Silent films in store in City by the Bay

  • 2023-06-24
Fans of silent movies will be able to enjoy their favorite art form during a festival in San Francisco.

This is the 26th year for the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, which will be held at the Castro Theatre. A total of 23 films will be screened over the five-day event, and most are probably not known to the public. Many viewers’ familiarity with silent films may be limited to the work of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, but in fact there are no Chaplin films on the list, and only one featuring Keaton.

Many of the films have been restored, and all will be accompanied by live music from an array of artists. The festival kicks off with 1929’s “The Iron Mask,” the sequel to “The Three Musketeers,” starring Douglas Fairbanks, Marguerite de la Motte, and William Blakewell. An exciting swashbuckler, the film has several sound sequences in it. Live music to accompany the movie is by the Guenter Buchwald Ensemble.

The Buster Keaton film is “Three Ages,” from 1923, in which Keaton spoofs D.W. Griffiths’ earlier movie, “Intolerance.” Music for this film will be provided by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.

The films include comedies, dramas, and even a horror movie or two. The dates of the festival are July 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Organizers of this type of event can use brochure printing to create detailed programs for attendees.