Except for Opening Night at the Jayhawk, this event is free and open to the public. The KSFF is underwritten by donations. This program is subject to change.
Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016
@ Jayhawk Theatre,
720 SW Jackson St., Topeka, KS
TICKETED EVENT: LIMITED SEATING
This is a special ticketed event in cooperation with the Jayhawk Theatre with limited seating of 120 seats. Your $15 ticket includes a tour of the Jayhawk, our film program and treats. ...or...
or...this SPECIAL DEAL for KSFF fans...
Enjoy the Jayhawk Tour and Feature Film for $10 — add the KSFF Dinner Event for $35. TOTAL PACKAGE @ $45., a savings of $10. Send checks or money orders for tickets to:
KSFF, P.O. Box 2032, Topeka, KS 66601
Doors open @ 6:00 PM Come early and tour the facility!
Begins: 7:30 p.m.
Overture by Jeff Rapsis
Welcome & Introductions by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Short Subject: Those Awful Hats (1909) directed by D.W. Griffith
The shared movie-going experience is the subject of this humerous look at going to the movies in this very early short by Griffith and company, 
giving new meaning to the term "audience participation." Several members of Griffith's acting company can be seen here including Mack Sennett, Florence Lawrence, Bobby Harron, and Linda Arvidson. The earliest film in our program this year, this short is an anniversary reprise having been shown at KSFF in 2005. — 5 min
— Music by Jeff Rapsis
Short Subject: The Immigrant (1917) with Charlie Chaplin & Edna 
Purviance
In his autobiography, Charlie Chaplin says the films he made under his Mutual contract were the happiest of his career. And it shows. The little tramp is one of many immigrants on his way to America. He meets the girl of his dreams only to lose her in the crowds once the boat docks. How will he fare in this new world and will he ever see the girl again? One of Chaplin's best and it's a first time showing here at the festival. — 23 min
— Music by Jeff Rapsis
--Brief Break
Feature: It (1927) with Clara Bow & Antonio Moreno
One of the most charming and vivacious stars of the silent era, Clara Bow stars in this delightful romantic comedy based on a story by Elinor Glyn. IT is that mysterious quality we now call "sex appeal" and Clara’s got loads of it as a store clerk who sets her sights on the boss, hunky Antonio Moreno. Look for an unbilled bit by a then unknown Gary Cooper. This feature is an anniversary reprise from KSFF 1999. — 72 min
— Music by Marvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen
Friday, Feb. 26, 2016
@ White Concert Hall,
Jewell @ 17th St., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
FREE EVENT
Begins: 7:00 p.m.
Overture by Marvin Faulwell
Welcome & Introductions by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Short Subject: Call of the Cuckoo (1927) with Max Davidson, Laurel & Hardy
You could say Laurel and Hardy as well as Charley Chase "co-star" in this Max Davidson short about a man who just can't get a break when it comes to home ownership. This film speaks to the versatility of Hal Roach's company of artists: this film also boasts James Finlayson and Charlie Hall. This short is a first for the festival.
— 17 min
— Music by Marvin Faulwell
Feature Film: The Thief of Bagdad (1924) with Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
THE biggest and most impressive of Douglas Fairbanks' costume adventures with loads of atmosphere and derring-do. Only Fairbanks could pull off an Arabian Nights fantasy of this magnitude as he attempts to find meaning in life as well as in romance. The set designs by William Cameron Menzies are staggering! A KSFF reprise from 2003; don't miss this one on the big screen, as well as Mont Alto's wonderful score. — 150 min, with intermission
— Music by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
Saturday - Feb. 27, 2016
Morning - starts at 9 a.m.
@ White Concert Hall,
Jewell @ 17th St., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
FREE EVENT
Opening Titles by Jeff Rapsis
Welcome & Introductions by Bill Shaffer, Festival President, and Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Special Documentary — 52 min
Come early and enjoy this second part history of silent film.
Short: Chess Fever (1925) produced in the Soviet Union
If you thought Soviet cinema was all drama just watch this little beauty of a film.
A man is obsessed with the game of chess, much to the distress of his fiancee. But then she meets world champion Jose Raul Capablanca and well, things change in this delightful comedy. This is a first time viewing at KSFF. — 28 min
— Music by Rodney Sauer
Feature: Battleship Potemkin (1925-Soviet Union) directed by Sergei Eisenstein
One of the most famous Russian films of all time, directed by Sergei Eisenstein. Potemkin is a retelling of a real event in Russian history, a naval mutiny which propelled a riot by sympathetic citizens with a brutal police retaliation. Certain of Eisenstein's shots have become iconic and duplicated by generations of filmmakers. This fim was shown at our very first KSFF in 1997. — 75 min
— Music by Jeff Rapsis
--Lunch Break, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon - starts at 1:30 p.m.
@ White Concert Hall,
Jewell @ 17th St., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
FREE EVENT
Opening Titles by Marvin Faulwell
Welcome & Introductions by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Feature: The Cohens and the Kellys (1926) with Charlie Murray, George Sidney and Kate Price
A very popular comedy in its day that inspired six sequels (two silent and four sound). This rarely-shown film has been described as “an uproarious knockout with a thousand laughs!” Two families (Irish and Jewish) oppose each other until two of their number form a romantic alliance. Although there are some stereotypical moments, everyone will love this warm, charming comedy...and it's a first for the festival. — 80 min
— Music by Marvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen
Intermission, with 20th Anniversary Reception, in the Lobby
Introduction by festival guest David Shepard—
Feature: Gribiche (Mother of the Mine) (1926-France) with Jacques Feyder
A recently rediscovered gem made by Russian filmmakers who defected to France, set up their own studio and created an amazing string of artistic and popular successes. This one tells the tale of a well-meaning rich American woman who takes in a poor French boy to better him—but things are never that simple. Guest David Shepard will be discussing the film's studio, Albatros, in the Cinema Dinner talk after this film. A KSFF first. — 112 min
— Music by Rodney Sauer, with intermission
--Dinner Break
5:15 p.m.: Supper Break — Program resuming at 7:30 p.m.
Special Dinner Event—
Our Eighth Annual
CINEMA-DINNER, 5:15-7:15 p.m.
Served buffet-style • $40/person [non-refundable]
Bradbury Thompson Alumni Ctr., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
(Across the street west of White Concert Hall)
Those interested in attending can make reservations by mail:
KSFF Cinema-Dinner
P.O. Box 2032
Topeka, Kansas 66601-2032
"All About Films Albatros" —a Russian/French silent film production company.
David Shepard will discuss his recent work on a series of specific films he has been restoring for Flicker Alley. This preentation is exclusively for Cinema-Dinner attendees and will include video clips.
Tickets to this not-to-be-missed event are available for purchase by mail. The non-refundable price for the Cinema-Dinner is $40 per ticket, payable to Kansas Silent Film Festival. Mail your ticket request to:
KSFF Cinema-Dinner
P.O. Box 2032
Topeka, Kansas 66604-2032.
— Event is by reservation only. Contact us & reserve — |
Evening - starts at 7:30 p.m.
@ White Concert Hall,
Jewell @ 17th St., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
FREE EVENT
Overture and Opening Titles by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
Introductions by Denise Morrison, Film Historian
Short: Her Torpedoed Love (1917) with Louise Fazenda and Ford Sterling
Crazy Keystone comedy about "submarine pirates" and a butler trying to scheme an inheritance from his boss, intended for the cook. Look for Charley Chase and Edgar Kennedy in small roles. A first time showing at KSFF. — 21 min
— Music by Jeff Rapsis
--Break
Short: Cops (1922) with Buster Keaton
Through no fault of his own our hero stumbles into one situation after another until the whole police force is out to get him. A reprise from our 1998 festival. — 22 min
— Music by Marvin Faulwell
Feature: Beau Geste (1926) with Ronald Colman, Neil Hamilton and Ralph Forbes
A famous adventure story about brothers fighting enemies on all fronts. Although this one's been remade more than once this version still shines. Co-starring Noah Beery and William Powell. One of silent cinema's most enjoyable and breath-taking adventure films as directed by Herbert Brennon. Shown at the 2001 KSFF. — 101 min, with intermission
— Music by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, with intermission
Our Cast:
About David Shepard:
David Shepard, film restoration expert and preservationist, retursn as our special guest, his third appearance at our festival. Mr. Shepard has been the force behind the recent DVD releases of Masterworks of American Avant-Garde Film, 1920-1970; Chaplin's Essanay Comedies; and The House of Mystery. Among his many awards and honors are an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Colorado (2011). He has shared many of the films from his personal collection at previous KSFF events at no cost to us.
Denise
Morrison is a film historian from Kansas City, Missouri with
a special focus on silent film. She is Director of Collections & Curatorial Services with the Kansas City Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, and has been involved with the Kansas
Silent Film Festival since the beginning. She was quite active with
the Granada Theatre in Kansas City, Kansas, when they were showing a
full schedule of silent movies. Denise will give an overview of the
silent film era and also provide introductions to each film.
About Marvin Faulwell:
Marvin Faulwell is a very accomplished theatre organist. He has played
for all previous Silent Film Festivals and our "sister
project," Silents
in the Cathedral, held every Halloween at Grace Cathedral
in Topeka. He has appeared in concert and accompanied silent
film programs in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Minnesota and also accompanied
many silent films shown at the Granada Theatre in Kansas City, Kansas.
About the Mont
Alto Motion Picture Orchestra:
The Mont
Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, lead by pianist Rodney Sauer, is based in Louisville, Colorado and has appeared at this festival many times since the third event, held in 1999. The orchestra consists of piano, violin, cello, clarinet, and trumpet. They are quite active in their hometown and nationally. Mont Alto has acquired one of the largest collections of historic "photoplay music" in current use, and has used it to score over 120 silent films. They have toured across America from California to New York, and have scored all of Buster Keaton's silent features for the Buster Keaton Celebration in Iola, Kansas since first appearing there in 1998. They have produced three CDs of salon music and silent film music, and have recorded scores to over thirty silent films for video release and screenings on Turner Classic Movies, including True Heart Susie (1919), Sherlock Jr. (1924), and The Thief of Bagdad (1924).
About Jeff Rapsis:
Jeff Rapsis is a New Hampshire-based composer and musician who regularly accompanies silent film programs. He appears regularly at venues including the Harvard Film Archive, the Library of Congress, and the Niles Essenay Silent Film Museum. Jeff is associate publisher and co-owner of HippoPress, New Hampshire's largest newspaper, and teaches communications at the University of New Hampshire. He has attended every Kansas Silent Film Festival since 2000! For more information on Jeff's silent film work, visit www.jeffrapsis.com.
About Bob Keckeisen:
Bob Keckeisen has been principal percussionist for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra since 1989. He delights audiences at the Kansas Silent Film Festival and Silents at the Cathedral by adding remarkable percussive music and sound effects to many films. Bob grew up in Wichita and studied percussion under J.C. Combs at Wichita State University. He obtained both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from WSU and moved to Topeka in 1982. Bob recently retired as director of the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, is assistant director of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, and frequently volunteers for KTWU Channel 11.
