It is difficult to summarize the work Silent film historian Leg model do during a profession; He is a consultant, a lecturer and teacher, writer and accompanian and composer who performs his own points live on Silent film Views all over the world. As someone with a deep love to silent cinema And an evangelical joy to share the films he loves, summarizes what he does by referring to something his mentor Walter Kerr once told him.
“Walter said that showing silent films was like missionary work,” the model told IndieWire. “Everything I’ve done in my adult life has come from a similar place that wants to spread silent gospel film. “For this purpose, the model has now gathered its thoughts on the art form in”The Silent Film Universe“A book that breaks down all the things that silent films do beautifully and explores why and how they work with audiences in ways that differ from sound functions.
“These ideas are all things that have percolted for many, many years, and that were crystallized in the course I teach at Wesleyan,” Model said. “This is this question that I would always be asked:“ Why do you think people like silent movies? “I never really had an answer that I thought was appropriate.
The model takes up everything from the narrative economy silent filmmaking is encouraged to the role that projection speed plays in the impact of the movies, stops on the road to pay tribute to movies both popular (“Steamboat Bill Jr.”, “Safety Last”) and unclear (“Local showers”, “Move”) which he clearly and briefly.
Through his business, Under -bottom productionsModel has made many important silent films available in untouched transfers on physical media, often with new points and from exquisite restorations. Since undercrank began 12 years ago, the label has released over 30 DVDs and Blu rays of silent films from Douglas Fairbanks Swashbucklers and Lon Chany Rarities to a collection of films by John Ford’s influential but less famous brother, Francis Ford.
The latest edition under Crank is a double functional disc that contains two 1929 Westerns in the lead role Tom Tyler“The man from Nevada” and “Law of the Plains.” None of the film has seen for over 90 years, but Undercrank’s disc contains new 2K restorations from original 35 mm nitrate pressure which makes the films come alive as if they were made yesterday, and they are made the more arousing new points composed and made by model themselves.
“Tom Tyler was very popular,” the model said. “He was the original Captain Marvel, and he was in ‘Stage Coach.'” After his heyday in silent films, Tyler became a favorite among “StageCoach” director John Ford, who also threw him in “Drums along Mohawk”, “They were expenses for” and “She wore a yellow band.” Tyler’s filmography also included small roles in big films such as “Gone with the Wind” and “The Westerner” and main roles in a variety of B-pictures.
“The man from Nevada” and “Law of the Plains” are two of Tyler’s last silent features, and they are real discoveries, rich in atmosphere and dynamic action film achieved with a fraction of resources that larger studio films had. “These films are extremely well -made,” the model said. “Those who made them have to work a little more difficult to make them look good on short schedules and tight budgets. The cinematography on the two films is excellent and the use of places is very creative.”
“The Silent Film Universe” argues for the relevance of films such as Tylers and others, but as a model points out, the films themselves are really the only argument that needs the pleasures are obvious to anyone who takes the time to look at them. “My work is about getting people to check out movies that on the surface may not sound like much fun,” Model said. “But they are actually very entertaining and satisfying, and anyone can appreciate them and have a good time. Everything I do in that purpose of the discovery, whether I play TCM Classic Film Festival or a small average school library somewhere.”
“The Silent Film Universe” and “Tom Tyler Silent Film Collection” is now at Undercrank’s website.
