Author Archive: Retro

A compilation of early day silent films that serves as a glimpse back to the formative days of the movie industry as a salute to Hollywood’s Golden Year, so proclaimed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as 1953. It is unlike most of the films featuring clips from old films as it shows scenes from French, Russian, Italian, British and American films made in the 1890s and early 1900s…and on through the 1920s. Written and narrated by George Jessel (George Jessel) and put together by editor and associate producer (Paul Weatherwax) from over 150,000 feet of old footage, some of it printed on paper.

Auto travelogue through the sights, monuments and mythologies of America’s heartland. A jaded newspaper reporter returns from a long stint in Europe, takes to the highways of the Midwest, and discovers a father-daughter team who help him to realize that his true home lies in mid-America. A fascinating view of Midwestern and Great Plains natural and historical attractions, and a strong statement that mobility equals freedom.

World famous hubba-hubba girl Evelyn West wiggles and wows you in this burlesque feature from the world famous Follies Theatre in Los Angeles. She’s joined by a host of comics, dancers and other woo-woo gals in this sinuous show.

Many scenes are reproduced of a beautiful canyon in one of our Western statesÑoften called “Nature’s Cameo”. Accompanies a group of tourists on a hike through the canyon led by a U.S. Ranger.

Kermit Maynard, Ken’s less famous brother, plays a Mountie impersonating a killer impersonating a Mountie in this low-budget “Northwestern” produced by independent entrepreneur Maurice Conn from a screenplay “suggested” by the story The Midnight Call by James Oliver Curwood. After apprehending the notorious killer “The Raven” (Yakima Canutt), Royal Canadian Mountie Gale Farrell assumes his identity in order to investigate a feud between fur trapping families. As it turns out, the feud is kept alive by nasty casino owner Henry McClain (John Merton), who answers to supposedly kindly Dr. Martin (Hobart Bosworth). They plan to monopolize the fur trade but Gale sets a trap for the good doctor and the feud comes to an end. Maurice Conn reportedly attempted to cash in on a current vogue by releasing the film as “G-Men of the North” only to learn that Warner Bros. owned the appellation of “G-Man.”

Two men (Billy Bevan, Vernon Dent) and their wives move to California.

Narrated by Westbrook Van Voorhis. A March of Time Feature. Focuses on a typical small American town during the years before American involvement in WWI.

The knife-thrower Louella Gallagher throws knives at her daughters Connie Ann, 5, and Colleena Sue, 2.5 yrs old, in Austin, Texas. As the newscaster comments: “…Evidently Colleena Sue has more trust in Mother’s aim than the audience has. It takes a steady eye and a stout heart to heave knives at the apple of your eye, but this female William Tell has no qualms and plenty of faith…”