- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,563
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Vitagraph Studios aka Vitagraph Company of America had its roots in Brooklyn, New York, going back to 1897. In 1925, about the time they produced Captain Blood in 1924, they were purchased by and became part of Warner Bros.
Most of their catalog remains lost, which is reason enough to highlight what I consider to be a passion project by our Library of Congress, as released by Kino.
It's an act that should make every cinephile proud to be paying their taxes.
The series begins with a prologue interviewing important members of the LoC staff, who you just Know are not there for the paycheck. These folks love cinema. You'll find one at the head of every disc.
Spread across three discs, you'll find forty short films, starring actors you've probably never heard of before, but are genuinely funny, and will end the concept that comedy in the cinema began with Chaplin, Keaton et al. Included on the discs, you'll find the work of John Bunny, Frank Daniels, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, Larry Semon, the team of Montgomery and Rock, and a new discovery for me, Edith Storey, who appeared in over 150 films, retiring in 1921 at the ripe old age of 29. Early in her career she also played male parts, occasionally billed as Dick or Billy Storey. There's a documentary hiding here in plain sight.
Also, for the uninitiated, you discover that silent films did Not run at crazy speeds, were not always filled with scratches, splices and detritus, and could appear quite normal.
The collection culled from the LoC vaults with some help from GEM. Music is created and played by a large selection of musicians including fan favorite Ben Model.
Your purchase of Vitagraph Comedies insures more to come.
Image – n/a
Audio – n/a
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Worth your attention - 10
Slipcover rating - n/a
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
https://www.amazon.com/Vitagraph-Co...id=1715018162&sprefix=vitagraph,aps,83&sr=8-1
Most of their catalog remains lost, which is reason enough to highlight what I consider to be a passion project by our Library of Congress, as released by Kino.
It's an act that should make every cinephile proud to be paying their taxes.
The series begins with a prologue interviewing important members of the LoC staff, who you just Know are not there for the paycheck. These folks love cinema. You'll find one at the head of every disc.
Spread across three discs, you'll find forty short films, starring actors you've probably never heard of before, but are genuinely funny, and will end the concept that comedy in the cinema began with Chaplin, Keaton et al. Included on the discs, you'll find the work of John Bunny, Frank Daniels, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, Larry Semon, the team of Montgomery and Rock, and a new discovery for me, Edith Storey, who appeared in over 150 films, retiring in 1921 at the ripe old age of 29. Early in her career she also played male parts, occasionally billed as Dick or Billy Storey. There's a documentary hiding here in plain sight.
Also, for the uninitiated, you discover that silent films did Not run at crazy speeds, were not always filled with scratches, splices and detritus, and could appear quite normal.
The collection culled from the LoC vaults with some help from GEM. Music is created and played by a large selection of musicians including fan favorite Ben Model.
Your purchase of Vitagraph Comedies insures more to come.
Image – n/a
Audio – n/a
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Worth your attention - 10
Slipcover rating - n/a
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
https://www.amazon.com/Vitagraph-Co...id=1715018162&sprefix=vitagraph,aps,83&sr=8-1
Last edited by a moderator:
