sfsff 2010 sunday

Up early today because I didn't want to miss the second installment of Amazing Tales From the Archives. I love this not only because of the recognition of these dedicated souls who gallantly save these disintegrating pieces of art and history because it is essentially a sneak preview of what may be available in fully watchable form in the near future. This episode included:
The Way of All Flesh (1927, d. Victor Fleming)
Highlights of Emil Jannings taken from this film that were included in a retrospective of silent masterpieces done later in that century. Likely all that remains.
The rest were sourced from an archive in New Zealand:
Upstream (1927, d. John Ford) Backstage comedy made during a period of strong German Expressionist influences on John Ford. I believe this is complete enough for release.
Maytime (1923) A period costume piece featuring Clara Bow. Not complete.
Girl Stage Coach Driver (1914)
The Active Life of Dolly of the Dailies (1914) Episode five of the 12 episode series.
Won in a Closet (1914, d. Mabel Normand) Both directed by and starring Mabel Normand.
Birth of a Hat (1920) A promotional film commissioned by the Stetson Hat Company.

The films shown at this presentation were The Better Man (1912), a social problem short notable for the inclusion of a multi-ethnic cast; and Mutt and Jeff Go on Strike, an early animation film.
[I heard afterward that the AToA presentation on Friday morning included a color film featuring some gorgeous Art Deco fashions. Sad that I missed it, I tracked down the person who restored it and I'll report back what I find.]

The Shakedown (1929, d. William Wyler)
James Murray was great in this boxing match story directed by William Wyler, one of his first non-Westerns. Three of the directors daughters were interviewed by Leonard Maltin before the screening and mostly had tales of growing up next door to Charlie Chaplin and his daughter Geraldine. Most horrifying was Maltin's story about Universal burning up most of their archive of films to reduce the risk of fire. This print was sourced from a found 16mm copy.

Man With a Movie Camera (1929. d. Dziga Vertov)
This was such a beautiful print, accompanied by the Alloy Orchestra, whose rhythmic style blended perfectly yet was a little too reminiscent of the score they performed for Metropolis. I guess that is the risk with a percussion-based ensemble. Program notes written by local sensation Brian Darr.

The Woman Disputed (1928, d. Henry King)
There are few greater sights than one wall of a beautiful movie theater filled with the flickering and silver-tinted close-ups of John Gilbert and Norma Talmadge. The most ridiculous ending (sorry, no spoilers!) but such a gorgeous experience up until then.

L'Heureuse Mort (1924, d. Serge Nadjedine)
If Rotaie was my favorite drama, this is my favorite comedy in the festival. Made in France by Russian emigres who bypassed the revolution, it is sadly unknown. I didn't hear during the introduction where this print was sourced and it doesn't appear to be released in any form and that is a real shame. It's astonishing to realize that it was produced in 1924. The film feels modern in the camera set-ups and in the naturalistic acting styles. The plot of mistaken identity is well balanced and well paced and so funny. It was such a treat to unexpectedy see something so wonderful and impressive, especially for the last film of a festival full of amazing films.

For more details on these films and programs, see the Full line-up here:
(There seem to be a few problems at the site - hopefully they will be fixed soon)