Held February 24 & 25, 2012, at White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus, Topeka, Kansas.

2012 PROMO | PROGRAM | NOTES | KSFF HOME |

Fifteenth Annual Kansas Silent Film Festival

 

Event photos are provided courtesy of
Larry Stendebach,Karl Mischler,
Greg Foreman
&
Carol Yoho.


Sally Simpson, St. Louis, MO:

For us, the silent classics are special. Our first date was to the Webster University's showing of "The Girl With The Hat Box" nearly 2.5 years ago. Now, we plan our trip to Topeka, KS from St. Louis, MO each and every year for the KS Silent Film Festival. We love attending the festival because it reminds us of how we both came together, and of course of our love and respect for the silent genre of movies. Thanks once again for all that you and the others involved do to put this festival together each year.


Jim Rhodes, KSFF Founder, Topeka:

Just wanted to tell you what a great festival you directed this year! Without the help of everyone working together I know it would not have been possible. What a great team we've recruited over a 16 year period! And thanks to each of you for doing your part. Now it's on to the 17th one!!! Thanks.

Just this past weekend's festival was another great adventure into silent film revival!


Jeff Rapsis, N.H.:

A really interesting group of films (some familiar classics, some I'd never seen before), a wonderful variety of live music, and large audiences—it all contributed to recreating the magic that caused people to first fall in love with the movies.

Congratulations to everyone who worked to make this another great Kansas Silent Film Festival. It's a wonderful event with its own traditions and experiences and lore, and I hope it continues for a long time.


Johnny & Lois Bailey
St. Louis, MO:

My wife and I attended our first KSFF event this past weekend—you all did a great job. Music, films and enthusiasm of all made it an enjoyable experience which we hope to repeat.


Jay & Jane Mathisrud, Minneapolis, MN:

We enjoyed the selection of films this year. Music was outstanding as well. Hope to visit again next year!


Kristen Sales, L.A., CA:

I adored my time at the KSSF! In all honesty, I thought it was a really well-run festival, with a nice balance between education and entertainment. Everyone was so nice! It's always a pleasure to be around film people who share the same interests and can actually talk intelligently about things. I'm working on my write-up of the festival right now and will definitely tweet that up when it's all finished. Thanks for rolling out the red carpet for me. Schedule permitting (fingers crossed!), I'd love to come back next year.


Jason Boles:
Kansas City, MO:

Just a quick note to say job well done on the 2012 KSFF. It was my first time attending and I thought it was simply fantastic! I look forward to attending time and time again.


Jackie Gfeller,
Brock, NE:

Well, the dust is probably settling by now, and I wanted to give you time to catch your breath to tell you that we all truly enjoyed our experience again this year. Our 'first-timers' that we brought with us have become new addicts as well. I think we might have 8 next year, but will know that for sure when we get closer!

...5 stars and 10 thumbs up on the KSFF. Enjoyed it again and already lining up our group for next year!

God Bless you and all the wonderful staff of volunteers that make this weekend possible.


I checked out the website last night, and the recap is up! It was fun to review the pics and see familiar faces, and the joy of the event ON those faces. I know it is a lot of work for all of you, but your hard work gives such joy to so many people. I am so blessed that I discovered the Silent Film Festival. It has added a whole new dynamic to my life. Please tell all the volunteers how much their hard work is appreciated!


Gladys Grisel,
Topeka, KS:

I wanted you to know how much we enjoyed ourselves and how much we appreciate everything you and your committee does to make it such a success. Because of other plans we were unable to attend any of the Saturday day time showings. However we were happy to know we had not missed it completely with the showing of the Laural and Stanly short on Saturday night. As always the dinner was delicious. Loved everything.



Jeff Rapsis 2012 KSFF blog.

Visit Greg Foreman's photos of 2012 KSFF [on Facebook, requires login.]

Visit Carol Yoho's photos of 2012 KSFF. [Carol constructed this page, photo collage and KSFF logo.]

Special thanks to these major donors for help with the 2012 festival:
Washburn University
KWTU, PBS

Media Links

Read "Festival to feature
first sci-fi flick
,"

by
Bill Blankenship, Topeka Capital-Journal

Read "Silent film interest revived by new movies,"
by
Bill Blankenship, Topeka Capital-Journal

 

 

 

Set-up

Work began on Friday, Feb. 24, with the set-up of the audiorium and lobby spaces. Organ rehursals were a part. Staff gathered and worked together.

Quiet lobby, White Concert Hall, Washburn UniversityLyle helps, yet once again, in installing our KSFF banner at the concert hall entrancePhil Figgs and Bill Shaffer work out details
Rodney Sauer practices for his first Kansas performance with an accordianMarvin Faulwell practices organ accompaniment2012 Academy Awards were the evening AFTER our eventThe Artist, a 2011 silent film, winner of the 2012 Academy Award for Best PictureSilent film jewelry was available for purchase
Display case, 1 of 3Display case, 2 of 3Display case, 3 of 3Display concerning renovation of Topeka's Jayhawk Theater

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On-stage Talent

Dr. Jerry Farley welcomes KSFF to Washburn UniversityDenise Morrison, film historian, introduces moviesMarvin Faulwell at the organGetting ready for an evening performance
Greg Foreman plays for Pigs Is PigsBob Keckeisen played percussion for several filmsGreg Foreman did matinee films at the piano
Members of Mont Alto Motion Picture OrchestraMagic hands, Jeff Rapsis and Greg ForemanGreg Foreman played piano for films and intermissions
Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra in performanceCurtain call, Bob Keckeisen and Marvin FaulwellGreg Foreman at curtain call
Phil Figgs on pianoGreg and Jeff, hanging out in the lobbyMarvin Faulwell in performance
Denise introducing filsmSaturday evening's final curtain call for musiciansBob and Marvin take a bow

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Lobby Activity

Chatting, displays, DVD sales, comment boxes, freebies, fund-raising auction, and occasional free cookies and punch. All events free.

Friday evening arrivalFriday evening intermissionEnjoying the silent auctionAdmiring posters
KSFF welcomes feedbackJim Reid, from Texas, takes a break with Rick Every, projectionistchatting movies
Exiting the auditoriumRepresentatives of the Jayhawk Theater restoration projectUsed film book sales benefit non-profit KSFFAnother exit
Phil Figgs winds the VictrolaKarl  Mischler of New York CityThe VictrolaEarly a.m. Saturday
Way Down East poster and free stuffKristen Sales and Trevor JostPhil Figgs and Melody Foreman
Lobby break timePhil demonstrates the CharlestonMorning break
Free cookies and punchVolunteers help with cookies and punchMore free cookies and punchCookies and punch served Saturday afternoon
Waiting line, free treats, Saturday afternoon breakJupiter and Venus shine in the night skyMont Alto packed for travel

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4th Annual Cinema Dinner

This event did have a cost, all to the good of the festival.


Table of guests ATable of guests BBill Shaffer with Chapline door prizeDinner music by harpist
Moon dessertDinner trinkets, Trip to the Moon paperweightsBill Shaffer with Man in the Moon doorprizeBrian with paperweight
Richard helps himself to the buffetMarvin Fauwell speaks of musical accompimentGreg Foreman speaks of musical accompaniimentRodney Sauer speaks of musical accompaniment
Rich and his dinner plateMarvin's friend Bill Beningfield with doorprizeKellee Pratt in a lovelly hatEnid with doorprize
Baby impersonates BusterMan in the Moon sculpture was door prize won by Vergil Noble

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Fans

Steadfast fans are our backbone of support, from as far away as Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, California, Texas and Minnesota...and all points in-between. Thanks go to all Kansas Silent Film Festival Fans!

Rick plus retired machaniistTrevor Jost from Newton, KSKristen Sales Jane Bartholomew and Jim LoehrPhil and ____Rodney and Nancy SauerInge and Bill BeningfieldGreg Foreman with friendsHarris & Shevie Winitz, friends of Doug MooreBarbara Ryan, Bill Shaffer and ________
Denise, ____, _____, Carol, Cookie and JohnGreg, ___, ___, MelodieAgain, Mr. and Mrs. Sauer
Speical friends of Greg'sLarry Sangels, left, and his group from NewtonLouise Langberg
Carol speaks with JohnTrevor Jost, Phil Figgs and Regan MurrayBarbara Lerma and Larry StendebachJohn and Larry
Bill and fanJune Windscheffel and Carol YohoKarl Mischler, from N.Y.C.Stan, Joe Hoefle, Sally Simpson and Ollie

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Staff

Bill Shaffer, Our Fearless Leader, with Denise Morrison, hostess and film historianGreg Foreman, musical accompanimentJim Rhodes and Melodie ForemanBill with his Chaplin tieKSFF co-founder Jim Rhodes
Lyle Waring, auditorium managerMarvin and Mary Faulwell. Marvin does organ accompanimentKarl Mischler and Jane Bartholomew are usually behind the KSFF tablesKarl and his enormous, impressive cameraKarl shows his large, impressive camera to Melanie Lawrence, Cinema Dinner coordinator
Enid Enid and Larry Enid with Phil Figgs, volunteer coordinator and music entertainerEnid, Larry and Jane
Marge and Regan MurrayMelanie Lawrence, Cinema Dinner coordinatorRick Every, projectionistMarge and Regan Murray

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Volunteers

Volunteer ANancy LawrenceNancy Lawrence 2Zandra Myrick
Volunteer DVolunteers E, with Phil FiggsRichard Allen Brown
Jim and AnnabelCarol and hubbie

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Meals Out

Raj Gupta with Best Western  hospitalityFriday evening party fpr participantsRich and food
Early arrivalsEarly arrivals dessertJeff Rapsis with Bobo's apple pieBobo's apple pie
Bill Shaffer with breakfastHanging around after the festivalForcing themselves into saying "goodbye" until next February

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