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Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin
It's been almost 60 years since the great Buster Keaton has left us. For the Library of Congress, film scholar Yair Solan looks back at one of the "Great Stone Face's" greatest films.
Posted in: Film Essay, Motion Pictures, National Film Registry
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 …
Posted in: Film Essay, Motion Pictures, National Film Registry
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 …
Posted in: Film Essay, National Recording Registry
Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin
One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is to follow our dreams. It’s not always easy and many will want you to fail, but with the friends you make and a strong conviction, the mark you leave can make an impact even when you don’t realize it. Such is the life of Antonia …
Posted in: Film Essay, Film/Video, National Film Registry
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 …
Posted in: Film Essay, National Film Registry
Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin
With graduation season in full swing, there is no better time to share the Library’s collection and the song, “Pomp and Circumstance.” And if you’re thinking about films, “The Graduate” is just one related to graduation and coming of age that has been added to the National Film Registry. If you don’t know “Pomp and …
Posted in: Film Essay, Jukebox, National Film Registry
Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin
It’s hard to find a book written about Fred Astaire that doesn’t mention Irving Berlin within the first five pages. During the making of the movie “Top Hat” (1935), Fred Astaire and Irving Berlin met for the first time and formed a close friendship that would last the rest of their lives, and the two …
Posted in: Film Essay, National Film Registry
Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin
So much to celebrate as this sweet little girl turns 76, and the musical film that made her a star celebrates 50 years since its 1972 theatrical debut. Liza Minnelli was born on March 12, 1946 into true Hollywood royalty and all that it encompasses. Her father, the great film director Vincente Minnelli, and her …
Posted in: Film Essay, Film/Video, Motion Pictures, National Film Registry, National Screening Room
Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin
Yesterday we learned of the passing of William Hurt, and today, internet, cable and even broadcast news will be filled with stories of his award-winning career spanning over 50 years and over 100 credits. Hurt holds a respected place in cinema for being nominated for the best actor Oscar for three consecutive years; “Kiss of …
Posted in: Film Essay, Film/Video, Motion Pictures, National Film Registry