This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of Foolish Wives at SFSFF 2022. Erich von Stroheim, clad in the bemedaled uniform of His Grace, Count Sergius Karamzin, and with the California sunshine bringing beads of uncountly perspiration to his brow, stood on a bench … [Read more...] about A Billion-Dollar Cast
Woman’s Place in Photoplay Production
This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of the Woman with a Movie Camera program at A Day of Silents 2019 It has long been a source of wonder to me that many women have not seized upon the wonderful opportunities offered to them by the motion picture art to make … [Read more...] about Woman’s Place in Photoplay Production
What Arbuckle Says…
This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the program of Roscoe Arbuckle short films—Fatty + Buster—at A Day of Silents 2019 “I make up my own plays. I don’t write them. I make them up as I go along. By the time I’m through I have about 15,000 feet of film—and all I need is 2,000 … [Read more...] about What Arbuckle Says…
Low Comedy As a High Art
This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of Kings of (Silent) Comedy at Silent Winter 2013 "THAT'S the one thing that I dread,” Buster told me sadly. “I dread the day when we won’t find another new wheeze to wrap up, when all the gags will have been sprung, when … [Read more...] about Low Comedy As a High Art
Letter from Location
This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of The Signal Tower at SFSFF 2019 Northspur, Mendocino County, California 1924 letter sent to Picture-Play magazine Dear Myrtle: Well, I guess I’m “farthest North,” as they say in books; just about as deep into the … [Read more...] about Letter from Location
A Letter from Location
This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of Mare Nostrum at SFSFF 2018 Dear Myrtle, I have started to write you several times during the four months I have been here with the “Mare Nostrum” company, but something has always interrupted. Nice was a pleasant … [Read more...] about A Letter from Location
How I Filmed Nanook of the North
This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of Nanook of the North at SFSFF 2016 The Walrus Hunt As luck would have it the first film to be made was the walrus hunt. From Nanook, I first heard of the “Walrus Island” which is a small island far out at sea and … [Read more...] about How I Filmed Nanook of the North
Half-an-Hour with Houdini: The Expert of Extrication
This historical piece was reprinted in conjunction with the screening of The Grim Game at A Day of Silents 2015. It originally appeared in the March 20, 1920, edition of The Picture Show, which began publication in May 1919. “Danger does not mean anything to me; I was just born without the … [Read more...] about Half-an-Hour with Houdini: The Expert of Extrication