Tillie's Punctured Romance on TCM

[Matt Barry]

Does anyone know the source of the print used for the recent TCM broadcast
of "Tillie's Punctured Romance"? I want to say it was the same one used for
the David Shepard DVD edition, but I couldn't be sure as I missed the
company credits.

It appeared to be the same footage as that included in the 1921 reissue that
circulates on many PD DVD editions, but it include re-made "original"
subtitles in the Keystone design. To me, the film was transferred entirely
too slow, especially for a slapstick comedy, but this is just my own
preference, and I certainly appreciate the work done by restorationists in
making the film available at all.

Unfortunately, this copy was missing the "fence" scene that I have only seen
in one copy-the 1939 reissue with music and sound effects (which,
ironically, was cut to about 50 minutes but still includes this elusive
"fence" scene which I've never seen in any other copy). For those who
haven't scene it, the brief bit involves Charlie and Tillie sitting on a
fence, playfully slapping eachother until Charlie falls backward. I believe
there are also a few other bits and pieces of the opening scene that are
included in the 1939 reissue, but are missing from every other copy I've
seen.

For those who have seen the recent UCLA restoration of the film, which
supposedly is the most complete yet (even including the "curtain call" with
the leading actors), was this "fence" bit included?

[s***@juno.com]

"Curtain Call"? Has this ever been seen before? I am not sure about
the version that TCM has been show, I would assume the most recent
restoration that was released by IMAGE in 1999 on DVD. I agree that
that particular version really did play the film too slowly, killing
most of the comic timing in the film (ditto for the MABEL'S MARRIED
LIFE included) - the soundtrack wasn't too keen either.

I just PRAY that the new Keystone restorations are played at the
correct speed - if they are not, it could kill any hopes they had for
having these films viewed as COMEDIES instead of simply historical
interest.

[Matt Barry]

Post by s***@juno.com
"Curtain Call"? Has this ever been seen before? I am not sure about
the version that TCM has been show, I would assume the most recent
restoration that was released by IMAGE in 1999 on DVD. I agree that
that particular version really did play the film too slowly, killing
most of the comic timing in the film (ditto for the MABEL'S MARRIED
LIFE included) - the soundtrack wasn't too keen either.
I just PRAY that the new Keystone restorations are played at the
correct speed - if they are not, it could kill any hopes they had for
having these films viewed as COMEDIES instead of simply historical
interest.

The "curtain call" (which I first read about in Glenn Mitchell's "Chaplin
Encyclopedia") is supposedly included in the one "complete" print that was
the source of the restoration. I'm going to have to go back and look through
Google Groups' archives to see if I can find out about that particular bit
being included in the UCLA restoration. As far as I know, there has been no
word on the "fence" scene, which is what I really am curious about. I have a
PD DVD of the 1921 reissue, and at the very end, there is a curtain that
falls across the screen like a theatre curtain.

I'm not an expert on the "historical accuracy" of silent film speeds, and I
know that they could vary so much that there is no real "standard", so I'm
always grateful for the films that have been restored and released for us
(plus, I haven't put any of my own money into a restoration, so I don't
pretend to know everything that's involved or how the cost might affect
decisions that are made). That said, I do share your feeling that a too-slow
speed (by which I mean one that makes the film look like it's practically
running in slow motion) does mar the pacing, especially for comedies. Purely
from a consumer standpoint, I would love to see the Keystone restorations
run at a speed that is both "accurate" but not slow to the point of ruining
the pacing.

As I mentioned in my earlier posts, it's purely a personal preference and I
don't mean for my comments to come across as ungrateful toward the hard work
that goes into these restorations.

[Jim Reid]

They are running the UCLA restoration this Thursday night at Cinecon
in LA.

[s***@juno.com]

Post by Matt Barry
I'm not an expert on the "historical accuracy" of silent film speeds, and I
know that they could vary so much that there is no real "standard", so I'm
always grateful for the films that have been restored and released for us
(plus, I haven't put any of my own money into a restoration, so I don't
pretend to know everything that's involved or how the cost might affect
decisions that are made). That said, I do share your feeling that a too-slow
speed (by which I mean one that makes the film look like it's practically
running in slow motion) does mar the pacing, especially for comedies. Purely
from a consumer standpoint, I would love to see the Keystone restorations
run at a speed that is both "accurate" but not slow to the point of ruining
the pacing.
As I mentioned in my earlier posts, it's purely a personal preference and I
don't mean for my comments to come across as ungrateful toward the hard work
that goes into these restorations.

Well, the ESSANAY restorations were great except they were projected
way to slow...the new MUTUALS on the other hand were just about
PERFECT! I don't know what speed they were projected at, but if the
KEYSTONES were played at (or close to) that speed - I would be more
than happy!

Is anyone going to the TILLIE screening that could fill us in on what
the footage looks like?