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.