This Saturday, I had a wonderful day at the Castro Theater. The event was A Day of Silents, which is part of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. Five feature films and a collection of shorts, all made before 1930, with live musical accompaniment, comprised this event. So, let's start. Of Mice and Men (and … Continue reading Laughs, drama, and a Day of Silents
Category: Silent Films
Blu-Ray Douglas Fairbanks Double Bill
A century ago, Douglas Fairbanks was Hollywood's top action star. Jumping around like a jack rabbit, he showed off both his winning smile and well-developed muscles. In 1920, he played Zorro, then five years later, he played Zorro's son. He portrayed D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers. My favorite of his works is The Thief of … Continue reading Blu-Ray Douglas Fairbanks Double Bill
Summer of silents & Jews (yes, I’m talking about film festivals)
Two of my favorite film festivals come one right after the other this year. First, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival opens Wednesday, July 12 at 7:00. The opening movie is Douglas Fairbanks' last silent swashbuckler, The Iron Mask. Then there are three long days of rare old movies, new restorations, and live music. The … Continue reading Summer of silents & Jews (yes, I’m talking about film festivals)
Buster Keaton at the Criterion Channel
If you haven't experienced Buster Keaton, this is the time to discover the greatest physical comedian since the invention of cinema. He could take a fall like nobody else, But he was more than that. He was a complete auteur, with a sense of what made a good story, and the feel of where to … Continue reading Buster Keaton at the Criterion Channel
Keaton at the BAMPFA
I've been writing a lot about Buster Keaton lately, thanks to BAMPFA's series Camera Man: Buster Keaton. I've been a fan of the Great Stoneface for more than 50 years now. but it's great to experience these films theatrically, with live music and other people laughing. I missed Sherlock Jr., so my first experience of … Continue reading Keaton at the BAMPFA
My experiences at the Day of Silents
Yes, that's Silents, not Silence. It rained off and on in the Castro neighborhood, but it was dry and joyful (mostly) in the Castro theater. Two days before the Day, cinema made history. A selection of critics released their once-a-decade Sight & Sound of the Best Films of All Time. I'll get to that soon. … Continue reading My experiences at the Day of Silents
A Day of Silents at the Castro
Yes, that's Silents, not Silence. On Saturday, December 3, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival will have a one-day marathon of silent movies and live music. A Day of Silents will play at the Castro. These days, every time you go to that beautiful theater, you may be watching a movie there for the last … Continue reading A Day of Silents at the Castro
Stuck at home? Celebrate silent films if you can’t go to a theater
Today, if you have the time, watch a film with printed titles instead of dialogue. After all, today is Silent Movie Day. With the exceptions of the Sebastopol and the Elmwood, the theaters and festivals don't seem to care. If you're not a silent film fan, and you're wondering what's so special about 100-year-old movies, … Continue reading Stuck at home? Celebrate silent films if you can’t go to a theater
Buster Keaton’s Seven Chances at Niles
I attended a screening Saturday night of one of my favorite Buster Keaton films, Seven Chances (1925). It was at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. It was my first visit there since COVID changed our lives. This was part of the Broncho Billy & Friends Silent Film Festival, which ran Saturday and Sunday. The … Continue reading Buster Keaton’s Seven Chances at Niles
The last three days of the SF Silent Film Fest
In the last three days, I sat through seven films at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. Here are the movies I saw, and here's what I thought about them. Monday I skipped the first movie, Skinner's Dress Suit. A friend told me I didn't miss anything. Actually, I skipped the first film on each … Continue reading The last three days of the SF Silent Film Fest
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