This N That - February/March 2012

Free Movies!  We like Free Movies!  To paraphrase the Genie in The Thief of Bagdad, Free, Free, FREEEEE!

EUscreen is a digital repository for Europe's television heritage and there are links galore to sites for free public domain films of all sorts. 

From their homepage:

The EUscreen project aims to promote the use of television content to explore Europe's rich and diverse cultural history.

It will create access to over 30,000 items of programme content and information, and by developing a number of interactive functionalities and dynamic links with Europeana it will prove valuable to the widest range of cultural, educational and recreational users.

EUscreen started in October 2009 and the project consortium, which includes 28 partner institutions from around Europe, is being co-ordinated by Utrecht University.

You can access films under categories such as:

Open Video Repositories

Video Footage for Remix and Reuse

Open-Source Films and Projects

Public Domain and Free-to-Share Film Listings

Watch Excellent Films for Free

Documentaries Free (and Less Free) to Share - Okay, so not everything may be free.

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(Image: The Midwood Blog)

Vitagraph Corporation was one of the earliest film studios on the East Coast.  One of the last remaining structures from the studio, bearing the studio name, is in danger of being demolished.  Please help by signing the petition at change.org to see if this landmark structure can be saved. 

This excellent blog has some fabulous photos of the Vitagraph Stack, take a look.

Forgotten NY also has a piece and some cool historical photos.

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Kevin Brownlow will be in the Bay Area in March/April for screenings of the epic silent film, Napoleon.  If you have not done so already, buy some tickets here.  Mr. Brownlow will also be presenting a special lecture with clips on the restoration of Abel Gance's masterpiece at the Pacific Film Archive on Friday, March 30th at 7:00 pm.  Buy tickets here.

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Speaking of Napoleon, do not forget that the San Francisco Silent Film Festival is offering a wonderful poster to commemorate the event.  The poster is a classic and a classic one sheet size 27x40.  You can buy one for $30 and it's gorgeous and well worth every penny.  So, if you can't make the screenings, console yourself with this gorgeous poster!

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(Image: Flicker Alley)

Martin Scorcese's excellent and award winning film Hugo (based on the Brian Selznick novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret) features the Flicker Alley/Lobster Films restoration of George Melies 1902 film Le Voyage dans la lune.  The film featuring original tints has been lovingly and painstakingly restored.  A documentary about the restoration as well as the film itself will be available on DVD in a limited edition.  The snippets shown in Hugo were magical.  Melies was a magician on screen and off and his films still evoke wonder, amazement and delight over 100 years later.

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From the balcony at the Stanford Theater

In Palo Alto, near Stanford University is a gem of a theater on University Avenue.  It's called, naturally, The Stanford Theater.  Owned and operated by David Packard under the aegis The Stanford Theater Foundation, classic films from all eras are screened every week.  The Stanford is also comitted to regular screenings of silent films. 

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That's it for this edition of This N That!
Keep watching movies, they'll never let you down!

For the Love of Film III - It's all about Hitch!

Mark your calendars and answer the call for participants!  The third annual film preservation blogathon has been announced.  May 13-18, 2012.  Hosted by the always fabulous to read Self-Styled Siren, Ferdy on Films and This Island Rod, the goal is worthy and fantastic!

The Siren writes:

To get serious, one of the recurring motifs here at Self-Styled Siren is access--the continuing quest to see movies that remain frustratingly out of our reach. Our friends at the NFPF know how we feel, truly they do. They have streamed a number of the rescued films on their website, at no charge. It's part of their commitment not only to film history, but to bringing that history to as wide an audience as possible.


Streaming requires some serious lolly, however. In this case, it will take about $15,000 to put The White Shadow online and record the score. So, after asking our readers for their thoughts, the Siren, together with goddess Marilyn Ferdinand of Ferdy on Films and (for the first time this year) her intrepid partner from Down Under, Roderick Heath of This Island Rod, have decided to help the NFPF get The White Shadow out there on the Web, for four months on their site, free, for anyone to see.

This, my friends and patient readers, is a call for participation and posts. The not-so-shocking twist this year is that bloggers are requested to post on any aspect of Hitchcock, which of course suggests topics as diverse as--oh, come on, how hard can that be? Or, as always, posts on all matters film-preservation-related are equally welcome. The Siren's comments section is open for business, as are Marilyn's and Rod's. You don't have to know what you're going to write (you think the Siren knows yet? puh-leez) but do let us know if you're in.


If you want to participate, read the links above, let Farran, Marilyn and Rod know you are IN.  Go here to get some fabulous banners to advertise this, spread the word and then start doing your homework for the blogathon. Please go to the For the Love of Film Facebook Page and LIKE them.


If you want to get started by donating early, have a tax refund burning a hole in your pocket?  The NFPF has the donation page up and ready for you to donate some much needed loot.  Click on Hitch to donate!

What are "we" blogging about?  Let me go on the record, I'll be posting about the lost Hitchcock film, The Mountain Eagle and I have a dear friend who has already commited to guest blog on The Pleasure Garden.  I'm also planning on showing some love to a film that gets no respect, Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot. What else, who knows, but I have to get my thinking cap on and get busy getting the posts in the queue. 

C'mon?  What are YOU waiting for?  Go forth and spread the word, shout from the rooftops

Napoleon vu par Abel Gance

The countdown has begun and I've been remiss in tooting the horn about this exciting event.

In recent news, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival announced that Turner Classic Movies (TCM) have become a sponsor of this exciting event.  They've also released a beautiful poster for the event (which will soon be available for purchase - yay).

If you've not yet seen the trailer, here it is again!

Makes the mouth water, doesn't it?

Presented as a grand epic silent film should be seen, this is a not to be missed event.  The Oakland Paramount is a splendid venue, a full orchestra conducted by the composer Carl Davis and the film itself painstakingly restored by Kevin Brownlow and Photoplay Productions, it's going to be glorious.

I'm especially looking forward to meeting so many silent film affcionados from across the globe.  Many have only "met" online and it will be fun to gather, toast and share a great experience.

Tickets can be ordered here.  Don't miss out, this is an epic event!

The Thin Man in San Francisco - February 21, 2012 Event

Emily Leider, author of MYRNA LOY: THE ONLY GOOD GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD will show movie clips and give a talk on February 21, 2012 at 7:30 at the Jewish Community Center in San Francisco.

NICK AND NORA’S SAN FRANCISCO

on February 21, 2012

7:30 PM; reception prior at 7:00

San Francisco Jewish Community Center

Kanbar Hall at the Jewish Community Center
3200 California Street, San Francisco

Presented by the San Francisco Historical Society and Museum

SF Historical Society Members: Free
Non-Member Tickets: $5.00

“Nick and Nora’s San Francisco” will focus on three figures: Dashiell Hammett, the former Pinkerton detective and San Francisco resident who wrote THE THIN MAN and created the sleuthing characters Nick and Nora Charles; actor William Powell, who played Nick in the 1934 MGM movie version, which spawned five sequels; and Myrna Loy, the actress who portrayed Nora in all six Thin Man films. Illustrated with film clips and photographs, Leider will discuss Hammett’s relationship with Nick, Nora and San Francisco, and the experiences of Powell and Loy in San Francisco while filming AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936) and SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (1941), the two Thin Man movies actually shot (in part) in San Francisco. Leider will touch on San Francisco’s reputation as a “wet” city during Prohibition, and on the impact of Repeal in 1933 on the audience for THE THIN MAN.

Your's truly will be there, no bones about it.

William Desmond Taylor

February 1, 2012 will be the 90th anniversary of the unsolved murder of William Desmond Taylor.   Interest in the Taylor case has spawned several books (or varying quality) and Bruce Long's excellent and incredibly thorough and informative site (http://www.taylorology.com/).  Bruce has also authored William Desmond Taylor: A Dossier.

There is a new (to me) website/blog for the forthcoming documentary/docu-drama.  Here's the poop from the website:

Who Killed Bill?’, a drama-documentary on the life and murder of Hollywood Silent Era director, William Desmond Taylor, will air on Newstalk on Saturday May 12 & 13, 2012.

Born William Cunningham Deane-Tanner in Carlow, Ireland, Taylor had an extraordinary life prior to his arrival in a burgeoning Hollywood. Taylor went on to become Head of Production at Players-Lasky (Paramount) Studios and direct over 60 movies before he was murdered under mysterious circumstances at the age of 49. His unsolved murder would have cataclysmic repercussions for the industry.

‘Who Killed Bill?’, written & directed by Marc-Ivan O’Gorman, dramatises the events that occurred immediately after the discovery of his body in his home in Los Angeles. It also features interviews from Hollywood history experts such as, Marc Wannamaker and Kevin Brownlow.

Having recently seen one of Taylor's rare extant silents, it's a real pity his demise and the mystery surrounding it have overshadowed a man who was quite a fine director. 

Happily, if you're in Ireland in May 2012, there will be Taylorfest to look forward to.

William Desmond Taylor was an immensely successful Hollywood actor & director of the Silent Era. He acted in 27 movies, directed over 60, and, at the time of his death, was the head of production at Paramount Studios.

2012 is the 140^th anniversary of his birth and to celebrate the occasion, Taylorfest (May 18-20) presents, in his hometown of Carlow, a selection of his classic films, performances of scenes from his extraordinary life, talks from world experts, celebrity appearances and much more.

For updates on Taylorfest join our Facebook page by clicking HERE or Follow Taylorfest on Twitter by clicking HERE

Tis the Season for Christmas Movies

Nothing makes me want to stay home and watch old movies than over a long holiday.  Christmas is always fun because of the holiday themed classics I love to revist every season like good old friends.

• Babes in Toyland 1934 with Laurel and Hardy 
• A Christmas Carol 1938 MGM's adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story with Reginald Owen in his only starring role.  
• The Shop Around the Corner 1940 James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan in this lovely film.  
• Remember the Night 1940 (I need to see this one) 
• The Night Before Christmas 1941 Tom and Jerry in a wonderful MGM cartoon.
• Holiday Inn 1942 Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds.
• The Man Who Came to Dinner 1942 Monty Wooley as the curmudeon and interfering Sheridan Whiteside.  Bette Davis is his foil and girl Friday and Ann Sheridan is simply hilarious and not to be missed.
• Christmas in Connecticut 1945 a delightful romp with Barbara Stanwyck at her comedic best. 
• It's a Wonderful Life 1946 I find this Capra classic hard to get through, the fault lies with me.  But the scene with H.B Warner and Bobby Anderson (as the young James Stewart) brings me to tears every single time.
• The Bishop's Wife 1947 It's not Christmas to me unless I watch this lovely film. 
• Christmas Eve 1947 I've not seen this in eons and really must see if I can find it.
• Miracle on 34th Street 1947 Edmund Gwenn is the Kris Kringle of everyone's dreams.  His rapport with the young Natalie Wood is charming.  It's still a delight for the holidays.
• We're No Angels 1955 Bogart and Peter Ustinov, 'nuff said.
• A Christmas Story 1983 All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun. I love this movie, absolutely. 

Since it's the season, here are some seasonal celebrity holidays cards to entertain.

Holiday greetings to Clifton Webb and his Mother Maybelle from Greta Garbo (Garbo often sent correspondence using her pseudonym Harry Brown)

Handwritten and hand-crafted holiday greetings from Mr. Orson Welles to Mrs. Welles (Rita Hayworth).

A holiday card that was sent to Marlon Brando by a big fan, Clara Bow.

Holiday greeting from W.C. Fields

I'll state my resolution for the new year right now, to watch more movies and blog a whole lot more because I do enjoy it.  Hope those of you who pass by and give this blog a read enjoy it, too.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season for the remainder of 2011.  I send you all warm regards and wishes for peace and prosperity in the new year. 



Happy Birthday Georges Melies

Image courtesy KINO LORBER

Because we would not have cinema today without your brilliant, creative spirit.  Thank you for all the wonderful bits of magic.  I raise a glass to you today, Sir. Your imagination and creativity still inspire today, not so amazingly over 100 years later.

For the uninitiated, here are a few of his films to marvel at and enjoy.