This is the 9th annual touring festival of non-stop two-minute-or-shorter films and videos from around the world including drama, comedy, sci-fi, short documentary and so much more! There are almost 60 shorts here; 59 to be exact! We promise you will not be bored - not even for a second! Some of the highlights include Michael Moore's "Testify" - a political statement on the 2000 elections - in collaboration with the band Rage Against the Machine.
All films are presented in the Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian unless specified otherwise.
Wednesday, October 17 - 7:30 pm
SHORT ATTENTION SPAN FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL
Sponsored by SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, FILM THREAT, CARTOON
NETWORK, FLASHBANG!, CANDY, R.E.M., GENERIC MEDIA, ADOLPH GASSER, INC.,
EOSTUDIOS.COM, ARTALLDAY.COM, TWIGONESTOP.COM
This is the 9TH annual touring festival of non-stop two-minute-or-shorter
films and videos from around the world including drama, comedy, sci-fi,
short documentary and so much more! There are almost 60 shorts here; 59 to
be exact! We promise you will not be bored - not even for a second! Some
of the highlights include Michael Moore's "Testify" - a political statement
on the 2000 elections - in collaboration with the band Rage Against the
Machine. There is crazy animation from Japan, including a flying,
spinach-eating, ultra-modern woman in "Lady-GO"! SXSW Film Festival
Award-Winner, "Culture" by Ari Gold. His hilarious take on the Dogma school
of filmmaking. You will also want to see the ultra-short documentaries like
Laura Levine's "Peekaboo Sunday", a story about raising miniature horses or
Eva Sollberger's "Exotic World", an inside look at the lives of some of
American's first burlesque performers. Also included is one of our favorite
prolific short film directors newest piece, "Worm", by Jay Rosenblatt.
This show is more sophisticated and sensitive than past Short Attention Span
programs, but we still like to warn our audiences up front: this show may
not be suitable for children! 2001 Intro, Kenny Kilfara, Jeff Rieter & Ben
Allen. Films will not necessarily screen in the order listed below.
Directors and film titles are listed below.
Festival website: http://www.shortspan.com
Several of the filmmakers to appear for a Q & A after the program TBA.
- All guests are subject to their availability.
- Unless there is a special ticket price listed, tickets are: $8
General Admission; $7 Students/Seniors/Children; and $6 American
Cinematheque Members.
- Programs listed as double features are one price for both films.
There will be a 5-7 minute intermission between programs (or longer if a Q &
A is scheduled in between the screenings).
- Press passes to public screenings are not guaranteed. You should
take advantage of advance press screenings.
- All press requests for tickets or coverage must be in writing.
EGYPTIAN THEATRE 79th ANNIVERSARY!
Spotlight on Lillian Gish
Sponsored by Packard Humanity Institute
Thursday, October 18 - 7:00 PM
Please join us to celebrate the 79th birthday of the Egyptian Theatre (which
opened October 18th, 1922), starting with a special "Lillian Gish Slide-Show
Presentation" by James Frasher, who was Ms. Gish's personal manager and
close friend for the last 25 years of her life. This narrated slide
presentation from Frasher's private collection recounts the story of her
legendary Hollywood career and their travels around the world.
Followed by a Restored 35 mm. Print of ROMOLA, 1924, 106 min. Directed by
Henry King (12 O'CLOCK HIGH), this lushly romantic medieval saga stars
Lillian and Dorothy Gish, Ronald Colman and William Powell. Based on the
novel by George Elliot and filmed on magnificent sets in Florence, Italy,
ROMOLA is what the silent film epic was all about - great stars in grand
storybook roles. William Powell plays an unscrupulous nobleman in the age
of the Medicis, who seduces peasant girl Tessa (Dorothy Gish), marries
scholar's daughter Romola (Lillian Gish), and causes havoc by his bad
behavior until he finally gets his well-deserved come-uppance. ROMOLA, which
made had its original premiere at the Egyptian Theatre, was the final film
of 23 pictures the Gish sisters made together. Silent film with live organ
accompaniment by Dennis James.
Special ticket price: $12 members; $14 students/srs.; general $15.
October 19 - 21, 2001
THE GREAT HOLLYWOOD MURDER MYSTERY OF 1924?
In November, 1924, pioneering movie producer Thomas Ince (one of the men who
helped "invent" Hollywood) went for a weekend cruise on tycoon William
Randolph Hearst's yacht; on board were some of the best-known figures in
Tinseltown, including Charlie Chaplin, actress Marion Davies, gossip
columnist Louella Parsons and writer Elinor Glyn. When the yacht returned,
one of the famous passengers was dying, and one of the most enduring
mysteries in Hollywood was born - as well as the subject of the upcoming
Peter Bogdanovich film THE CAT'S MEOW, starring Kirsten Dunst as Marion
Davies, Eddie Izzard as Chaplin, Edward Herrmann as Hearst, Cary Elwes as
Ince, Jennifer Tilly as Louella Parsons and Joanna Lumley as Elinor Glyn.
The Cinematheque's "Great Hollywood Murder Mystery of 1924" weekend will
feature a Benefit Sneak Preview Screening of THE CAT'S MEOW (with Cast and
Crew in attendance), along with films by the "cast of characters" involved
in the mystery, including Chaplin's 1925 classic THE GOLD RUSH, a
double-bill of two rarely-seen Marion Davies features (both produced by
Hearst), Ince's groundbreaking 1916 epic CIVILIZATION, along with an ultra-rare
documentary tour of the Ince Studios; Clara Bow's breakthrough comedy IT
(1927), written by Elinor Glyn - all at the historic 1922 Egyptian Theatre,
which figured prominently in the aftermath of the mystery (if you come we'll
tell you how ...!) (Lions Gate Films will be releasing THE CAT'S MEOW in
early November nationwide.)
Thomas Harper Ince is widely acknowledged as the man who "industrialized"
filmmaking. He was largely responsible for departmentalizing and
standardizing the filmmaking procedure. Ince was known for fastidious
"pre-production" - pouring over scripts and planning all the details of
production before rolling a foot of film.
Friday, October 19 - 7:00 PM
Benefit Sneak Preview! Cast & Crew In-Person!!
THE CAT'S MEOW, 2001, Lions Gate Films, 112 min. Dir. Peter Bogdanovich.
>From the play by award-winning writer Steven Peros comes a delectable,
behind the scenes look at a fateful excursion of "fun and frolic" aboard
William Randolph Hearst's private yacht in November of 1924, that brought
some of Hollywood's best known personalities of the day together and
resulted in a still-unsolved, hushed-up killing. As Hearst (Edward
Herrmann) and his lover, actress Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst) set sail from
San Pedro Harbor early one Saturday morning, hosting a small group that
includes the brilliant but self-absorbed Charlie Chaplin (Eddie Izzard),
film pioneer Thomas Ince (Cary Elwes) preoccupied with his recent financial
setbacks, ambitious gossip columnist Louella Parsons (Jennifer Tilly) and
the eccentric British novelist Elinor Glyn (Joanna Lumley), it becomes clear
that although witty repartee and double entendre are the order of the day,
deceit, deception and finally murder are also on the menu ...
Discussion following with director Peter Bogdanovich, screenwriter Steven
Peros, actors Edward Herrmann and Eddie Izzard, producers Kim Bieber and
Carol Lewis and other cast & crew (schedules permitting.) [Special Ticket
Price of $15.00 General, $14 Student/Senior $12.00 Cinematheque Members.]
Friday, October 19 - 9:45 PM
Ultra-Rare Thomas Ince Silents!
CIVILIZATION, 1916, Film Preservation Assoc., 86 min. A Thomas H. Ince
Prod. Dir. by Raymond West and others (uncredited). Writer: C. Gardner
Sullivan. Set in the mythical kingdom of Nurma, CIVILIZATION is an
impassioned plea for neutrality just prior to America's entry into World War
I. Delirious, bold and gloriously melodramatic, the film follows a
suicidal naval officer banished to a vivid Hell while Nurma's King is given
a tour of a gruesome battlefield by Jesus Himself! (Note: In the 1930's
Ince's original version was purchased by a religious group and cut down in
length. This is the only version currently available.) "Ranks with the
world's greatest cinema productions" -- Variety.
Plus, "A Tour of the Thomas Ince Studios," 1922, Film Preservation Assoc.,
25 min. approx. A fantastic rarity, this newsreel documentary is a
one-of-kind glimpse into the workings of an early Hollywood studio. With
movie star looks, the one-time actor Ince intensely studies a script,
emphatically directs a scene, and mercilessly pummels his boxing partner!
(Both films silent with live musical accompaniment.)
Saturday, October 20 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 AM
In honor of the Egyptian's 79th birthday, we are presenting a special look
back at the restoration and renovation of the theatre, with Peyton Hall
(Historic Resources Group), the preservation architect who oversaw the
project. Then join us for a panel discussion with some of the people who
have been working to revitalize Hollywood Boulevard. This discussion
couldn't be more timely, considering that the $615 million Hollywood &
Highland mixed use, hotel/restaurant/retail/entertainment center is due to
open Nov. 8th and is considered the catalyst for $1 billion worth of
development in the area. Each talk/panel will last approximately 45 minutes.
The Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre Lecture
Preservation Architect Peyton Hall oversaw the restoration and renovation of
the Egyptian Theatre. He will speak about this process aided by a slide
presentation.
Hollywood Preservation & Development
Confirmed panelists include David Gadja (Hollywood Business Improvement
District Board Member), Kerry Morrison (Director, Hollywood Entertainment
District) Bill Roschen & Christy Van Cleve & Barbara Smith, Cinematheque
Director. Admission is free to this program only.
Saturday, October 20 - 5:00 PM
IT, 1927, Kino, 72 min. Dir: Clarence Bedger. Writer: Hope Loring and Louis
D. Lighton. Adaptation: Elinor Glyn from her novel. British born Elinor
Glyn was a sexually scandalous writer (and Marion Davies friend) whose racy
novel defined women with that special "it"; the film, in turn, defined
actress Clara Bow as an icon for the entire flapper generation. Bow stars
as a gold-digging salesgirl with designs on her boss. Look for Glyn herself
in a cameo role, as well as Gary Cooper in a walk-on as a reporter. (Silent
with pre-recorded music.)
Saturday, October 20 - 7:00 PM
Marion Davies/William Randolph Hearst Double-Feature!!
THE PATSY (a.k.a. THE POLITIC FLAPPER), 1928, Warner Classics, 64 minutes.
Dir: King Vidor; Writer: Agnes Christine Johnston from a play by Barry
Conners; titles: Ralph Spence. Although SHOW PEOPLE is more frequently
screened, many consider this first of three King Vidor/Marion Davies
comedies their best film together. With unflappable flapper morality,
downtrodden Marion studies a book on personality in order to win her
sister's beau. Along the way, Marion displays her comic gifts beautifully -
she's charming, funny, and hilariously mimics Lillian Gish, Pola Negri and
Mae Murray! Marie Dressler co-stars as Marion's domineering mother.
Produced by William Randolph Hearst. (Silent with live musical
accompaniment.)
PEG O' MY HEART, 1933, Warner Classics, 86 mins. Dir: Robert Z. Leonard.
Writer: Frank R. Adams; adaptation: Francis Marion. This should put to rest
any notions that Marion's stammer killed her career in sound films. Marion
impeccably holds the screen as a spunky Irish lass who's separated from her
father and brought to a ritzy English manner to fulfill an inheritance.
Produced by Hearst's Cosmopolitan Pictures, this was Hearst's personal
favorite of all her films. (Sound.)
Discussion following with THE CAT'S MEOW screenwriter Steven Peros and
Marion Davies historian Elaina Archer.
Sunday, October 21 - 12:00 Noon
Sunday Kids' Matinee!
THE GOLD RUSH, 1925, Kino, 72 min. Dir./writer Charlie Chaplin. THE GOLD
RUSH is an ideal film to introduce youngsters to silent film. Coming off his
first major financial failure, A WOMAN OF PARIS, Chaplin responded with what
many consider his finest feature length film. The Little Tramp travels to
the Far Yukon in search of gold, but ends up falling in love with dance-hall
girl Georgia Hale. The classic "dance of the dinner rolls" and "boiled shoe
leather" scenes show Chaplin's gift for poignant comedy at its very best.
(We will be screening Chaplin's re-edited 1942 version of the film, with
pre-recorded soundtrack and commentary by Chaplin himself.)
Sunday, October 21 - 5:00 PM
More Ultra-Rare Ince Silents!
THE RETURN OF DRAW EGAN, 1916, Film Preservation Assoc., 60 min. approx. A
Thomas H. Ince Prod. In 1914, Ince put stage actor William S. Hart under
contract ("My greatest find", Ince said) and helped create one of
Hollywood's first western stars. The lean, tense RETURN OF DRAW EGAN is
often cited as one of the best Ince/Hart westerns. (Sadly, their successful
six year collaboration would end in a bitter legal battle over profits.)
THE COWARD, 1915, Film Preservation Assoc., 60 min. approx. A Thomas H.
Ince Prod. Continuing his reputation as a "maker of stars", Ince carefully
groomed Charles Ray for six years until he finally starred in this Civil War
drama, acclaimed as one of Ince's finest productions. "It was not (THE
COWARD cont'd) until THE COWARD that Ray approached the dimensions of
stardom. His work in that picture stamped him as a splendid performer." --
Thomas Ince. (Both films silent with live musical accompaniment.)
Sunday, October 21 - 7:30 PM
SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS. 1927; Criterion, 95 min. Dir: F.W. Murnau.
Writer: Carl Mayer; story: Hermann Suderman. Murnau's first American film
stars George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor as a farmer and his loving wife, whose
marriage is rocked by the appearance of an alluring "Woman from the City"
(Margaret Livingston, who was Thomas Ince's mistress, and often listed as
one of those on board Hearst's yacht that fateful weekend in 1924.) An
Academy Award winner for lead actress Gaynor, cinematography, and for
"artistic quality of production". (Film silent with pre-recorded music.)
Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Boulevard - Hollywood