Ben Model

The majority of films made before World War II are missing. They have rotted, or destroyed accidentally or on purpose. Horror classics like LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT might be gone forever. Many other films are presently in danger of decomposition. LOST EMULSION tells that story, and the story of film restoration. Discover the plight of the lost films like the Edison Frankenstein, the work of Theda Bara, Lon Chaney, Wallace Reid, Joan Blondell, Raoul Walsh and more. Learn firsthand what The Library of Congress is doing to preserve our film heritage.

Ben Model discusses scoring music for silent movies.

One-hour documentary recounts the untold story of the remarkable rise and fall of the Thanhouser Studio, one of American’s pioneering motion picture studios during the first decade of the twentieth century. It traces the evolution of one family’s career as it transitioned from producing live theater to establishing one of the most successful independent silent motion picture studios. The Thanhouser Studio produced and released over 1,000 silent motion pictures that were acclaimed by critics and seen by audiences around the world. Set against a background of the industry playing out in New York, Florida and California, it is a compelling story of fame and fortune, twisted by the vagaries of fate and ending on a bittersweet note.

Ben Model discusses scoring music for silent movies.

Accidentally Preserved: Rare and Lost Silent Films from Vintage 16mm Prints is a collection of nine short films made from 1920-1928, presented in new HD transfers with new musical scores on piano or theatre organ by Ben Model. The films are all new to DVD, and three of them have not been seen by anyone in several decades. The films of Accidentally Preserved: volume 1: Wallace Lupino in THE LOST LAUGH (1928) – 9 minutes Jack Duffy in LOOSE CHANGE (1928) – 11 minutes Monte Collins in WEDDING SLIPS (1928) – 9 minutes Paul Parrott in SHOOT STRAIGHT (1923) – 10 minutes Elgin Watch Company - THE HOUSE OF WONDERS (ca. 1931) – 23 minutes Clyde Cook in THE MISFIT (1924) – 12 minutes Cliff Bowes in CHEER UP (1924) – 10 minutes Koko the Clown in MECHANICAL DOLL (1922) – 7 minutes Billy Franey in THE WATER PLUG (1920) – 12 minutes

An overview of the works of French film pioneers Louis and Auguste Lumière from 1895 to 1897.