Category Archives: Hand-Crank Show

Silent Home Run at Two-Strike Park

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!

 

Packed House! Buster Keaton & Live Orchestra

Video courtesy of Stan Taffel, the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

What happens when you combine a live orchestra with a silent film? A packed house! Over 300 people showed up, and we had to open up the balcony. There was laughter, applause, and excitement throughout the entire show. 

As Bob Duncan says, “An impressive evening in every way—the orchestra’s score was in sync with the film from beginning to end and definitely enhanced the audience’s enjoyment and the film print was crystal clear. A memorable evening that all the participants can be very proud of.”

The show included a couple cartoons and the popular “Steamboat Bill Jr.” starring Buster Keaton; hand-cranked on a Power’s 1909 Cameragragh Model 6 Motion Picture Machine by Joe Rinaudo; and accompanied by the Famous Players Orchestra, scored and conducted by Scott Lasky. Stan Taffel served as Master of Ceremonies and Shane Glander projected the glass lantern slides.

In addition to the silent cinema and live orchestra, there was a raffle of original Disney artwork, hot dogs, refreshments, and of course popcorn. 

Famous Players Orchestra Board of Directors

Famous Players Orchestra Board of Directors

The evening was an overwhelming success. As Mr. Taffel says, “It’s an honor to be involved with Famous Players Orchestra and to serve on the board of directors with Scott Lasky, Joe Rinaudo, Joni Varner, Gary Lacher, Gary Gibson, Paul Butler, and Dean Mora.”

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3 Silent Spooky Apparitions this October

Phantom of the Opera PosterThree Itinerant Shows are planned for October at which I will hand-crank my 1909 Power’s Cameragraph Model 6 Moving Picture Machine, with other visual and musical delights provided by my colleagues. I hope to see you there. —Joe Rinaudo

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016 at 7:30 PM
HANFORD FOX THEATRE
Hanford, California

The Phantom of the Opera

“The Phantom Of The Opera” will be screened at the historic Hanford Fox Theatre. Built in 1929, the Hanford Fox boasts a 12 rank Wurlitzer pipe organ to be played by Dean Mora. The film is the only 35mm print in existence that tells the complete story (as originally intended) by combining the 1929 release and the 16mm show at home versions (blown up to 35mm). It also now has all of the original color sequences restored as they were seen in 1925. Original narrative and spoken inter-titles (about 68) have been restored as well as the prologue titles that describe the beginnings of the Phantom and his connection to the Paris Opera House. Plus see the original Technicolor ending as well! Since this print is drawn from the original 1925 and the 1929 (sound speed) versions, hand cranking will allow you to see, for the first time, the film presented at the proper speeds. Gary Gibson will present a glass lantern slide show during all reel changes.

“The Phantom of the Opera”
Restoration Credits:
see below

Showtime:
Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Location:
Hanford Fox Theatre
326 N. Irwin Street
Hanford, CA 93230
map

Ticket Information


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 at 8 PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016 at 2 PM8PM
Nethercutt Collection
Sylmar, California
Request Tickets
(Admission is free but you must order tickets in advance.)

Halloween Show

organ-pipes-with-ghost600x438The Nethercutt Collection will host another three silent film hand crank shows. Friday at 8:00 p.m. & Saturday at 2:00 & 8:00 p,m. The program will be the same for each show. Dean Mora will play the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ which is the third largest in the world. Gary Gibson will provide original glass lantern slides during all reel changes. Tickets will be available on September 21 starting at 4:00 p.m. by calling in for up to 4 tickets per caller. Phone: (818) 364-6464. Please be persistent as the office only has 3 phone lines. How to Request Nethercutt Show Tickets

Musical narration and sound effects by Dean Mora at the Mighty Wurlitzer, the third largest theater organ in the world.

Gary Gibson will provide original glass lantern slides during all reel changes.

Your host is Kyle Irwin, curator, who will demonstrate the Nethercutt Collection’s automated musical instruments before the show and during intermission.

You may also tour the collection of over fifty classic cars which are on display in a museum setting that recreates the marble and mirrored showroom of an early automobile dealership.

Business or semi-formal attire is appropriate. Children must be 10 and older.

MORE INFORMATION:
Powers Cameragraph projector
Dean Mora, organist and swing band leader
Nethercutt Collection

Don’t forget to call for tickets Wednesday Sept. 21 at 4pm sharp—and enjoy the show!

Showtimes:
Friday, October 21, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Location:
Nethercutt Collection
15200 Bledsoe Street
Sylmar, CA 91342
map

Admission is free, but you must obtain tickets in advance.
How to Request Nethercutt Show Tickets


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016 at 7PM
Christ Lutheran Church
Burbank, California

The Phantom of the Opera & Habeas Corpus

Phantom of the Opera Posterhabeas corpus poster l&h

Original Posters from Universal and MGM

Famous Players Orchestra’s “Halloween Silent Film Spooktacular” is coming up. This will be a very special show you won’t want to miss.

The main feature on the program will be a one-of-a-kind restored version of the 1925 horror classic,“The Phantom of the Opera” starring the “man of a thousand faces,” Lon Chaney. This restored print of “Phantom” cannot be seen anywhere else, and is the only 35mm print in existence which tells the complete story as originally intended. All of the original color sequences have been restored as they were seen in 1925 under Joe Rinaudo’s direction and supervision. Original narrative and spoken inter-titles (about 68) have been restored by Chaz DeSimone, as well as the prologue titles that describe the beginnings of the Phantom and his connection to the Paris Opera House. Plus, see the original Technicolor ending as well! Since this print is drawn from the original 1925 and the 1929 (sound speed) versions, hand cranking will allow you to see, for the first time, the film presented at the proper speeds. “The Phantom of the Opera” will be presented with a live musical score accompanied by Scott Lasky on the pipe organ.

Also included on the program will be the 1928 two reel Laurel & Hardy comedy “Habeas Corpus.”  

Not a trick, just a very special treat:

Famous Players Orchestra will perform a live score for “Habeas Corpus.” This is the first time that the Famous Players Orchestra will play publicly for a film. Please attend and support this non profit organization. The Famous Players Orchestra’s mission is to preserve and perform authentic motion picture music as it was intended to be used with silent film presentations.

Both films will be shown in 35mm, projected by Joe Rinaudo on an original hand-cranked Power’s 1909 Cameragraph Model 6 Motion Picture Machine.

Glass lantern slides will be presented during reel changes by Mr. Shane Glander.

Your Master of Ceremonies will be Stan Taffel. Showtime is at 7pm and the doors open at 6:15pm. Admission is a suggested donation of $10.00. Tickets may be purchased at the door approximately one hour before showtime, or you may buy them in advance securely online here:

tix-fpo

 

“The Phantom of the Opera”
Restoration Credits:
see below

Showtime:
Saturday, October 29, 2016
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.)

Admission is $10.00 (suggested donation)

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

MORE INFORMATION:
Famous Players Orchestra


RESTORATION CREDITS

“The Phantom of the Opera”

35mm source material:
Special thanks to
Mr. David Shepard
Blackhawk film library

16mm source material:
Mr. Stan Taffel

Script and cutting continuity:
Mr. George Wagner

Title re-creation, design and typography:
Mr. Chaz DeSimone
DesimoneDesign.com

Title & film digitizing & output to film:
Mr. Michael Brodersen
Mr. Rico Hernandez
Negative and print color timing:
Mr. Doug Ledin
Project manager:
Mr. Allan Tudzin
Fotokem Film & Video Services
Fotokem.com

Film and title restoration
produced and supervised by:
Mr. Joe Rinaudo
SilentCinemaSociety.org

“Habeas Corpus” film courtesy of the Blackhawk film library.


 

The End