Category Archives: Announcements

Information that might interest the fan of cinema.

The Hitchcock 9

Posted on February 25, 2013 by John Grant

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival plans a special event for June 14-16 at the Castro Theater, when they present 9 silent films directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  The schedule includes the following films: Blackmail (1929) Champagne (1928) Downhill (1927) — … Continue reading →

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Kansas Silent Film Festival

Posted on November 29, 2012 by John Grant

The Kansas Silent Film Festival, which takes place in Topeka, Kansas (at Washburn University) on February 22 and February 23, 2013, announced its schedule: http://www.kssilentfilmfest.org/kssff2013/program.html The free festival’s feature films include “Sparrows (1926)” with Mary Pickford, “Three Ages (1923)” with … Continue reading →

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Silent Winter 2013

Posted on November 17, 2012 by John Grant

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival announced its program for their winter silent film festival, which they call “Silent Winter 2013.”  All films will screen at the beautiful Castro Theater in San Francisco, California on Saturday, February 16, 2013.  Find … Continue reading →

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In Pordenone

Posted on October 8, 2012 by John Grant

Pordenone, Italy — I am on the ground in Pordenone for the 31st Pordenone Silent Film Festival.  The wonderful program this year concentrates on Charles Dickens stories, Anna Sten, and the films of the Selig Polyscope Company.  I have already … Continue reading →

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Anna Sten

Posted on September 8, 2012 by John Grant

At the 31st Pordenone Silent Film Festival, we’ll get a feeling for why Samuel Goldwyn brought Anna Sten to America.  He saw a major star in her after seeing her Soviet and German films.  But although a great beauty,  Sten … Continue reading →

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31st Pordenone Silent Film Festival

Posted on July 30, 2012 by John Grant

The Pordenone Silent Film Festival takes place in Pordenone, Italy from October 6 to October 13, 2012.  They posted the schedule on this site: http://www.cinetecadelfriuli.org/gcm/giornate/questa_edizione.html It has changed the lives of thousands of men around the world suffer from try … Continue reading →

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News: A New Banner Debuts

Posted on July 11, 2012 by John Grant

My movie blog now sports a new banner, designed by artist Mary Gow.  The banner recalls the art and artists of cinema, and features images of Gloria Swanson, Billy Wilder and Norma Talmadge.  The middle picture in the banner shows Harry … Continue reading →

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San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Posted on June 3, 2012 by John Grant

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival announces the roster of films for their 17th annual festival, set for the Castro Theater in San Francisco from Thursday, July 12 to Sunday, July 15, 2012 — Thursday, July 12 — 7 PM … Continue reading →

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Akira Kurosawa

Posted on May 8, 2012 by John Grant

If you rent or buy Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 film, “Ikiru,” you’ll be treated to an extra disk that contains a documentary about Kurosawa’s filmmaking technique.  He discusses scriptwriting, editing, music, lighting, set design and other aspects of producing a movie. … Continue reading →

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Ellen Is Nice

Posted on May 2, 2012 by John Grant

I saw Martin Scorcese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” from 1974 and I think it holds up very well.  It’s well acted and not preachy, and it concerns a very likeable character named Alice Hyatt who decides to follow her dreams … Continue reading →

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