The Best Show in Town!

As the first decade of their ongoing silent film series at the Paramount Theater draws to a close, STG seems to have really hit their stride. With a steadily growing audience of well informed, enthusiastic film buffs, an elegant, awe-inspiring venue, first rate programs and the best accompanist in the business as house organist, this series has developed an international stature while becoming a valued Seattle institution.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the folks upstairs, PSTOS for their tireless maintenance of the Paramount’s beautiful Publix Wurlitzer, Trader Joes (we'd be out on the sidewalk without this loyal sponsor), Warren Etheredge, and the guy who’s been down front since the very beginning, Dennis James. Also thanks to STG for offering up their archive of series posters for sale at more than reasonable prices in the lobby and for expanded media coverage.
The August series began with John Barrymore in Don Juan (1926), and a sensational adaptation of the original Vitaphone score by Dennis James, followed by a gem from director Rex Ingram The Prisoner of Zenda (1922). The highlight of the series has to have been the Library of Congress restoration print of Sparrows (1926). Introduced by delightful Jennifer Bean, and including the original trailer, the Seattle show was only the second screening of this immaculate print. The series concluded with Douglas Fairbanks’ swan song to the silent era The Iron Mask (1929), and a well done. if impromptu reading of the original mid-film recital by guest Richie Meyer. All four nights were flawless excursions back to the era of the best damn movies ever made!

Next up for silent film buffs, The Port Townsend Film Festival will include two archive presentations in their upcoming program, September 15, 16 & 17. The SFSFF plans a winter event down at the Castro, and of course, there’s Pordenone, October 7-14 (I wish!).

The Mountain, the Shoplifter and Lulu

Coming in January, STG continues Silent Mondays with a trip to Weimar Germany and the Expressionist movement. Included on the program are two from director G. W. Pabst, Diary of A Lost Girl (1929), the second of two films he made with legendary bad-girl Louise Brooks, and The White Hell of Pitz Palu (1929), perhaps the best known film of the Mountain genre, starring actress/director Leni Reifenstahl. The winter series concludes with Asphalt (1929), a visual riot of urban life about a girl, a stolen diamond and a cop.

Coming next spring …

A boater, a pair of glasses, and Harold Lloyd!