Cinesation, a film festival that focuses on hard-to-find samples of vintage American cinema, will return to the historic Lincoln Theatre in Massillon, Ohio, for its 17th year. The festival runs from Thursday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 30.
Titles that have already been announced are:
Rubber Tires (1927, right), the last film directed by Alan Hale, best known as a supporting player in numerous Warner Bros. films of the '30s and '40s. This cross-country road movie stars Bessie Love, who was featured in the first talkie to win a best picture Academy Award, the mammoth 1929 hit The Broadway Melody; silent-era leading man Harrison Ford (no relation to the Indiana Jones actor); and May Robson, just about every film performer' warmly grouchy mom, grandma, aunt, etc. throughout the '30s). Screenplay adaptation — from Frank Condon's story — by future director Tay Garnett and the respected Zelda Sears.
Laughing at Life (1933), a film that even I had never heard of… This obscure rarity — an action-adventure tale about a soldier of fortune and gun runner — was directed by Ford Beebe, and it stars future Academy Award winner Victor McLaglen, whose subtlest performances would make master scenery-chewers like Robert Duvall and Jack Nicholson look subdued; Spanish beauty Conchita Montenegro, currently 94 years old and living in Paris; off-screen (and off-stage) rabble-rouser William "Stage" Boyd (not to be confused with William Boyd of Hopalong Cassidy fame); Regis Toomey, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, and silent-era veterans Lois Wilson, Pat O'Malley, Noah Beery, Tully Marshall, and William Desmond (not to be confused with murdered director William Desmond Taylor).
Where the North Begins (1923), directed by Chester M. Franklin, and starring Rin Tin Tin in one of his popular adventure tales for Warners. In case there's anyone out there who cares, the biped characters are played by Claire Adams and Walter McGrail.
Future possibilities include:
If I Were King (1920), directed by J. Gordon Edwards, who handled superstar Theda Bara in Cleopatra, and who happens to be director Blake Edwards' grandfather. William Farnum stars as the early modern era's favorite vagabond, François Villon.
The Life of the Party (1920), directed by Joseph Henabery, and starring a pre-"wild party" scandal Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Also in the cast, the late great Viora Daniel. (So, I've never heard of her, but with a name like that — it sounds like a rip-off of Metro star Viola Dana's moniker — she had to be listed.)
The Forbidden City (1918), an interethnic love story directed by future Oscar nominee Sidney Franklin, an underrated director who displayed a remarkably deft touch throughout the silent era. The drama features up-and-coming superstars Norma Talmadge (playing Chinese) and Thomas Meighan.
For additional information and new additions to the festival, visit www.cinephiles.org, or contact Dennis Atkinson at dr.atkinson@cinephiles.org or Terry Hoover at thoover657@aol.com.
Yes, you should come. The theatre is very nice and downtown Massillon is a very nice area. Lots of restaurants and stores. The hotel I stayed in was very reasonable and is only a couple of blocks away from the theatre. There's even the Lillian Gish house to see, which is right up the street from the theatre. Funny, in the past four years of attending I still haven't actually gone to see the house.
But, it's well worth attending. Hope you can make it.
Who knows…
You may run into me there this year. Especially if they can get "The Forbidden City." That sounds like a treat.
I've gone to this festival for the past four years and am eagerly looking forward to my fifth. I would greatly encourage anyone who has never attended this festival, to come out and support the Great Lakes Cinephiles Society and the Cinesation festival. They always do a fantastic job of presenting a diverse and interesting collection of rare early Hollywood films with a balance of both silents and talkies.
What I really enjoy about it is the relaxed, genial, Midwestern feel and the genuine friendliness of the attendees. It's a great time and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a weekend filled with rare and obscure Hollywood gems. So come on out and support this wonderful group of people. No, I'm not a spokesperson for The Great Lakes Cinephiles society. Just a happy attendee.