Silents Under the Stars Streaming Live

There is a lot of good and great silent movies and related content streaming live "these days," by which I mean during the coronavirus pandemic. Previously, I have written about the Cineteca Milano, and how they had made the Louise Brooks film, Prix de beaute, available to stream online - the rare 1930 Italian version, no less! What a treat!

I have also blogged about the ongoing “The Silent Comedy Watch Party”, more info about that can be found HERE. The Silent Comedy Watch Party is a weekly live-streamed silent film show with live piano accompaniment. The show is co-hosted by film historian Steve Massa and silent film accompanist Ben Model. The shows streams live on Sunday afternoons at 3pm EDT on YouTube, free of charge. Each episode presents three slapstick comedy shorts from the silent film era, accompanied live by Ben Model on piano. The films are around 10-14 minutes apiece, and each is given a brief introduction with points of interest related to the performers and the film.

Now comes word of another special event, a live streaming of the annual Silents Under the Stars event from Southern California. The 2020 happening, which marks the event's 33 season, will be held on Vimeo, a video platform much like YouTube. This year, Silents Under the Stars goes virtual with what promises to be a very special program. This year's event will be streamed via Vimeo and YouTube on July 19 at 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern at https://vimeo.com/event/140277  AND, it will be re-streamed via Vimeo and YouTube on July 26 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern, 6pm London and 7pm Paris at ​https://vimeo.com/437915430

The main attraction is THE DEADLIER SEX (1920) starring Blanche Sweet, Mahlon Hamilton and in his first featured role, Boris Karloff. Directed by Robert Thornby, released March 28, 1920, and distributed by Pathe. Shot in Truckee, California, with a running time of 56:53 minutes.

Screening in time to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote (August 18, 1920), THE DEADLIER SEX is a boardroom battle of the sexes between the daughter of a railroad magnate who kidnaps her business rival – taking him to the wilderness to save her father’s company and show him that money can’t buy everything. Blanche Sweet stars in this silent comedy with Boris Karloff in his first featured role! Musical arrangements and performances by Michael D. Mortilla.

Boris Karloff is a favorite actor, and I am really looking forward to seeing both THE DEADLIER SEX and LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD, from 1927 (the first year of Brooks' time in Hollywood). I am also looking forward to hearing what the special guests have to say!