2023 Kansas Silent Film Festival Wrap-up

2023 PROMO | PROGRAM | NOTES | KSFF HOME |

Denise Morrison, film commentator

Live Musical Accompaniment by:
Ben Model, piano & organ
Jeff Rapsis, piano
Rodney Sauer, piano
Marvin Faulwell, organ
Bill Beningfield, organ
Bob Keckeisen, percussion


Special Guest:
Lara Gabrielle is a film writer and researcher whose work on Marion Davies has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, Air Mail, and on PBS’s American Experience. Her biography, Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies, was named one of Alta Journal's top books to read this past fall, and it was included in Leonard Maltin’s list of 5 new and notable books. She has spoken about Davies at film festivals and retrospectives worldwide and has served as a consultant on her life and legacy for books, dissertations, and film projects. Gabrielle lives in Oakland, California.
2023 Theme 1923 / 2023 February 24 & 25, 2023

Held February 24 - 25, 2023:
Fri. afternoon & evening & all day Sat. @ White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus, Topeka, KS

Photo sections:

Our thanks go to event photographers
Karl Mischler, Jane Bartholomew, Larry Stendebach, Bill Shaffer, Bruce Calvert, Carol Yoho and several attendees who offered use of specific photos they'd taken of our event.

Bruce Calvert, who helped run the 16mm projector at this event and did a 30-minute presentation of Saturday morning titled "Movie-Going Experience in the Silent Era," posted info and comments about the 2023 KSFF festival at Nitrateville.com

Jeff Rapsis, who plays piano accompaniments at our events, has shared his tale pm the 2023 KSFF festival on his Blog site

2023 Festival Comments:

Marcy Tintera
—Regular Attendee/Donor 2/26/2023
   I attended the festival on my own as, sadly, my Overland Park friends weren't able to make it. Happily though, I met four new friends from Lenexa...first-time festival attendees! We had a wonderful time at the cinema dinner together and visiting with other table mates. I won the huge, framed poster of Hedy Lamarr which I was afraid wouldn't fit in my Smart car, but I made it happen.
   The film I most enjoyed this year was The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille. I found it fascinating and odd that the city bureaucrats put so many obstacles in the way of the excavation of the sets and props left on the sand dunes of Southern California from the making of the 1923 film "The Ten Commandments." To what end?
   As always, a huge thank you to you and everyone involved in putting this annual festival together. It is always very much appreciated. My new and old friends and I look forward to next year!

Sue Sutton
—Concordia, KS 2/26/2023
   LOVED the 1923 theme - a real landmark year. Excellent listing of all the people, places and things of (that) year. Quality of film (projected images) tops; documentary (Lost City of C.B. DeMille) was first rate. Musicians were fabulous as ever. Maybe a tad of sensory overload by Saturday night.

Tom Leising
—Topeka, KS 2/28/2023
   Another great and much-appreciated festival of our silent film heritage to entertain and inspire us on a wintery weekend! As usual, the theme was beautifully carried through and the films and music were top-notch. Amazing that this continues to be free! Especially for A WOMAN OF PARIS, string accompaniment would have enhanced the film, but that's not at all a complaint—just an amateur observation. Thanks for all you and your crew do!

Larry Stendebach
—Hannibal, MO 3/24/2023
   This year's festival was fantastic! Opening night on Friday was a huge success with quite a few attendees! It was great to meet Lara Gabrielle and hear her presentation about Marion Davies; she spoke with great passion about Ms. Davies. Bruce Calvert has attended KSFF and made huge contributions each year, but this was the first year he got up on stage, with his great presentation on what it would have been like to see silent movies during the by-gone era! Great job, Bruce!

Bob Keckeisen
—Performer 3/25/23
   I think overall things went well except for the delay in starting the Saturday evening program following the dinner. I'd prefer if we errored on the side of finishing the afternoon a little early, rather than rushing our audience (and especially our speaker) through the dinner and program. The delay also seems a tad bit rude to the audience members who don't attend the dinner and then have to wait around for the evening program to begin.
   Other than that, thanks and congrats to everyone who worked so hard to pull off another great festival!

 
Set-up

We added a Friday afternoon program at White Concert Hall, Washburn University for the first time at this, our 26th live event. Set-up was done on Thursday evening and Friday morning in the concert hall, in the hall lobby, and included the annual adding of the KSFF banner at the concert hall front entrance. As is usual, preparing included stage equipment set up, movie projection and accompaniment rehearsals. laying out displays of items for sale in the White Concert Hall lobby, including 26th Anniversary t-shirts (in bright red), DVDs and CDs, and copies of the biography of silent film star Marion Davies, Captain of Her Soul, The Life of Marion Davies by our 2023 guest speaker Lara Gabrielle.
   Ken Filardo brought silent film projection equipment and sat it up in the concert hall lobby, where he could demonstrate and explained how the battery-operated silent film projector he'd brought worked to attendees during breaks during film showings on Friday's and Saturday's program breaks.
   Bruce Calvert brought silent film collectibles from Texas to use in two display cases, and he and and Jim Reed set up 16mm projection equipment for use at this occasion.


Festival banners were posted in the four corners of the Washburn University campusLarry Stendebach added magnetic letters to the display board that came from KSFF storage siteThe display board is readyBruce Calvert and Jim Reid set up 16mm projectors at the bottom edge of the theater balconyJim Reid tests one of the 16mm projectorsA view of the theater from behind the projectorsBruce Calvert chooses silent movie promotion items that he brought with him, and places them into two display cases for attendees to enjoyBrian Sanders (below) and Karl Mischler (above) work to hang our event banner outside White Concert HallBrian and Karl proceed with hanging up our bannerA ladder is added to the workspace, with help from Nancy LawrenceKarl Mischler signals from above the bannerNancy and Brian attach the banner to the under side of the White Concert Hall entranceNancy and Brian steady the ladder as Karl descendsBrian and Karl return the ladder to space behind the concert hall stageHow the sign looks from across the street from White Concert HallKarl Mischler had to fight the electronic projector in a test to get streaming to be right-side-up and flipped left to rightBill Shaffer, "Our Fearless Leader" calls us together to work on set-up on Friday morningJane Bartholomew dressed up an empty box to put onto display for accepting donations

On-Stage:
White Concert Hall, Washburn University
 Our schedule moved to White Concert Hall, Washburn University, on Friday morning, February 24th, and continued there all day on Saturday, Feb. 25th.
   Film Historian Denise Morrison continues to introduce our films from the stage over all 26 years of our live events. Live music was provided this year by Rodney Sauer (piano). by Jeff Rapsis (piano and organ), Ben Model (piano), Marvin Faulwell (organ), Bob Keckeisen (percussion), and Bill Beningfield (organ). Karl Mischler of New York City, took event photos when managed running DVD projection from the stage floor. Jim Reid and Bruce Calvert assisted the festival by running projection for 16mm movies shown on film. First thing on Saturday morning Bruce Calvert spoke for 30 minutes on "Movie-Going Experience in the Silent Era." On Saturday afternoon our special guest, author Lara Gabrielle, introduced the showing of the feature film Little Old New York starring silent film actress Marion Davies. After the showing Lara held a booksigning in the White Concert Hall lobby of copies of her biography  Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies.

Bruce Calvert started our first-in-26 years event at White Concert Hall with a lecture on "Movie-going Experience in the Silent Era"Bruce stands, using a cordless phone, in front of his screen presentationBruce in silouette as he shares his research and love of silent moviesDenise Morrison stands at the podium to welcome guests and introduce films to be shownView of stage from balconyDenise introduces a movie to be accompanied on piano by Jeff RapsisMarviw Faulwell practices over Friday noon-hour on the concert hall organView from behind the projector while it projects a 16mm movieMarvin Faulwell accompanies Two Wagons, Both Covered Second image of Marvin playing organ for Two Wagons, Both CoveredMarvin Faulwell takes a bow by the organ on Friday afternoonKSFF President Bill Shaffer welcomes attendees on Saturday morningScreen showing Saturday morning's documentary on the making of the 1923 version of "The Ten Commandments"Denise Morrison introduces a movie to be accompanied by Jeff Rapsis on pianoJeff Rapsis provides piano accompanimentMovie shortBaby Peggy in Jeff Rapsis takes a bow onstageAuthor Lara Gabrielle introduces the feature movie Little Old New York, starring Marion DaviesBen Model accompanies Little Old New York on the concert hall organBen Model takes a bow onstage after playing the White Concert Hall organSilent Watch Party fans who attended our 2023 event group around their hero, Ben ModelA photo taken from the stage between movie showingsMarvin Faulwell's music on the organ music stage, ready to help with accompanying Cecil B. DeMille's Movie screen showing the 1923 version of Moses learns Ten Commandments from God on Saturday eveningBob Keckeisen, percussion, and Marvin Faulwell, organ, take a bow after accompanying Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments on Saturday eveningDenise Morrison waves Good Night to everyone as our event ends on Saturday nightOur talents musicians, Ben Model, Rodney Sauer, Bob Keckeisen, Marvin Faulwell, Jeff Rapsis and Bill Beningfield, take a bow onstage on Saturday night

Return to Menu

Lobby Activity Chatting, shopping, relaxing and sharing took place in the lobby of White Concert Hall, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. Special thanks to Zandra Myrick for managing volunteer services. Steadfast fans attending yearly make planning and presenting each Kansas Silent Film Festival worth the work. We extend our thanks to the many fans from Kansas, nearby Missouri, and many states north, south, east and west...across the U.S.
All are welcome!

Southwest corner of the White Concert Hall lobby, with sunshine pouring through the nearby window.Quiet time in the lobby during a movie showing inside White Concert HallDisplay cabinet with materials shared by Bruce Calvert>School kids visiting the KSFF on Friday were from the Star/Splinter Academy of Wichita, Kansas with their teacher, Bill ColemanTogether are Kellee Pratt, Larry Stendebach, Kelly J Kitchens Wickersham and Wendy MahaffeyCarlaLarry Stendebach with Louise Lassiter.Jane Bartholomew with Barbara Brown RyanNikki Harmon=McKim with Bill ShafferKSFF President Bill Shaffer is with Gary and Tonya Cummings of Wichtia, KSJane Bartholomew and K.C.'s Tivoli Theatre's owner Jerry HarringtonGary and Kellee Pratt are from Lawrence, KSCarla Jo Bartunek (right) with her parents, who attended this event from TexasMusician Rondney Sauer socializes in White Concert Hall lobbyLarry Stendebach, Karl Mischler and Kellee PrattMark Wickersham, Kelly J Kitchens Wickersham, and Larry StendebachKaylee Mansfield, Randy Kahle and Bill ShafferBill Shaffer with Sally Schoenhals of TopekaSusan Sutton, Bill Shaffer and Suzie HaverDenise Morrison stans with Larry Spangles of Hutchinson, KSStaffers Jane Bartholomew and Enid Stendebach serve attendees from behind the tables in White Concert Hall lobbyKellee, Kelly and ____ join musician Ben Model to stand by the KSFF festival logoMusician Ben Model peaks over the KSFF logo sign. Can he be trusted?Rodney Sauer is wearing a classy necktieJeff Rapsis is wearing a classy necktieWe are pleased each year when event founder Jim Rhodes attends KSFFView of the book-signing line as seen from stairs to the theater's balconyLarry Spangles of Hutchinson, KS, honors silent film comedian Charlie Chaplin

Our thanks go to Ken Filardo for sharing, this year, a battery-powered silent film projector from his collection of antique motion picture equipment and presenting demonstrations of its operation to our attendees in the White Concert Hall lobby.
Ken Filardo beging setting up his antique battery-powered movie projectorThis close-up shows the projector's crank, lense and some other partsKen Filardo sets up information on poster used on an easelKen Filardo winds film onto the projector's take-up reelKen Filardo stands next to the projector he brought to share at our 2023 KSFFKen Filardo talks with an attendee about details concerning the projector he put onto display

During our Saturday afternoon break our special guest, Lara Gabrielle, signed copies of her book biography of the life of silent film star Marion Davies, Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies.
VLara Gabrielle chats in White Concert Hall lobby and signs copies of her biography of Marion DaviesView of a box of books being sold and then signed by Lara GabrielleLara Gabrielle poses with a stitching project that had been created by Marion DaviesFont of the line of those waiting to have books signedView from behind Lara Gabrielle's shoulder as she autographs yet another bookLara GabrielleView from back of the line of attendees waiting to have Lara sign their copies of her biography of Marion DaviesMuscian Rodney Sauer has managed to acquire a copy of the biography of Marion Davies written by our guest author Lara GabrielleLara Gabrielle poses with Kelly J Kitchens WickershamLara Gabrielle poses with another book buyer

Return to Menu

14th Annual Cinema Dinner At this 14th annual Cinema Dinner attendees enjoyed good food, conversation and door prize give-aways. Music was performed by harpist Erin Wood. Special guest was Lara Gabrielle , who spoke after dinner about her research into the life of silent film star Marion Davies. Her biography of Davies is Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies. The event was well attended. Our space was close to full, with fans simply walking to Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, just across the street from the White Concert Hall lobby—very convenient. The festival committee appreciates the support of attendees of each festival's Cincema Dinner!

Dinner caterers work at setting tablesDinner set up is started by Bill Shaffer, Karl Mischler and Larry SteindebachDinner participants cross the street to have dinner at Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, Washburn University campusDinner participants begin to arriveHarpist Erin Wood provided soothing music as patrons took seats at our 2023 Cinema DinnerDinner participants await their turns to go through the buffet lineApproximately 200 attendees enjoyed a delicious meal at our Cinema DinnerDinner participants ADinner participants BDan Brogren and back for Cinema Dinner 2023 with his 4 granddaughtersDinner participants CA display of door prizes before they get distributedKSFF President Bill Shaffer welcomes dinner participantsBrian Sanders shows and delivers door prizes and winners are chosenBombshell poster is delivered to its winnerGuest speaker Lara Gabrielle begins her presentation on the life of silent film actress Marion DaviesAn image of Marion Davies shows onscreenDinner crowd enjoys Lara Gabrielle's talk about Marion Davies

Return to Menu

Staff Staff devoted their time and efforts for the 2023 26th LIVE Kansas Silent Film Festival. The KSFF board members include Denise Morrison, Bill Shaffer, Jane Bartholomew, Zandra Myrick, Carol Yoho, Melanie Lawrence, Nancy Lawrence, and Brian Sanders . Help coming from out-of-state includes Karl Mischler (here from New York City and offering help moving materials in a large rental van), Larry & Enid Stendebach (here from Hannibal, MO) and Bruce Calvert and Jim Reid (driving from Texas). Special thanks go to Washburn employees Brock Martin (manager of White Concert Hall) and Washburn maintenance staff (especially Mike Sershen and Michael D. Allen). We depend on the talents of our musicians Marvin Faulwell, Bill Beningfield, and Bob Kecksisen. Muscians flying to Kansas from other states included Rodney Sauer (from Colorado), Ben Model (from New York), and Jeff Rapsis (from New Hampshire). We also extend special thanks to our festival initiator Jim Rhodes of Topeka (having started our event in 1996) who continues to support us in many ways as he attends each year in person. Many thanks to our dedicated staff and assistants!

Karl Mischler, who attends KSFF from New York City, takes photos as well as running the DVD projector for digital movies shown and doing heavy work setting up and taking down items used for our eventStaffer Nancy Lawrence worked diligently to keep staff members fed and happyMarvin Faulwell made notes on the music he would use to accompany Marvin Faulwell tweaked notes on his musical scoreKSFF President and Secretary display the proper way to answer the photographer's (Jane Bartholomew's) request for smilesDenist Morrison and Brian SaundersKarl Mischler looking dress with hat and bowtieSeveral staffers pose together in the lobby of White Concert HallStaffers took a break (from left to right) Larry Stendebach, Marvin Faulwell, Jane Bartholomew, Brian Sanders and Enid ScendebachLarry Stendebach with Marj MurrayJane Bartholomew, Mike Sershen of the Washburn University custodial staff, and Melanie LawrenceStaffer Karl Mischler stands with musician Rodney Sauer and projectionist Jim ReidStaffers Larry and Enid Stendebach snuggleKSFF Board Secretary Carol Yoho snuggles with her talented hubby, organist Marvin Faulwell, KSFF's Director of MusicStaffers Jane Bartholomew, Larry Stendebach and Enid StendebachStaffers Larry Stendebach and Marvin FaulwellStaffers Larry Stendebach, Jane Bartholomew and Karl MischlerStaffers Karl Mischler, Denise Morrison and KSFF founder Jim RhodesStaffers Larry Stendebach and Karl Mischler are REALLY dressed up for a banquet dinner

Return to Menu

Volunteers Zandra Myrick is our Board of Directors Volunteer Chair. Zandra and the entire board would like to thank our 2023 event volunteers who helped our staff by answering questions, selling merchandise, counting attendance arrivals, greeting fans and passing out programs.
—Thank you, all 2023 KSFF volunteers!

2023 Volunteer whos name we needVoluteer Jane Boggs Verney stands behind a diplay of the 2023 KSFF t-shirt and ball cap Volunteer Jayne Boggs Varney is with Volunteers Chair Zandra MyrickBrian Sanders, Enid Stendebach and Dustin PfamatterVolunteers Jayne Beggs Varney, Kristen Hearrell and Blair Tarr

Return to Menu

Meals on-the-go The many board members, talent and helpers for this event met, early and late, for special meals as they organized, set-up and, later, took down equipment, displayed items and merchandise made available for this event. The meals were managed (and, in some cases COOKED by) board member Nancy Lawrence, with support from Marj and Ragen Murray again this year. Thank you, all meal helpers!
Our thanks to all talent and helpers for their efforts and comradery.

Staffers had supper on Thursday evening, before the preparations started, at Blue Moose restaurant in west TopekaPicture 2, supper at Blue MoosePicture 3, supper at Blue Moose Larry and Denise went to lunch on Friday at Bobo's Drive InDenis Morrison with Lerry Stendebach at Bobo's Drive In, TopekaLunch for Jeff Rapsis, Lara Gabrielle and Rodney SauerMore staff members take a lunch breakAfter managing to provide a meal, Nancy Lawrence takes a rest-breakLunch break for musicians Rodney Sauer and Bill BeningfieldStaffer Marj Murray helped set up meals on Friday and SaturdayRow three has Brian Sanders, row two has Larry Stendebach, Jeff Rapsis and Rodney Sauer, and row 1 has Bruce Calvert and Ben Model(Back row) Denise Morrison, Wendy Mahaffey, Bill Shaffer, Becky Shaffer, Zandra Myrick, Larry Stendebach, Lara Gabrielle, Carol Yoho, Ben Model, Mark Wickersham, Carla Bartunek, Bruce Calvert, Kelly Wickersham, Rodney Sauer, Karl Mischler (Seated) Enid Stendebach amd Jim ReidOur meals-staffer, Breakfast comes to an end on Sunday morning at Annie's Place in Gage Center, socializing after our 2023 KSFF

Return to Menu

Clean-up

Standard procedure is to clean up and haul everything away on Sunday after each festival. With good help, cleaning up at White Concert Hall and moving items away worked smootly.

PLEASE NOTE: We were pleased to continue with our 25th LIVE KSFF in 2022 and, this year, our 26th LIVE KSFF event. The Covid-19 pandemic limited celebrating during 2021 (which had to be a "virtual" event, done on TV, helped by KTWU Public Television). The COVID pandemic may still not be over, but masks were not required this year. Two of our staff members did not attend this year because of safety/wellness concerns. We missed seeing Melanie Lawrence and Ragen Murray at this 2023 event!

Brian Sanders, Karl Mischler and Bill Shaffer re-store items in our rental unitBill Shaffer helps move itams back into storagePortrait photo of Karl Mischler, Bill Shaffer and Brian Sanders in storage unit doorway...work DONE for 2023!

Return to Menu