8mm Forum: The Library of Congress Didn't Know What This 8mm Is. Do You?

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Posted by Larry Tocci (Member # 2495) on March 16, 2011, 10:27 AM:

I have tried repeatedly to find the name of this 8mm short which I own. I contacted the film division of the Library of Congress. Even they were stumped. Any ideas what this film is called & or who stars in it?
Thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlCSpoJQeP0

Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on March 16, 2011, 10:59 AM:

Thanks for sharing this film Larry, I tried looking but, came up with the same results you probably did. You may want to submit it here so that they can take a look at it too: http://www.silentera.com/

They have a large catalog of films, I hope this mystery is solved, it is worth remembering, the print looks very innovative. I'll date it between 1919-1924.

[ March 16, 2011, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Gerald Santana ]

Posted by Larry Tocci (Member # 2495) on March 16, 2011, 11:07 AM:

THANKS! Wow that old? I do like the Charlie Chaplin -like character of the little man. Back then it must've been amazing technology to see that superimposed. I'll take your advice.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on March 16, 2011, 12:21 PM:

Fascinating and very well done!

I was trying to gauge by the effects work when it might have been made; some shots look like "bi-pack" effects in camera (no registration issues between the layers of film) but some also look like real "travelling mattes" as you can see the outline around the little man.
1925 or so seems right. Then again, many individual effects pioneers were working earlier, so...

It'd be very interesting to find out who did this.

Claus.

Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on March 16, 2011, 01:00 PM:

The characters and shots are worked out very well, the close-ups are very revealing. Chaplin's earlier films cut to close ups as early as THE FLOORWALKER in 1916. And speaking of Chaplin, the character seems to have a final scene sleeping in the bath tub which is again done by Chaplin in ONE A.M. in 1916, his most productive year.

Walt Disney mimicked Chaplin's character in Kansas City when he did his own "vaudeville" type shows with friends. A genius, Disney eventually made his own films entirely and innovated a successful technique blending live action with animation in his ALICE COMEDIES beginning with Alice's Wonderland a 12 minute film that was only shown to distributors in 1923. Hmmm, I wonder if anyone tried to copy Disney's innovations?

Virgina Davis was the name of the actress playing Alice and she seems to look a little like the girl in the film in question here. It probably isn't a coincidence. Dawn O'Day, Margie Gay and Lois Hardwick also briefly assumed the role of Alice during it's run. It would be good to look at their careers and see if this film stars either of these early silent film actresses. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was introduced in 1927 after Disney's series of Alice Comedies had run its course.

Posted by Larry Tocci (Member # 2495) on March 16, 2011, 01:03 PM:

I really appreciate the input. The actors each resemble the time period suggested. The brunette haired girl & the little boy are somewhat "Little Rascal-ish," while the blonde haired girl reminds me of a young Mary Pickford. She has such haunting eyes. The actor who portrays Dad, I swear I've seen his face before, but it's probably because he too resembles actors of that period.
This reel almost hit the TRASH! It was found in an open cardboard box of family 8mm movies & was not wanted. What you see is mostly the entire movie. I edited a few spots in the interest of time but nothing that would provide any more clues as to what the film's called.
Please forward it to other film enthusiasts you feel may be able to name it.

Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on March 16, 2011, 01:14 PM:

I've shared it on Facebook, I noticed you also did it for the CASTLE FILMS page. Your testimony is invaluable for the complete picture: OLD FILM, NEARLY TRASHED! Here is another example of innovation without details found in a nitrate print of a yet-to-be-titled-lost-now-found-in-a-can story, and there are many others: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/lost-chaplin-film-discovered-in-5-can-bought-on-ebay-1815748.html

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