Last week, the San Francisco Public Library opened a series of exhibits which celebrate the silent film era - then and now.
"Shhhhh! Silents in the Library" explores the silent film era through a series of exhibits and displays which look at the Bay Area’s role in film production during the Teens and Twenties, some of the grand movie palaces located in downtown San Francisco, and a collection of vintage books about the movies published during the silent era. An adjoining case displays posters from the annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival - one of the largest such festivals in the world.
The exhibits run through August 28th. Two related afternoon programs are also set to take place on Sunday, July 10 and Sunday, August 7.
Reading the Stars: The Silent Era
Just like today, the movie going public of the Teens and Twenties had an insatiable appetite for reading material about their favorite actors and films. Reading the Stars looks at some of the many books published about the movies during the silent film era, including vintage biographies, pictorials, how-to titles and even novels, poetry and self-help works written by some of the biggest names in Hollywood. A guided tour of the exhibit will take place on Sunday, August 7 at 1 pm with exhibit organizers Thomas Gladysz, Christy Pascoe and Donna Hill. On display in the Main Library, Steve Silver Room – 4th floor.
The Silent Screen in the City
From the earliest days of movies, San Francisco was a star attraction and attracted stars. From the Golden Gate Park to Pacific Heights and Chinatown, the city served as the backdrop for hundreds of silent films drawing famous stars like Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Lon Chaney and Buster Keaton. The Silent Screen in the City, curated by Rory J. O’Connor, explores these actors and some of the scenes, studios and scandals that occurred in San Francisco and nearby towns such as San Mateo, San Rafael and Niles. On display in the Main Library – 4th floor.
Downtown Movie Palaces of the 1920s
Follow the crowds! Follow the stars! Experience the lost landmarks of San Francisco's splendorous theaters built for and devoted to motion pictures, where a program entailed music, vaudeville, news views, and the feature silent photoplay (film) with live organ accompaniment. This mini-exhibit features portraits of silent film stars and ephemera documenting such theaters as the Lowes Warfield, Pantages Theatre and Granada. On display in the Main Library, San Francisco History Center – 6th floor.
San Francisco Silent Film Festival
"Shhhhh! Silents in the Library" coincides with the 16th annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival, which takes place July 14-17 at the Castro Theater. The Silent Film Festival is the oldest all-silent film festival in the Western hemisphere and one of the largest and most prestigious silent film festivals in the world. A presentation of images and past posters from the Festival are on display at the SFPL outside the Steve Silver room – 4th floor.
Rudolph Valentino, film screening & author talk
Sunday, July 10 - 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Based on a popular book, Son of the Sheik (1926) was the last film to feature Rudolph Valentino - one of the great stars of the silent era. [One of the display cases in Reading the Starsis devoted to books by, about, and related to the iconic star.] This special screening, part of the San Francisco Public Library celebration of the silent era, will be introduced by Donna Hill, author of the recently released Rudolph Valentino: The Silent Idol. A book signing will follow.
An afternoon with silent film star "Baby Peggy"
Sunday, August 7 - 2:00 to 3:30 pm
In the 1920s, Diana Serra Cary was known as "Baby Peggy." Signed to a million dollar contract at age five, this child actress was once one of the biggest little film star celebrities in the world. [Two "Baby Peggy" editions of books for youngsters are on display in Reading the Stars.] At this special event, Cary will speak about her remarkable life in Hollywood more than 80 years ago, her recent work as a writer and film historian, and her lifelong love of books and reading. A book signing will follow.
For more info: The main branch of the San Francisco Public Library (located at 100 Larkin St.) has a webpage about the exhibit at http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=1006779101
Thomas Gladysz is an arts journalist and film buff, and the Director of the Louise Brooks Society, an internet-based archive and international fan club devoted to the legendary film star. Gladysz has contributed to books, organized exhibits, appeared on television and radio, and introduced the actress's films around the world. Recently, he edited and wrote the introduction to a new “Louise Brooks edition” of Margarete Bohme’s The Diary of a Lost Girl.
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