Kansas Silent Film Festival logo blank
Performance Notes for this free eventKSFF, White Concert Hall, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas twinkling star animation
| Promo | Program | Notes | Directions to Campus | 2019 Home |

blank


The KSFF is underwritten by donations.
Please consider helping with your donation.

This program is subject to change.

Friday, Feb. 22, 2019
@ White Concert Hall, Jewell @ 17th St., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
FREE EVENT

Begins: 7:00 p.m.

Overture by Jeff Rapsis
Welcome & Introductions by Denise Morrison, Film Historian

Short: Frankenstein (1910) produced by the Edison Company
Frankenstein   
A film long considered lost until the mid-1970s, this is believed to be the first film version of Mary Shelley's classic novel. It condenses quite a bit—de-emphasizing the horror aspects and playing up the psychological—yet the heart of the story is there. Written and directed by J. Searle Dawley, the film has no credited cast, but we do know the names of the three main players: Augustus Phillips as Victor Frankenstein, Charles Ogle as the Monster, and Mary Fuller as Elizabeth.
— 14 min.
Music by
Marvin Faulwell, organ, and Bob Keckeisen, percussion

Feature: Metropolis (1927) directed by Fritz Lang
Metropolis   This epic of German Expressionism was initially panned by critics, but its reputation has grown over the years, even while its running time shrunk. Fritz Lang's original cut of the film was 153 minutes long upon release, but by the time it reached the U.S. the running time had been cut by almost 40 minutes. The closest version to the original premiered in 2010, and this is the version we'll be showing. Starring Alfred Abel, Brigitte Helm, Gustav Fröhlich, and Rudolf Klein-Rogge.
   The Alloy Orchestra plays their live score to METROPOLIS. Alloy artThis is the newest "ultimate" version of METROPOLIS w/20 min. added footage. The band rearranged their score, adding new themes and deconstructing others, for this 2.5 hour epic. They performed the North American premier of this film in April 2010, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in LA for the Turner Classic Film Festival, to a unanimous standing ovation. (Includes intermission)
— 148 min.
Music by the Alloy Orchestra
— with intermission

Saturday - Feb. 23, 2019

Morning - starts at 9 a.m.
@ White Concert Hall, Jewell @ 17th St., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
FREE EVENT

Opening Titles by Bill Beningfield
Welcome & Introductions by Denise Morrison, Film Historian

Special Documentary — Morning Documentary (Sound Edition)
Come early and enjoy an overview of Silent film history and how women were involved.

Short: Cruel Cruel Love (1914) with Charles Chaplin
Cruel Cruel Love
   An early example of Charles Chaplin's career beginning at Keystone, this is not Charlie as the Little Tramp. This is Chaplin fitting into the mold created by Mack Sennett, a mold he would quickly come to "grow out of" as his own sense of comedic timing came to the fore. The film co-stars Edgar Kennedy, Minta Durfee, Billy Gilbert, and Glen Cavender. Considered lost for over 50 years until a copy was found in South America.
— 10 min.
— Music by Bill Beningfield, organ

Short: Hard Luck (1921) with Buster Keaton
Hard Luck  One of the only films considered lost of Buster Keaton's career, this comedy short had an ending that Keaton himself deemed the greatest laugh-getting scene of his career. Buster is so down on his luck that he attempts to end it all—in his own unique way. The film co-stars Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts and Bull Montana.
— 23 min.

Music by Jeff Rapsis, piano

Feature: Venus of the South Seas (1924) with Annette Kellerman
Venus of the South Seas   
What an original find! Swimming legend Annette Kellerman came to Hollywood and made a handful of films from 1916-'24—in fact our film this morning is her last starring role. All her films are now considered lost except this—and it is not complete. The film has loads of charm and a small amount of what was called Prizma Color, one of the earliest attempts at color film in the silent era.
— 56 min.
Music by Jeff Rapsis, piano. and Bob Keckeisen, percussion


--Lunch Break, Noon to 1:00 p.m.


Afternoon - starts at 1:00 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

Short: El Hotel Eléctrico (1908) with Segundo de Chomón   
El Hotel Electrico   Segundo de Chomón was a pioneering Spanish filmmaker often compared to France's Georges Méliès because of the optical tricks and stop motion animation that he injected into each of his films. This film is about the strange workings of a hotel. In addition to directing, Chomón stars in the film along with French actress Julienne Mathieu.
— 8 min.
Music by Jeff Rapsis
, piano

Short: The Cook (1918) with Roscoe Arbuckle & Buster Keaton
The Cook   This comedy two-reeler shows the tremendous talent that was Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Written by, directed by, and starring Arbuckle, the film also showcases a young vaudeville comedian named Buster Keaton. Rounding out the cast is Al St. John (Arbuckle's nephew), Alice Lake, Glen Cavender and Luke the Dog. Long thought lost until prints from two Scandinavian archives were brought together.
— 20 min.
Music by Bill Beningfield, organ

Feature: The Daughter of the Dawn (1920) a Native American film
The Daughter of the Dawn  
There were independent films made in the silent era outside the Hollywood film factory—this is one such film. This film boasts an "all Indian cast shot in Indian country" and is as much a piece of American history as entertainment. The film had only a handful of screenings before disappearing for decades. Just as mysteriously, it was offered for sale in Oklahoma, where it now officially resides at the state historical society. The film's cast includes two children of Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche.
— 78 min.
Music by Marvin Faulwell, organ, and Bob Keckeisen, percussion


--Break


Warm-up Music by Jeff Rapsis

Short: When Lincoln Paid (1913) with Francis Ford
When Lincoln Paid   A historical drama by actor, writer and director Francis Ford (the elder brother of director John Ford), who plays Abraham Lincoln. Co-starring with Ford are Jack Conway, Ethel Grandin, and Charles Edler. This is one of several performances as Lincoln that Ford did but the only one that survives. Long thought lost, the film was found in 2006 when a contractor, who was preparing to tear down a barn in New Hampshire, found a film projector and several reels of film. The collection of films found in the barn was donated to Keene State College, in New Hampshire, who has granted us permission to screen this film.
— 30 min.
Music by Jeff Rapsis
, piano

Feature: Bucking Broadway (1917) with Harry Carey / a John Ford film
Bucking Broadway   
Of the 70 silent films that director John Ford made, 60 are thought lost. This is one of the few that survives: a wonderful western starring Ford favorite Harry Carey. This film packs a lot of story into its short running time. The film co-stars Molly Malone as the boss's daughter. Discovered in a French archive in 2002.
— 53 min.
Music by Jeff Rapsis, piano

5:15 p.m.: Dinner Break — Program resuming at 7:30 p.m.
--Dinner Break: Event is by Reservation only.
Contact us & reserve.

Special Dinner Event—
Our Eleventh Annual
CINEMA-DINNER
, 5:15-7:00 p.m.

Price is $40/per ticket. Meal is buffet-style. Menu TBA

Those interested in attending can make reservations by mail:
KSFF Cinema-Dinner
P.O. Box 2032
Topeka, Kansas 66601-2032


Special Dinner Event, Our Eleventh Annual
CINEMA-DINNER
,
Seating begins @ 5:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5:15-7:00 p.m.

Ben Model, who has played piano and organ with us before. His presentation "Undercranking: The Magic Behind the Slapstick" describes a technique which made action sequences (and especially comic action sequences) appear to be running much faster than usual. Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd knew all about Undercranking, but it appears others in the silent film era knew about it and employed it, too. Ben will illustrate his presentation with some incredible film clips.

— This event is by reservation only. Dinner is $40.

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


Evening - starts at 7:30 p.m.
@ White Concert Hall, Jewell @ 17th St., Washburn University, Topeka, KS
FREE EVENT

Overture by Ben Model
Welcome & Introductions by Denise Morrison, Film Historian

When Lincoln PaidShort: Battle of the Century (1927) with Laurel and Hardy
   Famous for its climactic pie fight, seen only in a 3-minute segment in the second reel, this Laurel & Hardy classic was finally restored in 2015 when the complete second reel was found. How do these two get in the middle of a huge pie fight? Do you really need to ask? KSFF has shown this film recently but without the full 10-minute final reel, so this time we promise the whole pie.
— 20 min.
Music by Marvin Faulwell, organ, and Bob Keckeisen, percussion

Feature: When Knighthood Was In Flower (1922) with Marion Davies  
When Knighthood Was In Flower   While not ever lost, this film is an example of a much-needed restoration effort. Produced by William Randolph Hearst to showcase actress Marion Davies, this historical drama is set during the time of Henry VIII. Hearst spared no expense, and it shows. Probably the most recognizable co-star is William Powell in only his second appearance on screen.
— 115 min.
Music by Ben Model

Our Cast:
About Ben Model

Ben ModelBen Model is one of the nation's leading silent film accompanists, performing on both piano and theatre organ. Over the past 35 years, he has created and performed hundreds of live scores for silent films, working at his craftt full-time—a rare happened since 1930. Ben is a resident film accompanist at the Museum of Modern Art (NY) and at the Library of Congress' Packard Campus Theatre. His recorded scores can be heard on numerous DVD/Blu-Ray releases from Kino/Lorber, Milestone Films, and his own label www.undercrankproductions.com, as well as on TCM and his YouTube channel. Ben has composed orchestral scores for films by Chaplin, Keaton, Laurel & Hardy and has performed around the U.S. every year. He has co-curated several silent film series for MoMA and is also the archivist for the Ernie Kovacs collection. He has programmed three DVD box sets of Ernie Kovacs television shows for Shout Factory and is also a Visiting Professor of Film at Wesleyan University.


About The Alloy Orchestra

The Alloy Orchestra is a three man The Alloy Orchestramusical ensemble, writing and performing live accompaniment to classic silent films. Working with an outrageous assemblage of peculiar objects, they thrash and grind soulful music from unlikely sources. An unusual combination of found percussion and state-of-the-art electronics gives the Orchestra the ability to create any sound imaginable. They are hailed by the late film critic, Roger Ebert as "the best in the world at accompanying silent films."
   Performing at prestigious film festivals and cultural centers in the US and abroad (The San Francisco Silent Film Festival, The Telluride Film Festival, The Louvre, Lincoln Center, The Academy of Motion Pictures, the National Gallery of Art and others), Alloy has helped revive some of the great masterpieces of the silent era.
   Utilizing their famous "rack of junk" and electronic synthesizers, the group generates beautiful music in a spectacular variety of styles. They can conjure up a French symphony or a simple German bar band of the 20's. The group can make the audience think it is being attacked by tigers, contacted by radio signals from Mars or swept up in the Russian Revolution.
   Alloy Orchestra is: Terry Donahue – Junk percussion, musical saw, accordion; Ken Winokur – Director, percussion, clarinet; and Roger C. Miller – Keyboard. Their web site is www.alloyorchestra.com.



About Denise Morrison:

Denise MorrisonDenise 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:

Dr. Marvin FaulwellMarvin Faulwell is a very accomplished theatre organist. He has played for all previous Kansas Silent Film Festivals and our "sister project," Silents in the Cathedral, held at Grace Cathedral in Topeka. He has appeared in concert and accompanied silent film programs in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Minnesota. He also accompanied many silent films shown at the Granada Theatre in Kansas City, Kansas.

About Jeff Rapsis:

Jeff RapsisJeff Rapsis is a New Hampshire-based composer and musician who accompanies silent film programs. He appears regularly at venues including the Harvard Film Archive, the Library of Congress, and the Niles Essanay 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! Visit www.jeffrapsis.com.

About Bob Keckeisen:

Bob KeckeisenBob 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 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, but remains assistant director of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, and frequently volunteers for KTWU Channel 11.

About Dr. Bill Beningfield:

Bob KeckeisenDr. Bill Beningfieldis a retired engineering director who spent his working career designing and supporting radio and radar products for commercial aircraft. After engineering during the daytime, he moonlighted as a flight instructor, aviation ground instructor, and professor of economics. He started playing the piano over 70 years ago and has been playing the organ for nearly 50 years. In 2006, he won first place in the American Theater Organ Society's competition for non-professional organists.


Kansas Silent Film Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. This event is funded by generous donations, and welcomes your support. Your tax deductible gift will be gratefully acknowledged.
        Kansas Silent Film Festival, Inc.
        P.O. Box 2032
        Topeka, Kansas 66601-2032
E-mail contact - bill.shaffer@washburn.edu

All donations are appreciated.