Were you waiting for it? At last, I’m making the official announcement that our great Busterthon is returning for a ninth–ninth!–time! Almost a decade of our annual Buster celebration, folks. Isn’t that amazing?
It’s coming closer! The Silent Movie Day Blogathon hosted by myself and In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood is a mere six days away!
Silent Movie Day–destined to be one of your favorite holidays, behind Thanksgiving and Christmas–is an official yearly celebration of the silent era. Anyone can participate in any way they choose: by watching silent films, sharing the love of them on social media, hosting a screening, donating to an archive…whatever works for you! We decided to host a silent film blogathon for the second year in a row, and happily quite a few people have signed up. (If you’re interested, there’s still time–no pressure!) We’re almost there, folks!
I did want to add that goodness, I’ve been a bit AWOL this month, haven’t I? Probably the most since Silent-ology started, surprisingly enough. But it’s for a good reason–on top of a couple other non-blog-related writing projects, I’ve been asked to contribute a program essay to one of my favorite film festivals. So happily, my writing time and attention has been well occupied lately! So never fear, Silent-ology is rarely far from my mind, and if I’m ever AWOL it’s probably because it lead me to an exciting opportunity (and I can’t get by without sleep, ha ha).
Also, a reminder: October is coming.
Without further ado, a copy of le roster:
Continue readingUPDATE: Day 2 of the blogathon has begun! Be sure to check out any new posts, more are trickling in!
And just like that, our annual Busterthon is back–for year eight!!
And I’m proud to say that we have a great turnout this year and a wide range of topics–participants always do an amazing job, and this year’s no exception. So find your coziest chair, make a pot of your favorite tea, and please enjoy!
Bloggers: Please send me the link to your post whenever it’s ready today or tomorrow. (Many thanks if you already have!) I’ll be updating periodically throughout the blogathon. Don’t forget that I’ll be holding a drawing for all participants, the winner receiving a copy of the fabulous new James Curtis biography Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life. The drawing is scheduled for March 16.
Readers: Drop by often to see the latest posts–and don’t forget that we bloggers adore comments!
Wondering what the previous ‘thons were like? Here are the links to the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Annual Buster Blogathons–whew! Just in case you were hoping to find something to read about Buster…!
The Roster:
Silent-ology | Reviewing All of Buster’s MGM Features
Cinematica | The Scarecrow (1920)
University of Iowa Libraries blog | Article on the Marion Meade research paper collection
La Pantalla Enmudecida | “Buster and My Nieces: A Personal Story” essay
Silver Screenings | The Haunted House (1921)
Realweegiemidget Reviews | Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
dream in dizzy sunlight | Go West (1925)
The Thoughts of One Truly Loved | “How I Fell For Buster Keaton” essay
Taking Up Room | College (1927)
Way Too Damn Lazy to Write a Blog | “Mr. Keaton Goes to the Columbia Shorts Department” article
Big V Riot Squad | “Buster’s Silent Shorts–Reel 2” article
Century Film Project | Cops (1922)
nitrateglow | Reviews of the books The Vampire Diary of Buster Keaton and Bluffton
Whimsically Classic | The Great Buster (2018) documentary
MovieRob | The Cameraman (1928)
Inimitable BK | “Adventures With Horses” essay
The Wonderful World of Cinema | Buster Keaton’s appearance on The Donna Reed Show
Critica Retro | Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood (2016) documentary
Rekha’s Sousaphone | Modern adaptations of Our Hospitality in Indian cinema
Only seven days to go, everyone, until the great annual Busterthon returns for the 8th year in a row!!
I’m excited to see all your posts, everyone! (And I’m, ahem, still working on my own…!) The official roster is below–and if you’re a Keaton-loving blogger who’s just hearing about all this, you’re still welcome to join! The more the merrier, I say.
Continue readingI’m sure you knew it was coming–and it’s here! I’m officially announcing that the great Busterthon is coming back, for an eighth year in a row!
When: Monday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
Where: Right here on Silent-ology!
How: To join in:
What to write about: Anything and everything Buster! (Check out his filmography for some ideas.) You can write about one of his short films, one of the actors who appeared onscreen with him, his costume in a particular film, his influence on a certain actor/director, an experience you had at a Buster screening, a piece of art you made about him–whatever you like! There’s infinite ways to celebrate our brilliant comedian. Also: Duplicate topics are 100% allowed! Everyone has a different perspective, so 2-3 posts on the same film are welcome.
I will be hosting a drawing for all blogathon participants on March 16 as a “thank you” to everyone who joined in. The prize will be announced closer to the blogathon dates–although I already have a good idea of what it’s going to be!
As always: Make Buster Proud! There’s a lot of dubious information out there about his life and career, so let’s try and steer clear of those myths and rumors as best we can. Just imagine you were going to have Eleanor Keaton look at your piece before you published it. *wink*
For ideas and inspiration, here’s the links to the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Buster Blogathons. Just look at all those links–what a library! I love it, my friends.
Banners:
The Roster:
Silent-ology | Reviewing All Of Buster’s MGM Features
The Thoughts Of One Truly Loved | How I Fell For Buster Keaton
Cinematica | The Scarecrow (1920)
nitrateglow | Reviews of the books The Vampire Diary of Buster Keaton and Bluffton
Taking Up Room | College (1927)
Whimsically Classic | The Great Buster (2018) documentary
Realweegiemidget Reviews | Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
The Wonderful World of Cinema | The Donna Reed Show episode “A Very Merry Christmas”
Century Film Project | Cops (1922)
Critica Retro | Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed By Hollywood (2016) documentary
Way Too Damn Lazy To Write A Blog | Buster’s Columbia shorts
Big V Riot Squad | “Buster Keaton’s Silent Shorts — Reel Two”
Silver Screenings | The Haunted House (1921)
Rekha’s Sousaphone | Our Hospitality adaptations in Hindi pop cinema
Silent Locations | Video tour of Buster’s 1920s studio
University of Iowa Libraries blog | Article on the Marion Meade research paper collection
Happy Silent Movie Day, everyone! (Man it feels good to say that…! Dream come true, and all.) Me and In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood are happy to be celebrating it with you all with you today! The founders of this new holiday–one of the best since Christmas–wrote:
“National Silent Movie Day is an annual celebration of silent movies, a vastly misunderstood and neglected cinematic art form. We believe that silent motion pictures are a vital, beautiful, and often powerful part of film history, and we are united in the goal to advocate for their presentation and preservation.”
Couldn’t agree more! So let’s get to it.
Bloggers: Please send us the link to your post whenever it’s ready today–if you signed up with me, send me the link, if you signed up with Crystal at In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood, send it to her. Our rosters will be updated periodically throughout the blogathon.
Readers: Please drop by often today to check out the latest posts–and don’t forget that we bloggers live for comments!
The Roster:
Silent-ology | What is the greatest silent film?
Silent Locations | Honoring the Chaplin-Keaton-Lloyd Alley
MovieMovieBlogBlogII | The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez (1991)
RealWeegieMidget Reviews | Silent Movie (1976)
The Classic Movie Muse | Hot Water (1924)
Hometowns to Hollywood | Girl Shy (1924)
Cinematica | Coney Island (1917)
Better Living Through Television | The relationship between silent film and television
Nitrateglow | The hit films of 1921
Caftan Woman | The Last of the Mohicans (1920)
Silver Screenings | The Hoodlum (1919)
The Story Enthusiast | The Scarlet Letter (1926)
The Thoughts of One Truly Loved | The Circus (1928)
Laurel and Hardy Blog | The Battle of the Century (1927)
Strictly Vintage Hollywood | The lost silent Uncharted Seas (1921)
Grace Kingsley’s Hollywood | “What Does Hollywood Think of Herself?”
Wild About Harry | The silent cinema of Harry Houdini
MovieRob | The Conquest of the Pole (1912)
Critica Retro | Souls For Sale (1923)
Brooksie at the Movies | “Who Taught Valentino to Tango?”
The Classic Movie Muse | Hot Water (1924)
LA Daily Mirror | The first permanent studio in Hollywood
Silent Film Music | Article on silent film projection speeds
Century Film Project | The Nut (1921)
Taking Up Room | Show People (1928)
The Everyday Cinephile | Pre-1920 cinema
Lokke Heiss | The Crowd (1928)
Hear ye, hear ye! The Silent Movie Day Blogathon hosted by myself and In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood is a little less than a week away!
Not too long ago my fellow blogger Crystal, who runs the fine site In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood, contacted me with an idea: How about we cohost a blogathon in honor of Silent Movie Day? Well well well, that sure sounds right up my alley.
“Wait, ‘Silent Movie Day’? Is that a real thing>” you ask. Why yes, it certainly IS a real thing! Just this past January, Chad Hunter, executive director of Video Trust and director of the Pittsburgh Silent Film Society, archivist Brandee B. Cox of the Academy Film Archive, and archivist Steven K. Hill of the UCLA Film & Television Archive all put their heads together and decided to create a National Silent Movie Day. Described simply as “a day to celebrate and enjoy silent movies,” it will be held on September 29. And it won’t be celebrated just this year, but every year! As its founders wrote:
Anyone can participate! Ask your local cinema to show a silent picture with live music; watch a silent movie on a streaming platform or on disc; write a blog or an article for your local newspaper; read a book about your favorite silent movie star; or create a podcast. Use your imagination and post on your social media on September 29 to show how you celebrate the day. This is our moment as silent movie fans, academics, programmers, and newcomers to share our mutual love and appreciation for this unique period in motion picture history. It is also an opportunity to rally around surviving silent pictures that are still in need of preservation.
So in honor of this brand-new rival of Easter and Christmas, Crystal and I are hosting a one-day Silent Movie Day Blogathon–and all bloggers are invited!
Continue reading
Because Roscoe and Al always supported their good friend Buster–and I’m sure they appreciate these blogathons too!
Well my friends, another successful blogathon has come to a close! We had a beautifully curated selection of posts this year, and I extend both an official high five and a hearty THANK YOU to each of you fine bloggers who participated! Your time and efforts are so appreciated.
High fives go out to all the readers who stopped by, too! And if you’re new here, feel free to visit again–I cover everything about the silent era from soup to nuts!
According to hallowed tradition, I held my Very Official Cloche Hat Drawing for this year’s blogathon participants. This year the prize is the essential book Buster Keaton: Interviews, a must for any Buster fan’s personal library. (I praise it from personal experience!)
Here’s the hat waiting patiently for me to draw a name:
And that name is:
Congratulations, Once Upon A Screen, we’ll be in touch! If you see this post before hearing from me, feel free to contact me on my “About Silent-ology” page so we can email each other.
And that’s a wrap! See you at next year’s ‘thon, folks–year 8!
Incredible…
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Well well–it’s a little under two weeks until the Buster Keaton Blogathon returns for a seventh year in a row!
If you’re a participant, know that I’m really looking forward to seeing your posts! Every year our blogathon has such an excellent selection of thoughtful writing and really stellar research. I know year 7 will be awesome as well.
If you haven’t signed up and are interested in joining, go right ahead! I’ll even accept new participants on the days of the blogathon, because why not. The more the merrier!
Important update: Every year I hold a little drawing for blogathon participants. This year I’ve decided to give away a copy of Kino’s lovely DVD of Our Hospitality (1923), one of Buster’s classic features. Don’t you love that cover?
12 days to go, everyone–happy blogging!!
The Roster:
Silent-ology | Buster’s childhood summers In Muskegon, Michigan
The Thoughts of One Truly Loved | Free and Easy (1930)
Big V Riot Squad | Buster’s silent short comedies
Cinematica | Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)
Once Upon A Screen | The High Sign (1919) and Hard Luck (1921)
Taking Up Room | The General (1927)
Critica Retro | TV episode “The Awakening” (1954)
Whimsically Classic | The General (1927)
Century Film Project | The Goat (1921)
MovieMovieBlogBlogII | Cops (1922)
Acting Funny | Article on American vaudeville in young Buster’s time
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