For Classic Movie Fans

cinderella · 06-08-2010, 09:50 AM

This is great news!! Hope TCM shows this soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

75 long-lost silent movies being returned to US

AP – WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A cache of 75 long-lost silent films uncovered in the New Zealand Film Archive vault, including the only known copy of a drama by legendary director John Ford, is being sent back to the United States to be restored.

Among the movies found in storage are a copy of Ford's "Upstream," the earliest surviving movie by comic actor and director Mabel Normand and a period drama starring 1920s screen icon Clara Bow. Only 15 percent of the silent films made by Ford, who won four Oscars, have survived. New Zealand Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said the find is important as there are no prints of the films remaining in the U.S.

"These important films will be preserved and made available to both U.S. and New Zealand audiences to enjoy," he told The New Zealand Herald newspaper Tuesday.

John Ford, 1942

Film Archive corporate services manager Steve Russell said the films were discovered when American preservationist Brian Meacham visited last year. Many of them remained in New Zealand because distributors at the time did not think the return shipping costs were worth the expense, he said.
"It's one of the rare cases where the tyranny of distance has worked in our and the films' favor," Russell said.

Finding "Upstream" was "a fabulous discovery, particularly for our American colleagues, but also for ourselves," he told The Associated Press.
Because they were printed on unstable and highly inflammable nitrate film stock, "there are very strict conditions when sending it by air," he added.
Returning the films will cost the U.S. National Film Preservation Foundation more than 750,000 New Zealand dollars ($500,000).

"We're having to ship in U.N.-approved steel barrels, a little bit at a time," said foundation director Annette Melville. "So far, we've got about one-third of the films, and preservation work has already begun on four titles."
"About a quarter of the films are in advanced nitrate decay, and the rest have good image quality, though they are badly shrunken," she added.
The late Ford's 1927 film "Upstream" was being copied onto safety stock in New Zealand to prevent further damage in transit.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hopes to screen the restored Ford movie in September, Melville said.
Copies of the films are to be made available in New Zealand through the Film Archive, and Russell said he expected a "premier" showing of "Upstream" would be arranged at some point.

Russell said that New Zealand Film Archive does not own the recovered movies, which acquired them from private donors and collectors who "have all agreed the original archive material should be returned to the U.S. for preservation work to be done."

Similar film repatriations have occurred with Australian and European archives, including the return to Germany of a nitrate print of the Fritz Lang silent masterpiece "Metropolis" to help in restoring a print of the late 1920s original, he said.

waxnrope · 06-12-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinderella

This is great news!! Hope TCM shows this soon.

would someone kindly let me know if and when these will be aired on the telly? I don't have a subscription ... I go to theater or buy the films ... there are hundreds ... but I do wish to see these, and will go to a friend's house to do so.

Jet · 06-12-2010, 07:06 PM

was Gloria Swanson supposed to be exaggerated? She gets on my last nerve even though I like Sunset Boulevard. What I like is William Holden, not her. is she supposed to be deliberate? or is that typical of Gloria Swanson?

Venus007 · 06-12-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

was Gloria Swanson supposed to be exaggerated? She gets on my last nerve even though I like Sunset Boulevard. What I like is William Holden, not her. is she supposed to be deliberate? or is that typical of Gloria Swanson?

I think that is how her barking madness showed itself plus Norma Desmond was a silent film actress and the overacting was part of it. (My theory on it at least)

waxnrope · 06-13-2010, 12:25 AM

she certainly played a nutter in the film. her eyes were scary with madness.

cinderella · 06-13-2010, 09:39 AM

That goes to show what a talent she was! I am a huge fan of Norma...oops, I mean Gloria!! Lol, her character in Sunset Boulevard has become so identified and intermingled with her real persona, that one tends to confuse them - not sure how Miss Swanson would take that, but it is a credit to her acting ability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by waxnrope

she certainly played a nutter in the film. her eyes were scary with madness.

cinderella · 06-13-2010, 09:29 AM

Venus, hi! So glad you're participating in the thread.

Sunset Boulevard is one of my favorite films too. I own the film, never fail to watch it on TCM when it's on, and have lost count of the times I've seen it - must be at least 100 times, and that's a modest number!! My favorite part - because it's so poignant, and she does it soooo well, is the part early in the film when William Holden is in her bedroom, and he recognizes her and says: "I know you. You're Norma Desmond. You used to be big." and she replys as the camera comes in for a close-up: "I AM BIG, it's the PICTURES that got small!!!" Wow, what a line!!! Love it!!!

I have read Gloria Swanson's biography, and have seen clips of vids where she's interviewed (you can prob find them on YouTube.com)

Gloria Swanson was an international MEGA film icon in her day. Anything she did or said, or wore (she was a clothes-horse!), was BIG NEWS. She received thousands of fan mail weekly (just like in Sunset - only the mail was not 'faked'), and had a staff just for handling fan mail.

She started out her movie career as a Max Sennet 'bathing beauty' around the age of 15. She was indeed a SUPER STAR during the silent film era, and those clips you see of her in Sunset Boulevard are from a big hit she made in the 20's called Queen Kelly. So the dipiction of her as a 'has-been' in Sunset, was not too far from the truth for many a silent film star.

However, Gloria Swanson made a very good transition to the 'talkies', and appeared in many films way after the silent film was 'dead'. She had a great speaking voice, so the talkies, if anything, enhanced her career. As you may know, the 'talkies' ruined many a career of the big stars of the silents. So Gloria knew first-hand' what the talkies were all about, because many of her movie star friends' careers were over when the talkies came to town. Everyone thought it was just a passing fad back then, but the talkies were here to stay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venus007

I think that is how her barking madness showed itself plus Norma Desmond was a silent film actress and the overacting was part of it. (My theory on it at least)

cinderella · 06-13-2010, 09:46 AM

No, my cinema comrade, Gloria was NOT like that. The exaggerated acting was indicative of the silent film era. Since there was no dialogue, emoting had to be very physical to show emotions. It had to be exaggerated so the public would 'know' what 'feelings' were being conveyed. (Also, in the silents, makeup tended to be very exaggerated as well. This also added to what sometimes appears as a bit grotesque or bizarre appearence of the characters.)That's why you see a lot of that in the silents. Some stars, i.e., Norma Shearer carried those exagerrated motions to the talking pictures. If you've seen The Women, you'll notice how she over-acts her role at times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

was Gloria Swanson supposed to be exaggerated? She gets on my last nerve even though I like Sunset Boulevard. What I like is William Holden, not her. is she supposed to be deliberate? or is that typical of Gloria Swanson?

Jet · 06-14-2010, 12:55 AM

Triple Feature!!

SUDDENLY
THE DESPERATE HOURS!
RANSOM

cinderella · 06-14-2010, 05:13 AM

WHEN???? Those are 3 great flicks, comrade!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

Triple Feature!!

SUDDENLY
THE DESPERATE HOURS!
RANSOM

Jet · 06-29-2010, 06:29 PM

Triple Feature!

Ransom
Suddenly
Ths Desperate Hours!

cinderella · 06-29-2010, 07:12 PM

Jet, is this on today? I haven't checked the schedule?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

Triple Feature!

Ransom
Suddenly
Ths Desperate Hours!

cinderella · 06-29-2010, 07:14 PM

Lord, I've so many films on both DVD & VHS, and don't know what to watch. TCM seems dismal these days...wonder who the hell is doing the programming!

Jet · 06-29-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinderella

Jet, is this on today? I haven't checked the schedule?

no i just thought i'd mix them together

dark_crystal · 07-05-2010, 04:58 PM

Hi Carmin! i thought i might join the discussion over here if i can...unfortunately i am still limited to the films that my library owns on DVD and the three Jet mentioned above do not exist in the catalog.

and i can't even add them b/c we just cleaned out our materials budget! No collection development funds till OCTOBER! (the City Manager was freaking out that we still have so much cash this late in the fiscal cycle and implying we must not need it and that other departments [read- police] might deserve it more)

Jet · 07-05-2010, 05:38 PM

TCM REMINDER

Featured Actor for July
Gregory Peck

My personal favorites:

To Kill a Mockingbird
The Paradine Case
The Big Country
Gentleman's Agreement

dark_crystal · 07-05-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

TCM REMINDER

Featured Actor for July
Gregory Peck

My personal favorites:

To Kill a Mockingbird
The Paradine Case
The Big Country
Gentleman's Agreement

Well i know i can get TKAM at least! The book is having a big anniversary this year...i will cross my fingers on the others! Thank you!

dark_crystal · 07-06-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark_crystal

Well i know i can get TKAM at least! The book is having a big anniversary this year...i will cross my fingers on the others! Thank you!

i got Gentleman's Agreement! It looks really good! I have handwork i need to do tonight so it's a perfect evening to watch a movie.

always2late · 07-06-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

TCM REMINDER

Featured Actor for July
Gregory Peck

My personal favorites:

To Kill a Mockingbird
The Paradine Case
The Big Country
Gentleman's Agreement

I LOVE The Paradine Case! And, of course, To Kill a Mockingbird....both were on last night

Jet · 07-06-2010, 06:42 PM

I watched Gregory Peck last night, I really enjoyed it.

One movie he did that does bother me is The Boys from Brazil. I'm sensitive to anything antisemtic or fascist especially Josef Mengele.

But Peck and Laurence Olivier (as Simon Weisenthal or from the foundation, I forget) deliver great performances. It's nice to see two giants in one movie.
It's just kind of weird to see Gregory Peck play a maniac.

See ya at the movies fellow classic cinema comrades.

06-29-2010, 07:14 PM	#13
cinderella Member How Do You Identify?: Pinky's mommy :) Preferred Pronoun?: Su Majestad Relationship Status: Happy with my puppy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pocono Mtns., Pa. Posts: 1,238 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4 Thanked 1,501 Times in 638 Posts Rep Power: 14266108	Lord, I've so many films on both DVD & VHS, and don't know what to watch. TCM seems dismal these days...wonder who the hell is doing the programming! __________________ Who needs reality when you have Turner Classic Movies!! The is an organ of fire.

06-12-2010, 07:06 PM	#3
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	was Gloria Swanson supposed to be exaggerated? She gets on my last nerve even though I like Sunset Boulevard. What I like is William Holden, not her. is she supposed to be deliberate? or is that typical of Gloria Swanson?

06-13-2010, 12:25 AM	#5
waxnrope Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 5/27/2011 Preferred Pronoun?: hy ho, hy ho; he, she, it, whatever Relationship Status: Going slow ... Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: in her orifices ... la frontera Posts: 1,433 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,414 Thanked 2,957 Times in 952 Posts Rep Power: 0	she certainly played a nutter in the film. her eyes were scary with madness.

06-14-2010, 12:55 AM	#9
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	Triple Feature!! SUDDENLY THE DESPERATE HOURS! RANSOM

06-29-2010, 06:29 PM	#11
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	Triple Feature! Ransom Suddenly Ths Desperate Hours!

07-05-2010, 04:58 PM	#15
dark_crystal Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: jenny Preferred Pronoun?: babygirl Relationship Status: First Lady of the United SMH Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,445 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,532 Thanked 26,551 Times in 4,688 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Hi Carmin! i thought i might join the discussion over here if i can...unfortunately i am still limited to the films that my library owns on DVD and the three Jet mentioned above do not exist in the catalog. and i can't even add them b/c we just cleaned out our materials budget! No collection development funds till OCTOBER! (the City Manager was freaking out that we still have so much cash this late in the fiscal cycle and implying we must not need it and that other departments [read- police] might deserve it more)

07-05-2010, 05:38 PM	#16
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	TCM REMINDER Featured Actor for July Gregory Peck My personal favorites: To Kill a Mockingbird The Paradine Case The Big Country Gentleman's Agreement

07-06-2010, 06:42 PM	#20
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	I watched Gregory Peck last night, I really enjoyed it. One movie he did that does bother me is *The Boys from Brazil*. I'm sensitive to anything antisemtic or fascist especially Josef Mengele. But Peck and Laurence Olivier (as Simon Weisenthal or from the foundation, I forget) deliver great performances. It's nice to see two giants in one movie. It's just kind of weird to see Gregory Peck play a maniac. See ya at the movies fellow classic cinema comrades.