Director Michel Hazanavicius and his Favorite Silent Films

If you love The Artist, and came out of the theatre, wanting to see more silent films, a good place to start, is to see some of the films the director of The Artist really enjoys.

Best Director winner, Michel Hazanavicius, shares his Favorite Silent Films, that include City Girl, The Crowd, The Unknown, Underworld, Docks of New York, Sunrise, and more... (Great list, by the way.)

Also a special mention, that include Josef von Sternberg, Charlie Chaplin and director, Billy Wilder.

Update: A few clips of the films mentioned. These online are not the best quality.

The Crowd - Directed by King Vidor



Underworld - Directed by Josef von Sternberg
(first Sternberg film released after Chaplin didn't release Sternberg's 'A Woman of the Sea')



City Girl - Directed by F.W. Murnau (two clips)






The Unknown - Directed by Tod Browning (with Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford)



Sunrise - F.W. Murnau (with Janet Gaynor)

Congratulations to THE ARTIST and HUGO

It was a GREAT night for silent films, with THE ARTIST winning the five top awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, Best Original Score by Ludovic Bource and Best Costume.

Hugo won the five top awards for Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects, Art Direction and Best Cinematography.

I'm just THRILLED to see THE ARTIST win best picture! I have seen it three times, already, and loved it more each time I saw it. I have been listening to the score since January and it has been great to write Edna Purviance's family biography to. 

Here's the original trailer that excited me about the film last May. And now it would be a great time to see again! Watch for it in your area!

Interesting in seeing more silent film events? Check this LINK!

UPDATE! Starting MARCH 2, 2012, The ARTIST will be increasing the theatre screens from 900+ to 2000! If you haven't seen it, see it early.

UPDATE: A wonderful open letter to Jean Dujardin from Melissa Fairbanks, the granddaughter to Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. - Jean Dujardin did thank Melissa, during this thank you speech, at the Oscars. LINK

Charlie Chaplin Honorary Oscar 40th Anniversary

April 1972, Charlie Chaplin returned to America for the first time in 20 years. It was an historical moment remembered by all who saw it. It was the first time I was introduced to Chaplin, and I have been a fan of his, ever since.

Here is a short video version of the actual moment. (Hopefully, someday, The Academy will share the full moment, without any cuts.)


Charlie Chaplin Oscar d'Honneur 1972 by BryanAiki

BBC 4 Radio "The Chaplin Archive" Return Broadcast

If you missed the last on air broadcast of 'The Chaplin Archives' with Matthew Sweet, BBC 4 Radio is rebroadcasting the two part program. It's the program that covered the letter about Chaplin's birth that made news. Don't know how long these will be available, but if as usual, just one week starting today.

LINKS: EPISODE 1 | EPISODE 2

Gance's 'Napoleon' with Kevin Brownlow on PBS

March 24, 25, 31 and April 1, 2012

San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Abel Gance's 'NAPOLEON'

Paramount Theatre

Oakland, California 

Here is a recent news segment with Jeffery Brown on PBS Newshour talking to Kevin Brownlow about this once in a lifetime screening in the USA. Carl Davis will be conducting the orchestra and Kevin Brownlow will be the guest host for this special four day event. If you can make it, it's highly recommended. For Tickets, contact SFSFF.

Dominique's Latest Editions to the Chaplin Library

Charlie Chaplin Library Database has been updated with over 15 books
recently added to Dominique's Chaplin book collection. Click on the
image for the latest editions.