Day Three: Capitolfest, CNY's 35mm Silent and Early Talkie Film Festival
The third and final day of Capitolfest ended with a big surprise...!
Happy Sunday! I hope everyone has had a good week. I am very happy to have a long weekend with the Labor Day holiday.
Welcome to the third and final part of my Capitolfest recap. I have greatly enjoyed reliving these memories of this incredible weekend.
Day Three: Sunday, August 11th
The first film of the day was Broadway (1929), an early talkie/musical directed by Paul Fejos and starring Glenn Tryon and Merna Kennedy. It was Universal’s first talking picture with technicolor scenes. I missed a good part of the film in the morning, but from what I did see, the sets and costumes were spectacular. I am sure audiences in 1929 were blown away by the grand nature of the picture.
After an intermission, a VERY exciting and highly anticipated short played—The Pill Pounder (1923) with Clara Bow. Believed to have been a lost film, it was found 100 years later in 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska. It is wonderful that even though a film is deemed lost, it can wind up in the strangest of places at the strangest of times. I felt very lucky and fortunate to see this rare appearance of Clara Bow, Hollywood’s original “It Girl.”
Following this was Universal City Studios and Stars (1927), a short that showed clips of various important players on the Universal lot. One of those featured was Laura La Plante!!! I was so excited to see her again on the big screen, looking as darling as ever. This was definitely a highlight for me. I really enjoy the behind-the-scenes footage. Silent movie trailers then ran for a few minutes, which was cool to see what fans in the 1920s must’ve seen to get them hyped for future productions.
As you may or may not know, my next book will be on silent film/early talkies actress Marion Nixon. (Also spelled Marian, but she preferred her name with the ‘o.’) So, one film I was looking forward to almost the most came at 11:40 a.m., I’ll Show You The Town (1925).
I’ll Show You The Town, directed by Harry Pollard, starred Reginald Denny, Marion Nixon, Lilyan Tashman, Cissy Fitzgerald, and Margaret Livingston. The film begins with Denny at his typewriter, trying to write a book titled “Were Our Ancestors Monkeys?” He can’t get past the title because people keep interrupting his work. First, Tashman’s husband asks if Denny will take her out on her birthday, and his cousin wants him to show his friend, Nixon, the town.
Meanwhile, he gets roped into a third date because he finds out that his grandfather’s college is in danger of closing. Denny must entertain a wealthy widow, Fitzgerald, in hopes of saving the college. To complicate matters, Denny’s first love, Livingston, calls him and tells him that her husband doesn’t understand her. She is on the way to see Denny. In all, he is juggling four women in the picture with only eyes for Nixon.
At the restaurant later that evening, Denny hops around to three tables with three separate dates in hopes of no one catching on. His excuse for getting up so many times is that he must phone a friend. There is a hilarious scene where Fitzgerald tells Denny that she has never tried champagne. The waiter explains to him that champagne is not available—due to prohibition, of course, but that they have a champagne-flavored drink. Fitzgerald doesn’t know the difference and acts drunk on the beverage despite it not having alcohol in it.
When Denny gets home, Livingston is in his bathtub, and her husband is on the way. He tries to hide her, fearing that the husband will get the wrong idea. This causes chaos and confusion when Tashman, Nixon, and Fitzgerald all arrive at his place at the same time. Tashman is upset, and Fitzgerald tells him she will no longer donate two million dollars to the college.
Denny tells them all off, and Nixon looks proud. He then picks her up, kisses her, and says, “I am a wild man, and you are going to marry me.” “Yes, sir,” she replies. But, before anything else can happen, he must finish his book.
“Were Our Ancestors Monkeys?” “Yes. The End.”
I absolutely LOVED I’ll Show You The Town and was so excited that I got to see it, especially since I am writing Marion Nixon’s biography. The film moved at a great pace with lots of interesting characters and plot points.
Sadly, after this film, I had to go to the airport to catch my plane back to Florida. Mentally kicking myself because I had no idea what was to happen later in the day!!! The best news EVER.
As soon as my plane landed in Florida, I got a text from Emily Evans, who told me that Laura La Plante, along with ZaSu Pitts, would be featured next year as Capitolfest’s tribute stars. I couldn’t believe my eyes!!! My heart dropped into my stomach.
(Photo is from Emily Evans)
Laura La Plante deserves this so much. I immediately contacted the Capitolfest team about my hope and wish to work together for the event next year to share my two cents about the actress. I am tremendously honored to say that Director Art Pierce is totally on board with this. He even told me that after they announced her as a tribute star, he looked for me in the crowd. If only I hadn’t been on that plane!!!
Needless to say, I had the best time at Capitolfest and am even MORE excited for next year with Laura La Plante and the future collaborations that I am just so stoked about.
Thank you all for sticking with me for my Capitolfest recap! It was the best time. Oh, and here is my Dealer’s Room haul!!!
Until next time,
Laura Jerrolds
Laura La Plante: Silent Cinderella is available here.