December events at Niles

DECEMBER EVENTS AT THE NILES ESSANAY
SILENT FILM MUSEUM AND THEATRE

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - 3:00 PM

Free Book Signing and Presentation

Theatres Of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose with Jack Tillmany and Gary Parks.

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $15 general admission - $12 museum members
advance tickets available

THE GREAT NICKELODEON SHOW
Return to a time when movies were shown with vaudeville acts, illustrated songs, hand-colored slides, and lecturers in frock coats. See Illusionist extraordinaire, Reed Kirk Rahlmann with his notorious contortionist routine, still uncensored but all-new, rivaling Houdini and the Great Sandow for its outrages against the human body.

See Greg Tiede impersonating Winsor McCay in his famous vaudeville act featuring Gertie the Dinosaur, the world’s first cartoon superstar. See the Georges Melies' fantasy masterpiece A Trip to the Moon performed as San Francisco originally saw it – with narration – recreated by the Niles Essanay Thespian Ensemble.

See four lost illustrated songs. Hear [and see!] songs accompanied by authentic handcolored magic lantern slides and song stylings by the inimitable Lori Leigh Gieleghem and Sean Sharp. The entire affair will be presided over by Frederick Hodges, who will accompany the live acts and additional movies in the authentic nickelodeon style. 35mm Prints will be shown on our Powers Cameragraph 6B hand-cranked projector.

Additional films include:

The Great Train Robbery - (1903, Edison, handcolored, 35mm)
Suspense - (1913, Rex, 35mm)
The Dancing Pig - (1907, Pathe, 35mm)
The Red Spectre - (1907, Pathe, hand-colored)

Sunday December 6, 2009 - 12:30 PM
Suggested donation $10 general admission - $8 museum members
advance tickets available

AVIATION THRILLS ON THE SCREEN

The Legend of Pancho Barnes (2009)

The thrilling life and times of aviation pioneer Florence Lowe ‘Pancho’ Barnes, one of the most colorful and accomplished women pilots of the early 20th Century, is chronicled in this documentary directed by Amanda Pope; produced and written by Nick T. Spark.

It features interviews with Chuck Yeager and Buzz Aldrin, and is narrated by Tom Skerritt and Kathy Bates. Mr. Spark will host this event and be available for questions after the film. Photo courtesy of the Pancho Barnes Trust Estate Archive

Hell’s Angels (1930, Caddo Co.) Ben Lyon, James Hall, Jean Harlow
Howard Hughes’ aviation classic tells the story of two brothers, both in love with Jean Harlow, who join the RAF when World War 1 breaks out. Maybe the dialog and acting are dated, but no expense was spared on the impressive dogfight and zeppelin scenes. Pancho Barnes provided sound effects for the film by flying at an altitude of 1000 feet around a balloon that contained a microphone.


Saturday December 12 3:00 PM
Free
Book Signing and Presentation
Early Universal City by Bob Birchard

Saturday December 12, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Judy Rosenberg (piano)
advance tickets available

UNIVERSAL CITY-AN EVENING WITH BOB BIRCHARD
In conjunction with the publication of Bob Birchard’s new book, Early Universal City, Bob will host a program of Universal releases, and be available to sign his books, which include biographies of Cecil B. De Mille and Tom Mix, and filmmaking in Santa Barbara.
The Goose Woman (1925, Universal) Louise Dresser and Jack Pickford star in a story of a mysterious woman whose past comes to light.

With shorts:
Behind the Screen - (1915, Nestor) Al Christie, Neal Burns, Eddie Lyons
He Married Her Anyhow - (1914, Joker-Universal)
The Black Masks - (1913, Bison, reissued as Unmasked, 1917) Francis Ford and Grace Cunard.

Sunday December 13, 2009 - 4:00 PM
Suggested donation $5

LAUREL & HARDY MATINEE

advance tickets available

The Midnight Patrol Tent of the “Sons Of The Desert”

The International Laurel & Hardy vintage comedy appreciation society, will once again be meeting at the Edison Theater at 3:00 pm prior to the films. The public is welcome to attend their friendly, informal and informative meeting. Bill Cassara, author of Edgar Kennedy, Master of the Slow Burn, will be in attendance to sign his book.

Babes in Toyland - (1934, Roach) Laurel and Hardy star in this perennial favorite with music from the Victor Herbert operetta.

With shorts:
Mabel’s Wilful Way - (1915, Keystone) Mabel Normand, Fatty Arbuckle, Edgar Kennedy
Laughing Gravy - (1931, Roach) Laurel and Hardy
Mama’s Little Pirate - (1934, Roach) Our Gang

Saturday December 19, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Judy Rosenberg (piano)
advance tickets available

Short Subjects Night
The Floorwalker - (1916, Lone Star) Charlie Chaplin
Among Those Present - (1921, Roach) Harold Lloyd
The High Sign - (1921, Comique) Buster Keaton
Big Business - (1929, Roach) Laurel and Hardy

Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Bruce Loeb (piano)

Steamboat Bill, Jr. - (1928, Buster Keaton) Buster Keaton filmed this Mississippi riverboat comedy in Sacramento. It includes one of his most famous and dangerous stunts.
With shorts:
Two Gun Gussie - (1918, Rolin) Harold Lloyd
Love ‘em and Weep - (1927, Roach) Stan Laurel, James Finlayson, Oliver Hardy

Check this link for tickets and more details!
Thanks to Michael Bonham for the December schedule. (listing from Niles)