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This evening’s kickoff for the 19th annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival was an event of epic proportions. In honor of the anniversary of World War I, the festival opened with the monumental Rex Ingram/Rudolph Valentino collaboration The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921), a movie t read more

Song of the Fishermen (1934) An occasionally beautiful film about a poor fishing family's struggle with poverty and social injustice, Song of the Fisherman was the first social-realist Chinese film.A fisherman's wife gives birth to twins, a boy (Monkey) and a girl (Kitty), prom read more

  It’s here, readers! Backlots’ annual coverage of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival starts tonight. As usual, I will be enabling live tweets on the blog, and posting every evening about the day’s adventures. For more information about what is going on this weekend, ple read more

The film responsible for the tango craze and gaucho pants. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse  (1921) I am embarrassed to admit that until tonight, I had never seen a Rudolf Valentino picture in its entirely; only sepia-toned clips in histories of film documentaries and su read more

I thoroughly enjoyed discussing Debbie Reynolds’ recent auction, Rock Hudson and his Star of the Month Celebration on Turner Classic Movies, Star Wars, The Turner Classic Film Festivals, classic television programs, and much more with John Losh on KKES radio out of Kansas City, Missouri, and read more

  A Girl of the Timber Claims is another of the films that have gained the subtitle of: unknown status or lost; making itself known now, only by the gossamer threads of distant memories. The reception that Timber Claims received from the critics was mixed, while it garnered a good sized budget read more

  A Girl of the Timber Claims is another of the films that have gained the subtitle of: unknown status or lost; making itself known now, only by the gossamer threads of distant memories. The reception that Timber Claims received from the critics was mixed, while it garnered a good sized budget read more

  A Girl of the Timber Claims is another of the films that have gained the subtitle of: unknown status or lost; making itself known now, only by the gossamer threads of distant memories. The reception that Timber Claims received from the critics was mixed, while it garnered a good sized budget read more

The Camden Film Fair is held 6 times a year at Camden’s legendary ELECTRIC BALLROOM  The Electric Ballroom, 184 Camden High Street, London, NW1 8QP There are up to 60 stands selling movie memorabilia including: DVD, Blu-ray, video, magazines, books, posters, stills, autographs, programmes, soundtrac read more

By Fritzi Kramer on May 25, 2014 in Blog, Feature, Silent Movie Review Sessue Hayakawa headlines a story of art and madness. It’s all about a crazy painter who dreams of finding his princess– and the problems that arise when he finally does win her. Made by Hayakawa’s own producti read more

If you follow this blog closely, you’ll know that I love ESPN’s 30 for 30 films. One aspect of these films I have not gotten into are the shorts, until now. One of the hobbyist phases I went through was collecting sports cards, especially baseball cards. The Honus Wagner card was one I k read more

Earlier this evening, I received confirmation that Backlots will be at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival as an official member of the press. This will be my third year at the festival, and it stands as one of my favorite festivals to cover. Held at San Francisco’s beautiful Castro Theat read more

"Of course you can trust me, doll! Justhand me the briefcase with your lifesavings and the money you embezzled fromthe bank. I'll be right back." Of all the actors and actresses who were in 1930s movies, Gordon Westcott (1903-35) was certainly one of them. Born Myrthus Hickman (shame he changed it read more

"Of course you can trust me, doll! Justhand me the briefcase with your lifesavings and the money you embezzled fromthe bank. I'll be right back." Of all the actors and actresses who were in 1930s movies, Gordon Westcott (1903-35) was certainly one of them. Born Myrthus Hickman (shame he changed it read more

I'm very excited to announce the second summer reading challenge! 2014 Summer Reading Classic Film Book Challenge Read a classic film book Write a review and post it on your blog or Goodreads profile Submit your review link here. Repeat until you have read and reviewed 6 books! Review 6 and be a read more

By Fritzi Kramer on May 18, 2014 in Blog, Feature, Silent Movie Review The earliest surviving film directed (and possibly also written) by Mabel Normand, Won in a Cupboard was thought lost for decades. The plot, and I use the word loosely, involves a pair of young lovers, their parents, a case of m read more

If you follow this blog closely, you’ll know that I love ESPN’s 30 for 30 films. One aspect of these films I have not gotten into are the shorts, until now. An interesting quick look at Arnold Scharzenegger’s early life and some of the leaps of faith he took to get his career start read more

Top Red Carpet revelers at the Turner Classic Film Festival include an international group of pass holders and seasoned celebrities accustomed to the flashes and clicks of Nikons and iPhones on Thursday, April 10, at the Gala Premiere restoration of 1955′s “Oklahoma!” introduced by read more

Classic horror fans and movie buffs – put Saturday 24th May 2014 into your diaries right NOW so you don’t miss this superb event at the London Film Convention, Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH from 10am – 4pm! Not only is there an Aladdin’s cave of movie memorabilia for sale (in read more

The Abysmal Brute (1923) Status: Missing and presumed lost. Every lost film is a tragedy but some hit your gut worse than others. The Abysmal Brute is one of those movies that makes me want to cry. True, it’s a boxing film and I am not a fan of the sport but it also has my beloved Reginald D read more