Welcome to John Bengtson- April 24th-28th
Posted: April 23rd, 2012, 7:56 pm
Here's the link to Moira's announcement and details about his visit: http://silverscreenoasis.com/oasis3/vie ... =29&t=5682
"Have you ever wished that you could step into a silent film like Buster Keaton did in Sherlock, Jr. (1924) and experience that other world? Our upcoming guest in April will bring us as close to that wondrous experience as possible. In fact, retracing the steps of Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd (and more) are on the horizon for the SSO this month.
Mr. Bengtson, a lawyer as well as film historian, blends cinematic archeology with social and urban history through his unique approach to examining the locations where and when films were shot. His work, which The New York Times described as a “Proustian collage of time and memory, biography and history, urban growth and artistic expression,” takes us on a virtual tour of the sites that provided inspiration for such giants as Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton through his books, films and website.
Researching his discoveries of locations where films were shot and placing them in a social and cultural context has proved fascinating as he unearthed subtle class differences among these comic stars, the way that sequences were edited together (sometimes jumping from city to city, as in the case of Lloyd's hectic 1928 comedy, Speedy), and sometimes taking walking tours of the actual places that still exist in some form.
Here's his website: http://silentlocations.wordpress.com/
As Los Angeles preservationists and historians strive to save pieces of our past, Mr. Bengston collects those fragments of our film heritage, researches them and makes those locations still standing come to life through his books, his website and his tours!
So please feel free to join us here and ask Mr. Bengston questions regarding silent film locations including locations used in this year's Oscar winner, The Artist!
This is the thread to post your questions for John.
"Have you ever wished that you could step into a silent film like Buster Keaton did in Sherlock, Jr. (1924) and experience that other world? Our upcoming guest in April will bring us as close to that wondrous experience as possible. In fact, retracing the steps of Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd (and more) are on the horizon for the SSO this month.
Mr. Bengtson, a lawyer as well as film historian, blends cinematic archeology with social and urban history through his unique approach to examining the locations where and when films were shot. His work, which The New York Times described as a “Proustian collage of time and memory, biography and history, urban growth and artistic expression,” takes us on a virtual tour of the sites that provided inspiration for such giants as Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton through his books, films and website.
Researching his discoveries of locations where films were shot and placing them in a social and cultural context has proved fascinating as he unearthed subtle class differences among these comic stars, the way that sequences were edited together (sometimes jumping from city to city, as in the case of Lloyd's hectic 1928 comedy, Speedy), and sometimes taking walking tours of the actual places that still exist in some form.
Here's his website: http://silentlocations.wordpress.com/
As Los Angeles preservationists and historians strive to save pieces of our past, Mr. Bengston collects those fragments of our film heritage, researches them and makes those locations still standing come to life through his books, his website and his tours!
So please feel free to join us here and ask Mr. Bengston questions regarding silent film locations including locations used in this year's Oscar winner, The Artist!
This is the thread to post your questions for John.