2026 Kansas Silent Film Festival Wrap-up

2026 PROMO | PROGRAM | NOTES | KSFF HOME |

Denise Morrison, film commentator

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

Melissa Talmadge Cox
-- our Special Guest --

She was born in southern California into a famous Hollywood family that includes Buster Keaton, Norma Talmadge, Constance Talmadge and Natalie Talmadge.
   Melissa recalls seeing Grandpa Buster on television (“Candid Camera”) or later in movies ("Around the World in 80 Days" and "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World").
   It wasn't until she was an adult, and his and her great aunts' silent films were rediscovered and restored, that she became fully aware of their enormous talent and genius during the silent film era.
   She lives with her husband in Northern California and travels across the country to film festivals to help promote the wonderful legacy her family has left her.

February 27 & 28, 2026


    <<<<  Melissa Cox

 

Held February 27-28, 2026:
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, Bruce Calvert, Carol Yoho, Bill Shaffer, Ben Model, Jeff Rapsis and several attendees who offered use of specific photos they had taken of our event.

Bruce Calvert helped run a 16mm projector at this event...and he also provided materials for two display cases filled with silent film collectables supporting the 2026 program schedule.
Please check out Bruce Calvert’s full review of KSFF 2026. There are lots of nice photos, too.
—Use this link to read Bruce's KSFF '26 blog

Jeff Rapsis, who plays piano accompaniments at our events, has shared his review of the 2026 KSFF festival, “Making the annual pilgrimage to Kansas to commune with the best piano I play all year”
—Use this link to read Jeff's KSFF '26 blog
 

2026 Festival Comments:

To Everyone at the Kansas Silent Film Festival,
   My daughter and I drove out from Colorado for the film festival last weekend and we are so glad we did! Thank you for all the hard work it takes to pull this event to-gether every year. We are so appreciative!

- Cassandra Schnarr & Ivy
Longmont, Colorado

   Thank you for a Wonderful Silent Film Festival. We enjoyed it immensely! The dinner was delicious and it’s always nice to hear Melissa share her stories.
   We appreciated the wonderful warm weather, too.
- Doug & Sara Chatfield
Elk Grove, California

   Thank you so much!!!
   Miss Talmadge is a national treasure!!! I was two seats from her during Saturday's shows. After THE GENERAL, I told her they did not make them like that anymore. I said it would be harder to do then when sound came along. I talked about the expressions conveying everything. She gave me a hug and I realized what a beautiful human being she is. During the movie, I remember the sounds of laughter from us and those around me. So special. I have two granddaughters aged two and four. I can't wait to watch Buster Keaton with them!!!
P.S. I would appreciate you passing my praise and appreciation to her.
What a sweet person!!!
I hope we see her again soon!!
Thanks KSSF people!
I love you much!!!
Sincerely,
- Richard Perske Topeka, KS

   Thank you so much for your kindness of including Fleet in the dinner. What cool stories to hear from Melissa.
Fleet Kinsey from Lawrence, KS, poses in the lobby with Special Guest Melissa Talmadge Cox
It’s fun for him to be interested because it does pause his buddies & adults around him to think about the famous Kansan, Buster Keaton & ponder it a bit, which is a great thing. He enjoys the stunts & history of Buster. The easily read buffoonery that of course humans can escape into young & old. We liked the Disintegrated Convict! Best with the non-profits coming year. I’ll send in a donation.
All the best,
- Kylie Grater
Lawrence, KS

   Jeff (and Sue) on our way back home after another memorable KSFF—and not just because someone took a tumble. (We won't mention any names.)
   Thank you for all that you and everyone else does all year round to make this event happen. I know a lot of work goes into it, and then during the festival, you don't get a chance to enjoy it in the same way so many others do.
   I was glad to come out early this time to help out with the KPR radio broadcast, and also to bring Melissa around when needed. For some time now, we've made a habit of coming out there just for the festival days. But with some advance planning, we could be out earlier and stay a little later so we could be of more help.
   Thanks again for everything—and especially the opportunity to do music for so many worthy films. Happy to help in this way.
   Only 363 days until next year!
- Jeff Rapsis
Londonderry, New Hampshire

   We made it back to Arkansas. Great program this year and so good to see everyone. Looking forward to seeing you all again next year! Thanks for everything and get some sleep.
All the best,
- Frank Scheide
Fayetteville, Arkansas

   It was really nice to meet you at the KS Silent Film Festival this weekend. I had a really fun time and loved all of the movies, the music, the people, and more. I'm impressed with how well oiled a machine this event is, everything felt organized and well communicated. This was a great event as a first time attendee and I'll be sharing with all I know how they should join me at future festivals.
    I hope that you and the rest of the board and organizers are able to rest now since I'm sure it's a lot of effort to put on the event and have it go well. Take care and I look forward to meeting more silent film fans in this cool community.
Sincerely,
- Sarah Biegelsen
Kansas City, MO

   I enjoyed being on site again. The enjoyment of the films compensated for being inside on sunny days. I was happy to see some younger people in the audience, especially for THE GENERAL. Whole families were easy to spot, with some very young children. At the dinner, I talked with a mother and her son who had come over from Lawrence. Fleet, the boy,is a first grader with sophisticated interests in film. Apparently, he has been a Buster Keaton fan at least a couple of years: his Halloween getup last year was Buster, complete with hat and a convincing facial expression.    Unfortunately, nobody who saw him, neither adults nor fellow students, recognized the reference. That didn't discourage him, I suspect that Fleet is going to make a Silent Film Fan with interests beyond Keaton. He had watched excerpts from THE GENERAL on YouTube and was an informed viewer.
   The word spreads in little and big ways, the heritage of Silents gets attention and generates enthusiasms that don't get noticed enough. So thanks again to you and all who use your time and efforts to give us a treat. I am already putting next year's festival on my calendar. Best to you until February of 2027.
- Gregory Brown
Columbia, MO

   Fantastic weekend. Many thanks to you, your planning committee, volunteers and musicians for everything. I especially enjoyed the Saturday documentary, Laurel & Hardy’s Should Married Men Go Home? and Skinner's Dress Suit. We sat in front of a young couple and it was fun to hear them laugh so much! I hope everyone is able to relax now for awhile before jumping in to plan for next year. I'm looking forward to it already.
All the best,
- Marcy Tintera
Lincoln, Nebraska
(Regular Donor)

   Yes, I second what Marcy said! Thank you, Bill; and all the others who help make this event a success!! This was my second year of attending with Marcy Tintera. It was a fun, enjoyable weekend!
All the best,
- Sharon Kelly
Lincoln, Nebraska

   The event was wonderful! I was telling everyone back in Instructional Learning at Washburn about it. I love old, animated shorts from Disney and Fleischer, and it was so cool to see the live action inspirations for everything archetypical in those later Disney cartoons, in the Buster Keaton shorts and feature films! They also reminded me of Jackie Chan's life threatening, creative stunt work, but many many years earlier!
   I'd be more than happy to be involved with future events, especially when it comes to technical help regarding merchandising, digital marketing (social media) or emergency A/V assistance.
   Let me know and thanks so much again.
- Dean Krueger
Washburn University, Topeka KS
Setup Our program, at White Concert Hall, Washburn University, started on Friday afternoon.
Set-up happened on Friday morning in the concert hall and hall lobby, and included the annual adding of the KSFF banner at the concert hall front entrance. As is usual, preparing included stage set up, movie projection and accompaniment rehearsals. We also set-up a table for display of items for sale in the White Concert Hall lobby, including DVDs and CDs, KSFF t-shirts, and (new item) black KSFF sweatshirts!
   KEN FILARDO brought silent film projection equipment again and set it up in the concert hall lobby, where he could demonstrate and explain the operation to attendees.
   Bruce Calvert brought silent film collectibles from Texas to use in two display cases, and set up 16mm projection equipment, so movies could be projected onto the film-screen onstage.

Nice weather, early Friday afternoon during set-up startedBruce Calvert brought these 16mm projectors with him from TexasTesting the 16mm projectors was an important part of our event set-upMarvin Faulwell sets stops on the White Concert Hall organThis grand piano is Best Choice for use in accompaniment by guest pianist Jeff Rapsis, in Topeka from New York CityGuest pianist Jeff Rapsis was fascinated by the carpets used in White Concert Hall;s lobby and theaterMelissa Talmadge Cox, our Guest Speaker, was helping also with set-up on Friday morning at White Concert HallWe were grateful again this year that Ken Filardo brought a sample Motion Picture Projector from his home in Lawrence, KansasKen Filardo sets up his Motion Picture Projector in the the lobby of White Concert HallKen poses for a photo of himself with his displayed Motion Picture ProjectorKen Filardo's' Motion Picture Projector is set-up and ready to be displayed

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Promo This year promotional events were recorded at both WIBW-TV and KPR Radio, on Thursday morning, Feb. 26. A live radio-promotion of our yearly festival has happened many times...and, this year, a Kansas Public Radio interview, by hostess Destiny Mermagan, with KSFF President Bill Shaffer, pianist Jeff Rapsis and guest speaker Melissa Talmage Cox was recorded visually, and is available to watch online -- AND-- a video interview at WIBW-TV, with our guest speaker, Melissa Talmadge Cox, and KSFF President Bill Shaffer was also recorded, and is also available to watch online.

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On-Stage Our event started at White Concert Hall, Washburn University, on Friday afternoon, February 27th, and continued there through the evening and all day on Saturday, Feb. 28th, 2026.
   Film Historian Denise Morrison continued to introduce our films from the stage—her job for all 29 years of our live events!
   Live musical accompaniment was provided this year by Jeff Rapsis (piano), Ben Model (piano and organ), Marvin Faulwell (organ), Bob Keckeisen (percussion), and Bill Beningfield (organ).
   Karl Mischler, here from New York City, took event photos and worked with KSSFF president Bill Shaffer and KSFF Board Member Brain Sanders to manage the digital running of DVD projection from the theater's production-management booth (along the elevated back theater-wall).
   Bruce Calvert managed running projection for movies shown on 16mm film-reels, using projectors he'd brought with him from Texas.
   Throughout our event our Special Guest, Melissa Talmadge Cox, shared her personal memories about the Keaton family and the Talmadge family (all involved with acting in silent movies of the time) and offered a slideshow and lecture about her family at our 19th Annual Cinema Dinner.

Greenery is planted onstage at White Concert HallDenise Morrison welcomes attendees White Concert HallKSFF President Bill Shaffer welcomes this year's Special Guest Melissa Talmadge Cox onstageBen Model played introductory music on the onstage concert hall organEarly afternoon short film accompanied by Bill BeningfieldJeff Rapsis accompanies onstage on pianoView of the stage with Jeff Rapsis accompanyingFront row view of Ben Model accompanying on pianoBob Keckeisen and Marvin Faulwell take a bow onstageMarvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen set up to accompany the feature film THE WIND on Saturday afternoonMarvin Faulwell accompanies THE WIND on Saturday aftenoonKSFF Special Guest Melissa Talmadge Cox talks about her grandfather, Buster Keaton, before a showing of Keaton's short subject THE NEIGHBORSShowing Buster Keaton's short subject movie NEIGHBORSMarvin Faulwell accompanies Buster Keaton in NEIGHBORS width=An attendee brought and used a strong-lense video cameraJeff Rapsis plays Overture and Credits on piano as our Saturday evening show beginsBen Model finishes his final accompaniment of the 29th Annual KSFFBen Model stands to take a bowBen Model takes a bow at the organ-benchBen Model and Bob Keckeisen accompanied THE GENERAL, starring Buster Keaton, on Saturday nightOn Saturday night Denise continues to introduce all movies shown that eveningJeff Rapsis captured a photo of Denise capturing a photo of our Saturday evening crowd just after the end of showing THE GENERALMelissa Talmage Cox and our talented musicans take a final event bow together onstage Final bow as seen from the audienceOur onstage friends straighten from bowingMusicans gather to pick up their music after the event ends

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Lobby Activity Chatting, shopping, relaxing and sharing took place in the lobby of White Concert Hall, Washburn University, our long-time location for the KSFF event. Volunteer Coordinator Zandra Myrick managed to assign jobs to all Volunteers in tending to the lobby tables. And our thanks also goes to KSFF staffers for monitoring all of the lobby activies. Steadfast fans attending our regular yearly events make planning and presenting each Kansas Silent Film Festival worth the work! We extend our thanks to the many fans attending this year's event from Kansas, nearby Missouri, and MANY OTHER STATES: north, south, east and west...across the U.S.  — All are welcome! —

Susan Rapsis chats in the lobby with Guest Speaker Melissa Talmadge CoxAttendees chats, all wearing t-shirts or sweatshirtsKSFF Board Members Jane Bartholomew and Bill ShafferGuest Speaker Melissa Talmadge Cox speaks in the lobby with Denise Morrison, our Bibliographer and Stage speaker since 1997Need name holds a Keaton Poster and shows a Big SmileKSFF Board Members Marvin Faulwell speaks with Denise Morrison under the sun in the lobbyAttendees chat in the White Concert Hall lobbyTom, a faithful attendeeKSFF Board Members help at the front table in White Concert Hall LobbyRegular attendees were delighted to see Phil Figgs attending again this year IN PERSON!Late afternoon sun pours into the lobby as attendees take a break in the ProgramMovie posters on display in lobby: Raymond Griffith in Set #1 of silent film movie prints shared by Bruce Calvert, who came to Topeka from Texas for KSFF 2026Set #2 of silent film movie prints shared by Bruce Calvert, who came to Topeka from Texas for KSFF 2026Set #3 of silent film movie prints shared by Bruce Calvert, who came to Topeka from Texas for KSFF 2026Set #4 of silent film movie prints shared by Bruce Calvert, who came to Topeka from Texas for KSFF 2026Attendees relaxing in the lobby during a break in our White Concert Hall programAttendees shopping in the lobby during a break in our White Concert Hall programWe are pleased to have Randy and Patty Ringgenberg return for our 2024 event as faithful attendees Louise Langberg of Minneapolis, Minnesota, poses beside this year's display-caseAttendee Dave Greim poses for a photo in his Chaplin t-shirt Frank Scheide, attending from Arkansas, brought along two 16mm projectors and gave both away to other attendees Frank Scheide, attending from Arkansas, brought along two 16mm projectors and gave both away to other attendeesBreak-time gives attendees an opportunity to talk with event staff and consider items displayed for possible purchaseBreak-time gives attendees an opportunity to chat with each other in the lobbySeveral volunteers, all behind the desk, offer help to attendees who'd like to purchase silent film objectsBill Shaffer stands with (Need Name) in the lobby during an event BreakBreak-time gives attendees an opportunity to talk with event staff and consider items displayed for possible purchaseBill Shaffer stands with Dave Krug, a long-time KSFF donorThese items were place for attendees to take-away for FREE!An overview of the Sales-Tables during an afternoon break in out Event-Schedule(Need name), Denise Morrison, Susan Rapsis and Jane Bartholomew are grouped behind the Sales-Table in the lobbyFrank Scheide, attending from Arkansas, smiles with KSFF President Bill ShafferMarvin Faulwell and Bill Beningfield take a rest in the lobby...all dressed-up!Nick Yoho attended KSFF for the first time...Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Saturday eveningFleet Kinsey from Lawrence, KS, poses in the lobby with our 2026 Event Clip-BoardThis couple regularly attend our KSFF events (Need Names)Jane Bartholomew stands close with KSFF founder James H. RhodesFrank Scheide, retired Professor of Communication, Arkansas University, attended this year with his wife and two daughtersThis group attends KSFF regularly (From left: Melanie Lawrence, ?, Wendy Mahaffey, Candy Pfaltzgraf, Kellee Pratt, and Kelly Kitchens Wickerham)

This year Ben Model, one of the nation's leading silent film accompanists, played piano and also, with digitally-linkage, played the White Concert Hall organ at this year's event. Ben has published a book, THE SILENT FILM UNIVERSE. Copies were made available for sale in the lobby...and Ben spent time at Saturday afternoon's Break Time signing copies at a long line of  attendees who were HAPPY NEW BOOK OWNERS!   

Karl Mischler has his camera directed at author Ben Model's faceFront row view of Ben Model as he signs copies of his book in the lobby on Saturday afternoonBook-buying attendees make it to the front of the line to talk with Ben ModelBen's line of book-buyers extends backward from his table, with Karl Mischler standing on steps above BenBen Model smiles as he autographs a bookBen Model hands of a book he just autographedKarl Mischler photographs Ben as he signs a bookThe long book-line as seen from upstairsMore book-buyers reach the front of the line for Ben to sign their boooksBen Model hands off a book he just signedKarl's photo of Ben signing a book

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17th Annual Cinema Dinner At our 17th annual Cinema Dinnerattendees enjoyed good food, conversation and door prize give-aways. Music was performed by Harpist Erin Wood. KSFF special guest Melissa Talmadge Cox spoke at our dinner on Saturday night, speaking about her memories of her Keaton grandparents, her Great Aunts Constance and Norma Talmadge, and continued sharing during a very rich Q&A session. The event was fully attended, 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 Cinema Dinner!

KSFF staff Bill Shaffer and Melanie Lawrence were dressed-up for dinnerErin Wood provides dinner music using her harpBruce Calvert (right) is accompanyed by his family and friendsA view from above of banquet dinnerBuffet-lineKSFF President Bill Shaffer welcomes dinner guestsBill is helped in giving away gifts by KSFF co-worker Brian SandersThis year's dinner was SOLD-OUTJeff Rapsis sits at the dinner tableBill Shaffer gets a personal cartoon gift...about his fall down stage steps on Saturday morningJeff Rapsis won a calendarMarvin Faulwell watches the podiumBill passes out a Keaton pillowKelly Erby, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Washburn University, welcomes attendees to Washburn UniversityGuest Speaker Melissa Talmadge Cox begins her story of memories of her grandfather BUSTER KEATONMelissa Talmage Cox has the interest of all listenersAttendees enjoy images that are a part of Melissa's talk about her silent-film-stars-familyGuest Speaker Melissa Talmadge Cox has many fun memories of her grandfather, Buster KeatonYES! Buster DID SMILE! (occassionally)

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Staff Staff devoted their time and efforts for the 2026 29th annual Kansas Silent Film Festival. The KSFF board members include Denise Morrison, Bill Shaffer, Jane Bartholomew, Zandra Myrick, Carol Yoho,  Marvin Faulwell, Melanie Lawrence, Nancy Lawrence, and Brian Sanders. Help coming from out-of-state includes Karl Mischler (here from New York City, taking photos, and offering help in moving materials in a large rental van), and Bruce Calvert (driving north to Kansas from Texas) and bringing a 16 mm film projectors to show silent movies on film as parts of our program. Special thanks go to Washburn maintenance staff employee Mike Sershen in helping our event run smoothly at White Concert Hall, Washburn University. We depend on the talents of our musicians from local areas:  Marvin Faulwell, Bill Beningfield, and Bob Kecksisen. Musicians who fly to Kansas from other states included Ben Model and Jeff Rapsis (from the New York area). We wish to extend special thanks to our festival initiator Jim Rhodes of Topeka (having started planning our first 1997 event during 1996, the year before our first event. Jim continues to support us in many ways as he attends each year in person.

See more photos of Staff Members in the "Meals on the Go" section, below...
— Many thanks to our dedicated staff and assistants! —

Melissa Lawrence ordered us our first collection of black sweatshirts and they all SOLD OUT!Brian Sanders looked up-and-down at the top of the stairs to the balcony. He looks SO COOL!Jane Bartholomew...and the reast of us...HEART Mike Sershen, Concert Hall Maintenance employeeJane Bartholomew, Bill Shaffer and our 2026 Guest Speaker, Melissa Talmadge CoxOur 2026 Guest Speaker, Melissa Talmadge Cox hugs Jane Bartholomew in White Concert Hall Lobby

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Volunteers

Zandra Myrick is our Board of Directors Volunteer Chair. Zandra and the entire board would like to thank our 2026 event volunteers who helped our staff by answering questions, selling merchandise, counting attendance arrivals, greeting fans and passing out programs.


— Thank you, All 2024 KSFF Volunteers! —

Couple2 volunteersGuyGalCarol Rhodes and ??, volunteersGuyGuy hiddingGuy smiling

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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 display tables that were made available for this event. The meals were managed (and, in many cases COOKED by) board member Nancy Lawrence. Our thanks to Thai Table, Bobo's Drive-In, and Hog Wild BBQ, for assistance with the meals. — Our thanks to all talent and helpers for their efforts and comradery! —

Happy eatersSitting to eatGuyDelicious food in nearly-empty tinsTables at Thai Table's Drive InFriday lunch at BoboBobo's was busy at lunch-hourSusan Rapsis socialized at Bobo'sBen Model and Melissa Talmadge Cox at Bobo'sBuffet lunch on Saturday at a Washburn music classroomBrian Sanders takes a lunch break from the projection booth on SaturdayFinal meal for 2026 happened on Sunday morning at Banjo's

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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 is always appreciated!

PLEASE NOTE: We were pleased to bring to life our 29th LIVE KSFF in 2026. We appreciated VERY NICE, MILD WEATHER for this year's event at White Concert Hall, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas!