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…]
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…]
By Mitch Hemann Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès was born on December 8, 1861, in Paris France. His father, Jean-Louis-Stanislas Méliès, was a shoe maker, and by the time Georges came along he had a successful business and amassed a bit of wealth. From the start, Georges had a very active imagination and was quite creative. His father, … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann By the 1920s, Hollywood had seen many stars. Funny men like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton made us laugh, starlets like Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish drove men crazy, and debonair gentlemen like Douglas Fairbanks made women swoon. But nobody was prepared for Valentino. Born on May 6, 1895 in Castellaneta Italy, … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Since the earliest days of motion pictures, producers have used animals for their innate ability to add humor, action, and a whole lot of heart to their stories. Among these fuzzy performers, dogs have been some of the most memorable stars and have entertained audiences for more than a century. Names like … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann “There can be no understanding between the hand and the brain unless the heart acts as mediator.” Arguably one of the most recognizable and beloved vamps of the silent era, Brigitte Helm’s life was complicated both on and off screen, and there’s no greater example of the complexities of this illusive and … [Read more…]