Happy birthday Buster Keaton!

Happy birthday to Buster Keaton, who was born on this day in 1895 in Piqua, Kansas. The great comedian was held in high esteem by fellow Kansas native, Louise Brooks. She once said,

"Since childhood I have thought Buster Keaton's the most beautiful face of any man I have ever seen." To celebrate, here are four rare pages from a 1928 Japanese film magazine. 

 

Louise Brooks in late 1920's Japan - clippings in need of translation

I am continuing to explore the presence of Louise Brooks and her films abroad. And recently, I came across some material in a vintage Japanese movie magazine. The first image clearly names Louise Brooks, but I am wondering what it says about the actress. Can anyone translate of give a rough idea of what it says? It dates from 1928.

I also came across this bit from late 1928, which mentions Pandora's Box. Can anyone translate of give a rough idea of what it says?

This 1928 clipping caught my eye because it apparently depicts Ayn Rand. I don't have any interest in Rand, but am curious to know what this clipping says. I do know that Rand saw The American Venus while still living in the Soviet Union. Can anyone translate of give a rough idea of what it says? Thank you to anyone who can help.

Pandora's Box screens in Albany, NY

Pandora's Box (1929), starring Louise Brooks, will be shown on October 13th at 7:00 pm at the Madison Theater in Albany, New York as part of a series put on by the Pine Hills Film Colony. Each film will be introduced by Michael Butler and a special guest through a fun 'talk-show' like chat. Call 518-729-4957 or email Michael Butler lvnp@nycap.rr.com for more information. Additional details HERE.

Louise Brooks and other stars celebrated in Bologna

Louise Brooks is the cover girl for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the IL CINEMA RITROVATO de Bologne. For more information please visit THIS LINK. The celebration runs through October 18, 2016.

According to the  IL CINEMA RITROVATO website: "Il Cinema Ritrovato is turning thirty this year. It’s been thirty long and yet fast years: memories of our first pioneering editions, when brave film archivists would bring their treasures to our historic, single-screen Lumière theater, are still fresh in our mind. Today it takes five screens to show all the films and Piazza Maggiore can hardly contain our increasingly international, enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience. We want to celebrate our festival with all the love and warmth it deserves, and toast with gratitude to all those who contributed to make Il Cinema Ritrovato grow so rapidly and impetuously and to be recognized and cherished around the world. And so we will celebrate, in every theater with all the archivists, critics, historians, artists, film-lovers and friends who will join us to present their work, share experiences and simply watch films. We will celebrate with our time-machine journey, back to 1896 and from there across the entire 20th century; and with a space machine that will take us on a journey across European, Latin-American, US, Asian and African films. This year’s edition will be full of certainties and surprises: eight days of screenings in five theaters, from morning till night; eight nights in the world’s most extraordinary cinema in the world, Piazza Maggiore, and three in the magic intimacy of Piazzetta Pasolini; over four hundred films and twenty programs; over a hundred and fifty silent films with live music accompaniment and talented composers."

Louise Brooks (and other silent era stars) in Latvia #2

A continuation of yesterday's post... I was recently looking through a Latvian film magazine, and found some Louise Brooks and silent film star related material. All of it dates circa 1927 to 1929. Here are a couple of fantastic magazine covers featuring Fritz Lang and Sally Phipps. I especially like the caricatures.

Louise Brooks (and other silent era stars) in Latvia #1

I was recently looking through a Latvian film magazine, and found some Louise Brooks and silent film star related material. All of it dates circa 1927 to 1929. Here are a couple of images of Brooks, followed by some nifty magazine covers. The first image, with the poem, is a full page in the original. Can anyone translate the poem? The second image is from A Girl in Every Port, followed by covers featuring Clara Bow and Esther Ralston. [I will post some even more spectacular silent film magazine covers tomorrow.]

Pandora's Box screens in Palo Alto September 23

Pandora's Box (1929)

Friday, September 23 at 7:30 pm at the Stanford Theater.
Silent, with Dennis James at the organ.

 

Taken from plays by Frank Wedekind, here is one of the greatest of silent films, and a seminal step in the history of the femme fatale. The Viennese director, G.W. Pabst, hired Louise Brooks away from Paramount to be Lulu, the fierce life force, dancing her way through a gallery of feeble men on her way to a meeting with Jack the Ripper. The film is loaded with Freudian insight into self-destructive behavior, but Brooks delivers a performance that remains a landmark in terms of emotional and sexual energy. Her acting career was soon over, but Lulu endures, a challenging model of cinematic seduction.—David Thomson