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Category: Film Essay

From Book to Film with “All The President’s Men”

Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin

In anticipation of this Saturday's National Book Festival, I can't help but think about films on the National Film Registry that were adapted from books. There is one book-to-film that you may find very interesting as you plan your visit to Washington, DC. "All the President's Men" centers around the infamous Watergate scandal, takes place in our nation's capital, and includes some beautiful scenes filmed at the Library of Congress.

Festival Screening: W.C. Fields “So’s Your Old Man” (1926) shown in 35mm made from the original nitrate negative

Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin

A highlight of the Library of Congress Festival of Film & Sound includes a special screening of W.C. Fields in one of his few surviving silent films. "So's Your Old Man" (1926) will be shown in 35mm made from the original nitrate camera negative, and will feature live music accompaniment.

Black and white lobby card for 1931 Spanish language version of "Dracula." Three disembodied heads on right side of card including lead Carlos Vallarias (looking menacing) and actress Lupita Tovar.

From the National Film Registry: “Drácula” (1931)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

What is the Spanish word for “terror”?  You’ll find out if you watch George Melford’s 1931 US-made but Spanish-language adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel.  Filmed concurrently with the US/Bela Lugosi-version, “Drácula” is considered by many film scholars to be better than the English version.  This version was added to the Library of Congress’ National …

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

From the National Film Registry: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Eighty-three years ago, on October 19, 1939, the Capra classic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” had its debut in–where else?–Washington, DC.  Named by the Librarian of Congress to the Library’s National Film Registry in 1989, “Mr. Smith” is, for better or worse, as timely today as it ever was.  In the essay below, the late …

A view looking past a digital display screen towards the doors of an indoor theater, with

From the National Film Registry: “Nanook of the North” Released 100 Years Ago

Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin

  One hundred years ago this month, the film “Nanook of the North” premiered at New York City’s Capitol Theatre.  It has been watched and discussed ever since, as a complicated combination of art and ethnography, docudrama and reenactment, exploitation and cooperation. Today, we look back on the film with an essay from Patricia Zimmermann …