December 19, 2013
Dear Readers,
The Library of Congress has announced its 2013 choices for the National Film Registry. Among the 25 films selected selected for preservation are three from the silent era: 1919's Constance Talmadge classic “A Virtuous Vamp,” 1920's all-Native American“Daughter of Dawn,” and 1926's Colleen Moore classic“Ella Cinders.” (I've always thought this was Colleen's best film.) Sound films selected include “Forbidden Planet,” a 1956 science fiction production starring my late friend Anne Francis, 1961's Oscar winning “Judgment at Nuremberg,” and Tarantino's 1994 “Plup Fiction.” (Maybe I'll post images of some of Anne's letters.)
Not selected this are two classic films I've lobbied with the Library about for many years. “An Unseen Enemy,” the 1912 screen debut of the Gish sisters was directed by D. W. Griffith. A siumple film accessible on YouTube, the movie is historic with its stars and director. Lillian Gish and sister Dorothy began their long and historic screen careers in this film and it should have been selected for perservation during Lillian's lifetime.
The second film I lobbied for is Lillian Gish's last film “The Whales of August.” Filmed on remote Cliff Island, off the Maine coast in the Casco Bay, it has been descriubed as a poetic film of two eldery sisters, Gish and Bette Davis, resolving longheld differences as they decide to winter yet again on the island of their youth.
“The Whales of August” is historic for many reasons beyond it being Lillian's last film. The casting of Gish, Davis, Ann Southern, Vincent Price and Harry Carey, Jr. in the film was inspired and unforgettable. It was daring in that it did not discuss age via a young actor or actress but actual film elders. Publicity for the included a close up of Gish and Davis with the caption, “Their coming together makes this film stand apart.” (Image below courtesy Columbia Film Department.) It is a beautiul film deserving of Registry status.
Interested readers and fans should consider nominating “An Unseen Enemy” and “The Whales of August” for inclusion on 2014's National Film Registry. This can easliy be done by email to dross@LOC.gov and you can make your nomination as simple or as elaborate as you wish. Maybe this time next year, legions of Gish fans will be celebrating even on remote Cliff Island, Maine.
Here's Anne Francis. I miss her! She gave me some great advice in 2005.
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I had a great time at Columbia University's Butler Library. I'll post the library mural later as it currently resides on cell. Library was breathtaking as was Rodin's pensieur at Philosophy Hall. It was cold but Ollie's and UNI kept me warm inside.
Sincerely,
James Patterson
766 Harrison Street Suite 211
San Francisco CA 94107
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