Laura Jerrolds attended her first Capitolfest this year. She talks about how she came to write a biography about Laura La Plante, one of Capitolfest 22’s Tribute Stars.
If you would liike to order a copy of the biography, follow this link to Amazon.
Rich Vandewater not only attends Capitolfest on a reglar basis, he also has been hosting his own annual backyard movie night since 1999.
Capitolfest 21 Recap, Continued
Other premieres at Capitolfest included the East Coast premiere of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival preservation of the long-lost short comedy, The Pill Pounder (1923), starring Charlie Murray and featuring Clara Bow in support. Universal’s brand-new restoration of their 1929 release, Broadway (now including the complete Technicolor finale) had it’s first public screening anywhere at Capitolfest 21, and the aforementioned screening of Film Is Dead, Long Live Film marked its premiere in New York State.
Among the short subjects screened at Capitolfest 21 were several from Fabulous Fleischer Cartoons Restored, including a sing-a-long with the Mills Brothers (Dinah) and the bizarrely surreal, Bimbo’s Initiation (1931). Edward Everett Horton was, with Reginald Denny, one of Capitolfest’s tribute stars this year, and two of his rarest features, Try and Get It from 1924 and Beggar on Horseback from 1925 were seen in incomplete prints with newly created linking segments to fill in the missing portions.
A special presentation on Saturday afternoon was the two-part silent comedy program by author and noted silent comedy expert, Rob Stone, including some rarely-seen silent comedies in their entireties, accompanied by Ben Model at the organ. Capitolfest 21 ended, as have the previous 20 editions of the festival, with world-renown silent movie accompanist Dr. Philip C. Carli at the console, playing for the new restoration of the 1927 MGM drama, Man, Woman and Sin, starring John Gilbert and Jeanne Eagels.
A few comments from Capitolfest attendees, from submitted questionnaires:
“Such a well-run festival! Great films!” –Chicago, IL
“Thanks for introducing me to Reginald Denny!” –anon.
“I had a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much to all involved, Capitolfest is great! –Rome, NY
“It’s a great festival. A huge bonus this year was having Superofficial/Copper Easel serving food. What a difference it made!” –West Seneca, NY
The whole Capitolfest experience was incredibly amazing! Thank you for one of the best weekends of my life! –(First time attendee) Downers Grove, IL
“Your accompanists are fabulous! I also appreciate the LoC presentations a lot plus your programs and personal introductions are terrific.” –Endwell, NY
“Thanks you for keeping classic films alive!” –Remsen, NY
“You have opened my eyes to all that Central NY has to offer the classic movie fan!” –West Chester, PA
“Second year here and it’s a great time. So nice to be in a concentrated film-loving environment. What a treat!!!” –North Adams, MA