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letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Letitia Fairbanks
@letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
160 followers 110 following 170 posts
Tribute account for Douglas Fairbanks' niece and biographer, Letitia Fairbanks Smoot. Letitia is author of bio "Douglas Fairbanks: The Fourth Musketeer" and Pick-fairy tale "Princess April Morning-Glory," both on Amazon.
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letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
#HippFest24 is screening 1918's STELLA MARIS, featuring Aunt Mary in dual roles: beautiful, privileged Stella Maris, and stunted, unattractive orphan Unity Blake. For online tkts: www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/whats-on/sff...
Online ticket comes w/48 hours to screen movie, if you can't make it live.
Still photo from 1918's STELLA MARIS, starring Mary Pickford in dual roles. On left is Pickford as character Unity Blake, a slight, plainly-dressed woman in dark colors with an austere look about her. On right is Pickford as title character, Stella Maris: wealthy, elegantly dressed with a fancy hat and coat.
February 10, 2024 at 7:28 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Head's up in the UK! The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival will run Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 March 2024 at the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness, Falkirk, w/selected events will be *livestreamed from the cinema*. For more info, full HippFest 2024 programme & purchase tickets, pls visit www.hippfest.co.uk.
The Rugged Island: A Shetland Lyric (HippFest Opening Night) Pioneering Glasgow-born filmmaker Jenny Gilbertson directs this poignant “story documentary” about crofting families in Shetland. Jenny’s husband-to-be plays Johnny: a young man torn between his duty to home and his love for Enga, with the promise of a new life in Australia. Hailed by John Grierson - father of the British documentary movement - as “one of the best descriptions of life in the country anybody has yet made”, this tender and beautiful dramatisation of Shetland life surpasses the bounds of both fiction and non-fiction filmmaking. HippFest is proud to present the world premiere of a new music commission by award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer from Fair Isle: Inge Thomson, with Shetland-born Catriona MacDonald - considered one of the world's leading traditional fiddle players. *Content warning: this film contains some shots of dead animals* Dir. Jenny Gilbertson (née Brown) | UK | 1933 | N/C U |
February 10, 2024 at 6:39 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Folks in Santa Clarita, CA and San Fernando Valley, listen up! The Newhallywood Silent Film festival is headed your way - Feb 16-18, 2023. NewhallywoodFilmFest.org has the details. Showings of Doug Fairbanks' THIEF OF BAGDAD, ROBIN HOOD w/Wm.S.Hart's HELL'S HINGES & more! All FREE Admission.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE, EXCEPT BUSTOUR KEATON Friday, February 16 8:00 p.m. Douglas Fairbanks: The Mark of Zorro The first film version of the classic swashbuckler about a masked hero righting injustice in the early 19th century Spanish California. This was the first film released through United Artists, a company formed by Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith and Fairbanks. 1920 – 90 min. – Director Fred Niblo Guest Stars John Bengtson – Author, Historian, Preservationist Marc Wanamaker – Author, Historian, Preservationist Location: Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts – 24607 Walnut Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321
February 9, 2024 at 3:26 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
@conradbarrington.bsky.social OMG! Check out Order from IL District Federal Judge in Zorro Productions, Inc. v. Individuals, Corporations, et al. It's priceless! I believe Uncle Douglas would have loved that his portrayal of fictional Zorro is used to render legal opinions reason.com/volokh/2023/...
December 22, 2023 at 3:24 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
2024's To Save & Project film series launches w/restoration of Douglas Fairbanks' 1926 masterpiece THE BLACK PIRATE. "MoMA’s complex restoration faithfully reconstructs the film’s original palette of rich browns and greens, capturing the look of Technicolor’s Process Two." At NYC's MoMA 1/11-2/4/24.
December 14, 2023 at 5:16 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Attention all Western Mass silent film fans! Greenfield, MA's Garden Cinema is hosting winter season of silent film. It starts w/Douglas Fairbanks in 1922's THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD Mon, Dec 4, 2023 at 6:30pm. Live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. Future Dates include Garbo, Chaplin & more!
November 25, 2023 at 7:05 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Please post what you’ll wear when you become a dictator:
Description: Mary Pickford, starring in 1929's talkie movie, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Alt Description: White woman wearing all black velvet dress with matching black velvet dashing swordsman's hat, decked out in long strand pearls, white leather mid-arm gloves, wielding a riding crop.
November 22, 2023 at 4:12 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
There is a large graveyard filled with my enemies.

I do not wish to add to it, but will if given no choice.

Those who pick fights with me do so at their own peril, but maybe this is their lucky day...
Description: Douglas Fairbanks as the titular character in 1920 smash swashbuckling hit THE MARK OF ZORRO. Alt text description: Man hiding behind cape with broad brim hat pulled over his eyes, with a cloud of smoke coming from his cigarette, further obscuring who the masked hero is.
November 22, 2023 at 3:49 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
@silentfilmtitle.bsky.social Welcome to BlueSky! Here's one of my fav silent film intertitles, from 1924's THIEF OF BAGDAD
November 22, 2023 at 1:28 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Our friends up north at @tosilentfilm.bsky.social are showing Ernst Lubitsch's directed ROSITA, starring Mary Pickford on Dec 8 at Bell Lightbox. Prior to screening, a brief presentation focusing on Mary Pickford will be given by Natania Sherman TIFF’s Film Reference Library
tiff.net/events/silve...
November 17, 2023 at 4:17 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Silent film provided careers & outlets for creativity for many people-most of whom are not famous. Irish couple, Arnold Marsh & Hilda Roberts led full lives, which included Marsh's small stint as an extra in Douglas Fairbanks' 1917 A MODERN MUSKETEER.
www.independent.ie/regionals/wa...
November 10, 2023 at 2:22 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Attention all #SilentFilm fans! San Francisco Silent Film Fest's "Day of Silents" is arriving December 2, 2023 at the magnificent Castro Theatre! Come see an outstanding day of restored films w/live musical accompaniment from outrageously talented musical groups. See line-up below. #AnnaMayWong!
To the left, a white man dressed in elegant evening attire (actor Gaston Jacquet) sits across the table from an equally elegantly dressed Chinese woman (actress Anna May Wong) as both lift a glass of red wine in toast, separated by 1920s art deco lamp in a scene from 1929's PAVEMENT BUTTERFLY, (referred to as City Butterfly on IMDB) a silent film from French-German production team. Line-up of silent films to be shown as part of San Francisco Silent Film Festival's "Day of Silents" on December 2, 2023 at the Castro Theatre: 10am - OF MICE AND MEN (AND CATS AND CLOWNS) 12pm - THE WILDCAT 2:15pm - THE EAGLE 4:15pm - PAVEMENT BUTTERFLY 7pm - SAFETY LAST! 9pm - FORGOTTEN FACES
November 9, 2023 at 5:28 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
An assessment of for-profit Netflix's "restoration" of Sid Grauman's classic Hollywood theatre-The Egyptian-shows interior was architecturally & historically reduced and greatly modified from original. Sort of a poor man's idea of "restoration", especially since it cost less than 1996 restoration.
In 1922, impressario Sid Grauman opened the famed Egyptian Theatre, built for the public to enjoy movies that weren't block-booked by a single exhibitor. Premier night was October 18th and Douglas Fairbanks' ROBIN HOOD was the first blockbuster of many to grace its now gone, gorgeous proscenium. In 1994, following the Northridge Earthquake damage, the city of Los Angeles sold the nearly ruined theatre to an actual non-profit company, American Cinematique, for $1, on the promise that American Cinematique raise the funds to restore the theatre and keep it open the public. American Cinematique made good on its promise and on December 4, 1998, after a $12.8 million renovation, the theatre was re-opened for the public, run by a non-profit. Thanks to Ted Sarandos, who sat on the board of American Cinematique while also CEO of Netflix, the Egyptian Theatre was sold by American Cinematique to a single exhibitor- Netflix for a reputed $6 million - a super sweetheart deal.
November 5, 2023 at 9:42 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Uncle Doug & Aunt Mary's place in Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego County, has been renovated & restored to its former glory, w/lots of modern amenities added. Looks like spectacular place for those fortunate enough to afford super-Cali fragilistic expealidocious prices. www.prnewswire.com/news-release...
Patio entrance to what was once Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford's working ranch, now The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, California. A bedroom, part of a suite, at the newly-restored Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, California Sitting room with fire, part of Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, California Restaurant Lilian's is open and is named after trail-blazing female architect, Lilian Rice. In the 1920s Rancho Santa Fe became one of the state's first planned communities unified by a single architectural theme, the Spanish Colonial Revival. Lilian Rice, one of California's first successful women architects, supervised the development and designed many of the buildings.
November 2, 2023 at 3:54 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Thx @abstruse.bsky.social for sharing #Truth.

Just because it's True, doesn't mean we ALL have a Christian/religious moral imperative to fix it. Poor people should not be treated as exploitable resource.

“The measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members.”~Ghandi.

We are FAILING.
October 25, 2023 at 2:31 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Exciting news: Canada is to honor actor Donald Sutherland with a stamp, where he will join the ranks of previously-honored Canadian actors including John Candy, Mike Myers, Michael J. Fox, Fay Wray, Mary Pickford, and more have all had their likeness on a stamp.

www.joblo.com/donald-suthe...
An image of the Canadian Mail stamp being issued in honor of actor Donald Sutherland. The image is a profile depiction of Sutherland, with a list of some of his movies, including KELLY's HEROS, M*A*S*H, KLUTE, FELLINI'S CASANOVA, ORDINARY PEOPLE, DES GENS COMME LES AUTRES, THE ITALIAN JOB, UN BOULOT A L'ITALIENNE, THE HUNGER GAMES.
October 23, 2023 at 2:07 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Reskeet with your favorite Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. image!
Approx. 1937, Hollywood film stars Marlene Dietrich (left), an elegantly-dressed white woman with impressive jewelry and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., son of #SilentFilm star Douglas Fairbanks, and swashbuckling hero in his own right. Douglas is a white man, dressed in a dinner tuxedo with a corsage/pin and pocket kerchief. Both Dietrich and Fairbanks are smoking, with cigarettes prominently placed.
October 22, 2023 at 9:35 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
What a wonderful image. Maybe we can start a Douglas Fairbanks Jr reskeet thread. You've already started it, now I'll continue it...

Reskeet with your favorite Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. image!
October 22, 2023 at 9:00 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Don't forget cousin Douglas Fairbanks, Jr filmed in the Alabama Hills along with Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Victor McLaglen in 1938's GUNGA DIN. In this scene, it appears to be 'curtains' for Doug:
A scene from 1939's GUNGA DIN, starring Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Victor McLaglen and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, pictured above. The scene shows Douglas' character being pinned by bayonet against stone wall by what 1939 Hollywood through depicted the "murderous Thuggee cult" member, a darker skinned man, wearing a turban. Another unseen person points a rifle directly at Douglas' stomach. GUNGA DIN was a smashing, box-office success, being the 2nd highest grossing film in 1939, 2nd to GONE WITH THE WIND.
October 22, 2023 at 6:00 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
All hoping to see grand movie palace opened in 1922 by impresario Sid Grauman for Douglas Fairbanks' blockbuster hit, ROBIN HOOD, are likely to be disappointed by Netflix's privatization of public historical landmark.Public only has use Fri-Sun. Netflix controls rest. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
October 21, 2023 at 1:48 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
It's not often that an action is presented that would help offset human's damage to environment while also being one that many people can do, but the suggestion from @texasobserver.org to plant a small garden, would help in so many ways, especially if most homeowners w/yards adopted #NativePlants.
October 17, 2023 at 7:59 PM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
I can tell I'm in a sympathetic audience, that will understand how it happens that you go to the pet shelter to adopt a (single) cat & come away with two identical tabby brothers. I'm so glad I have my two boys, named after my father & his brother who were inseparable: Robert (left) & Douglas.
Two brother tabby kitties, from same litter, adopted together because I couldn't leave just one cat alone and take his brother from him. Three years later, I'm so glad I see double when I look at my boys. In this photo, Robert licks and cleans Douglas' ear, as they do look after one another, and play together, all day long.
October 17, 2023 at 2:44 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Reskeet with a quote from a show/movie that's actually good advice. #SilentFilm #DouglasFairbanks #ThiefOfBagdad
Photo still from the opening credits of 1924 silent film, THE THIEF OF BAGDAD, starring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. Pictured is an imam, speaking to a young boy who listens attentively. The smoke from the imam's lamp spells out, "Happiness must be earned."
October 17, 2023 at 2:29 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Reconnecting with my Twitter mutuals, @selfstyledsiren.bsky.social, @pamhutch.bsky.social, @silentbeauties.bsky.social, @moviessilently.bsky.social, @tosilentfilm.bsky.social and many others from #SilentFilm.

Check out Silent Film feed: bsky.app/profile/did:... "Silent Film" + others post to feed
1930's family photo of two sisters, Letitia and Lucile Fairbanks, nieces of #SilentFilm stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Photos taken at Douglas Fairbanks' beachfront home at 704 California State Hwy 1, Santa Monica, CA Not sure of date or place, but it's Marlene Dietrich, turned away from camera, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, and his son, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
October 17, 2023 at 2:15 AM
letitiafairbanks.bsky.social
Erté was an incredible designer, and the costume design for BRIGHT LIGHTS is over the top! Just fabulous. #SilentFilm
October 17, 2023 at 1:45 AM