A cinephilac blog about an actress, silent film, and the Jazz Age, with occasional posts
about related books, music, art, and history written by Thomas Gladysz. Visit the
Louise Brooks Society™ at www.pandorasbox.com
Monday, March 6, 2017
Guest Post: Philip Vorwald on Louise Brooks' Sordid Affair
This blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society™. Launched in 1995, the Louise Brooks Society is a pioneering website and online archive devoted to the legendary silent film star. The Louise Brooks Society operates with the consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CONTACT: louisebrookssociety (at) gmail.com
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Diary of a Lost Girl shows March 5th in Rosendale, New York
The historic Rosendale Theatre is a three-story, 260-seat movie theater and performance venue in Rosendale Village, a hamlet and former village in the town of Rosendale in Ulster County, New York. The building was opened as a casino in 1905, and began showing films in the 1920s. By the 1930s, a stage had been installed for live vaudeville and burlesque acts. In 1949, the venue was converted back into a movie theater. Today, the theater is run by the Rosendale Theatre Collective.
If you are wondering about Brooksian triangulation... the closest she came to Rosendale back in the day was Poughkeepsie, when she danced there as a member of the Denishawn Dance Company. Later in life, of course, Brooks lived in Rochester, New York.
Diary of a Lost Girl may well be making its debut in Rosendale. The 1929 film, directed by Georg W. Pabst (not Joseph Pabst), was the second Brooks made in Germany, following Pandora's Box. Controversial in its day, and poorly regarded, the film was not shown in the United States until the 1950s. Those screenings took place in Rochester, at the George Eastman House, under the eye of James Card, the museum's film curator. Diary of a Lost Girl made its theatrical debut in the early 1980s. More about the film and its eventful history can be found HERE.
A bit of trivia: In 1961, acclaimed director John Huston was beginning work on a biopic about Sigmund Freud. In an archive of correspondence about the film, Huston’s longtime assistant Ernie Anderson wrote to the director that Freud had no direct involvement with the making of Diary of a Lost Girl.
This blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society™. Launched in 1995, the Louise Brooks Society is a pioneering website and online archive devoted to the legendary silent film star. The Louise Brooks Society operates with the consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CONTACT: louisebrookssociety (at) gmail.com
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Announcing Early Women Filmmakers Set on Blu-ray/DVD
This blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society™. Launched in 1995, the Louise Brooks Society is a pioneering website and online archive devoted to the legendary silent film star. The Louise Brooks Society operates with the consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CONTACT: louisebrookssociety (at) gmail.com
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Louise Brooks on the cover of Amateur Photographer magazine
A Louise Brooks look-alike adorns the current issue of Amateur Photographer, a UK magazine.
The cover story focuses on recreating the iconic black-and-white Eugene Richee photograph of Brooks holding a long, single strand of pearls.
This single image is, without doubt, the best known image of the actress and in its own right, one of the most famous images of a silent film star.
Which ever amateur photographer took this picture, it looks like they did a pretty good job. More information at www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/
The cover story focuses on recreating the iconic black-and-white Eugene Richee photograph of Brooks holding a long, single strand of pearls.
This single image is, without doubt, the best known image of the actress and in its own right, one of the most famous images of a silent film star.
Which ever amateur photographer took this picture, it looks like they did a pretty good job. More information at www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/
Amateur Photographer magazine is the
world's best-selling, longest-running consumer weekly photographic
magazine, first published in October 1884. Since then, AP (as it is
affectionately known to its readers) has been the bible for both amateur
and professional photo-enthusiasts around the world. It has helped
generations of photographers to improve their skills.
It's packed with News, Reviews, Techniques, Stunning Reader and
Professional images, together with camera collector features and
comments. Secondhand equipment is promoted in every issue - it's a
photography magazine not to be missed!
This blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society™. Launched in 1995, the Louise Brooks Society is a pioneering website and online archive devoted to the legendary silent film star. The Louise Brooks Society operates with the consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CONTACT: louisebrookssociety (at) gmail.com
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Tomorrow: It's the Old Army Game with Louise Brooks shows in Kansas
The 2017 Kansas Silent Film Festival starts tomorrow! And among the special guests are Dr. Harriet Fields, who will be talking about her grandfather W. C. Fields, when the festival shows the 1926 W. C. Fields / Louise Brooks film, It's the Old Army Game. More information about the event can be found HERE.
Feature introduced by Denise Morrison with Dr. Harriet Fields
Overture and Opening Titles by Marvin Faulwell, organ, and Bob Keckeisen, percussion
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Feature introduced by Dr. Harriet Fields
FREE ADMISSION for all showings
Fri.
Feb. 24, 2017, 7:30-10:00
p.m.
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
Overture and Opening Titles, music by Ben Model, guest performer
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
The Noon Whistle
18 min. |
(1923)
|
with Stan Laurel —Music by Marvin Faulwell, organ, and Bob Keckeisen, percussion |
Crazy Like a Fox
25 min. |
(1926)
|
with Charlie Chase, Oliver Hardy —Music by Jeff Rapsis on piano |
Feature introduced by Denise Morrison with Dr. Harriet Fields
It's the Old Army Game
77 min. |
(1926)
|
with W.C. Fields / Louise Brooks —Music score by Ben Model, guest performer |
Sat. Feb. 25, 2017, 9:00 a.m.-Noon
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
Overture & Short Opening Titles by Jeff Rapsis
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
Overture & Short Opening Titles by Jeff Rapsis
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Film Documentary
60 min. |
A special presentation by KSFF | |
Koko's Cartoon Factory
8 min. |
(1925)
|
Animation by Max Fleischer —Music by Marvin Faulwel |
Adventures of Helen—
Episode 1: The Wild Engine 20 min. |
(1919)
|
with Helen Holmes —Music by Marvin Faulwell |
The Adventures of Prince Achmed
65 min. |
(1926)
|
Cartoon Feature tinted in Color —Music score by Jeff Rapsis |
Lunch
Break (on your own), resuming at 1:00 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 25, 2017, 1:30-5:15 p.m.
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
Overature & Short Opening Titles by Marvin Faulwell
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Sat. Feb. 25, 2017, 1:30-5:15 p.m.
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
Overature & Short Opening Titles by Marvin Faulwell
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
The Boat
21 min. |
(1921)
|
with Buster Keaton —Music by Marvin Faulwell |
Barbed Wire
67 min. |
(1927)
|
with Pola Negri—Music by Marvin Faulwell |
Intermission
Short Overature by Jeff Rapsis
Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Dinner
Short Overature by Jeff Rapsis
Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
The Cardinal's Conspiracy
11 min. |
(1909)
|
directed by D.W. Griffith —Music by Jeff Rapsis |
When Knighthood Was in Flower
120 min. |
(1922)
|
with Marion Davies* —Music by Ben Model, guest performer (*not set yet. This will be a newly-available title and Ben Model is spearheading its restoration) |
Dinner
Special Dinner Event, Our Ninth Annual
CINEMA-DINNER, Seating begins @ 5:15 p.m. Dinner: 5:15-7:00 p.m.
Music by TBA
Speaker will be Dr. Harriet Fields, granddaughter of W.C. Fields
— This event is by reservation only. Dinner is $35. Contact us to reserve your space —
|
Sat. Feb. 25, 2017, 7:30-10:00 p.m.
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
@ White Concert Hall, Washburn University
Overture and Opening Titles by Marvin Faulwell, organ, and Bob Keckeisen, percussion
Welcome and Intros by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Be Reasonable!
20 min. |
(1921)
|
with Mack Sennett / Billy Bevin —Music by Jeff Rapsis |
Maid in Morocco
20 min. |
(1925)
|
with Lupino Lane —Music by Ben Model |
Feature introduced by Dr. Harriet Fields
So's Your Old Man
67 min. |
(1926)
|
with W.C. Fields —Music by Marvin Faulwell, organ, and Bob Keckeisen, percussion |
This blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society™. Launched in 1995, the Louise Brooks Society is a pioneering website and online archive devoted to the legendary silent film star. The Louise Brooks Society operates with the consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CONTACT: louisebrookssociety (at) gmail.com
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
New opera with Louise Brooks inspired character debuts in Chicago
The Invention of Morel, a new 90 minute opera with a Louise Brooks inspired character, has received its world premiere at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois under the auspices of the city's Chicago Opera Theater. Additional information on the production can be found here.
The Invention of Morel is a music theater adaptation of the 1940 novella by Adolfo Bioy Casares. The score is by Stewart Copeland (the co-founder and drummer for the Police), with stage direction by the English actor-writer Jonathan Moore. Copeland and Moore collaborated on the libretto. The opera was commissioned by the Long Beach Opera and Chicago Opera Theater. (Excerpts from The Invention of Morel were performed as part of the New Opera Showcase, presented by OPERA America and NOVUS NY orchestra on January 18, 2016, at Trinity Wall Street.)
The opera features "wonderfully alluring" Valerie Vinzant as Faustine, and Andrew Wilkowske as the Fugitive. Baritone Lee Gregory is the Narrator (the id of the Fugitive), and tenor Nathan Granner is Morel. Kimberly E. Jones played Dora, Barbara Landis is the Duchess, Scott Brunscheen is Alec/Ombrellieri, and David Govertsen is Stoever. The set designer is Alan Muraoka, lighting designer is David Martin Jacques, the video designer is Adam Flemming, and Jenny Mannis is costume designer.
courtesy of Chicago Opera Theater |
The full opera debuted in Chicago on February 18th. In it's reviews, the Chicago Sun-Times described the work as "the alternately unnerving nightmare and beautiful fever dream of a man on the run who sees no hope for his future until he conjures a relationship with an enigmatic woman," adding "Invention of Morel deftly balances period charm with a contemporary sense of artificial reality." The Chicago Tribune said it was "a brilliant piece of musical surrealism, 4 stars."
Casares' La invención de Morel is widely considered the first literary work of magical realism (predating the kindred fiction of Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and others). It features a character named Faustine who was inspired by the author's affection for Louise Brooks. Casares said as much in interviews in later years. Those facts are seemingly not lost on the designers of the opera, who have modeled their Faustine characters after Brooks' appearance, especially her signature bob.
courtesy of Chicago Opera Theater |
Though not as well known as it should be, The Invention of Morel has had a unique, lingering resonance. throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Casares’ book was made into a French movie called L’invention de Morel (1967), and an Italian movie called L’invenzione di Morel (1974). It is also believed to have inspired the Alain Resnais’ film Last Year At Marienbad (1961), which was adopted for the screen by the French novelist Alain Robbe-Grillet. Brooks herself ended up on the cover of a recent edition of Casares’ book, which in turn was given a shout-out on television series Lost (2004 – 2010).
Notably, this is not the first time a contemporary opera singer has been modeled after Brooks, (a one-time Chicago resident). Witness William Kentridge's recent staging of Alban Berg's opera, Lulu, where the appearance of the Lulu character was meant to evoke the actress. The source material for both operas, of course, bear a relationship to Brooks as well, as Brooks starred as Lulu in a 1929 film adaption of Frank Wedekind’s earlier play, Pandora's Box. [The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra staging of William Kentridge’s production of Lulu was recently released on DVD / Blu-ray on the Nonesuch label.]
The Chicago Tribune noted: “As the Fugitive (forcefully sung and acted by baritone Andrew Wilkowske) falls desperately in love with a mysterious beauty who's one of Morel's guests, the symbolically named Faustine (a character inspired by the 1920s film star Louise Brooks), we see the Narrator (the excellent baritone Lee Gregory) pouring his confusion and fears into a diary. He tries to catch her attention and persuade her to return his longing, but she remains as remote as the rest.”
courtesy of Chicago Opera Theater |
About the opera, the Chicago Opera Theater wrote, "This world premiere opera is based on "La
invención de Morel," a 1940 novel by the influential Argentine author,
Adolfo Bioy Casares. The story for this opera does not live within the
classic constructs of time and space, but instead explores powerful
driving forces of human emotion: love, desire, and sacrifice. . . . An escaped fugitive arrives on an isolated,
strange island. While exploring his surroundings, he observes a group
of tourists and quickly realizes something is not quite right in this paradise.
Intrigued yet wary of these eccentric visitors, he begins to fall
in love with one--a strikingly beautiful woman. He discovers these
visitors are here at the invitation of Morel, a mad scientific genius,
for the unveiling of his latest mysterious invention. When his heart
pulls him helplessly toward this beautiful woman he must ask himself how
much he is willing to sacrifice to be with her."
Chicago Opera Theater's world-premiere production of Stewart Copeland's "The Invention of Morel," conducted by Andreas Mitisek, continues through February 26 at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., in Chicago, Illinois. Tickets are $39-$125; more information at 312-704-8414 and www.cot.org. Here is a short animated piece summarizing the story.
a variant on this piece was published in the Huffington Post
This blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society™. Launched in 1995, the Louise Brooks Society is a pioneering website and online archive devoted to the legendary silent film star. The Louise Brooks Society operates with the consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CONTACT: louisebrookssociety (at) gmail.com
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