have everything corruption, beatings, wild parties, murder, you name it!

The Eagle's Nest - *** A one rell short from Germany's UFA studios. A mountain film with very beautiful photography. SILENT accompaniment by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.

The Wonderful Lies of Nina Petrovna - **** I got sick after eating a bad meal so I missed a big chunk of the middle of this UFA produced Brigette Helm vehicle. The film looked great and so did Brigette but the highlight was not what I saw but what I heard. The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra was TREMENDOUS. This is the first time I have ever heard them and they are a delight. Too bad I was ill and missed most of it.

The Awful Goof - ***1/2 One of the 4 shorts that comedian Charley Chase made for Columbia that is not in "collector" circulation today. Half a remake of Chase's "Limosine Love", the short is a typical Columbia but many laughs coming from the audience. Great to see from a historical standpoint and I hope the DVD's of these Chase Columbia's are coming soon.

The Secret of the Blue Room - *** A fairly common Universal but nice to see in 35mm. Atmospheric but the actors performances are not that great.

Ann Butler & Jay Brennan in "You Don't Know the Half of It" - **1/2 Another interesting Vitaphone short with the 2 performers doing their stage act for about 10 minutes. I had a hard time hearing some of the punch lines to the jokes though which brought down the rating for me.

Movietone Follies of 1930 - **** Yes, I have to say, I'm probably biased with this one. Another of those rare early 30's Fox films that are always nice to see. The story is a bit weak but the songs are great and yes, I thought El Brendel was terrific! Great co-stars in Noel Francis and the ALWAYS wonderful Marjorie White. Let me go on record by also saying that I may be the only person who also loves Frank Richardson!!

The Sultan's Wife - ***1/2 Another of those early shorts (this time a 1917 Keystone) that usually put me to sleep but this Bobby Vernon comedy was quick paced and had a lot of laughs. Gloria Swanson appearing here as well as an appearance by the famous Sennett bathing beauties.

Footloose Widows - **** I really enjoyed this one. Jason Robards in an early role with Louise Fazenda turning in another great performance as Jacqueline Logan's friend who seems to always have the wrong advice. SILENT accompaniment by Bernie Anderson.

Pat O'Brien in “Crimes Square” -** I guess the only reason to see this is an early performance by Pat O'Brien. Pat is a bad guy who goes good. That's about it.

Graft - *** Boris Karloff has a GREAT role in this one as he plays the main strong-arm bad guy in the film, but I really could have done without Regis Toomey as the dumb reporter, but the films 54 minute screen time meant that it moved pretty quick. Nice to see Sue Carol in her role. The film, by the way, looked spectacular.

Jack Theakston's Short Subject Follies - ***1/2 Always one of my favorite sections of Capitolfest. Many trailers and a showing of the Little Rascals "Follies of 1938" in 35mm. The visions of the hot dog and beans combo will leave me with nightmares for a while!

A Kick for Cinderella - ** A 1924Mutt & Jeff cartoon that may have some historical significance for animation fans but I found it boring. SILENT accompaniment by Dr. Philip C. Carli

Red Lights- ** This one only gets the second star because the print was excellent, but I was excited to see this for Raymond Griffith was in it but I found it EXTREMELY difficult to follow and the story terrible. Griffith had a couple of funny moments but nothing like I had seen from him before. The only disappointment in the whole weekend, although Phil Carli's accompaniment was SUPERB as usual. SILENT

I wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Art and Kylie Pierce and all of the staff and helpers at the Captiol and Elks Club that make this festival a must go-to every year. Always nice to see some old friends and make some new ones, can't wait for next years festival already!!

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:35 am

good reviews... so do you an idea if we'll ever get to see The Barker, which won a lead-actress Oscar nomination for Betty Compson ???

LouieD · Post by **LouieD** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:56 am

drednm wrote:good reviews... so do you an idea if we'll ever get to see The Barker, which won a lead-actress Oscar nomination for Betty Compson ???

I would hope so as it was terrific, but you know how these things go.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:19 pm

Vitaphone had an article on The Barker, which existed in a silent print only for many years. Somewhere they found the sound disc for the film. The disck was broken into 3 pieces. The Vitaphone Project miraculously was able to re-assemble the disc, re-record it, and then diminish the "interference" from the mend plus whatever other scratches/smudges there were. Quite a success story.

I've always wanted to see this film as it stars two of my faves: Betty Compson and Dorothy Mackaill. I've only seen Milton Sills is a few films.

Gerry Orlando · Post by **Gerry Orlando** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:10 pm

Operettas are usually right up there (or DOWN there) with "B" Westerns as films that are fashionable to dislike and rip apart at film festivals, but "Viennese Nights" turned out to be a big surprise at this year's Capitolfest.....an operetta that just about everyone in attendance REALLY liked. In fact, quite a few people commented that it was their favorite film (or at least ONE of their favorite films) of the entire weekend!

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:15 pm

I have a copy of Viennese Nights and have watched it but have no memory of it at all! It must have been a martini night.....

Gerry Orlando · Post by **Gerry Orlando** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:58 pm

drednm wrote:I have a copy of Viennese Nights and have watched it but have no memory of it at all! It must have been a martini night.....

Martinis and Vivienne Segal.....Yup, works for ME!

Harlett O'Dowd · Post by **Harlett O'Dowd** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:08 pm

Gerry Orlando wrote:
drednm wrote:I have a copy of Viennese Nights and have watched it but have no memory of it at all! It must have been a martini night.....
Martinis and Vivienne Segal.....Yup, works for ME!

Is there any other way to experience Golden Dawn?

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:10 pm

Harlett O'Dowd wrote:
Gerry Orlando wrote:
drednm wrote:I have a copy of Viennese Nights and have watched it but have no memory of it at all! It must have been a martini night.....
Martinis and Vivienne Segal.....Yup, works for ME!
Is there any other way to experience Golden Dawn?

A lot of martinis.

Fred

FrankFay · Post by **FrankFay** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:22 pm

Segal is quite charming in Viennese Nights and you can see glimpses of the wit which would make her a hit on Broadway- here she flirts with Lawrence Gray (who was quite good himself)

Don't you recognize me? I was in the band.

What do you play?

The drum-

There are three drummers in the regimental band......

I was the one who was looking at you...

they were ALL looking at me......

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:19 am

and I thought Golden Dawn was a hoot!

Vivienne Segal's final film was a co-starring role in The Cat and the Fiddle, which starred Jeanette MacDonald and Ramon Novarro. The famous story about this film is when MacDonald met singing rival Segal and said, "Hi Viv. Read your part. It stinks!"

While a funny bit, it doesn't sound like MacDonald at all.....

Gerry Orlando · Post by **Gerry Orlando** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:34 am

drednm wrote: Vivienne Segal's final film was a co-starring role in The Cat and the Fiddle, which starred Jeanette MacDonald and Ramon Novarro. The famous story about this film is when MacDonald met singing rival Segal and said, "Hi Viv. Read your part. It stinks!"

While a funny bit, it doesn't sound like MacDonald at all.....

I agree....That sounds more like something that Greer Garson would have said to Walter Pidgeon on the first day of shooting for "Mrs. Miniver"!

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:14 am

so anyway.... who has a copy of The Barker ?

LouieD · Post by **LouieD** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:41 am

drednm wrote:so anyway.... who has a copy of The Barker ?

UCLA

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:46 am

Yes I know.... I meant a personal copy

LouieD · Post by **LouieD** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:52 am

drednm wrote:Yes I know.... I meant a personal copy

I would be HIGHLY surprised.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:18 am

me too, but I thought it was worth a shot......

FrankFay · Post by **FrankFay** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:21 am

I find it remarkable and a bit shocking that Sills was only 47 when he made THE BARKER. He looks fine, but older- from what I read he was under a great deal of stress from money problems and his heart was failing- he died in 1930 after making a few more part talkies and his only full talkie THE SEA WOLF. I've found a 1933 fan magazine article with pictures of him, Rudolph Valentino, Theodore Roberts & others headed HOLLYWOOD KILLS PEOPLE!!!

Gerry Orlando · Post by **Gerry Orlando** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:10 am

Milton Sills' performance in THE BARKER was definitely one of my favorite performances of the entire Capitolfest.....powerful but not too "over-the-top", and it still holds up well when viewed today.

LouieD · Post by **LouieD** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:37 am

Gerry Orlando wrote:Milton Sills' performance in THE BARKER was definitely one of my favorite performances of the entire Capitolfest.....powerful but not too "over-the-top", and it still holds up well when viewed today.

Gerry, have to agree with you on this one, the performance was terrific!!

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:52 am

LouieD wrote:
Gerry Orlando wrote:Milton Sills' performance in THE BARKER was definitely one of my favorite performances of the entire Capitolfest.....powerful but not too "over-the-top", and it still holds up well when viewed today.
Gerry, have to agree with you on this one, the performance was terrific!!

The Barker is altogether a great film. I sure wish we could have a dvd set of "festival favorites" or something, because that would be one of my "must haves."

Fred

LouieD · Post by **LouieD** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:01 am

Frederica wrote:The Barker is altogether a great film. I sure wish we could have a dvd set of "festival favorites" or something, because that would be one of my "must haves."

Fred

A total fantasy, but yes, I would LOVE to have one of those sets. I would add 1934's "Double Door" which was shown at Capitolfest last year.

Harlett O'Dowd · Post by **Harlett O'Dowd** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:14 am

Frederica wrote: The Barker is altogether a great film. I sure wish we could have a dvd set of "festival favorites" or something, because that would be one of my "must haves."

Fred

Grrrrr! And I still haven't caught up with it - or Chicago or Journey's End or...

But a festival favorites DVD would have to have some shorts - especially Crooks' Tour and Happily Burried.

drednm · Post by **drednm** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:21 am

and even if The Barker never gets a DVD release (which is likely) why hasn't TCM snagged the rights to show this film?

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:52 pm

Harlett O'Dowd wrote:
Frederica wrote: The Barker is altogether a great film. I sure wish we could have a dvd set of "festival favorites" or something, because that would be one of my "must haves."

Fred
Grrrrr! And I still haven't caught up with it - or Chicago or Journey's End or...

But a festival favorites DVD would have to have some shorts - especially Crooks' Tour and Happily Burried.

OMG! I forgot Happily Buried! How could I have forgotten dancing breakfast food as one of my iconic Cinecon moments!

Fred

Decotodd · Post by **Decotodd** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:06 pm

I'd have to lobby for the silent CHICAGO in that wish-list box set. It screened at the Academy here in LA as well as Cinecon. That film would be a GREAT introduction for any of your silent-leery friends, especially on a big screen and a live accompaniment.

Nancy Lorraine · Post by **Nancy Lorraine** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:49 pm

Gerry Orlando wrote:Milton Sills' performance in THE BARKER was definitely one of my favorite performances of the entire Capitolfest.....powerful but not too "over-the-top", and it still holds up well when viewed today.

I agree, and THE BARKER was my stand-out favorite of Capitolfest, because of Milton Sills. I first saw him in MISS LULU BETT years ago, and thought "meh" about him. But I recently watched THE SEA HAWK for the first time, and that really made me take notice of him. Now after seeing THE BARKER I'm sold 100% and would love to see more of Sills.

Any recommendations for other Sills films that may be available for home viewing or festival screenings?

Nancy

James Bazen · Post by **James Bazen** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:19 pm

Nancy Lorraine wrote:
Gerry Orlando wrote:Milton Sills' performance in THE BARKER was definitely one of my favorite performances of the entire Capitolfest.....powerful but not too "over-the-top", and it still holds up well when viewed today.
I agree, and THE BARKER was my stand-out favorite of Capitolfest, because of Milton Sills. I first saw him in MISS LULU BETT years ago, and thought "meh" about him. But I recently watched THE SEA HAWK for the first time, and that really made me take notice of him. Now after seeing THE BARKER I'm sold 100% and would love to see more of Sills.

Any recommendations for other Sills films that may be available for home viewing or festival screenings?

Nancy

Grapevine used to have BURNING DAYLIGHT on VHS which is an excellent film and performance from Milton Sills.

Frederica · Post by **Frederica** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:26 pm

Nancy Lorraine wrote:
Gerry Orlando wrote:Milton Sills' performance in THE BARKER was definitely one of my favorite performances of the entire Capitolfest.....powerful but not too "over-the-top", and it still holds up well when viewed today.
I agree, and THE BARKER was my stand-out favorite of Capitolfest, because of Milton Sills. I first saw him in MISS LULU BETT years ago, and thought "meh" about him. But I recently watched THE SEA HAWK for the first time, and that really made me take notice of him. Now after seeing THE BARKER I'm sold 100% and would love to see more of Sills.

Any recommendations for other Sills films that may be available for home viewing or festival screenings?

Nancy

Valley of the Giants was shown at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival a couple of years ago, it's another good Sills performance. I agree with you, when I saw Miss Lulu Bett I echoed your meh but after seeing The Sea Hawk I realized it was because he was playing meh. I'm now a confirmed Sills fan.

Fred

greta de groat · Post by **greta de groat** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:23 pm

Same reaction from me. My first two Sills films were Miss Lulu Bett and Eyes of Youth, where he plays a not-very-nice suitor. I thought he was a stiff, funny-looking guy and put him out of my mind until i saw The Sea Hawk. THen the light went on as i thought "duh, he's an actor." I would never have suspected that he was one of those bravura actors who can really carry off those larger-than-life parts.

I did find myself much more kindly disposed to him in Miss Lulu Bett last time i saw it.

I second all the films mentioned so far and would also love to see more. I'm not sure what else is out there and in showable condition. I'm most curious about The Sea Wolf. Has anybody actually seen this? (i've asked this before on ams and nobody has fessed up).

greta