The month at Niles has Louise Brooks connections

This should be a big year for the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, California. In addition to the annual Charlie Chaplin Days and Broncho Billy Film Festival held later in the year, Niles Essanay will mark the 100th anniversary of the building of the Essanay Film Studio. A century ago, Niles hosted what was one of the major studios on the West Coast. The venerable film museum also celebrates its eighth year of showing silent movies every Saturday night at its historic Edison Theater (which is also marking its 100th anniversary).

Niles Essanay starts the new year with a great line-up of films in January. One highlight is Anna Christie (1923), the first film adaption of Eugene O'Neill's famous Pulitzer Prize winning play. Notably, it was produced by Thomas Ince (the subject of a major new biography) only two years after O'Neill's stage drama debuted on Broadway. That film is part of the weekly series "Saturday Night at the Movies." There is also the monthly "Comedy Short Subject Night" and "Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee." Notably, each silent film is presented with live musical accompaniment featuring some of the Bay Area's leading accompanists. All together, it's a great month of early cinema in the East Bay. Here's what's playing.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Bruce Loeb at the piano
Saturday January 5 at 7:30 pm

Today, we think of Wallace Beery as a memorable character actor who often played the "heavy" (as he did in the 1928 film, Beggars of Life). But in the 1920's he was one half of one of the most popular comedy teams of the silent era. His screen partner was Raymond Hatton, and together they appeared in a series of so-called service comedies (army, navy, air force, fire department, etc...) which included the now lost smash hit, Now We're in the Air (1927), which also featured Louise Brooks. In Behind the Front (1926, Paramount), Beery and Hatton join the army and head off to France to fight in this WWI comedy directed by Eddie Sutherland (Brooks' one-time husband). The film also features Mary Brian, Richard Arlen, Chester Conklin, and Gertrude Astor (all of whom appeared in a film in which Louise Brooks appeared). This seldom screened silent feature will be preceded by two shorts, One Is Business, the Other Crime (1912, Biograph) with Edwin August and Blanche Sweet, and Pink Pajamas (1929, Mack Sennett) with Billy Bevan and Natalie Joyce (the latter played in A Girl in Every Port).

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Frederick Hodges at the piano
Saturday January 12 at 7:30 pm 

In Power (1928, Pathe), William Boyd and Alan Hale are friends and rivals for the affections of the lovely Jacqueline Logan in this light comedy with wisecracks penned by future director Tay Garnett (best known for The Postman Always Rings Twice). Beauties Joan Bennett and Carole Lombard (who starred in the 1931 film, It Pays to Advertise, which included Brooks in a cameo), are also featured, as is the fluid camerawork of J. Peverell Marley. [See the previous blog entry for a bit more about this film.] The feature will be preceded by the comedic shorts Hale and Hearty (1922, Hal Roach) with Snub Pollard, and Many Scrappy Returns (1927, Hal Roach) with Charley Chase and Eugene Pallette (who was featured in The Canary Murder Case).

 
"Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee"
Sunday January 13 at 4:00 pm

This month's "Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee" is themed "The Sounds of Silents." It's comprised of four late silent short films originally released with Vitaphone soundtracks containing music and sound effects. Each of the four shorts -- Liberty (1928) and Bacon Grabbers (1929) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, and Barnum & Ringling (1928) and Cat, Dog & Company (1929) -- will be screened with their original, vintage soundtracks.


"Comedy Short Subject Night" with Greg Pane at the piano
Saturday January 19 at 7:30 pm

If you love to laugh, then don't miss this monthly program of shorts featuring some of the most famous comedians of the silent film era. On the bill are The Pawnshop (1916, Lone Star) with Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance, The Paleface (1921, Comique) with Buster Keaton, Among Those Present (1921, Rolin) with Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis, and Putting Pants on Philip (1927, Hal Roach) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Judy Rosenberg at the piano
Saturday January 26 at 7:30 pm 

Blanche Sweet and William Russell star in Anna Christie (1923, Ince), the first film adaption of Eugene O'Neill's play about a troubled young woman who comes to live with her estranged father on the New York waterfront. Anna Christie has been remade many times as a film, most famously with Greta Garbo in 1931. This earlier version features Eugenie Besserer, Chester Conklin and Fred Kohler (the latter two actors each appeared in a Brooks' film). The feature will be preceded by two shorts, A Ten-Minute Egg (1924, Hal Roach) with Charley Chase, and The Cry of the Children (1912, Thanhouser), starring future director James Cruze, whose credits include The City Gone Wild, with Kohler and Brooks). This latter short was based on a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

"Mary Pickford Short Film Program" with Bruce Loeb at the piano
Saturday February 2 at 7:30 pm

Looking ahead to February, Niles Essanay celebrates Mary Pickford at the beginning of her career with a selection of her Biograph and IMP films in 35mm prints from the Library of Congress. Christel Schmidt will be on hand to talk about the films and sign copies of her big new book, Mary Pickford: Queen of the Movies (University Press of Kentucky).

For more info: The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is located at 37417 Niles Blvd. in Fremont, California. For further information, call (510) 494-1411 or visit the museum website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/.

December at Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont has a festive December schedule. In time for the holidays, there's the classic Babes in Toyland and the great epic Ben-Hur, as well as a classic Buster Keaton comedy filmed in Northern California, an action-packed Western, and a seldom shown, quirky comedy about a rich, hypochondriac heiress. Each is presented with live musical accompaniment.

Along with their regular "Saturday Night at the Movies" programming, there is also a "Comedy Short Subject Night," and the above mentioned special holiday themed Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee. All together, it is a great month of early cinema in the East Bay. And what's more, a few of the films feature actors or directors who worked with Louise Brooks. Here's what's playing.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Judy Rosenberg at the piano
Saturday December 1  at 7:30 pm

The Great K & A Train Robbery (1926, Fox Film) is an action-packed Western starring Tom Mix, Dorothy Dwan, and Mix's famous horse, Tony. (Future star John Wayne reportedly worked as a property assistant on the film, and also appears as an extra.) The film, based on the story of an actual train robbery, was mostly shot on location in Colorado and is notable for its stunts, action scenes and use of breathtaking locations. This seldom screened feature will be preceded by two shorts, Felix Busts a Bubble (1926, Sullivan) with Felix the Cat, and Mum’s the Word (1926, Roach) with Charley Chase.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Bruce Loeb at the piano
Saturday December 8 at 7:30 pm 

In Feel My Pulse (1928, Paramount), a rich, hypochondriac heiress inherits a sanitarium. What she doesn't know is that it's a front for bootleggers, and a hideout for criminals on the run from the law. Directed by Gregory La Cava, the film stars Bebe Daniels, Richard Arlen and William Powell. (The latter two co-starred in three Louise Brooks films: Arlen in Rolled Stockings and Beggars of Life, Powell in The Canary Murder Case.) This quirky comedy, considered La Cava best silent, will be preceded by two shorts, The Life and Death of 9413, a Hollywood Extra (1928), an experimental short directed by Robert Florey (King of Gamblers, 1937) and photographed by Gregg Toland, and Crazy Like a Fox (1926, Hal Roach), a comedy with Charley Chase.

"Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee"
Sunday December 9 at 4:00 pm

Laurel and Hardy star in Babes in Toyland (1934), a Christmas favorite of storybook characters come to life with Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum battling the evil Barnaby (played by Henry Brandon). Also on the bill are Laughing Gravy (1935) starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, and Our Gang Follies of 1938 (1938), with Our Gang.

"Comedy Short Subject Night" with Judy Rosenberg at the piano
Saturday December 15 at 7:30 pm

If you love to laugh, then don't miss this monthly program of short films featuring some of the most famous comedians of the silent film era. On the bill are His New Job (1915, Essanay) with Charlie Chaplin, The Goat (1921, Comique) with Buster Keaton, High and Dizzy (1920, Rolin) with Harold Lloyd, an Big Business (1929, Hal Roach) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Jon Mirsalis at the Kurzweil
Saturday December 22 at 7:30 pm 

Ramon Novarro (as Judah Ben-Hur) and Francis X. Bush­man (as Messala) lead a big cast of stars (May McAvoy, Betty Bronson, Carmel Myers, Claire McDowell - the latter was featured in the 1926 Louise Brooks film, The Show Off) in Ben-Hur (1925, MGM), Fred Niblo's Biblical epic that rivals and some say surpasses the popular 1959 William Wyler remake. The film is notable for many reasons, especially the chariot race. Ben-Hur marked a comeback for Bush­man, who got his start at the Essanay studio in Chicago.  No shorts will be shown beforehand for this program due to its length. There will also be an intermission.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Frederick Hodges at the piano
Saturday December 29 at 7:30 pm 

Buster Keaton filmed Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928, Buster Keaton Produc­tions), a Mississippi riverboat comedy, in and around Sacramento, California. The film, which includes one of his most famous and dangerous stunts, tells the story of the effete son of a cantankerous riverboat captain who joins his father's crew. This classic feature will be preceded by two shorts, The Stagecoach Driver and the Girl (1915, Selig Polyscope) with Tom Mix, and Fluttering Hearts (1927, Hal Roach) with Charley Chase.

For more info: The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is located at 37417 Niles Blvd. in Fremont, California. For further information, call (510) 494-1411 or visit the Museum's website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/.

September Schedule at Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, California is starting the Fall off right with an eclectic and exciting line-up of films. There is a locally made classic based on a famous story by a one-time San Francisco author, a little seen Jazz Age satire, an early Western, and a non-Western starring an actor best known for his cowboy roles - as well as a selection of early Felix the Cat cartoons. Each features live musical accompaniment.

And that's not all.... There is also the regular Comedy Short Subject Night, a indie film from 2011 described as The Wizard of Oz for dogs, and a Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee. All together, it is another exceptional month of early cinema in the East Bay. Here's what's playing.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Judy Rosenberg at the piano
Saturday, September 1 at 7:30 pm

William S. Hart and Anna Q. Nilsson star in The Toll Gate (1920, William S. Hart Corp.), the first film produced by Hart’s own company. Directed by his frequent collaborator Lambert Hillyer, Hart plays an outlaw on the run from both lawman and his scheming partner’s henchmen. It is a story of betrayal, revenge and repentance. The feature will be preceded by two shorts, Futuritzy (1928, Pat Sullivan) featuring Felix the Cat, and Line’s Busy (1924, Cumberland Productions) with Billy West.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Frederick Hodges at the piano
Saturday, September 8 at 7:30 pm

The myth of D. W. Griffith’s decline as a director following the loss of his production company is disproven in The Battle of the Sexes (1928, Art Cinema Corp.), a comedy/drama of the jazz age featuring a gum-chewing frizzy-haired golddigger, a jazz hound, and a real estate tycoon. The film stars Jean Hersholt, Phyllis Haver, Belle Bennett, Sally O'Neil, and Don Alvarado. The Battle of the Sexes, a film one could easily picture Louise Brooks in, will be preceded by two shorts, Felix Gets the Can (1924, Sullivan) featuring Felix the Cat, and Vacation Waves (1928, Paramount) with Edward Everett Horton.

The Battle of the Sexes (1928, Art Cinema Corp.)

"Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee"
Sunday, September 9 at 4:00 pm

This month's Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee includes one of their classic features, A Chump at Oxford (1938), in which a Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy go to college as a reward for capturing a bank robber, and two comedic shorts, Mush and Milk (1933) with Our Gang, and Scram (1932) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

"Comedy Short Subject Night" with Greg Pane at the piano
Saturday, September 15  at 7:30 pm

Love to laugh? Then don't miss this monthly program featuring some of the most famous comedians of the silent film era. On the bill are The Immigrant (1917, Lone Star) with Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance, I Do (1921, Rolin) with Harold Lloyd, The Scarecrow (1920, Comique) with Buster Keaton, and The Finishing Touch (1928, Hal Roach) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Love to laugh? Then don't miss this monthly program!

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Bruce Loeb at the piano
Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 pm

Based on the famous Bret Harte story, Salomy Jane (1914, California Motion Picture Corp.) tells a story of love, murder, and mistaken identity all of which whirls about its female heroine. The title role is played by Beatriz Michelena, a noted San Francisco singer, who began her film career with Salomy Jane and went on to star in eleven features for the San Rafael-based CMPC between 1914 and 1917. House Peters, William Nigh and an uncredited Jack Holt are also in the cast.

Salomy Jane was first shown at the Edison Theater, the current home of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, on August 30, 1915. This special 2012 screening 105 years later, featuring a 35mm print from the Library of Congress, is co-sponsored by the Anne T. Kent California Room, Marin County Free Library, with assistance from the California Film Institute. The feature will be preceded by two shorts, Felix Dopes It Out (1925, Sullivan) featuring Felix the Cat, and Cactus Nell (1917, Keystone) with Polly Moran and future Oscar winner Wallace Beery (Louise Brooks co-star in two films).

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Jon Mirsalis at the Kurzweil Keyboard
Saturday, September 29 at 7:30 pm

In the little seen Lazybones (1925, Fox Film), Buck Jones departs from his better known cowboy roles in this simple story of a young farmer who raises an abandoned baby. Besides the square jawed Jones (who starred in Empty Saddles, featuring Louise Brooks), the cast also features lovely Madge Bellamy, quirky Zasu Pitts, and Jane Novak - Hart's one time fiancé and the sister of Eva Novak. Credit for a deft handling of material and the film's continuing appeal go to acclaimed director Frank Borzage and renowned writer Frances Marion. Lazybones will be preceded by two shorts, Felix in Love (1922, Sullivan) featuring Felix the Cat, and Gymnasium Jim (1922, Mack Sennett, later reissued as Love’s Intrigue) with Billy Bevan and Mildred June.

Lazybones (1925, Fox Film), Buck Jones

For more info: The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is located at 37417 Niles Blvd. in Fremont, California. For further information, call (510) 494-1411 or visit the Museum's website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/.

Hot August Nights at Niles Essanay with sexy Clara Bow and sultry Evelyn Brent

Things heats up in August at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, California. Known among early film devotees around the world, the venerable museum and theater is set to once again screen rarely shown early feature films (some not available on DVD), along with animated shorts, their regular "Comedy Short Subject Night" and Laurel & Hardy Talkie Matinee. What's causing the heat? How about sexy "It girl" Clara Bow and sultry Evelyn Brent. The latter appeared in two films in which Louise Brooks had a role: Love Em and Leave Em (1926) and King of Gamblers (1937). Here is the line-up for the month.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Judy Rosenberg at the piano
Saturday August 4 at 7:30 pm 

In Dancing Mothers (1926, Paramount), energetic "It girl" Clara Bow steals the show in this jazz age melodrama about societal expectations with a surprise ending. Penned by Edmund Goulding, and directed by Herbert Brenon, Dancing Mothers also features Alice Joyce, Conway Tearle, Donald Keith and Leila Hyams. A tinted version will be shown. The feature will be preceded by two shorts films, the animated Automobile Ride (1921, Bray) with Koko the Clown, and Dad’s Choice (1928, Paramount) with Edward Everett Horton.

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Bruce Loeb at the piano
Saturday August 11 at 7:30 pm 

In Wild Beauty (1927, Universal), crooks attempt to effect the outcome of a horse race in order to take over a ranch - that's if Rex the Wonder Horse can be controlled. Rex, one of the most animal actors of his time, stars here as a wild horse smitten by a thoroughbred rescued from a World War I battlefield. Along with this bit of horse romance, there’s plenty of satisfying racehorse action in this major Universal Jewel production. June Marlowe, who played Miss Crabtree, the teacher in the "Our Gang" comedies, is featured. A tinted print of Wild Beauty will be shown. The feature will be preceded by two shorts films, Felix Wins Out (1923, Sullivan) with Felix the Cat, and Sword Points (1928, Lupino Lane Comedy) with Lupino Lane.

"Laurel and Hardy Talkie Matinee"
Sunday August 12 at 4:00 pm

This month's Laurel and Hardy Talkie Matinee features four comedic shorts, Them Thar Hills (1934) and Tit for Tat (1935), each with Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Mae Busch, and Forgotten Babies (1933) and For Pete’s Sake (1934), with Our Gang. 

"Comedy Short Subject Night" with Bruce Loeb at the piano
Saturday August 18 at 7:30 pm

Love to laugh? Then don't miss this  monthly program which features some of the most famous comedians of the silent era. On the bill are The Adventurer (1917, Lone Star) with Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance, Cops (1922, Buster Keaton) with Buster Keaton, Number Please (1920, Rolin) with Harold Lloyd, and Bacon Grabbers (1929, Hal Roach) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. 

"Saturday Night at the Movies" with Frederick Hodges at the piano
Saturday August 25 at 7:30 pm 

One of the surprise hits of the recently concluded San Francisco Silent Film Festival was Josef von Sternberg's The Docks of New York (1928). The director's atmospheric story of hapless souls straight out of a police line-up was downbeat, but moody and appealing. Add a dash of danger, and the same can be said for Underworld (1927, Paramount). Solid performances by George Bancroft, Clive Brook and sultry Evelyn Brent along with the sure directing hand of von Sternberg makes this gangster melodrama a classic. Preceding the feature are two shorts, the animated Cartoon Factory (1924, Out of the Inkwell) with Koko the Clown, and Limousine Love (1928, Roach) with Charley Chase.

For more info: The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is located at 37417 Niles Blvd. in Fremont, California. For further information, call (510) 494-1411 or visit the Museum's website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/.