Category Archives: Cameragraph Projectors

Buster Keaton, Cameragraph Projectors, Comedy, Glass Lantern Slides, Hand-Crank Show, Larry Semon, Laurel & Hardy, Two-Strike Park

Silent Home Run at Two-Strike Park

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Joe Rinaudo, cranking his 1909 Powers Cinemagraph Motion Picture Machine, projects Laurel & Hardy in “Angora Love.” As soon as the film ends, Gary Gibson slides the light box to the left, projecting glass slides through the “magic lantern” lens, while Joe changes reels.

Two Strike Park in La Crescenta, California, was packed with kids and adults July 28, 2018 to enjoy an evening of silent comedies as soon as dusk set in. It was a beautiful evening with lots of laughter and fun. Popcorn, sodas and home-made cookies were sold at the snack stand. (The show was free.)

There were cartoons and films starring Laurel & Hardy, Buster Keaton and Larry Semon. The audience was amazed at the daring stunts performed live, real time, in those days.

Joe Rinaudo hand-cranked the show along with Gary Gibson, his able assistant (who also projected the glass slides while Joe changed reels). Cliff Retallick performed a splendid “narration” on the piano.

Of special note, gratifying to Joe whose mission is to keep silent cinema alive for generations to come, was the large number of youngsters enjoying the show. One teenager, Zander Greene, not only engaged in an enlightening conversation with Joe, but also helped him break down and pack the equipment. 

Zander and his shadow

Zander Greene, 14, thoroughly enjoyed not only watching the films, but also checking out the equipment and discussing silent cinema with Joe Rinaudo. He also helped Joe break down the equipment after the show. 

This is living history, something you just can’t experience any other way but by being there. If you were in the audience, thank you for supporting Silent Cinema. If you weren’t, hope to see you next time!

 

1902, A Trip to the Moon, Cameragraph Projectors, David Shepard, George Méliès, Google, Silent Cinema

A Trip to the Moon Tribute

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A Trip to the MoonA Trip to the Moon is one of many innovative films by the French illusionist and film director George Méliès who inspired several  milestones in cinematography:

♦  Special effects and science fiction in film
♦  Google’s first-ever virtual reality Google Doodle, “Back to the Moon”
♦  Professor Rinaudo’s passion for 35mm silent films

Méliès pioneered numerous technical and narrative film techniques in the early days of cinema, primarily in the use of special effects and creation of some of the earliest films of the science fiction genre. More about George Méliès on Wikepedia.

In case you missed the Doodle (which replaced the Google logo on its home page) watch it here. It’s quite entertaining. Even more amazing is the VR experience where you can move around the room or the scene. Here’s how:

VR experience

If you watch it on a phone or tablet you can move the scene around by moving the device around. On a monitor, click on the upper left circle (arrow 1), then click and move the cursor over the scene (arrow 2). Go full screen if you want an immersive experience. You will be able to move around the scene—top, left, behind, up and down! (Joe can’t do that with his hand-crank projector.)

HOW MELIES DID IT

Here’s a fascinating page about Google’s tribute to George Méliès, how the Google Doodle was created with many fantastic video examples, and an in-depth story about the illusionist and filmmaker.
Here’s an excellent documentary on YouTube narrated by Mark Oughton and showing many of his most impressive scenes.

ORIGINAL 1902 FILM

Have you seen the original 1902 film? It’s on YouTube with fitting music. Notice how crystal clear the film is.

If you want to see the film in all its sharpness and black-and-white glory, hand-cranked at the perfect speed for each scene, attend a showing by Professor Rinaudo who owns a pristine print. Speaking of which…

A Trip to the Moon launches Joe’s passion for 35mm (still silent, of course)

Joe Rinaudo, who had been collecting 16mm silent films since his teenage years, had just finished restoring his 1909 Powers Cameragraph Model 6 Motion Picture Machine, when he was asked by his friend, mentor, and fellow film collector David Shepard (read Joe’s tribute) to hand-crank two shows at the Silent Movie Theater in Los Angeles, with Bob Mitchell playing the music for the film. This would be for the 100th anniversary of George Melies’ A Trip To The Moon. In turn, David presented Joe with a gift: a pristine print of the film. That was Joe’s very first 35mm silent film, inspiring his passion for collecting, restoring, advising, lecturing, and hand-cranking silent films in the 35mm format…and creating the Silent Cinema Society whose mission is to Preserve Silent Cinema Art and Technology.

“My friends, I address you all tonight as you truly are; wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, magicians… Come and dream with me.”
—Georges Méliès

 

 

 

 

 

Buster Keaton, Cameragraph Projectors, Charley Chase, Dean Mora, Edwardian, Famous Players Orchestra, Galen Wilkes, Gary Gibson, Hand-Crank, Heritage Square Museum, Joe Rinaudo, Larry Semon, Mighty Wurlitzer, Nethercutt, Perry Mansion, Powers Cameragraph, Ragtime, Scott Lasky, Silent Cinema, Silent Cinema, Valentines, Wax Cylinder

UPCOMING 2017 SHOWS

Here are several shows throughout Los Angeles in early 2017 featuring the sights, sounds and history of entertainment as experienced a century ago during the Silent Cinema era:

January 26, 2017 ♦ 5:30 pm

Los Angeles In The Ragtime Era

Ragtime Era in Los Angeles

Presented by Galen Wilkes
Calabasas-Las Virgenes Historical Society
Calabasas Library, 200 Civic Center Way, Calabasas

February 10 and 11, 2017 ♦ 2:00 and 8:00 pm

Nethercutt

Mighty Wurlitzer at The Nethercutt Collection

For those of you who have tickets for the February Nethercutt show, here is the program:

♥ The theme will be LOVE for Valentines Day. ♥

The show will feature:

 

♥ Buster Keaton in “Neighbors”

♥ Larry Semon in “Plagues And Puppy Love”

♥ A very rare Edison Film from 1907 “The Teddy Bears”

♥ A rarely seen Charley Chase comedy “There Ain’t No Santa Claus”

♥ Plus a surprise from the Blackhawk film collection with special thanks to Mr. David Shepard

Joe Rinaudo will be assisted on the hand-cranked Powers Cameragraph Motion Picture Machine by Gary Gibson, projecting glass lantern slides, and Dean Mora on the mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ (third largest theater organ in the world).

LOCATION AND EVENT DETAILS HERE

Sorry, this event is sold out. If you have your tickets, enjoy the show! If not, hope to see you next October for our annual Halloween Spooktacular at the Nethercutt.

March 11, 2017 ♦ 7:00 pm

“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” with
Live Orchestra
Steamboat Bill Jr

 

Featuring a live musical score performed by The Famous Players Orchestra under the direction of Scott Lasky.

Projected by Joe Rinaudo in 35mm on an original hand-cranked Power’s 1909 Cameragragh Model 6 Motion Picture Machine. Your Master of Ceremonies will be Stan Taffel.

The program will include a 30 minute intermission and there will also be a raffle with prizes. Concessions will be available downstairs at the snack bar.

Showtime:
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Show starts at 7:00 p.m.

Location: 
Christ Lutheran Church
2400 W. Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506
(southeast corner of Burbank Bl. & Buena Vista St., directly behind the Dunn-Edwards paint store)

Admission is $10.00 (suggested donation)

Tickets will go on sale at the door approximately one hour before showtime.

You can also purchase tickets online starting February 1 through the Famous Players Orchestra website.

MORE INFORMATION:
Famous Players Orchestra

March 25, June 17, and November 11, 2017 ♦ 7:00 pm
JUNE 17 AND NOVEMBER 11 DATES CANCELLED

On three special dates throughout the year,
Galen Wilkes will present

An Edwardian Evening of Entertainment

 

Edwardian Evening of Entertainment

Enjoy a period vaudeville show, witness a live recording of the audience onto an Edison wax cylinder, and experience other fascinating examples of the Edwardian era.

Perry Mansion, Heritage Square Museum
3800 Homer St., Highland Park

JUNE 17 AND NOVEMBER 11 DATES CANCELLED

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