Movies From the Silent Era
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SQUARE SHOULDERS (1929)
and THE BIG TOWN (1925)
SQUARE SHOULDERS starring Louis Wolheim and Junior Coghlan. Tad is a young boy who wants to go to military school so he can grow up to be a great soldier, just like his dad. Little does he suspect that Slag (Wolheim), a bum and a thief, is actually his father. Slag, not wanting to reveal his true identity and thus destroy Tad's belief in his father as a war hero, robs a factory for the money to send his son to a fancy military academy. I order to stay close to Tad, he takes on a job at the academy's stable. This is a truly wonderful film with elements of comedy and drama. It's a moving tribute to the love between father and son. This film is presented with the original music and effects score as it was when released in 1929.
THE BIG TOWN starring Our Gang. This is a very rare and unusual early entry from the Our Gang series. After accidentally burning down a neighbor's barn and getting trapped on a freight train, the gang find themselves in New York City. They decide to see the sights and the film shows many of the city's landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. After taking over a city bus for a wild drive through the streets, the police finally catch up with them and send them home. The return journey, this time on a passenger train, gives the gang a nice opportunity to cause mayhem for their fellow passengers!
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925)
and THE LIGHT OF FAITH (1922)
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA directed by Rupert Julian with Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Mary Philbin, Arthur Edwin Carewe, Gibson Gowland, John Sainpolis and Snitz Edwards. Horror! Thrills! Macabre! "The Phantom of the Opera" is presented with a thrilling original pipe organ score with Lee Erwin at the console and a spoken prologue by the "man with the lantern" voiced by John Griggs! It also includes the early Technicolor Bal Masque sequences.
THE LIGHT OF FAITH starring Lon Chaney, Hope Hampton and Dorothy Walters. Directed by Clarence Brown. Chaney portrays Tony Pantelli, a small time crook, who cares for a sick girl and falls in love with her. In an effort to cure her, he steals the recently discovered Holy Grail which glows in the dark and has the power of healing the sick. The film was justifiably praised for it's beautiful photography and is presented here with it's lovely original tints and a terrific piano score.
GRANDMA'S BOY (1922)
and I DO (1921)
Hooray! Harold Lloyd on DVD!
GRANDMA'S BOY starring Harold Lloyd, Anna Townsend and Mildred Davis. In
this, Harold's first feature film, he is a coward. He's afraid of the bullying rival for
Mildred's affections, he's afraid of tramps, he's even afraid of his own shadow. His
loving grandmother takes pity on him and tells him the story of his grandfather (also a
coward) who became a Civil War hero with the help of a magic charm which she gives to
Harold. As long as Harold has the charm he's afraid of nothing! He marches forth to
demonstrate his newfound courage in some of the funniest episodes ever in silent comedy!
Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
I DO starring Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis and Noah Young. Harold becomes domesticated after his marriage and is soon seen walking down the street with Mildred pushing a baby carriage...full of bootleg hooch! When his brother-in-law drops off his kids at Harold's house, tranquillity comes to an end. Between his nephew sawing apart his furniture, nailing his shoes to the floor and setting off fireworks in the house, Harold has his hands full. At last, late at night, with the kids finally asleep...there's the burglar! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
TUMBLEWEEDS (1925)
Directed by and starring William S. Hart; additional direction by King Baggott; taken from the story by Hal G. Evarts. With Barbara Bedford and Lucien Littlefield. "Tumbleweeds" was Hart's last film and it depicts, in exciting fashion, the opening of the Oklahoma Territory. Hart does some of his fastest riding in the scene of the mad race of the homesteaders to claim land in the Cherokee Strip. Includes a thrilling music score with effects and singing cowboys, but the highlight of our version is the eloquent spoken prologue delivered by Hart himself where he speaks about the glories of his career as a western star and describes, in his Shakespearean voice, how "Tumbleweeds" was made. At the end, he bids a moving farewell to his faithful fans .
THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN (1922)
with SPOOKS (1931)
and THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN (1934)
THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN starring Will Rogers, Lois Meredith and Ben Hendricks, Jr. This version of the famous story by Washington Irving was actually shot in and around the environs of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, New York. It's the story of a new school master, Ichabod Crane (Rogers), who falls in love with Katrina, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. This really annoys Brom Bones, the town roughneck, who wants Katrina for himself. Being the superstitious type, Ichabod believes in tales of ghosts and witches. He even believes in the local phantom, the evil Headless Horseman -- when he meets him one dark night! This re-mastered (October, 2007) version has improved contrast and puts an annoyingly misplaced intertitle back in its proper location. Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
SPOOKS In this sound cartoon, Flip the Frog and his trusty horse are caught outdoors on a stormy night. Seeking shelter, they come upon a spooky house filled with ghosts, skeletons and things that go bump in the night!
THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN What better to accompany "The Headless Horseman" than, well, "The Headless Horseman"? This sound Comiclor cartoon was released in the two-color Cinecolor process with very pleasing results. It does a wonderful job of encapsulating Irving's classic tale in only eight minutes time. Plenty of fun and spooky atmosphere!
THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915/1930)
and BIRTH OF A NATION SOUND RE-ISSUE TRAILER
THE BIRTH OF A NATION starring Lillian Gish, Henry B. Walthall, Mae Marsh, George Siegmann, Miriam Cooper and Walter Long. Directed by D.W.Griffith. This is Griffith's controversial masterpiece which, after its release, gave new life to the Ku Klux Klan and caused riots in the streets. One of the first films to demonstrate the influence and strength of the motion picture. Justly famous for it's powerful depiction of the Civil War and justly infamous for it's depiction of black Americans. This version, running just under two hours, is the very rare 1930 sound re-issue with music and effects personally supervised by Griffith. The DVD also contains a rare sound re-issue trailer.
Six great silent shorts on one DVD!
A FESTIVAL OF SILENT COMEDY
APRIL FOOL (1924) starring Charley Chase, Blanche Mehaffey and Noah Young. It's April 1st
and everyone at the newspaper office is having fun with April Fool pranks. Charley, being
the victim of most of them, tries to get even. This is a great film filled, naturally,
with lots of sight gags. Long thought to be lost, our transfer is made from the only
original print known to exist! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
CAUGHT IN THE RAIN (1914) starring Charlie Chaplin, Alice Davenport and Mack Swain. In
this, Chaplin's first effort as a director, a drunken Charlie falls for another man's wife
in the park. The other man, Mack Swain, is none too pleased when Charlie follows them home
and it turns out he lives right across the hall. During the night, the wife walks in her
sleep and winds up in Charlie's room! Chaplin's influence as a director is evident in this
Keystone film. While there are plenty of laughs and action, the pace is not as frantic as
the typical Sennett fare of the time. Original music score composed and performed by Ben
Model!
RECKLESS ROSIE (1929) starring Frances Lee and Billy Engle. In this naughty little
pre-code short from the Christie studios, the beautiful Frances Lee, a show girl, is hired
to model lingerie at a local fashion show. She is entrusted with a revealing teddy, the
new creation and the pride and joy of the lingerie designer. All goes well until the
jealous rival of the designer steals the teddy! In addition to being a very good comedy,
this film really pulls out the stops. It uses every excuse to show off Frances and her
beautiful friends as scantily clad as possible. Guaranteed to raise your eyebrows!
Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
SMITHY (1924) starring Stan Laurel and James Finlayson. After being discharged from the
army due to a bean shortage, Smithy (Stan Laurel) is hired as a house builder. The problem
is he knows nothing about building houses which he quickly proves by destroying everything
he gets his hands on. His former sergeant (Finlayson), is the unfortunate victim of most
of his not so little accidents. When Smithy is mistakenly left in charge, he manages to
actually finish the house. All that's left to do is remove the last supporting
beam...Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
SOLD AT AUCTION (1923) starring Snub Pollard and James Finlayson. As a baby, Snub is left
abandoned in a basket on a stranger's front stoop. Twenty five years later, he's still
living in the basket! Snub gets a job helping an auction house sell off their merchandise.
They have a large selection of brass knuckles and blackjacks. Snub's job is to demonstrate
how these handy items are used -- on him! When Finlayson goes on vacation, Snub and his
pals accidentally sell off his furniture. Now Snub's job is to get it all back. This film
is absolutely hilarious! The action is almost impossible to describe! It's jammed with
comedy, stunts and amazing special effects for the day. A real winner!Original music score
composed and performed by Ben Model!
WAR FEATHERS (1926) starring Our Gang. The gang, having a great time playing Cowboys and
Indians, are traveling west. Unknown to their parents, they sneak off the train in Hot
Dog, a western town full of the real thing! When they find themselves in the middle of a
gun fight, they hide in a covered wagon which brings them to Whistling Clam Rancho - the
bandits' hideout! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1923) starring Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth
Miller, Norman Kerry and Ernest Torrence. Chaney is Quasimodo, the unfortunate deformed
bell ringer of the cathedral of Notre Dame. He falls in love with Esmeralda, a gypsy
dancer, after she takes pity on him and gives him water to drink when he is chained and
whipped in the town square. Esmeralda is later accused of stabbing her lover. She is
tortured into making a false confession and sentenced to be executed. Quasimodo rescues
her on the very steps of Notre Dame! Original music score composed and performed by Ben
Model!
MY BOY (1921)
and PLAYERS AT PLAY (1929)
MY BOY starring Jackie Coogan and Claude Gillingwater. Directed by Albert Austin. Jackie Blair (Coogan) is a young immigrant on his way to America who is orphaned when his mother dies during the voyage. Upon his arrival at Ellis Island, with no guardian or relative to claim him, Jackie faces deportation. Learning of Jackie's misfortune from the officials, Old Captian Hicks (Gillingwater) takes pity on the boy and encourages him to play with the other children. When Jackie gets mixed up with a large family, he is accidentally released and finds himself alone on the city streets where he spots his "friend" the captain and follows him home. The captain isn't happy about his new guest and determines to return him to the authorities. That is, until Jackie's affection for the crusty old man begins to melt his heart. This is a lovely film and a great vehicle for Coogan. The sentiment and pathos you'd expect are here, but there are also liberal doses of comedy and action. Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
PLAYERS AT PLAY Here's a neat little short with more stars than you can shake a stick at! It's a "behind the scenes" film showing what some of the Hollywood stars do on their time off. We see Neil Hamilton boating, Robert Armstrong boxing, Junior Coghlan playing baseball, Phyllis Haver and Marie Provost playing croquet, Jackie Coogan swimming, Noah Beery fishing and Thelma Todd horseback riding! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
MABEL NORMAND AT THE HAL ROACH STUDIOS: THE 1926
"SPECIALS"
The spirited personality and charm of silent comedienne Mabel Normand and her work in
numerous early Mack Sennett comedies is legendary. After a successful run of features for
Samuel Goldwyn (and with a handful for Sennett) she took
a three year hiatus from films. Towards the end of Normand's short 35 years on earth, she
returned to the screen in five starring vehicles for Hal Roach - these were to be her last
appearances before a camera.
The first two of these five comedies were produced and released in late 1926 and were of
unusual length for shorts (RAGGEDY ROSE is a five-reeler while THE NICKEL-HOPPER is three
reels.) Displaying an interesting mix of soulfulness
and slapstick, it is these Mabel Normand "specials" that are featured on this
DVD.
RAGGEDY ROSE (1926) The bedraggled Raggedy Rose (Mabel) has the
misfortune of working for penny-pinching junk dealer, Moe Ginsberg (Max Davidson). A
chance encounter with a wealthy playboy (Carl Miller) sets her dreaming of being a
grand lady to his prince charming - all the while sorting through mountains of old clothes
on Poverty Row. Her dreaming leads to her dismissal. Forlorn and hungry - she meets with
an accident and actually ends up convalescing in the posh home of the man of her dreams.
But if she's to end up with him, she'll have to overcome his scheming fiance (Anita
Garvin) and his loony butler (James Finlayson). Directed by Richard Wallace in
collaboration with Stan Laurel!
THE NICKEL-HOPPER (1926) Overworked Paddy (Mabel) toils as a babysitter
by day and a taxi dancer by night. Her drab life is forever complicated by the mashers she
encounters at the dance hall (a swarthy Boris Karloff appears as a rather creepy one!) and
her lazy and overbearing father (Michael Visaroff) who scares away any prospective
suitors. Oliver Hardy appears as a crazed drummer in the dance hall band and James
Finlayson as a rattled neighbor. Stan Laurel co-wrote the story and gags. Directed by F.
Richard Jones.
Included as an "easter egg" is the Mack Sennett directed Biograph subject, A
DASH THROUGH THE CLOUDS (1912) which features one of Miss Normand's most
beguiling early appearances.
All original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
LAUREL AND HARDY "RARITIES"
This DVD contains five interesting and unusual films with Stan and Ollie. There are two silent solo shorts in which the boys are prominently featured (but without top billing) each performing hilarious sequences in drag! TREE IN A TEST TUBE shows the boys together in their only existing color film. There's also a brief home movie of Stan and Ollie together in later years as well as footage of Stan Laurel's Funeral.
CUPID'S RIVAL (1917) starring Billy West, Oliver Hardy and Leo White. Here's a rare treat! Billy West does his incredible "dead-on" Chaplin impersonation supported by a very young Oliver Hardy (billed here as Babe Hardy). Billy is the janitor and all 'round handy man at a rat infested hotel. Hardy is a starving artist who is so hungry he eats his own dinner plates! He suspects his girl friend (Ethel Burton) is having an affair with a rival artist across the hall and disguises himself as a woman to get to the bottom of things! West, meanwhile, drives everyone in the hotel crazy with his Chaplinesque accidents, stunts and gags. The film culminates in a wild chase and gunfight fueled by alcohol! The accuracy of West's Chaplin is truly uncanny! Presented with an old-time jazz music score.
EVE'S LOVE LETTERS (1927) starring Agnes Ayers, Forrest Stanley and Stan Laurel. Eve and Adam (Ayers and Stanley) are a happily married couple until a mysterious blackmailer threatens to give Adam Eve's love letters to an old flame. Anotole, the butler (Laurel), joins forces with Eve to get the letters from the blackmailer before her husband can see them. This is a fun situation comedy with plenty of gags and Stan masquerading as a woman of loose morals! Presented with an old-time jazz music score.
TREE IN A TEST TUBE (1943) starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Narrated by Pete Smith. This is a wartime film produced to promote wood conservation and is virtually the only existing color film featuring Stan and Ollie. Pete Smith encounters the boys on a quiet street and asks to examine the contents of their suitcase. As they drag out garments and personal belongings, Smith points out that everything they have has been manufactured, in some way, with wood products. It's a real treat seeing the boys in color and, although the film is brief, they find ample opportunity for a few gags! This film is essentially silent with the soundtrack consisting of music, sound effects and, of course, Smith's narration.
LAUREL AND HARDY (1957) starring Laurel and Hardy. This is brief home movie footage made of the boys in their declining years. Hardy, though lively, was quite ill at the time and his thin physique is a bit of a shock. He would pass away in August of that year. In spite of this, the boys appear happy and in good humor. The film was shot by Andy Wade, who was a teenage friend of Stan's. Sadly, Wade also died shortly after making this film. Presented in black and white, silent.
STAN LAUREL FUNERAL (1965)
This is news footage from the funeral of Stan Laurel. Many of the stars from the past and
present were in attendance including Dick Van Dyke, Buster Keaton, Patsy Kelly, Joe Flynn
and Tim Conway (appearing in McHale's Navy at the time), Hal Roach, Jr., Pat Buttram and
Alan Mowbray. Pesented in black and white, silent.
LEAP YEAR (1922)
and A CURE FOR POKERITIS (1912)
LEAP YEAR starring Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Fatty is a wealthy young man who falls in love with his uncle's nurse. He also has a stutter which afflicts him at times of stress. Unfortunately, Fatty deals with lots of stress when he finds himself engaged to three women at once, none of whom is the woman he truly loves! With plenty of charm and laughter, this is a great example of Arbuckle's feature work. This film, however, was never released due to the scandal that descended upon the innocent star and the resulting public outrage. Presented with an old-time jazz music score.
A CURE FOR POKERITIS starring John Bunny and Flora
Finch. The screen's first beloved fat man, John Bunny, plays a
chronic gambler in this fun silent short from Vitagraph, with Flora Finch as his
disapproving wife. Bunny comes up with an elaborate scheme to escape the house and join
the poker game with the boys. All goes well until he talks in his sleep!
Presented with an old-time jazz music score.
TRILBY (1915)
and WHAT DRINK DID (1909)
TRILBY starring Clara Kimball Young and Chester Barnett. Produced in Fort Lee, NJ and directed by Maurice Tournier. Based on the popular novel by George Du Maurier. This is a drama with touches of the supernatural set in Paris. Trilby is an artist's model who is in love with a young painter, but falls into the clutches of the evil hypnotist - Svengali! Presented with color tints and an original music score by Stuart Oderman.
WHAT DRINK DID starring Florence Lawrence and David Miles. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Also shot in Fort Lee, this is a powerful Griffith preachment against the evils of drink with Mary Pickford making her screen debut as an extra.
THE WISHING RING (1914)
and A DAY WITH THE GIPSIES (1906)
THE WISHING RING starring Vivian Martin and Chester Barnett. Produced in Fort Lee, NJ and directed by Maurice Tournier. A charming little comedy which takes place in merry olde England, Sally (Martin), tries to reconcile the grouchy and gouty Earl of Bateson with his son, Giles (Burnett) who is always getting himself into trouble. Naturally, Sally and Giles fall in love. Together they venture out one evening and visit a band of Gypsies from whom they purchase a magical wishing ring! Presented with color tints and an original music score by Stuart Oderman.
A DAY WITH THE GIPSIES Produced in England by Hepworth Studios, this little gem is an early example of subjective camera in which the viewer becomes a character in the film. A band of Gypsies agree to take a traveler along with them on a day's journey. We stop at a tavern, fortunes are told and we pass through some breathtaking scenery of the English countryside. A delightful and unique treat presented with color tints!
Six great silent shorts on one DVD!
A FESTIVAL OF SILENT COMEDY VOLUME TWO
LUKE’S MOVIE MUDDLE (1916) starring Harold Lloyd, Snub Pollard and Bebe Daniels.
Harold appears as Lonesome Luke in one of his earliest surviving films! Luke runs a movie
house and doubles (or triples?) as box office attendant and usher. Snub is the sleepy and
inept projectionist. Everything that can go wrong, well…goes wrong! Wacky stunts and
comic panic are on the program in this fast moving comedy gem! Made from a superb print,
this is the very best quality available on DVD! Original music score composed and
performed by Ben Model!
HEAVY LOVE (1926) produced by Joe Rock. Starring "A Ton of Fun"
("Fatty" Alexander, "Fat" Karr and "Kewpie" Ross) with Lois
Boyd. The "Ton of Fun" boys are three of the fattest, most inept carpenters who
ever drove a nail through a skull. They get themselves a job working for a young lady
(Boyd) and end up creating (and subsequently destroying) the wackiest house ever seen.
This film is simply hilarious from beginning to end and has to be seen to be believed.
It's full of amazing pratfalls, mishaps and terrific stunts. It's a wonder no one was
killed making it! Total madness! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
THE SOILERS (1923) starring Stan Laurel and James Finlayson. This spoof of THE SPOILERS,
released earlier the same year, is nearly plotless and features Stan and Fin in a crazy
brawl (occasionally interrupted by a rather "swishy" cowboy) through practically
the entire film! A real knockabout comedy if there ever was one - and lots of fun!
Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
HE DID AND HE DIDN’T (1916) starring Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand. This is one of
the most unusual "comedies" ever made. Fatty suspects Mabel is having an affair
with an old school friend and strangles her in a fit of jealousy! A very dark film and
daring for it’s time, it’s quite a departure from the usual Keystone fare. It
is, however, a comedy. Let’s just say eating lobster before bed might give one bad
dreams! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
THE NON-SKID KID (1922) starring Eddie Boland. Here’s a very rare Hal Roach comedy
featuring a man who is nearly forgotten as a starring comedian. Eddie Boland is, however,
one of those "familiar faces" who popped up in many supporting roles throughout
his career (SUNRISE, THE KID BROTHER). In this delightful film, Eddie stops for gas at a
service station that is run entirely by attractive young women. They’re running the
station, by the way, to help out the owner who they accidentally ran over earlier in the
day! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
SHOOTIN' INJUNS (1925) starring Our Gang. Another rare Hal Roach comedy in which the Gang,
dreaming of being cowboys, embark on a journey to find real Indians to shoot. Along the
way, however, they are forced to shelter from a storm in a novelty house intended for an
amusement park! This film REALLY pulls out all the stops. It’s one of those great
scare comedies at which Our Gang excelled. Not only is the house full of elaborate
devices, but the film contains some of the most amazing special effects ever seen!
Jaw-dropping even by today’s standards, this one should not be missed! Original music
score composed and performed by Ben Model!
DOCTOR JACK (1922)
and CAPTAIN KIDD’S KIDS (1919)
DOCTOR JACK starring Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis. Harold is a small town doctor whose kindness and homespun remedies endear him to the people of Magnolia Meadows. To cure an old woman of her depression, he summons her son (a busy lawyer) to visit explaining that HE is the cure. Delighted with the results and seeing his mother so happy, the lawyer refers Harold to a "sick little well girl" in the city who is currently being treated by a blustering quack. Soon Harold’s quick thinking and a brush with "Humpy Logan", an escaped lunatic, save the day! Music score arranged and performed by Jack Theakston!
CAPTAIN KIDD’S KIDS starring Harold Lloyd and Bebe Daniels. To celebrate his betrothal, Harold throws a wild party and has the hangover to prove it! When his future mother-in-law learns of the escapade, she calls off the wedding and takes Bebe on an ocean voyage to the Canary Islands. Harold boards a ship in hot pursuit and gets tangled up with a crew of female pirates! Music score arranged and performed by Jack Theakston!
Six great silent shorts on one DVD!
A FESTIVAL OF SILENT COMEDY VOLUME THREE
MUDDLED IN MUD (1913) Starring Mabel Normand, Ford Sterling, Mack Swain, Edgar Kennedy and the Keystone Kops. A Mack Sennett comedy. Here's one of the most famous early Sennett comedies! Ford is dead set on marrying Mabel until another suitor arrives and proposes first. The new couple sneak off to be married in a rowboat to escape Ford's drunken frenzy, but Ford catches on to their plan and drains the lake! Action, gunfire, cannon fire(!), the Keystone Kops and lots and lots of mud! Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
WILD PUPPIES (1927) Supervised by George Marshall. A true rarity! After the tremendous success of Hal Roach's "Our Gang" series, many of the Hollywood studios tried to get into the act with their own imitations, often with disappointing results. This little film from Fox, however, is very, very good! Levitsky's gang, for playing football on the bully's turf, are threatened with a good pummeling. Our boys, however, are not so easily subdued. They wage an all out war on their rivals that includes trench warfare (with vegetables), a home-made bomber plane, a blimp and a very large, very angry goat! Lots of non-stop action and comedy! It doesn't let up for a second! A real treat! Made from an original amber tinted Kodascope. Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
ORANGES AND LEMONS (1923) starring Stan Laurel, Katherine Grant and Eddie Baker. Stan is
great in this early solo short! While working at a citrus grove, he manages to enrage his
boss and everyone else! Fast moving and filled with great gags from beginning to end!
Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
BROMO AND JULIET (1926) starring Charley Chase, Oliver Hardy, Corliss Palmer and William
Orlamond. Charley gets roped into playing Romeo in an amateur stage production, which is
bad enough, but he must also round up his girl’s drunken dad and get to the show on
time! This film is packed with terrific gags from beginning to end. It’s simply
hysterical and certainly one of Chase’s very best silent comedies! Oliver Hardy is
the frustrated cab driver. Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
THE BUCCANEERS (1924) starring Our Gang. Mickey and the gang build their own pirate ship
and prepare to wreak havoc on the bounding main. It’s a great plan until they launch
the ship, which promptly sinks like a stone. To keep the gang happy, their pal, Captain
Whalen, let’s them play on his boat – provided they keep it tied to the dock.
When their dog (an early incarnation of Pete without the eye circle) eats the rope, they
find themselves drifting on the high seas! This presents no problem for the gang as they
start the motor and attack the U.S. Navy! Original music score composed and performed by
Ben Model!
THE GENERAL (1927)
and SUNDOWN LTD. (1924)
THE GENERAL starring Buster Keaton and Marion Mack. Long prized by film collectors, this is the Griggs Moviedrome/Essex Films release. This version was justly sought after not only for its visual quality, but also for its wonderful sound track produced by Bob Lee in 1977. The track consists of a terrific Stuart Oderman piano score along with plenty of perfectly timed and appropriate sound effects. It's a real treat! Film prints of this version are still in high demand and command a high price on the used film market.
In the film, Buster plays a Civil War era railroad engineer who is not allowed to enlist in the Confederate Army since he's more valuable to the south driving his train. This doesn't stop Buster from getting into the action, however, as he foils a gang of Union spies single handed!
SUNDOWN LTD. starring Our Gang. In this fitting companion piece to THE GENERAL, Mickey and the gang are having a blast playing in the railroad yard. After getting kicked out for taking a train on a wild ride, they decide to build one of their own. Their new dog-powered wonder is one of the most ingenious and elaborate contraptions ever seen in an Our Gang film! Jealous Toughy's continuous attempts to wreck it eventually send the gang and their train careening through the streets of Culver City!
As a bonus, this DVD also contains Keaton's 1961 hidden camera TV show appearance in which he amazes the customers in a diner with a series of hysterical mishaps!
THE ORIGINAL FELIX THE CAT (1922-1930)
It's impossible to overstate the immense popularity of Felix the Cat during the 1920s. His films spawned the first merchandising industry ever based on a cartoon character. Felix dolls, clocks and gimmicks were everywhere. In 1928 a figure of Felix was the first image ever transmitted by television. Charles Lindbergh even took a Felix doll mascot along on his historic transatlantic flight!
Looking for a collection of great cartoons? Here's a full baker's dozen from Felix's heyday (don't worry, 13 is a lucky number for a black cat)! Many of these films have never before been released on DVD! Nutty, bizarre and even surreal, these reality-bending little gems are lots of fun. Vintage Felix at his best!
FELIX MINDS THE KID (1922)
FELIX DOPES IT OUT (1924)
FELIX GETS THE CAN (1924)
FELIX TRIFLES WITH TIME (1925)
FELIX THE CAT HUNTS THE HUNTER (1926)
TWO-LIP TIME (1926)
FELIX THE CAT BUSTS A BUBBLE (1926)
FLIM FLAM FILMS (1927)
FELIX THE CAT HITS THE DECK (1927)
OUTDOOR INDORE (1928)
COMICALAMITIES (1928)
SURE-LOCKED HOMES (1928)
TEE TIME (1930)
ELLA CINDERS (1926)
and CINDERELLA CINDERS (1920)
ELLA CINDERS stars the cute as a button Colleen Moore in perhaps her
best known picture - which casts her as a modern day Cinderella, toiling in a household of
persnickety, demanding insufferables. The film diverges from the original fairytale when
she wins a contest to work at a Hollywood studio - a plot device similar to that of the
Mabel Normand vehicle, THE EXTRA GIRL released a few years prior. The film contains
several memorable setpieces including an encounter with a Native American (where she's
forced to smoke a cigar and appear to enjoy it) another with Harry Langdon (clearly during
the shooting of TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP) and the now famous eye exercise routine (via
masterful camera trickery.)
CINDERELLA CINDERS gives a rare glimpse of perky, frizzy-haired comedienne Alice Howell.
This Reelcraft comedy has her playing a working girl who breaks into society through no
fault of her own when asked to pose as royalty at a posh party. Spiked punch adds to the
hilarity of the proceedings.
All original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
A MORMON MAID (1917)
Starring Mae Murray, Frank Borzage, Hobart Bosworth and Noah Beery.Set in 1840s America, this film is an astonishing exercise in intolerance and bad taste. When the Hogue family are attacked by Indians, they are rescued by a group of Mormons. With their cabin burned to the ground, they join the Mormons to live in their Utah settlement - the borders of which are guarded, and the laws enforced, by the "Avenging Angels", four hundred oath-bound fanatics who dress just like the Ku-Klux-Klan.
Everything is just fine for two years but, after that point, things start going down hill.
Somehow resembling, with his remarkable beard, both Abraham Lincoln and the Wolf Man, the evil Mormom leader, Darius Burr, decides to wed the underage Dora Hogue (Murray), making her his fifth wife and child bride. Parental interference is no problem since the Avenging Angels have already killed her father and her mother blew out her own brains when the Mormons forced her husband to take a second wife.
If you're a Mormon and easily offended, do not buy this DVD. Others should keep duct tape handy to prevent jaws from coming into contact with floors. Made from a gorgeous film source, this one is a real hoot!
Original piano score composed and performed by Stuart Oderman.
WILD AND WOOLY (1917)
and SKY HIGH (1922)
WILD AND WOOLY directed by John Emerson, story by Anita Loos. Starring Douglas Fairbanks, Eileen Percy, Sam deGrasse, Charles Stevens, Monte Blue and Bull Montana. Fairbanks is an Easterner in love with the West and when he finally takes a trip out west to oversee his father's railroad, he gets more than he bargained for. Lots of action and comedy. One of the best of the early Fairbanks features!
SKY HIGH directed by Lynn Reynolds. Starring Tom Mix, J. Farrell MacDonald and Eva Novak. A government agent infiltrates a band of smugglers who are illegally transporting Chinese immigrants across the US border. Shot on location at the Grand Canyon, there's action and danger aplenty as Tom tries to protect the beautiful Estelle without blowing his cover. The film's climax comes as Tom races to her rescue by swooping through the canyon aboard a biplane!
Original piano scores composed and performed by Stuart Oderman.
THE LANGDON COLLECTION
"...the most complex screen character of all the great clowns..." - William
K. Everson
Presented with terrific music scores performed by Bernie Anderson on
the Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ!
Often considered in the same pantheon as Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd - Harry Langdon is
practically forgotten today. For a short period in the mid-to-late 1920s he was a serious
rival to the aforementioned big three with over twenty comedies for producer Mack Sennett,
followed by three classic features for First National. The features are available on DVD
from Kino as "Harry Langdon...the forgotten clown", but the Sennett films have
been unavailable on DVD - until now....
This collection presents five of Langdon's best films from the Sennett Studios -
showcasing his childlike elfin character in all his glory! All the films were directed by
Harry Edwards - with writing by none other than the legendary Frank Capra. Each film
features a magnificent Wurlitzer Theatre pipe organ score by Bernie Anderson, Jr. - which
really brings these films to life. When played on your stereo, these rich digital
recordings provide a near theatrical experience in your own home!
FEET OF MUD (1924) Harry dreams of winning the hand of his girl while benched at the
college football game. After winning the game through sheer luck, her father gets him a
job as a city street cleaner. Gags and chaos ensue as Harry makes his way from Times
Square to Chinatown where he encounters sinister goings-on, replete with a Tong War!
LUCKY STARS (1925) Advised by a stargazer to follow his destiny, wandering Harry (and his
life savings) are taken under the wing of a medicine show charlatan (Vernon Dent). They
settle in a Spanish town to ply their trade, but the local druggists' daughter has other
ideas. Don't miss Harry's infatuation with a mug of beer!
SATURDAY AFTERNOON (1926) Henpecked working husband Harry is coerced by a dandy pal
(Vernon Dent) to go out on a clandestine double date. Of course, no good will come of the
situation, as they encounter streetwalkers, bumpy roads, and the former boyfriends of
their dates. And just when things couldn't get worse, the wife shows up! A classic.
FIDDLESTICKS (1926) Poverty driven Harry is compelled to learn to play the bass fiddle and
become a musician. His teacher (Vernon Dent) and family forsake him, so he tries his hand
as a street player.....with detritus thrown at him from every window he plays under. A
junk man (also Vernon Dent) takes notice and enters into a bizarre yet highly successful
partnership with Harry.
SOLDIER MAN (1926) The Great World War is over - but nobody bothered to tell Harry - who
is still wandering the front. After an episode with a cow and dynamite leaves him
unscathed, he is nabbed by nefarious powers to be the puppet double of the King of
Bomania!
Music scores composed and performed by Bernie Anderson!
Six great silent shorts on one DVD!
A FESTIVAL OF SILENT COMEDY VOLUME FOUR
LIZZIES OF THE FIELD (1924) starring Billy Bevan, Sid Smith and Andy Clyde. It's all-out
mayhem as team members from rival garages compete for a $25,000 purse in free for all road
race! A great example of the Sennett studio doing what they did best. Crazy comedy, high
speed thrills and breathtaking stunts!
FORGOTTEN SWEETIES (1927) starring Charley Chase and Anita Garvin. Charley, the forgetful
husband, discovers his old flame living in an apartment across the hall. This does not set
well with Anita, his jealous wife, who decides she and Charley will move to a new home.
The real fun begins when Charley finds himself trapped in his former girlfriend's
apartment as her husband arrives home!
PAY YOUR DUES (1919) starring Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels and Snub Pollard. While playing
pin the tail on the donkey with Bebe and her friends, the blindfolded Harold is mistaken
for a runaway initiate into the Ancient Order of Simps. The initiation ceremony he is
forced to undergo is both painful and hilarious! Soon Bebe discovers Harold's plight as
she and her friends rush to the rescue!
WHY GIRLS SAY NO (1927) starring Max Davidson, Marjorie Daw, Creighton Hale and Spec
O'Donnell. Story by Stan Laurel. Max wants his daughter, Becky, to marry a nice Jewish
boy. When Creighton Hale enters her life, things get a bit complicated. Hale does his best
to convince Max that he's Jewish with hilarious results! Oliver Hardy appears as the
frustrated cop on the beat.
UPPERCUTS (1926) starring Jack Duffy. A Christie comedy. The anti-prize fight club needs a
new president. Jack and his rival, Hiram Prune, decide to settle things once and for all
with (you guessed it) a prize fight! Jack recruits his butler, James, to throw the
punches. James has fighting experience since he lives with his wife AND mother in law.
His opponent is Battling Bittsky (half brother of Two Bittsky). When things start
looking bad for James, a riot ensues. The police chase Jack all over town as he uses a
bicycle, a truck and his wits to get away! Things get a little warm for him when he hides
in an outdoor incinerator! This is a very funny film with good production values, plenty
of laughs and action! Very few of the comedies produced by Al Christie survive, but this
film is a terrific example!
MONKEY BUSINESS (1926) starring Our Gang. What could be better than an Our Gang Comedy?
Why, an Our Gang comedy with a monkey, of course! Farina makes friends with a
boxing-trained monkey and uses the Chimp's talents to help him beat up his enemies. Soon,
the gang decide that there's money to be made by putting on a show. While they make
preparations, the monkey destroys Farina's house and goes on a drunken rampage!
Music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
BLUE BLAZES RAWDEN (1918)
and LUBIN'S GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1904)
BLUE BLAZES RAWDEN starring William S. Hart, Maude George and Robert
McKim. Directed by William S. Hart. Hart portrays "Blue Blazes" Rawden, a tough
fighting lumber jack of the north woods. While he and his chums are carousing in the local
dance hall, Blazes kills "Ladyfingers" Hilgard, the villainous proprietor, and
becomes the new owner of the hall. When Hilgard's mother and brother arrive from England
for a visit, Blazes convinces them that Ladyfingers was a good man who died an honorable
death. When the conspiracy begins to crumble, Blazes finds his own life in danger. This is
a taught, well acted drama - not typical material for Hart. Very entertaining with
beautiful location camera work.
LUBIN'S GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY made by Lubin Studios in 1904. This film was created to
capitalize on Edison's wildly popular THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY released the previous year.
Far from a new, original production, it's a near shot by shot rip-off of Edison's version
which surely caused confusion with contemporary audiences. On its own, it's a well made
and fascinating alternate version of one of the greatest films of all time.
Original music scores composed and performed by Donald Sosin!
WAY DOWN EAST (1920)
Starring Lillian Gish, Richard Barthelmess and Lowell Sherman. Directed by D.W. Griffith. Young Anna Moore (Gish) is tricked into a mock marriage by the evil Lennox Sanderson (Sherman) who only tells Anna of his deception after she discovers she is pregnant with his child. The baby dies shortly after its birth and Anna, to hide her shame, travels to a distant town and begins working for Squire Bartlett and his family. She soon becomes a beloved member of the household. When her disgrace is discovered, however, she is ejected from the Squire's house to face certain death in a raging snowstorm and the icy waters of the river! One of Griffith's greatest features, WAY DOWN EAST is still a powerful, moving film. Running 105 minutes, this is the original 1928 re-release with orchestral score.
THE CONFESSION (1920)
and AMATEUR NIGHT ON THE ARK (1923)
THE CONFESSION starring Henry B. Walthall, Francis McDonald, William Clifford and Irene Aldwyn. A Catholic priest's faith is put to the test when he hears a confession of murder - a crime of which his brother is falsely accused. He is torn between keeping his holy vows and saving his brother from execution. The brother's escape sparks a manhunt through the Canadian wilderness, but his eventual capture means he must keep his undeserved date with the hangman. A good, solid film with high production values and beautiful location work, this release features a custom organ score and spoken introduction by John Griggs.
AMATEUR NIGHT ON THE ARK In keeping with the theme of theology, here's a reverent re-telling of the story of Noah and his struggle to save humanity and all of God's creatures from...just kidding! This is an early and rare Paul Terry cartoon in which Noah and the animals put on their own crazy, unforgettable show!
THE SILENT MAN (1917)
and MAKING A STETSON (c. 1925)
THE SILENT MAN starring William S. Hart, Vola Vale and Robert McKim. After years of toil, a lone prospector finally strikes it rich only to have his claim stolen by ruthless criminals in town. The prospector decides to regain his wealth by becoming a crook himself and stealing it back. One of Hart's very best Westerns and a film that helped define his character of the quiet hero who can only be pushed so far.
MAKING A STETSON Ever wonder where Stetson hats come from? Well, wonder no more! Here's a fascinating tour of the Stetson factory which shows us how these famous hats are made!
Digital orchestral scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
HOW MOLLY MALONE MADE GOOD (1915)
Starring Marguerite Clark, Helen Hilton, John Reedy and James Bagley. A big hit at Cinefest 2003. Molly is a young Irish immigrant who wants a job as newspaper reporter for the New York Tribune. To prove herself worthy of the job, she's given the task to interview ten stars of the day within 72 hours. While attempting to complete her assignment, she is plagued by the outlandish schemes of a rival reporter and the unwelcome advances of a lecherous acquaintance. Very entertaining and lots of fun, this film was a clever vehicle to feature contemporary stage stars of the day in cameo appearances. Shot almost entirely on location, the film features fascinating scenery from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Here are the stars that assist Molly to make good:
Leo Ditrichstein
Henrietta Crossman
Robert Edison
Julia Dean
Mabel Fenton
Cyril Scott
Julian Eltinge
Lulu Glaser
May Robson
Henry Kolker
Madame Fjorde
Charles J. Ross
Original music score composed and performed by Ben Model!
VARIETY (1925)
Starring Emil Jannings, Maly Delschaft and Warwick Ward. Directed by E.A Dupont. Photographed by Karl Freund. Boss Huller and his wife are small time trapeze performers appearing in a carnival. They make the big time when they meet the famous Artinelli and become part of his new act. When Boss discovers that his wife and Artinelli are having an affair, he plots revenge in the form of murder!
A German production, this is UFA at it's best! Featuring breathtaking cinematography by the legendary Karl Freund and a riveting performance by Jannings!
Original piano score composed and performed by Stuart Oderman.
THE GREAT WAR AND THE LITTLE TRAMP
Before World War II there was of course....World War I (and prior to WWII, it was known as
"The Great War" - which gives one some idea of the gravitis this war once held
in the public consciousness.) This DVD offers some important filmic documents of the
period.
AMERICA GOES OVER is "The first officially released picture record
of our part in the World War compiled by military experts." Our War Department made
available this feature assemblage of riveting and remarkable footage (including scenes of
combat) chronicling our WWI involvement, to the home market in 1927 (quite possibly to
mark the 10th anniversary of America's entry into the fray.)
SHOULDER ARMS (1918) was Charlie Chaplin's three-reel gift to survivors
of The Great War. The comedy was released to great acclaim and success shortly before
Armistice and provided very welcome laughter, particularly to returning soldiers. Charlie
plays a lowly private who finds himself in the trenches of France, where living conditions
are hilariously horrendous. Some of the many highlights include Charlie trying to sleep in
flooded quarters, spying as a tree (!) behind enemy lines and posing as a German officer
in disguise. The edition presented here is the Pathe reissue from the early 20s and is
markedly different (and arguably superior) in takes, camera angles and performances than
the later reconstituted version presented in 1959's THE CHAPLIN REVUE.
THE BOND (1918) [aka "Charlie Chaplin in a Liberty Loan
Appeal"] Charlie Chaplin was one of a number of Hollywood stars who made live
appearances at bond rallies, using their celebrity and popularity to raise funds for the
war effort. Chaplin also made this one-reel film to be exhibited expressly for that same
purpose. Charlie appears in a series of stylized comic vignettes that demonstrate the
bonds of friendship, love, marriage...and the Liberty Bond. Charlie's brother Sydney
appears as The Kaiser - a role he also played in SHOULDER ARMS.
THE SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA (1918) was created by the legendary pioneer
animator Winsor McCay and remains a milestone of fluid animation as well as one of the
most powerful pieces of wartime propaganda ever created. Despite being released over three
years after the actual sinking in May 1915 - the film managed to pack a visceral emotional
punch in much the same way that many of the most powerful wartime posters of the day
accomplished.
All of the films in this collection are accompanied by original Wurlitzer pipe organ scores composed and performed by Bernie Anderson!
THE VAGABOND PRINCE (1916)
and BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BABY (1915)
THE VAGABOND PRINCE starring H.B. Warner and Dorothy Dalton. Forced into an arranged marriage, Tonio, Prince of Bothalia, has tired of his sheltered, royal life. He longs to see the world and live like other men. After meeting a wandering artist, he is encouraged to leave his old life behind and start anew. He sails to the Barbary Coast where he meets Fluffy, a cabaret singer, and is thrown in jail defending her honor. Soon romance blossoms and Tonio's new life seems wonderful until agents from Bothalia track him down in order to force him to return.
BRONCHO BILLY AND THE BABY starring "Broncho Billy" Anderson and Bernice Sawyer. While on the run from the law, Broncho Billy rescues a little girl who has wandered from her home in the night. Out of gratitude, the girl's mother allows Billy to sleep in the house. The girl's father, realizing he has a chance to collect the reward on Billy's head, is determined to turn him in!
Original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
Made in New Jersey Double Feature!
THE BELOVED BLACKMAILER (1918)
A GIRL'S FOLLY (1917)
THE BELOVED BLACKMAILER starring Carlyle Blackwell, Evelyn Greeley and Jack Drumier. Produced in Fort Lee, NJ and directed by Dell Henderson. An ultra-rare Reelclassicdvd exclusive! Tired of doctors and his over-protective mother, a wealthy young man convinces his former college football coach to kidnap him, and make a man out of him at an athletic training camp. Little does he suspect that his girlfriend has come up with the same plan to save her father from financial ruin! A rare, delightful comedy gem!
A GIRL'S FOLLY starring Robert Warwick, Doris Kenyon and Chester Barnett. Produced in Fort Lee, NJ and directed by Maurice Tournier. Released elsewhere in an abridged version, this is the complete feature film. A country girl meets a handsome movie star while his company is filming on location. He convinces her to leave her rustic home and return with him to become a star herself. A charming comic film, famous for its behind the scenes footage of filmmaking in New Jersey. Beautifully filmed with the "Tournier touch". Some nitrate decomposition is visible.
Both films are accompanied by original Wurlitzer pipe organ scores composed and performed by Bernie Anderson!
Six great silent shorts on one DVD!
A FESTIVAL OF SILENT COMEDY VOLUME FIVE
LAUGHING GAS (1914) starring Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain and Slim Summerville. Charlie is
an inept janitor at a dentist's office who flirts with a pretty female patient, disrobes
the dentist's wife and knocks out quite a few teeth in this riotous Keystone knockabout!
POOL SHARKS (1915) starring W.C. Fields and Bud Ross. A young W.C.Fields makes his screen
debut in this Gaumont production made while he was appearing on stage in his famous
juggling act. Rivals for the affections of the same, rather dopey, leading lady, Fields
and his rival decide to settle their differences with a wacky and violent game of pool!
GOLF (1922) starring Larry Semon, Lucille Carlisle, Oliver Hardy and Vernon Dent. Larry's
house is a shambles because he's learning to play on the piano - that is, he's learning to
play golf on the piano. Vernon Dent is madly in love with Larry's sister, but things take
a wild turn because Oliver Hardy has his sights set on the same girl!
THE BIG TOWN (1925) starring Our Gang. This is a very rare and unusual early entry from
the Our Gang series. After accidentally burning down a neighbor's barn and getting trapped
on a freight train, the gang find themselves in New York City. They decide to see the
sights and the film shows many of the city's landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and
the Brooklyn Bridge. After taking over a city bus for a wild drive through the streets,
the police finally catch up with them and send them home. The return journey, this time on
a passenger train, gives the gang a nice opportunity to cause mayhem for their fellow
passengers!
HOBOKEN TO HOLLYWOOD (1926) starring Billy Bevan, Vernon Dent and Leonora Summers. Billy's
job sends him and his family on an automobile journey to sunny California. Along the way,
they meet Mr. and Mrs. Pinkey and decide to make the trip together. The result is one
disaster after another brought on by car trouble, inclement weather and hostile Indians!
BEAUTY AND THE BUMP (1927) starring Perry Murdock, Nita Cavalier and Robert Page. Hilarity
and wild stunts at the seaside dominate this very rare Skylark comedy. Non-stop action and
outrageous gags!
Original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
DANGEROUS HOURS (1920)
and THE LEATHER PUSHERS: ROUND TWO (1922)
DANGEROUS HOURS starring Lloyd Hughes, Jack Richardson and Claire Du Brey. Directed by Fred Niblo. An idealistic young man discovers, too late, that the political group he's joined is really a front for terrorism, extortion and anarchy. An outrageous propaganda film that pulls out all of the stops to make its anti-communist point! Reminiscent of the Modern Story of "Intolerance" with its tremendous mob scenes.
THE LEATHER PUSHERS: ROUND TWO starring Reginald Denny, Hayden Stevenson and Charles Ascott. "The Leather Pushers" were a charming series of comedies based upon the story of a prize-fighter from the Colliers articles by H.C. Witwer. Each episode was self-contained and complete in itself. Formerly wealthy Kane Halliday (Denny), finds he must support himself with his fists in the ring after his father goes suddenly broke. A great mix of comedy and action set against the gritty world of the old New York boxing scene.
Original music scores composed and performed by Liz Magnes!
A Silent Fantasy Double Feature
THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ (1914)
ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1915)
THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ starring Violet MacMillan, Frank Moore and Fred Woodward. Produced by L. Frank Baum's Oz Film Manufacturing Company, this is the delightful tale of Ojo, a munchkin boy, and his friends who set out on a journey to find the ingredients of an antidote to cure Unc Nunkie, Margolotte and Danx who have been accidentally petrified. Along the way, they meet some of the strangest and most amusing characters ever produced by Baum's whimsical imagination!
ALICE IN WONDERLAND starring Viola Savoy. An enchanting early film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's timeless tale of a young girl who journeys to Wonderland. Beautifully photographed and featuring amazing costumes based upon the original illustrations. Captivating and amusing, all of the famous characters are here: the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mock Turtle, the Gryphon, the Mad Hatter, etc. Very clever and lots of fun!
Original music scores composed and performed by Donald Sosin!
THROUGH THE BREAKERS (1928)
and ALL STAR CAST (1924)
THROUGH THE BREAKERS starring Holmes Herbert and Margaret Livingston. John Lancaster is offered a job managing a tropical plantation on a south sea island. Prior to his departure he asks his love, Diane, to marry him and join him there. She agrees, suggesting he go on ahead, promising to join him in a short time to wed. Later, unwilling to give up her freewheeling, wanton lifestyle, she decides to break her promise to John, leaving him alone and heartbroken on the island where a young native girl, Taya, becomes infatuated with him. While attending a wild party aboard a private yacht, Diane is shipwrecked. Fireworks ensue when she miraculously washes ashore on - you guessed it - the very island where John is living.
Organ score performed by Blaine Gale.
ALL STAR CAST A group of lively animals put on a crazy show in this delightful, early Paul Terry cartoon!
THE SPANISH DANCER (1923)
and THE MAN FROM TIA JUANA (1917)
THE SPANISH DANCER starring Pola Negri, Antonio Moreno, Wallace Beery and Adolphe Menjou. Directed by Herbert Brenon. A mysterious Gypsy dancer falls in lover with Don Cesar de Bazan, an impoverished nobleman sentenced to death for defying the King's law against dueling. Meanwhile, the crafty Don Salluste (Menjou) plots against the King to bring war with France! Lots of fun, romance and intrigue - and what a cast!
THE MAN FROM TIA JUANA starring Marin Sais and Jack Hoaxie. Directed by James W. Horne. A rare episode from Kalem's popular "American Girl" series. Madge's boyfriend, Larry, is entrusted by her father to deposit $25,000 worth of bonds in the bank. Herman Durkee, a crooked bank teller who is deeply in debt, has other ideas. He enlists the aid of "Five-Ace" Williams and the gang to steal the bonds and disgrace Larry. Madge, however, has other ideas! Gunfights and action abound in this exciting western adventure!
Original music scores composed and performed by Richardson Price!
OZ SILENT DOUBLE FEATURE!
HIS MAJESTY, THE SCARECROW OF OZ (1914)
THE MAGIC CLOAK OF OZ (1914)
HIS MAJESTY, THE SCARECROW OF OZ starring Violet MacMillan, Mai Wells,
Vivian Reed and Frank Moore. Directed by J. Farrell MacDonald. Princess Gloria is in love
with Pon, a humble gardener's boy. Her father, King Krewl, who objects to the unseemly
romance, takes her to Old Mombi, the witch, who freezes her heart. Pon rescues Dorothy,
who has been forced into slavery by the witch and together with Princess Gloria they begin
a journey which unites them with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Wizard of Oz himself!
THE MAGIC CLOAK OF OZ starring Violet MacMillan, Mildred Harris, Frank Moore and Fred Woodward. Directed by J. Farrell MacDonald. Fluff, Bud and their aunt Rivette journey to the country of Noland to find a better life. They are joined by Nickodemus, their mischievous donkey playmate. The King of Noland has just died and Bud, being the 47th person to enter the capital city gate, is made the new king! The Rolly Rogues invade the city and force the citizens to make them soup. Only a wish made with the magic cloak can save them - but the cloak has been stolen!
Original music scores composed and performed by Donald Sosin!
THE LADY OF THE LAKE (1928)
and CONQUEST OF THE POLE (1912)
THE LADY OF THE LAKE starring Benita Hume, Percy Marmont, Lawson Butt and James Carew. Directed by James A. FitzPatrick. This short feature, based upon the immortal poem by Sir Walter Scott, presents a story of adventure and romance set in the Scottish Highlands. A Wonderful and very rare film of excellent quality. You won't find this on DVD anywhere else! Includes the original music score from the 1930 re-release.
CONQUEST OF THE POLE produced by Georges Méliès.
Scientist from around the world gather to find a means to reach the North Pole. Professor
Maboul's flying machine shows the most promise and he gathers a group together for the
journey. During the expedition, our unfortunate explorers encounter a giant man-eating
snow monster and have a painful experience with the magnetic pole itself. Mounted on an
very impressive scale for its time, this film features generous helpings of Méliès
trademark camera effects and outlandish humor.
Original music score composed and performed by Matthew John Marshall.
CHARLIE CHAPLIN RARITIES
CHARLIE ON THE OCEAN (1921)
PAY DAY (1922)
THE KID (1921)
CHARLIE ON THE OCEAN A short documentary film produced by Topical Budget which chronicles Chaplin's first trip back to England following his phenomenal success in the U.S. First, Charlie receives a send-off from Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Chaplin is then warmly greeted by his fellow passengers. He helps them organize a circus and a "Charlie walk" contest. Upon his arrival in England he is mobbed by throngs of adoring fans.Original music score composed and performed by Matthew John Marshall.
PAY DAY (1922) starring Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, Phyllis Allen, Edna Purviance and Syd Chaplin. Charlie is a harried construction worker who tries to avoid the wrath of his brutal, rolling pin wielding wife after a night out with the boys. An unusual, shorter edit of this classic film with a vintage music and effects track.
THE KID starring Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Jackie Coogan and Syd Chaplin. Chaplin's celebrated first feature film. A woman abandons her baby boy who is subsequently discovered and adopted by a lowly tramp. One of Chaplin's greatest achievements - combining laughter and tears. This version, taken from a British re-issue print, contains several scenes not included within commercial video releases. There's a scene in which Edna, after abandoning her baby, encounters a playful toddler which inspires her attempt to retrieve her own child. There's another scene in which Edna encounters a wedding party leaving a church. When the stained glass window behind her is illuminated, it creates the image of a halo around her head. There's also a lengthy sequence which depicts an accidental meeting between Enda and the father of her abandoned child. By all accounts, this version is much closer to the film as originally released than any subsequent re-issues. Original music score composed and performed by Matthew John Marshall.
THE OUR GANG COLLECTION - Volume 1
Five of the Gang's Greatest and Funniest Silents!
DERBY DAY (1923) After seeing a legitimate horse race the gang decide to open a track of
their own. The "thor'breds" in their stable consist of a cow, a mule, a
tricycle, a couple of dogs and a goat!
BIG BUSINESS (1924) The gang decide to enter the seething world of of modern business by
opening their own barber shop where hedge clippers are the tool of choice. Their coiffure
repertoire includes the "Mohawk", the "shaved and shiny" and the
"random" cut. A "two dollar job" soon arrives in the person of Mickie,
whose long, curly locks prove impossible to resist!
MONKEY BUSINESS (1926) A monkey is fed up performing tricks for his trainer and decides to
escape and see the world. He soon befriends Farina and the gang who wish to use him as the
main attraction in their own circus. Before they can put on a single performance, however,
their primate pal discovers some "home brew" and tears up the town!
WAR FEATHERS (1926) After a wild train trip the gang arrive in the rootin' tootin' western
town of Red Dog. To avoid a gun battle, they hide in a covered wagon which, it turns out,
belongs to a desperate group of outlaws en route to the "Whistling Clam Rancho",
their hideout. It's soon unclear who's more dangerous - the outlaws or the gang!
LOVE MY DOG (1927) The fact that Farina's pooch is a baby-saving hero doesn't cut the
mustard with the heartless dog catchers. They're rounding up every un-vaccinated dog in
town due to a hydrophobia epidemic. Will Farina's beloved pet be gassed? In this film the
audience helps decide his fate!
Original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
RAFFLES, THE AMATEUR CRACKSMAN (1917)
and THE LEATHER PUSHERS: ROUND THREE (1922)
RAFFLES, THE AMATEUR CRACKSMAN starring John Barrymore, Frank Morgan, Kathryn Adams and Christine Mayo. Directed by George Irving. A.J. Raffles, wealthy bachelor and champion cricketer, is, in reality, The Amateur Cracksman - a notorious jewel thief who's crime spree has plagued England's upper crust. Raffles pays a visit to the home of Lord Amersteth, owner of the famous Melrose Necklace intending to add this bauble to his list of conquests. But a chance encounter with Mrs. Vidal, a witness to one of his earlier heists, threatens to expose him.
Even at this early stage of his film career, the Barrymore charm is on full display in this comic adventure. Based upon the stage play of the same name.
THE LEATHER PUSHERS: ROUND THREE "Payment Through the Nose" starring Reginald Denny, Hayden Stevenson and Charles Ascott. "The Leather Pushers" were a charming series of comedies based upon the story of a prize-fighter from the Colliers articles by H.C. Witwer. Each episode was self-contained and complete in itself. Formerly wealthy Kane Halliday (Denny), fighting as the elegant "Masked Mystery", pays more attention to his flirtation with a chorus girl, Estelle, than his boxing career - frustrating his manager at every turn. Estelle, not realizing her new beau is is actually a prize fighter, is under the mistaken impression that he's a rich playboy, a belief that Halliday does nothing to correct. The manager sets out enlighten her in spectacular fashion!
This entry from the series includes some terrific night scenes of New York's Times Square as it appeared in 1922. Titles from other Universal productions are prominently displayed on the theater marquees!
Original music scores composed and performed by Richardson Price!
THE OUR GANG COLLECTION - Volume 2
Five of the Gang's Greatest and Funniest Silents!
SUNDOWN LTD. (1924) After creating havoc playing on a real train, the gang decide to avoid
adult interference by building their own railroad. The result is one of the most elaborate
Our Gang contraptions ever seen on film! Their train is a great success until Toughy, a
jealous rival, derails it and sends it careening through the city streets!
SHOOTIN' INJUNS (1925) The Gang, dreaming of being cowboys, embark on a journey to find
real Indians to shoot. Along the way, however, they are forced to shelter from a storm in
a novelty house intended for an amusement park! This film REALLY pulls out all the stops.
It’s one of those great scare comedies at which Our Gang excelled. Not only is the
house full of elaborate devices, but the film contains some of the most amazing special
effects ever seen! Jaw-dropping even by today’s standards, this one should not be
missed!
GOOD CHEER (1926) In this rare and unusual Christmas-themed film, the gang are street
waifs in a snowy winter setting. The younger members of the gang desperately want to
believe in Santa Claus but are foiled at every turn when they discover Santa has merely
been portrayed by well meaning impostors. Their faith is restored, however, through the
intervention of the magical spirit of the real Santa Claus, a friendly old shoemaker and a
band of crooks disguised in Santa costumes!
SHIVERING SPOOKS (1926) The gang have an underground secret hide out which caves in. The
only way out is to break through a wall into the basement of a house. Unfortunately, the
house is occupied by a fake medium and his cohorts who bilk money out of their
unsuspecting victims by pretending to contact the dead! The gang soon find themselves
surrounded by ghosts, skeletons and everything else that goes bump in the night!
THE FOURTH ALARM (1926) Inspired by having extinguished a small house fire, the gang
establish their own fire department. But battling blazes is complicated for Chief Joe who
must administer his little sister's worm medication every fifteen minutes. The action gets
underway when the gang rush to a burning building which, unbeknownst to them, is full of
explosives! Full of fun and terrific Our Gang gadgets, this film was later re-made as the
talkie "Hook and Ladder"
Original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model on the Miditzer virtual theatre organ!
THE BOOMERANG (1919)
and SCREEN SNAPSHOTS (1922-1924)
THE BOOMERANG starring Henry B. Walthall, Nina Byron and Melbourne McDowell. Directed by Bertram Bracken. Henry B. Walthall portrays a wealthy young lawyer working for his father's conglomerate, Nation Food. After being falsely accused of fathering a child out of wedlock, he's kicked out of his job to fend for himself. Living on the streets, he learns first-hand how the corruption of his father's company causes sickness and starvation among the working classes. He soon becomes National Food's worst nightmare when he is appointed County Prosecutor.
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS (Gaumont Graphic) Delightful, candid, behind-the-scenes footage from the silent era. See Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith during the formation of United Artists. See Rudoph Valentino, Agnes Ayers and George Melford during production of THE SHEIK. See amazing footage of the Monte Carlo set with Eric von Stroheim and Miss DuPont during the filming of FOOLISH WIVES. This star-studded special also includes scenes with Tom Moore, Bessie Love, Charlie Murray, Tom Mix, Will Rogers, Pauline Frederick, Snowy Baker, Sessue Hayakawa, Julian Eltinge and Marion Davies!
Original music scores composed and performed by Liz Magnes!
THE OUR GANG COLLECTION - Volume 3
Five of the Gang's Greatest and Funniest Silents!
BACK STAGE (1923) After his actors quit due to lack of pay, the owner of a third-rate
traveling show persuades the gang to fill in. Naturally, things don't work out as he had
planned. With the help of various animals and insects, the gang make a hilarious shambles
of the magic act and strong-man routine.
THE BUCCANEERS (1924) Mickey and the gang build their own pirate ship and prepare to wreak
havoc on the bounding main. It’s a great plan until they launch the ship, which
promptly sinks like a stone. To keep the gang happy, their pal, Captain Whalen, let’s
them play on his boat – provided they keep it tied to the dock. When their dog (an
early incarnation of Pete without the eye circle) eats the rope, they find themselves
drifting on the high seas! This presents no problem for the gang as they start the motor
and attack the U.S. Navy!
IT'S A BEAR (1924) The gang are determined to go bear hunting. Mickey, while driving his
milk delivery route, offers them the chance to visit his farm to bag some "big
game". After trying their hand at hunting pigs, chickens and an unlucky farm hand,
the bears arrive on the scene!
HIGH SOCIETY (1924) Mickey is being raised by his beloved uncle, Patrick Shamrock Kelly,
until wealthy aunt Kate wins legal custody. Life is no fun for Mickey at his aunt's
mansion. He's given a bath every day (not only Saturday night), forced to wear fancy
clothes and deal with nasty cousin Percy. It's not until a chaotic visit from the gang
that aunt Kate realizes that Mickey may be better off with his uncle after all. Remade in
1929 as the gang's first talkie "Small Talk".
THE MYSTERIOUS MYSTERY (1924) When rich little Adelbert Wallingford is kidnapped, master
sleuth Mickey (aka Sherlock Hawkshaw) enlists the gang - masters of disguise, all - to
track every suspicious character, including an angry detective! When a homing pigeon with
the ransom demand escapes, the gang find themselves aboard a runaway airplane in hot
pursuit!
Original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model on the Miditzer virtual theatre organ!
ROBINSON CRUSOE (1927)
with MYSTERY OF DEAD MAN'S ISLE (1915)
and LINDBERGH'S FLIGHT AND RETURN (1927)
ROBINSON CRUSOE starring M.A. Wetherell and Fay Compton. A delightful and extremely rare feature based upon Defoe's classic tale. Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked and forced to live alone on a deserted island. Despite his isolation, he finds companionship and adventure. Lively, touching and often humorous, this adaptation truly entertains!
MYSTERY OF DEAD MAN'S ISLE starring Clyde Benson and Edith Johnson. Just off the coast lies the forbidding island known as "Dead Man's Isle". Everyone knows that it is uninhabited - or is it? What is the mysterious figure that is sometimes spotted upon its shores? Is it a woman or is it really something supernatural? One brave fisherman decides to find out. Another true rarity!
LINDBERGH'S FLIGHT AND RETURN Rounding out our program of adventure and discovery, we present "Lindbergh's Flight and Return" which, through contemporary newsreel footage, chronicles the famous aviator's historic solo Atlantic flight!
Original music scores composed and performed by John Mucci!
Six great silent shorts on one DVD!
A FESTIVAL OF SILENT COMEDY VOLUME SIX
A CURE FOR POKERITIS (1912) starring John Bunny and
Flora Finch. The screen's first beloved fat man, John Bunny, plays a
chronic gambler in this fun silent short from Vitagraph, with Flora Finch as his
disapproving wife. Bunny comes up with an elaborate scheme to escape the house and join
the poker game with the boys. All goes well until he talks in his sleep!
A BEDROOM SCANDAL (1921) starring Monty Banks. Newly married Monty works at a ladies
fashion boutique where his wandering eyes, not to mention hands, get him into constant
trouble. Matters are complicated when his new in-laws decide to visit and meet Monty for
the first time.
THE BAKERY (1921) starring Larry Semon, Norma Nichols, Oliver Hardy and Frank Alexander.
Larry employs unique methods when dealing with customers and fellow employees at the
bakery. Usually,very violent and messy methods. When he gets on the bad side of the
bakery's crooked manager (Hardy), however, the dough really starts to fly!
THE ROPIN FOOL (1922) starring Will Rogers. Not only does the Ropin' Fool (Rogers) lasso
cattle, he lassos goats, dogs cats and mice! He even lassos in his sleep! When his rival
is found dead, having been roped and dragged to his death, Rogers is the obvious suspect.
Using slow-motion photography, this little comedy serves as a showcase for Roger's
astonishing roping abilities. Truly amazing!
DOGS OF WAR (1923) starring Our Gang. While staging a violent battle on an empty lot, the
gang discover they can earn five dollars by acting in films at the adjacent movie studio.
After being being turned down, they decide sneak into the studio and make a film of their
own. They are assisted in their escape from a security guard by none other than Harold
Lloyd, seen during the making of his classic feature, WHY WORRY?.
MICKEY IN SCHOOL (1927) starring Mickey (Rooney) McGuire. Summer vacation over, Mickey and
his gang reluctantly return to school. At first all goes well with Mickey (literally)
glued to his seat during lessons. But panic ensues when a simple recess game of tug-o-war
leaves the schoolhouse in flames!
Original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!
HARDY AS HEAVY (aka
"Bad Guy Babe")
NO MAN'S LAW (1927)
and THE FALL GUY (1921)
Oliver "Babe" Hardy is of course best known and most famous for his starring
films with Stan Laurel. However, for over a decade before his teaming with Stan, Hardy had
already enjoyed quite an extensive career in motion pictures, having appeared in some 300
films. He was often cast as "the heavy" (read: villain) and was one of the most
prolific character actors of the silent era. And yet no matter how much make-up (or lack
thereof) or how his appearance was altered for a role - the telltale mannerisms of this
consummate professional always shone through.
THE FALL GUY is a Vitagraph slapstick "two-reeler" starring Larry Semon that's a
fine example of the kind of scene-stealing foil that was Hardy's stock and trade -
especially in Semon comedies. Hardy plays a bullying "root-beer hound", replete
with top hat, frock coat and handlebar mustache. He has several encounters with
auto-challenged simp Semon - all within a western town setting - which makes an
appropriate opener for the accompanying feature....
NO MAN'S LAW is an unusual and ambitious Hal Roach production. A "five-reeler" -
starring "Rex - The King of Wild Horses". The film is a rather hard-edged
western (with comic undertones) which serves mostly as a character driven drama. Hardy is
at his most scruffy and black-hearted as a wanted desperado - who along with a partner, is
on the run. Hardy (who was only months away from his full blown teaming with Stan Laurel)
is at his scenery-chewing best in this vehicle, facing off all the principals (including
James Finlayson as a prospector and Rex the horse to boot!) Nowhere will you find a more
nefarious Ollie then in this daring and imaginatively photographed western.
Original music scores composed and performed by John Mucci!
THE CHAPLIN MUTUALS
with the famous VAN BEUREN scores
and BONUS CHAPLIN KEYSTONE SHORTS!
Here are all 12 of Charlie Chaplin's
most famous films presented with those wonderful, crazy, classical, jazzy Van Beuren music
and effects scores. Recorded in the 1930s, these scores have become almost synonymous with
Mutual film series, representing some of Chaplin's greatest work. The films have been
lovingly, digitally transferred with many titles replaced and restored, while the scores
have been re-mixed for stereo! In terms of quality and content, this is the definitive DVD
collection of the Van Beuren Mutuals! This set also contains the bonus Chaplin Keytone
shorts: MAKING A LIVING (1914 - Chaplin's first film!), CAUGHT IN
A CABARET (1914 - with Mabel Normand!) and THE MASQUERADER (1914
- with Fatty Arbuckle!)
Not only among Chaplin's best, but these twelve films have long been considered among the greatest films ever made by anyone!
THE FLOORWALKER
THE FIREMAN
THE VAGABOND
ONE A.M.
THE COUNT
THE PAWN SHOP
BEHIND THE SCREEN
THE RINK
EASY STREET
THE CURE
THE IMMIGRANT
THE ADVENTURER
This 3 DVD set is specially priced at $30.00. For shipping, please calculate as two DVDs.
THE AMERICANO (1916)
and Douglas Fairbanks Outtakes
The always exuberant Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. (in one of his early starring five-reelers for Triangle - directed by John Emerson) plays a young, untried mining engineer sent from New York City to far-away Paragonia to oversee business relations. Doug arrives just in time to uncover a coup involving the imprisonment of the Presidente - who's daughter is about to be forced into a marriage with the head of the Army. All of this, of course, is no match for the ever-smiling, ever-resourceful Doug who will, no doubt, save the day - it's HOW he does it that makes the picture!
This edition includes a reel of extemely rare production "rushes" from two of Fairbanks' later Latin American excursions (THE GAUCHO and DON Q. SON OF ZORRO.)
Original music scores composed and performed by Ben Model!