R.I.P. film historian John Bengtson

I am saddened to learn of the passing of John Bengtson, a business lawyer, film historian, author and longtime friend. John was also a friend to the Louise Brooks Society. Back in 2018, we collaborated on John's three-part look W.C. Fields and the 1926 Louise Brooks' film It's the Old Army Game: “It’s The Old Army Game – W.C. Fields and Louise Brooks in Ocala Florida – Part One“ -- “W.C. Fields in Palm Beach – It’s the Old Army Game” --  “It’s The Old Army Game – W.C. Fields and Louise Brooks Bring Magazines to Life”.

Here is a snapshot from one of the many San Francisco Silent Film Festivals we attended. That's me (left), Suzanne Lloyd (Harold Lloyd's granddaughter), and John Bengtson.

I am a BIG admirer of John's groundbreaking books, each of which look at location shooting of their subjects. John's three books are Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton (1999), Silent Traces: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Charlie Chaplin (2006), and Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York Through the Films of Harold Lloyd (2011). Each are highly recommended. If you have an interest in Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin or Harold Lloyd, you must (and likely already do) own one of these books. 

 

Though not an academic or archivist affiliated with an institution, John was nevertheless a great film historian. I say that because I always found him to be both enthusiastic and generous in sharing information (his deep dive original research), as well as in sharing his time. Once, he even took the time to give me some free legal advice. John, you are missed.

Here is a piece I wrote about John back in 2011. I recall he was pleased to have been referred to as a silent film archeologist.

 

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