gagman66

Yes I do know this for a fact, because Chuck Tabesh told me several months ago that they were doing all they could to get the new Criterion Restoration of the original 1925 version on TCM. So if it wasn't shown today, obviously that effort fell through. Unless, they are perhaps holding off for a Prime-time premiere at some point? Also you must understand that when the 1942 re-issue was released very few Silent films had been revived yet. I can really only think of a couple. Valentino's SON OF THE SHEIK in 1937, and William S. Hart's TUMBLEWEEDS in 1939. Both of which were quite successful. Another Valentino picture THE EAGLE (1925) may have also been re-issued to theaters around 1938. But that is about it. Why Chaplin demmed that spoken narration was needed, I have no idea? If that were the only problem with the 1942 version it wouldn't be so bad. Unfortunately this is not the case. Chplin literally altered key plot devices in the story, and removed vital that had made this a great film in the first place. Here are the facts, after Chaplin was barred from reentering the country in 1952, he accidentally let the copyright to the 1925 version lapse the following year. For many years the '25 cut was considered Public-Domain, and was only available in degraded prints of varying quality and completeness. The Chaplin Estate recently went to court to get the rights to the original film back. So why are they insisting on only allowing TCM or anybody to broadcast the '42 edition? Makes no sense whatsoever.. Supposedly the officially authorized Estate version is still '42, but it shouldn't be. Especially if the Estate as it claimed now hold the copyright to both versions? I could go further. In 1991 the original 1925 score for Cinema Orchestra to THE GOLD RUSH was discovered in Chaplin's vault. Portions of which he composed. When Criterion first announced that they were putting out a DVD and Blu-Ray with a reconstruction of the 1925 Silent cut of the film, I thought they were going to record the 1925 score as well. Instead, Timothy Brock flawlessly expanded on the 1942 score. with a new Orchestration. Incredibly faithful to the original arrangement. While it is excellent work, I still would have liked to have heard the 1925 score just to see how if compares to the later one. Most of which is not Chplin's music anyway. There are only about 3 or 4 themes to the 1942 score that Chaplin composed himself.

*"His Sacred Shrine"*

The Chaplin Hier's are dead wrong. THE GOLD RUSH needs to be seen in it's entirety on TCM. They are doing a major disservice to his memory, by not allowing the most complete version to air. Especially after this magnificent new restoration has been done. The 1942 re-issue is very simply put not THE GOLD RUSH. It is in-fact an inferior bastardization that Chaplin himself in later years probably resented.

The longer original Road Show version of THE KING OF KINGS in 1927 was presented live music performed by Cinema Orchestra's. The score on the Criterion edition was recently composed by Donald Sousin. The Alternate cut, also on the 2 disc Criterion DVD has the vintage. Hugo Resinfeld Photo-phone track. Though recorded in 1928, I don't think this was widely distributed until 1929-30 for the the sound re-issue. I'm definitely partial to the Road Show cut of the film, but at the same time much prefer the Resinfeld score in the shortened re-issue release. The excellent Criterion DVD is well worth having for both versions, and for the extra's. Including a beautifully illustrated booklet. Much better than VHS. This would be a very good title for a Blu-ray up-grade. Though it doesn't appear likely anytime soon. Buy the DVD while still in print. Hope that this information is helpful to you?

It is the beautiful Virginia Cherril in Chaplin's Masterpiece CITY LIGHTS. She was married for a short time to Archie Leech. Better known as Cary Grant.

Hi. THE VIKING (1928) with Puline Starke, Donald Crisp and Leroy Mason, was supposed to be released a couple years back from Warner Archive. But it got pulled because a new restoration was being done. The restored print had a couple screenings last year. It's been on TCM, but not in the most recent transfer, although it still looked very good. I have this on DVD-R if you can't find it eleswhere. Request that Warner Archive release the title, and to see this on TCM. Last aired in late 2010 I believe.

Helen Kane

Fred, Yes, it is Dorothy Mackaill, who I am used to seeing with lighter hair.

She was a First National Star.

*"I dare say, very well preserved indeed!"*

*Dorothy Mackaill- "I dare say, very well preserved indeed!"*

*Madge Bellamy- "Show A Leg"*

*Clara Bow with James Hall in The Fleets In (1928)*

A couple more stills from *THE NIGHT OF LOVE (1927)* *"Prince Of Bandits"* *"Unrequited"*

*Norma Talmadge and Conway Tearle- "A Courting At Court"- ASHES OF VENGEANCE (1923)* *Norma Talmadge -"Queen Of The Harem"- From THE SONG OF LOVE*

I wonder if this is this what it looks like? Have to say, this Mad Doctor got much better results than Victor did! *Marion Davies- "She's Alive!"- From THE YOUNG DIANA (1922)*

Johanna, That's great that recorded *THE BLACKBIRD.* It's one of my favorite Chaney's, and one of my favorites with Renee Adoree too. Another still from *BARDELYS THE MAGNIFICENT.* *"Smitten Noblemen"*

Wendy, Warner Baxter was popular, and had successful pictures. I'm just saying that he was not really in the Major-Star leading-man class of a John Gilbert, Ronald Colman, John Barrymore, Ramon Novarro, Milton Sills, Rod La Rocque, Richard Dix, or even Edmund Lowe, Antonio Moreno, Adolphe Menjou, and Conrad Nagel. More in the category of a Frank Mayo, Bert Lytell, Ben Lyon, Lloyd Hughes, Norma Kerry, Lew Cody, or Cullen Landis. Guys that were maybe not really the top-tier Stars. RAMONA might have been the picture that took Baxter to the next level. Made him a major, major movie name. What I do know is that in the early 30's, actually by 1929, Baxter's career boomed.

This update was just posted a few hours ago! *"The reconstructed inter-titles for RAMONA have just recently been completed and are going up to the lab to have a negative made. Then they will get cut into the negative and we will make a new print or two. I would guess we are looking at 6 weeks or so."* *"Rob Stone-Library Of Congress (Lab Technician)* This movie has not been publicly exhibited anywhere since it's original run. It will probably see some Theatrical screenings later this year. It is all but unknown even to the historians and critics at this point. So don't be expected a quick TCM premiere. Maybe a World Premiere event though next year at the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival could be a possibility. Who knows? *RAMONA* was a Blockbuster hit in 1928 for Dolores Del Rio and Warner Baxter. Del Rio was already a major Star. This film probably was the one that made Baxter one of the top leading men in the business. Baxter was popular. before hand. Had a good fan following, but not really a huge name. I don't think *THE GREAT GATSBY (1926)* was his breakout film. I could be mistaken. Warner was in some popular films like *THE AIR MAIL* with Billie Dove before that. He made many features at FBO in the early 20's with Irene Rich, Evelyn Brent, and other ladies.Well he was in the Clara Bow feature *THE RUNAWAY* at Paramount in 1926. Also with William Powell. Portions of this long lost William De Mille picture have turned up as well very recently Possibly even the majority of the movie? .I'll try to get more information.

*"Captain Colleen"*

*Eleanor Boardman- "Young And Pretty"* *Eleanor- In profile, with Shawl-Circle 1923*

*Marceline Day- "Precious Dear"* *Mary Philbin- "Bright Eyed Beauty"*

*Betty Compson- "Ready For Spring"* *"Easter Bonnet Betty"*

*Gloria Swanson and Wallace Reid in DON'T TELL HER EVERYTHING (1921)* *Antonio Moreno and Mary Miles Minter- THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE (1923)* *Ramon Novarro and Barbara La Marr- "The Pleasures of Our Palace"- 1923* *William Powell, Thelma Todd and Gary Cooper- "Rivals For Her Affection"- NEVADA (1927)* *James Hall and Louise Brooks in ROLLED STOCKINGS (1927)*

Wendy, Johanna, As you know Mrs. Goldwyn tragically had alll her husbands Silent films both the negatives and prints destroyed except for THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH. Fortunately, STELLA DALLAS, THE NIGHT OF LOVE and a few others turned up elsewhere in other collections So THE DARK ANGEL has been lost for decades. Probably since at least the late 40's. The MoMA had TWO LOVERS for a long time, but supposedly some of it has decomposed since they acquired it. I don't know how much of the picfure remains now? I just have not been posting may photos in months here because fo many members have been absent. But I have dozens of pics backlogged.