By Mitch Hemann Mention the name King Kong to anyone, and you’re likely to conjure up images of a massive ape clinging to the top of a skyscraper swatting at airplanes like buzzing flies. This image has been burned into my imagination since childhood, and will long be remembered as one of the most iconic … [Read more…]
The beautiful Fay Wray began her career in silent films. Perhaps her most famous silent film is The Wedding March with Erick von Stroheim. However, even though she starred in over 75 films, she is remembered today as the unwilling object of the affections of Kong, her very unusual costar in the 1933 motion picture … [Read more…]
He’s known as the American Songster – with good reason. Boasting an impressive repertoire that covers a century of American folklore, ballads and traditional tunes, Dom Flemons is using his creative talents to help preserve our nation’s musical history and introduce it to new generations. And he draws much of his inspiration from silent film, … [Read more…]
By Barbara Wingo Gene Gauntier (born Eugenia Gauntier Liggett) began working in films for the Kalem Company in 1907. She acted in and wrote scenarios for numerous films, including the first motion picture version of Ben-Hur (1907), which was not only a great success, but also gave rise to a landmark United States Supreme Court … [Read more…]
By Barbara Wingo Mostly Lost, sponsored by the Library of Congress at its Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Virginia, is a meeting in which the audience actively assists in identifying unidentified and “under-identified” films and film fragments, primarily from the silent era. In addition, presentations on various aspects of early filmmaking are … [Read more…]
By Dania W. Frink “Even though I worked hard at times, it was always magical. I have to confess I enjoyed every minute of it. Even the down times I enjoyed, because we were creating something that would make people smile and lift their hearts. You can’t think of a better job than that.” – … [Read more…]
Fans of the Norman Studios’ Silent Sundays film series are in for a musical treat. Our next screening, featuring Norma Talmadge in 1916’s “The Social Secretary,” will also feature live musical accompaniment by renowned pianist Bernie Katzman. And, for the first time, we’ll go live with Katzman’s performance streamed on Twitch.TV Known as the “PianoImproMan”, … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Just when the silent era was beginning to wind down, and “talkies” were about to become all the rage, William Wellman’s big budget war picture Wings (1927) flew into movie houses across the country, dazzling audiences wherever it landed. It is a stunning masterwork of cinema that is regarded even today as … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Harold Lloyd’s final silent film, Speedy (1928), is arguably some of his finest work. In this delightful comedy, Lloyd plays a hapless, bespectacled fellow who loves baseball almost as much as he loves his girlfriend, Jane (Ann Christy). Much to Jane’s dismay, his passion for the game prevents him from keeping a … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Jeff Gardner is an archaeologist living in Jacksonville’s historic Springfield neighborhood. Recently retired, he’s been able to pursue many passion projects. One such project is a book he’s preparing on a long forgotten star of the silent era who lived right here in Jacksonville. Jeff will be presenting his research along with … [Read more…]