The Movie Magic of Silent Films

[Uncle Al]

If you folks are in or around the DFW area,
I hope you can be there.

It will be a Spook-tacular, Fun-Filled event

Postcard for email 2010-10-22.jpg

Uncle Al

[crfriend]

It will be a Spook-tacular, Fun-Filled event

That looks like a good time, but silent films require proper accompaniment, and that traditionally means a proper instrument. Is the venue up to it? Do they have the original score?

Speaking of silent film, methinks it's about time do dig out my time-worn copy of Metropolis for another watching. Things have come a ways when it comes to technology, but the absolute genius shown by the camera crews and special-effects folks in that film were -- and remain -- stunning. There's a lot of modern cinema that owes much -- and pays homage to -- that work.

[Uncle Al]

Yes, the venue is up to it Our Mighty 3 manual, 17 rank, 1926-ish
Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ is rip-roarin' and ready to go


FYI - Most Silent Film accompaniment was done 'on-the-fly'.
Some of the 'original scores' were done by people who didn't know a
thing about a Theatre Organ. The 'composer' would write for a pit
orchestra, then try to convert it to the Theatre Organ.
When the organist received the 'copy/score' from the composer, most
just tossed it up on the top of the console or the floor beside the console.
The result was much better than what was written. BTW - we present
our Silent Films using a carbon-arc projector on 16mm film - NOT DVD

Uncle Al

[Since1982]

+ Halloween night you can stop by my house for cookies and milk and anything else that you like. $24.95 at the front door and $24.94 at the back door....be careful not to trip and fall into the canal. It's 30 feet deep and VERY salty.

The real celebration is the next day, Nov. 1....free entrance, pull up a bit of floor and get over all nights drinking.

[crfriend]

Yes, the venue is up to it Our Mighty 3 manual, 17 rank, 1926-ish
Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ is rip-roarin' and ready to go [...] we present
our Silent Films using a carbon-arc projector on 16mm film - NOT DVD

That's retro enoujgh for me! I love it when things are dobe right! Bravo!

I'd forgotten that was the ATOS North Texas chapter's home base.

FYI - Most Silent Film accompaniment was done 'on-the-fly'.

Undoubtably, and quite possibly many productions didn't have anything more than hints for the musician(s) at the theatre to go on; however, the bigger ones did have scores that were designed to be followed, and if the pieces weren't properly arranged for the instrument at hand that's hardly the composer's fault!

All in all, Al, you guys have serious bragging rights there! 'Tis a pity you're two thirds of a continent away.