More laughs and local filmmaking at Niles

September 28, 11:17 PMSF Silent Movie ExaminerThomas Gladysz

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By Thomas Gladysz
San Francisco Silent Film Examiner

Laughs and local filmmaking dominate the October schedule of films at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont. It’s a very busy month which includes some terrific films and some of the biggest names of the silent era – as well as three films made in Pleasanton! Here’s the schedule for October.

“Filmed in Pleasanton,” with Frederick Hodges at the piano
Saturday October 3 at 7:30 pm (Suggested Donation $5.00)

When Mary Pickford first discovered the possibilities of Pleasanton as a film locale, she encouraged other Hollywood producers to follow suit. Soon, as many as twenty silent films were made (at least in part) in this East Bay community. On the first three Saturday’s in October, the Niles Museum presents some of these locally filmed features in conjunction with an exhibit at the Museum on Main in Pleasanton. (Hollywood-produced shorts complete each program.)

Though film star Douglas MacLean came to San Francisco to shoot scenes for The Home Stretch (1921, Ince), it was the racetrack in Pleasanton that was the main attraction for this locally shot film. Margaret Livingston is also featured. Along with The Home Stretch, the evening’s entertainment also includes two shorts, Seeing Stars (First National, 1923) with Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Coogan and others, and The Grocery Clerk (Vitagraph, 1919) with Larry Semon.

“Filmed in Pleasanton,” with Jon Mirsalis at the piano
Saturday October 10 at 7:30 pm (Suggested Donation $5.00)

The “Filmed in Pleasanton” series continues with A Woman of the World (1925, Famous Players-Lasky). In this comedic satire, Pola Negri plays a countess who visits her American cousin in a small midwestern town and in doing so causes the local gossips to speculate about her reason for visiting. Charles Emmett Mack and Chester Conklin are also featured in this locally made film. Rounding out the evening are two shorts, Lizzies of the Field (1924, Sennett) with Billy Bevan, and Slipping Wives (1927, Roach) with Priscilla Dean, Stan Laurel, and Oliver Hardy.

“Laurel & Hardy Matinee”
Sunday October 11 at 4:00 pm (Suggested Donation $5.00)

In The Laurel and Hardy Murder Case (1930, Roach), Laurel and Hardy go to a haunted mansion hoping to inherit the estate of Stan’s uncle, while in The Live Ghost (1934, Roach), Laurel and Hardy attempt to shanghai a crew for a haunted ship. The afternoon selection includes two Our Gang shorts, Moan and Groan, Inc. (1929, Roach) and Hide and Shriek (1938, Roach).

Prior to the films, the Midnight Patrol Tent of the Sons of the Desert - the International Laurel & Hardy appreciation society, will be meeting at the Edison Theater. The public is welcome to attend their informal and informative meeting, which is scheduled to start at 3 pm.

“Filmed in Pleasanton,” with Judy Rosenberg on the piano
Saturday October 17 at 7:30 pm (Suggested Donation $5.00)

The “Filmed in Pleasanton” series concludes with Gigolo (1926, DeMille). In this William K. Howard directed film based on the Edna Ferber novel, former Chicago Essanay star Rod La Rocque shines in the title role of a small town boy who winds up dancing in Paris. The evening’s entertainment also includes two shorts, Ring Up the Curtain (1919, Rolin) with Harold Lloyd, and With Love and Hisses (1927, Roach) with Laurel & Hardy.

“Short Subjects Night,” with Greg Pane on the piano
Saturday October 24 at 7:30 pm (Suggested Donation $5.00)

“Short Subjects Night” features four comedic films, He Did and He Didn’t (1915, Keystone) with Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand, Haunted Spooks (1920, Rolin) with Harold Lloyd, The Haunted House (1921, Comique) with Buster Keaton, and Habeas Corpus (1928) with Laurel and Hardy.

“Filmed in the Bay Area & KTVU!”
Sunday October 25 at 4:00 pm (Suggested Donation $5.00)

The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum takes a turn for the “worse” with a locally made short film and local cult favorite Hardware Wars, a parody of Star Wars. John Stanley, author and Creature Features host, and Ernie Fosselius, creator of Hardware Wars, will be in attendance at this special Sunday afternoon event.

“Saturday Afternoon Halloween Matinee!”
Saturday October 31 at 4:00 pm (Suggested Donation $1.00)

Come see silly and slightly spooky vintage cartoons, retro commercials, and funky film shorts before taking the kids trick-or-treating. It’s a Kiddie Cartoon Cavalcade for children of all ages!
 

“Halloween Spinetingling Spectacular” with Bruce Loeb on the piano
Saturday October 31 at 7:30 pm (Suggested Donation $5.00)

Its Halloween night, and The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum will screen The Last Warning (1929, Universal), directed by Paul Leni. Laura La Plante stars in this mystery set in a theatre where the leading man was murdered on stage, and now, five years later, a producer decides to restage the play with its remaining cast members. The evening’s entertainment also includes The Red Spectre (1907, Pathe) as well as selected shorts by George Melies.

When you visit, be sure and check out the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum’s recently expanded and revamped gift shop. It carries a rather nice array of books, DVDs, postcards, posters, CDs and gift items associated with both Niles and silent film.

The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is located at 37417 Niles Blvd in Fremont, California. For more information, call (510) 494-1411 or visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/.