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2024 Kansas Silent Film Festival Wrap-up

2024 PROMO | PROGRAM | NOTES | KSFF HOME |

Denise Morrison, film commentator

Live Musical
Accompaniment by:
Ben Model, piano & organ
Jeff Rapsis, piano
Rodney Sauer, piano
Marvin Faulwell, organ
Bill Beningfield, organ
Bob Keckeisen, percussion
Donald Sosin, piano
Alicia Svials, violin
Erin Wood, harp

Special Guest:
Katherine "Katie" Pratt is a 2017 graduate of the Selznick School of Film Preservation and currently a video editor and media preservationist who specializes in digital film restoration.
   Her recent restorations include Our Town (1940), two Tom Mix features—
Sky High (1922) and The Big Diamond ROBBERY (1929) for Ben Model’s Undercrank Productions—and a collection of Max Fleischer’s earliest cartoons. She has also been involved with a Biograph/D. W. Griffith project. Paper prints from the Library of Congress were used to create NEW film prints of Griffith’s earliest films.
2024 Theme "National Film Registry" February 23 & 24, 2024

   Held February 23 - 24, 2024:
   Fri. afternoon & evening & all day Sat.
   @ White Concert  Hall on the
   Washburn University campus, Topeka, KS

   Photo sections:

Our thanks go to event photographers
Karl Mischler, Larry Stendebach, Bruce Calvert, Carol Yoho, Bill Shaffer, Ben Model, Jeff Rapsis and several attendees who offered use of specific photos they had taken of our event.

Bruce Calvert who, with Jim Reid, helped run 16mm projectors at this event...and he also provided materials for two display cases filled with silent film collectables supporting the 2024 program schedule.
   Please check out Bruce Calvert’s full review of KSFF 2024. There are lots of big photos, too.
—Use this link to read Bruce's KSFF '24 blog

Jeff Rapsis, who plays piano accompaniments at our events, has shared his review of the 2024 KSFF festival, “Thoughts on How We All Need a Topeka," plus “Why Worry?”
—Use this link to read Jeff's KSFF '24 blog

2024 Festival Comments:

Marcy Tintera
Regular Attendee/Donor
Lincoln, Nebraska
   Well, the 27th Annual KSFF is "in the can"! I really enjoyed the documentary and the Baby Peggy film, CAPTAIN JANUARY. Also I really liked the William S. Hart film, THE BARGAIN.
   Thank you, your committee, and volunteers so much for all your hard work on this year's festival. Already looking
forward to next year (Feb. 28-Mar. 1)! Thank you again.

Jackie Gfeller
Brock, Nebraska
   Well, you guys are seasoned pros and it shows!Tell everyone how much we appreciate all the hard work that you all do to make this so enjoyable for all of us! Bless you all! We did great with the menu at the Cinema-Dinner! Had just such a lovely time! We are already putting next year into our calendars and plan on being there! I will be sending you a donation toward that effort! It was good to see you! Bill, you were a busy guy!

Brock Martin
White Concert Hall Tech Guy
    Hey Bill, I think this year turned out great. Thanks for working with me while I was gone. Please let me know if you need anything and of course feel free to reach out with any compliments or what not.

Katie (Katherine) Pratt
Our Cinema-Dinner Speaker
   While I’m on my lunch break, I wanted to be sure to thank you again for a fantastic festival weekend. My sister, Mandy, and I felt like royalty—we were pampered so! But it was all so nice, and I hope my time behind the podium pleased.
   The whole experience gave me a much-needed boost of confidence after the past five years, as I’m sure you probably guessed. Each of those years pulled me down a little from my normal level of enthusiasm, so I’m glad they’re nicely behind me to be remembered only as a learning experience. I did work on some pretty great projects here and there, though, and I met lots of new friends, so I’m sure it was meant to be.
   Here’s hoping I’ll be able to find a house in St. Louis in the coming year so that maybe I can venture to Topeka that much easier by this time next February. Hugs and thank you again!!

Jeff Rapsis
Bedford, New Hampshire
   I'm back in New Hampshire after another memorable festival. Thank you for all that goes into pulling this event together each
year. This was one of the most memorable yet! More detailed notes on the way.
   Jeff's full review of KSFF 2024 is titled “Thoughts on How We All Need a Topeka, plus “Why Worry?” Follow this link to this section of his online Blog

Conrad Froelich
Director, Johnson Safari Museum, Chanute, Kansas
   Thanks again for including Martin & Osa Johnson’s early films in this year's KSFF! In retrospect, I still should have included a short discussion of context and our museum's work with ethnic groups depicted in Johnson films. My wife & I had a wonderful time Saturday watching films and enjoying the fantastic dinner.
Set-up We planned ahead to start our program at White Concert Hall, Washburn University for Friday afternoon. Set-up was done on Thursday evening and Friday morning in the concert hall, in the hall lobby, and included the annual adding of the KSFF banner at the concert hall front entrance. As is usual, preparing included stage set up, movie projection and accompaniment rehearsals. We also set-up table for display of items for sale in the White Concert Hall lobby, including DVDs and CDs, and silent-film-star custom-made jewelry.
   Ken Filardo again brought silent film projection equipment and set it up in the concert hall lobby, where he could demonstrate and explained to attendees how this year's battery-operated silent film projector worked.
   Bruce Calvert brought silent film collectibles from Texas to use in two display cases, and he and Jim Reed set up 16mm projection equipment, so they could be prepared to project specific films at this event.

Nice weather, early Friday morning before set-up startedBrian Sanders, on ladder, and Larry Stendebach, on the ground, begin to set-up KSFF bannerBrian Sanders lets the wind unravel the bannerBrian Sanders finishes attaching the banner while Ben Model inspects Brian's workAgain, in 2024, the KSFF banner is inplace for the days of our festival, as pointed out by Jim RhodesDecorating the lobby at White Concert Hall, Washburn University, begins16mm film projectors are set-up at the edge of the balcony area, White Concert HallA LARGE film canister that contains a movie to be projected on filmSide-by-side film projectorsThis year, for the first time at KSFF, digital film projection was controled on equipment just outside the booth at the back of the auditoriumKSFF President Bill Shaffer worked with Brock Martin, Concert Hall Technician to learn details of controling lighting and projecting digital movies on a rented projectorKarl Mischler, in Kansas from New York, learned technology along with Bill. Both made all movie showings work WELL.Digital control was learned and worked from the booth at the back of the concert hall.Staff lowered the movie screen and decorated the stage with large images of silent film movie stars.Musicans Donald Sosin and Ben Model waited for opportunities to try out the piano and organ set onstage.Ben Model, in planning to play the organ in accompaniment of a movie, attached special organ sounds to the organ keyboard from his laptop computer.Nice weather, early Friday morning before set-up startedKSFF staff Melanie Lawrence, Jane Bartholomew and Enid Stendebach dutifully set up tables in the lobby at White Concert Hall.KSFF staff Karl Mischler, Melanie Lawrence, and Nancy Lawrence relax quietly after setting up tables in theWhite Concert Hall lobby.Jim Reid and Carol Yoho add magnetic letters and numbers to the KSFF display clipboard prior to the start of the 2024 event.Here are some copies of the many digital silent movies made available for purchase by festival attendees.This year, again, necklaces, earrings and magnets sold well at the lobby-tables.This showcase of silent-era collectables freatured Colleen Moore and Gary Cooper and the movie with them shown this year: Lilac Time.Nice weather, early Friday morning before set-up startedNo new t-shirts for 2024, but we put out the few leftover from last year...in bright red.Bill Shaffer put together thiis fun display-case of images of Buster Keaton and the feature movie "Navigator" and of Raymond Griffith in the feature movie "Paths To Paradise," shown this year.2024 Programs were given out to attendees as they entered the lobby at White Concert Hall.

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KPR Promo Pianists and presenters of our event visited the Kansas Public Radio Live Performance Studio, Lawrence, KS, on Friday morning, Feb. 23, just prior to the beginning of our event. KPR Hostess was Cordelia Brown. A live radio-promotion of our yearly festival has happened many times...but, this year, photographer Karl Mischler also attended, and he captured great images of the interview! Those interviewed include Film Historian Denise Morrison, Special Guest Katherine Pratt, Film-score Composer and Accompaniest Donald Sosin, and KSFF Pianist Ben Model. Karl himself had the opportunity to make a brief statement. —A video summary of the event is available to watch online.

Katherine Pratt, Guest Speaker, video editor and media preservationistDonald Sosin, composer and silent film accompanistBen Model, Silent film accompanistDenise Morrison, silent film historianCordelia Brown, hostess of conversations on KPR's Live Performance StudioCordelia Brown smilesCollected group promoting Kansas Silent Film Festival 2024Donald Sosin discusses his choice of musical accompaniment for silent filmsDonald Sosin plays the grand pianoBen Model also plays the grand pianoKatherine Pratt further discusses her interest in video editing and media preservationParticipants enjoy conversing about their passion for silent filmDensie Morrison comment further on her research and work in planning what is shown at each Kansas Silent Film Festival

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On-Stage:
White Concert Hall, Washburn University

Our event started at White Concert Hall, Washburn University, on Friday afternoon, February 23rd, and continued there through the evening and all day on Saturday, Feb. 24th, 2024.
   Film Historian Denise Morrison continued to introduce our films from the stage—her job for all 27 years of our live events.
   Live musical accompaniment was provided this year by Jeff Rapsis (piano and organ), Ben Model (piano), Marvin Faulwell (organ), Bob Keckeisen (percussion), Bill Beningfield (organ), Erin Wood (harp). Special muscian-guests included Donald Sosin (composer and keyboard musician) and Alicia Svigals (composer and violinist) who teamed to accompany Saturday night's feature film, The Ancient Law.
   Karl Mischler, here from New York City, took event photos and worked with KSSFF president Bill Shaffer to manage the digital running of DVD projection—for the first time in the 27 years of this live event—from the theater's production-management booth, along the elevated back theater-wall. And Brian Sanders also provided irreplaceable assistance.
   Jim Reid and Bruce Calvert, here from Texas, managed running projection for movies shown on 16mm film-reels.
   On Friday afternoon our special guest, film preservationist Katherine Pratt, introduced the theme of our event, "Films on the National Film Registry," to attendees. She also spoke about "Film Preservation" at Saturday evening's 15th annual Cinema Dinner.

Denise Morrison has consistently been involved in event planning, choosing films to show, and informing attendees about important historical details involved with whatever film she is introducing.Ben Model welcomes attendees to the start of the 2024 event on Friday afternoon.Denise welcomes those attending our celebration on Friday afternoonSpecial guest Katherine "Katie" Pratt, introduces attendees to the theme of our 2024 event "Films on the National Film Registry"Katherine's sister, Amanda "Mandy" Pratt, snaps a cell phone photo of Katherine speaking to the audience on Friday afternoonBen Model provides accompaniment at the organQuick scene from "Blacksmith"Kiss from short subject "Something Good"Donald Sosin accompanies the feature movie "The Flying Ace" on piano The movie feature "The Flying Ace" had an all-colored castLaurence Criner played the airplane pilot in "The Flying Ace"Light is on Donald Sosin as he accompanies the feature movie "The Flying Ace" A look from across the stage as "The Flying Ace" is presentedAction captured during the showing of "The Flying Ace"Bill Beningfield and Erin Wood set-up to accompany the feature film "Lilac Time" on Friday afternoonBill Beninfield at the organ and Erin Wood at the harpColleen Moore stars in the feature movie "Lilac Time"Bill Beningfield and Erin Wood caught in action as they accompany "Lilac Time"Bill Beningfield and Erin Wood accompany "Lilac Time"Buster Keaton on the screen in "The Navigator" while Bob Keckeisen and Marvin Faulwell accompany the showingBob Keckeisen, percussion, and Marvin Faulwell, organ, accompany Buster Keatons feature movie "The Navigator" on Friday afternoonBob and Marvin trade a handshake after accompanying "The Navigator"Bob Keckeisen and Marvin Faulwell bow to the audience after finishing accompaniment for "The Navigator"Ben Model accompanied the last feature movie of Friday enening, "Paths to Paradis, starring Raymond GriffithBen Model takes a bow after accompanying "Paths to Paradise"Ben Model smiles, after doing well with accompanyment to "Paths to Paradise" on Friday eveningFriday night attendees were enthusiastic at the end of the eveningNice weather, early Friday morning before set-up startedNice weather, early Friday morning before set-up startedNice weather, early Friday morning before set-up startedJeff Rapsis warms up his work on the stage-piano at the time before start of the Saturday afternoon portion of our festivalDenise Morrison welcomes attendees back to White Concert Hall after lunch hour on Saturday afternoonMoviemakers take an interest in capturing action as Winsor McCay quickly draws out cartoon characters and works his drawings into capturing action in animationWinsor McCay's Little NemoAfternoon action continues as Marvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen accompany a feature western movie starring William S. Hart, "The Bargain"Afternoon action continues as Marvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen accompany a feature western movie starring William S. Hart, "The Bargain"Marvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen complete accompaniment for "The Bargain"Marvin Faulwell and Bob Keckeisen take bows after completely accompaniment of Saturday afternoon's "The Bargain"After a short afternoon break Conrad Froehlich, Director of the Osa & Martin Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute, KS indroduces two short subjects filmes by the Johnson in the early 1920s in AfricaMartin Johnson onscreen in AfricaOsa Johnson with an African native boy caught on filmJim Reid managing a real film projectorSaturday evening attendees settle-in for the final section of our 2024 festivalGuest Musician Alicia Svigals practices pre-showing of the evening movie she will accompany with Donald SosinDonald Sosin welcomes the evening crowd with an overature over projection of event creditsDonald Sosin, piano, and Alicia Svigals, violin, begin accompanying the Saturday evening feature movie, "The Ancient Law"The Ancient Law" accompanied by Donald Sosin and Alicia Svigals"The Ancient Law" ran for two hours and fifteen minutesFinal bows were taken by our excellent and talented movie accompaniestsOur excellent and talented movie accompaniests rose from their final group-bowThus ended our 27th Annual Kansas Silent Film Festival on Saturday night, February 24, 2024Fans of silent movies looked very happy with their experience at KSFF 2024Wrapping up the festival...technically...from the booth

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Lobby Activity Chatting, shopping, relaxing and sharing took place in the lobby of White Concert Hall, Washburn University, our long-time location for the KSFF event. Volunteer Coordinator Zandra Myrick could not attend this year due to illness, but she managed to assign all volunteers for tending the lobby tables. And thanks to KSFF staffers for monitoring all of the lobby activies. Steadfast fans attending yearly make planning and presenting each Kansas Silent Film Festival worth the work. We extend our thanks to the many fans attending this year's event from Kansas, nearby Missouri, and many other states: north, south, east and west...across the U.S.  — All are welcome! —

Special guest Katherine Pratt is currently a video editor and media preservationistKatherine Pratt, KSFF President Bill Shaffer, and Katherine's sister, Mandy Pratt, pose for this group-photoWe are pleased to have Randy and Patty Ringgenberg return for our 2024 event as faithful attendeesWhite Concert Hall lobby at a quite time during lunch break Larry Sangles of Hutchinson, KS, poses beside this year's display-caseBreak-time gives attendees an opportunity to talk with event staff and consider items displayed for possible purchaseAfternoon attendees leave for a supper-breakJeff Helms relaxes in the lobbyBill Shaffer chats with Vergil Noble, faithful KSFF attendeeA view of the lobby from the second level at White Concert HallKSFF Board Member Melanie Lawrence invited her dog, Logan, to attend our event on Saturday afternoonPortriat photo of Logan Lawrence

Our special thanks go to Ken Filardo for sharing, this year, a battery-powered silent film projector from his collection of antique motion picture equipment. He presented demonstrations of its operation to our attendees in the White Concert Hall lobby throughout our event.

Ken Filardo, Picture 1Ken Filardo, Picture 2Ken Filardo, Picture 3Close-up of projection goodiesKen Filardo, Picture 4Ken Filardo, Picture 5Ken Filardo has his hand inside the battery-powered projector he was sharing with us this year

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15th Annual Cinema Dinner At our 15th annual Cinema Dinner attendees enjoyed good food, conversation and door prize give-aways. Music was performed by Harpist Erin Wood. KSFF special guest Katherine Pratt spoke at our 15th Annual Cinema Dinner on Saturday night about her work in "Digital Film Restoration" and allowing for a very rich Q&A session. The event was well attended. Our dinner space was full, with fans simply walking to Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, just across the street from the White Concert Hall lobby—very convenient. The festival committee appreciates the support of attendees of each festival's Cincema Dinner!

Dinners at tables 1Dinners at tables 2Dinners at tables 3Erin Wood provides dinner music using her harpDinner was served buffet-styleThe buffet-lineKSFF supporter Dan Brogren, center-back, attends Cinema Dinner with his 4 granddaughters and addition guest, at photo-left-sideDinners at tables 5Bill Shaffer was helped with doorprize distribution by Larry Stendebach and Jane Bartholomew Doorprize item 1Doorprize item 2Picking winner's dinner ticket number from a hatWinner of a framed photo of Stan Laurel and Oliver HardyDinner speaker Katherine Pratt waits to be called to the podiumKaterine Pratt begins her lecture on "Digital Film Restoration"Katherine Pratt speaks to dinner attendeesProjected image of Katherine Pratt and her restoration work on filmsProjected image #2 of Katherine Pratt's restoration work on filmsKatherine Pratt conintues lecture on restoration of filmsKatherine Pratt at the podium with screened images above her

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Staff Staff devoted their time and efforts for the 2024 27th LIVE Kansas Silent Film Festival. The KSFF board members include Denise Morrison, Bill Shaffer, Jane Bartholomew, Zandra Myrick, Carol Yoho, Melanie Lawrence, Nancy Lawrence, and Brian Sanders . Help coming from out-of-state includes Karl Mischler (here from New York City taking photos and offering help in moving materials in a large rental van), Larry & Enid Stendebach (driving to Topeka from Hannibal, MO) and Bruce Calvert and Jim Reid (driving north to Kansas from Texas) and bring 16 mm film projectors to show silent movies on film as parts of our program. Special thanks go to Washburn maintenance staff employee Mike Sershen in helping our event run smoothly at White Concert Hall, Washburn University. We depend on the talents of our musicians Marvin Faulwell, Bill Beningfield, and Bob Kecksisen. Also, harpist Erin Wood, who regularly plays harp at our Cinema Dinner, also assisted Bill Beningfield in accompaying the silent feature "Lilac Time" on Saturady afternoon. Muscians flying to Kansas from other states included Ben Model (from New York) and Jeff Rapsis (from New Hampshire). We wish to extend special thanks to our festival initiator Jim Rhodes of Topeka (having started our event in 1996) who continues to support us in many ways as he attends each year in person.
— Many thanks to our dedicated staff and assistants! —

Mike Sershen of the Washburn University custodial staff with Melanie Lawrence, KSFF Board MemberKarl Mischler, handyman and photographer, came to Topeka again from New York CityDeep hug between Larry Stendebach and Jane BartholomewHardworking staff includes Brian Sanders, Larry Stendebach, Jane Bartholomew, Denise Morrison and the man who began this event in 1996, Jim RhodesBoard member Brian Sanders and his wife, JennyMike Sershen of the Washburn University custodial staff is a big help in our annual Kansas Silent Film FestivalMusician Ben Model was back in Topeka this year from New York, NYKarl Mischler tips his head in support of the Kansas Silent Film FestivalJane Bartholomew took a selfie with Mike Sershen and Enid StendebachJane Bartholomew took this selfie with Jim Reid, founder of the Kansas Silent Film Festival and Karl Mischler, in Kansas from New York City AGAIN to help the event in many ways.

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Volunteers

Zandra Myrick is our Board of Directors Volunteer Chair. Zandra and the entire board would like to thank our 2024 event volunteers who helped our staff by answering questions, selling merchandise, counting attendance arrivals, greeting fans and passing out programs. Special Thanks to Washburn University Mass Media Students who volunteered for several shifts.
— Thank you, All 2024 KSFF Volunteers! —

Volunteers Sandy Falen and Mary Lee DolesVolunteer Jess SeidelVolunteer Jonah HowardVolunteer Josie CuthbertsonVolenteer Perla SottoVolunteers Abby Davis and Aja CarterBlair Tarr and Enid StendebachVolunterer Karlie Bayliss Volunteer Yvonne ChannelVolunteer Cohen Partain

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Meals on-the-go The many board members, talent and helpers for this event, met early and late for special meals as they organized, set-up and, later, took down equipment, displayed items and merchandise display tables that were made available for this event. The meals were managed (and, in some cases COOKED by) board member Nancy Lawrence. Our thanks to Thai Table, Bobo's Drive-In, Hog Wild BBQ, and Iron Rail Brewery for assistance with the meals. — Our thanks to all talent and helpers for their efforts and comradery! —

A fine crew of KSFF helpers have supper together at a first meeting in Topeka, on Thursday evening at Thia Table, on Washburn Avenue near Washburn University campusBreakfast eater Jeff Rapsis show what he's REALLY THINKING at Thia Table, while Jim Reid sits quietly behind JeffCarla Bartunek, a regular attendee, also came for lunch at Bobo'sLunch at Bobo's, Marvin Faulwell, Bruce Calvert and Brian SandersHappy Bobo's waitress wears red, with all seats taken inside this small restaurantLunch "sides" on Saturday from Hog Wild BBQ, served at Dept. of Music Practice Hall, Washburn UniversityBarbeque Pork sandwich was provided for lunch on Saturday from Hog Wild, served at Dept. of Music Practice Hall, Washburn UniversityThree front-table volunteers join musician Donald Sosin and longtime KSFF helper Larry Stendebach in the lunch line on SaturdayKarl Mischler shows off his bright socks during lunch hour on SaturdayPercussionist Bob Keckeisen also shows off bright socks at lunch hour on Saturday afternoonMelanie Lawrence and Denise Morrison sit together for breakfast on Sunday morning in downtown Topeka at Iron Rail Wall mural and happy eaters at Sunday breakfast at Iron Rail, downtown TopekaA tableful of breakfast-eaters sit infront of beer vats at Iron Rail, downtown Topeka

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Clean-up

Standard procedure is to clean up and haul everything away on Sunday after each festival. With good help, cleaning up at White Concert Hall and moving items away works smoothly.

PLEASE NOTE: We were pleased to bring to life our 27th LIVE KSFF in 2024. The COVID pandemic seems to have faded...and we hope that our festival will continue to happen LIVE well into the future!