How to find copies of obscure silent films?

July 12, 2006 11:49 AM

Searching for copies of obscure silent films which my great-grandfather directed or acted in.

My great-grandfather was a silent film actor and director who had parts in dozens of cowboy flicks from the 1910's and 20's. Though my family has some memorabilia from his films, we have no copies of the films themselves, and would love to have some.

I understand that film stock from this era was not the most permanent of media, but if there is any resource for buying silent films on any media, that would be great. I live in Southern California, so I'm hoping someone may know of an old film repository in Hollywood or nearby. Of course, any tips at all would be appreciated.

(Incidentally, The amazon items linked from two of the films on the IMDB page, Legion of Death and The Haunted Range, are not the silent films I'm looking for, but different films with the same name.)

posted by Durhey to media & arts (4 comments total)

The George Eastman House in Rochester, NY states that they have over 25,000 titles, focussing mainly on the silent film era.

The UCLA Library Film and Television Archive has their database searchable online. Plus they're much closer to you.
posted by chuma at 12:16 PM on July 12, 2006

Was he an independent filmmaker or did he work with a studio? If he worked with a studio & you knew which one, it might be easier to determine which archives to search through. Also, the Margaret Herrick Library might be helpful, as well as the UCLA film & TV Archive.

I'm curious to see these films too!
posted by Lillitatiana at 12:16 PM on July 12, 2006

Try the UCLA Film & Television Archive. A quick search shows they have 3 films that he directed. A more thorough search might reveal more. You might also try the other places suggested here.
posted by MsMolly at 12:20 PM on July 12, 2006

Thanks! That UCLA film archive looks like a great resource and I'll definitely be making a trip there to find out if they can provide me with copies.

I'm unsure as to whether he worked independently or with a studio. I'm guessing with a studio, since there were so many films, but I'll have to go through some of the old flyers and find out.
posted by Durhey at 1:35 PM on July 12, 2006