The reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of Blazing Days at SFSFF 2026 An excerpt from The Hollywood Posse: The Story of a Gallant Band of Horsemen Who Made Movie History by Diana Serra Cary describing here in vivid detail how studios found former cowboys like her dad, Jack … [Read more...] about Cowboys in Camera Range
The Style of the Export Film
Is there really a particular style that we can designate as the “style of the export film”? Novices and amateurs in film production receive kindhearted advice from all sides: “They won’t understand that in America!” “This could be embarrassing to a Scandinavian!” “That will not relate to the … [Read more...] about The Style of the Export Film
The Public’s Pleasure
Reprinted in conjunction with the screening of The Black Pirate at SFSFF 2024 Now one thing never to be lost sight of in considering the cinema is that it exists for the purpose of pleasing women. Three out of every four of all cinema audiences are women. I suppose all successful novels and plays … [Read more...] about The Public’s Pleasure
Schertzinger Trots Out a Few New Ideas in Shots
This historical reprint was published in conjunction with the screening of Forgotten Faces at A Day of Silents 2023 Except where cuts are used to increase tempo, there should be as few of them in a picture as possible. That is something so obvious that it always should have been part of the … [Read more...] about Schertzinger Trots Out a Few New Ideas in Shots
“Glad-Eyes Brockwell”
Reprinted in conjunction with the screening of Stella Maris at SFSFF 2023 If the land of calcium and make-believe is one of unending fascination for you. If you have ever hung around a railroad station watching for the “opery house” troupe to arrive; if as a child you harbored a desire to be one … [Read more...] about “Glad-Eyes Brockwell”
Through the Johnstown Flood by a Survivor
Reprinted in conjunction with the screening of The Johnstown Flood at SFSFF 2023 From 2 o’clock until 4 o’clock the water seemed to rise slowly; in fact, it was slightly falling, when at 10 minutes after 4, a great avalanche rushed upon us. I had been in my study, on the first floor, preparing … [Read more...] about Through the Johnstown Flood by a Survivor
Dueling Critiques
Reprinted in conjunction with the screening of The Iron Mask at SFSFF 2023 DOUG TALKS A LITTLE IN LOVELESS FILM Motion Picture News This is the first time in years the public in New York has gotten a chance to leap right up to the box office and get a load of Doug Fairbanks in a new picture at … [Read more...] about Dueling Critiques
A Billion-Dollar Cast
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