January, 2006 -

Delta Entertainment has released the first in their new DVD series, Douglas Fairbanks - The Great Swashbuckler. The first edition contains a double feature of two Fairbanks favorites: The Three Musketeers (1921) and The Iron Mask (1929). Also included is the long-awaited full length new documentary film, Intimate Biography Series: Douglas Fairbanks. This new release contains more than 5 hours of movies and extras, all for less than $10 - a price that fits any budget.

This new documentary film includes interviews with Douglas Fairbanks Museum Curator and Fairbanks Biographer Keri Leigh, and features many rare original photographs, posters, news clippings, and memorabilia from the museum's extensive collections. The documentary is 90 minutes in length, and gives the most complete story of Douglas Fairbanks' extraordinary life and work available to date. Every Fairbanks fan and silent film enthusiast should have a copy of this DVD on their shelf.

Museum volunteer Barbara Burkowsky has written an in-depth review of this new Fairbanks collection and documentary, which you can read here. Also, look for her review of The Great Swashbuckler on Amazon.com!

Look for more releases in this Douglas Fairbanks - The Great Swashbuckler series in the months ahead. Delta plans new releases of The Black Pirate, The Thief of Bagdad, Robin Hood, and more Fairbanks classics in future editions.

Douglas Fairbanks - The Great Swashbuckler is available on DVD (not available in VHS format) through web merchants such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Blockbuster, or from a retail store near you. This title can also be rented through Netflix.com.
 
 

The winter edition of the Wednesday Evening Film Series continues in 2006 at the Historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem, Oregon, with a special screening of Douglas Fairbanks' The Gaucho on January 4 at 7pm.

Directed by F. Richard Jones, The Gaucho stunned audiences upon its initial release in 1927, as Fairbanks chose to play a part that was far outside his fans' expectations. As this Argentinean bandit, Fairbanks drinks whisky, chain smokes, robs a church, and even carries on with two women at the same time before finally finding his redemption in the final reel. Although the film was too shocking in 1927 for audiences to accept, it is nonetheless a powerful story, and demonstrates Fairbanks' ability as an actor of greater depth than previously imagined by his critics. Today, The Gaucho is considered to be one of his very best films. Many modern-day fans consider it to be *the* best, even greater than Robin Hood or The Thief of Bagdad.

Is The Gaucho Fairbanks' forgotten masterpiece? See for yourself and decide at this rare public screening!

For more information on the Elsinore's 30th Anniversary Film Series, contact the Historic Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem, OR. Phone: (503) 375-3574. Admission for The Gaucho is $5.00.
 
 

The "Zorro" theme continues in our next exhibit, "The Legend of Zorro," which reveals Douglas Fairbanks' vision and genius in the creation of the Zorro character on the silver screen. From the 1919 short story by Johnston McCulley, Fairbanks adapted the mysterious masked, caped crusader role and made the first Zorro film, 1920's The Mark of Zorro. Due to the first film's tremendous popular appeal, Fairbanksagain reprised his role in 1925's Don Q. - Son of Zorro.

Now, 85 years since Douglas Fairbanks first brought Zorro to the screen, and 80 years after he released the first Zorro sequel, Don Q. Son of Zorro, the museum commemorates these important anniversaries with rare original movie posters, film stills, books, documents and memorabilia on display for a limited time.

This new exhibit explores Zorro's onscreen origins and continuing popularity right up to the new Sony Pictures production of the same title. "The Legend of Zorro" exhibit runs October 1, 2005 through Jan. 30 ,2006.

If you can't make it to Austin to see the exhibition in person, you can take a virtual tour of the exhibit online HERE.

For over thirty years, Dennis James has played a pivotal role in the international revival of silent films presented with live music. Starting as a pianist for university screenings, James now tours worldwide under auspices of his Silent Film Concerts production company presenting professional silent film screenings with piano, theatre organ, chamber ensemble and full symphony orchestra accompaniments. This year, he will be presenting several Douglas Fairbanks silent classics in various cities around the world. If these shows are anywhere near you, don't miss the opportunity to hear Dennis James play!

DENNIS JAMES, SILENT FILM ORGANIST -  SILENT FILM CONCERTS TOUR SCHEDULE

December 7, 2005 - Konzerthaus, Vienna, AUSTRIA
            Silent Film: Douglas Fairbanks in ROBIN HOOD

March 27, 2006 - Washington Center, Olympia, Washington
            Silent Film Series: Douglas Fairbanks in THE THREE MUSKETEERS

April 3, 2006 - Washington Center, Olympia, Washington
            Silent Film Series: Douglas Fairbanks in ROBIN HOOD

April 10, 2006 - Washington Center, Olympia, Washington
            Silent Film Series: Douglas Fairbanks in THE GAUCHO

July 11, 2006 - Everett Theatre, Everett, Washington
            Monthly Silent Film Series: Douglas Fairbanks in MARK OF ZORRO

August 28, 2006 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington
            Silent Movie Series: THE IRON MASK

Over the course of his long career, James has appeared together with such popular film personalities as Vincent Price, Ray Bolger, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Myrna Loy, Olivia DeHavilland, Ginger Rogers and Fay Wray. He toured throughout the 1980s with silent film stars Lillian Gish and Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers (actor, bandleader and third husband of Mary Pickford), providing musical accompaniment on national tour revivals of their motion pictures. In 1999, Dennis James was named house organist for the beautifully restored El Capitan Theatre in downtown Hollywood and theatre organist for the San Diego Symphony.

Of James' silent film performances, Lillian Gish once said, “Dennis James' playing brought tears to my eyes ... his score [to La Boheme] is just what we intended it to be when we made the film.”

For more information, contact: Silent Film Concerts – PO Box 2072, Tacoma, WA  98402  Email: muscur@aol.com
 

July, 2006 -

Several biographies of Douglas Fairbanks have been published through the years, but who could tell the story better than the man himself? The Douglas Fairbanks Museum combed our archives to assemble a complete collection of the writings of Douglas Fairbanks, telling his remarkable life story In His Own Words.

In addition to being the author of his own photoplays and publishing two books, Fairbanks also wrote hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines during his career. Compiled into one volume, these stories make for a fascinating read - even more so considering most of them have not been seen by the public since their initial publication nearly a century ago.

From his first published fictional short story in 1912 to his own autobiographical accounts, random thoughts, tall tales and advice, rare correspondence, and his original story treatments for classic films like The Three Musketeers, Robin Hood, The Thief of Bagdad, and The Black Pirate, this book demonstrates that Fairbanks was a writer of great depth, sincerity, humor and appeal. This talent often gets obscured by his fame as an actor, producer, and Hollywood visionary, but reading his words all these many decades later brings us a fresh perspective on the man that no other biography can quite capture.

Edited and Introduced by Keri Leigh, Curator of the Douglas Fairbanks Museum. Images from the museum's archives.

Douglas Fairbanks - In His Own Words is available through web merchants such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or from a fine bookseller near you.

The official book launch party will be May 23, 2006, to coincide with the 123rd Birthday of Douglas Fairbanks. Also, be sure not to miss the accompanying exhibit, Douglas Fairbanks:In His Own Words at the museum throughout the summer.

Museum volunteer Barbara Burkowsky has written an in-depth review of this new Fairbanks literary collection, which you can read here. Also, look for her review of Douglas Fairbanks:In His Own Words on Amazon.com!

You may browse the book online, read the introduction and a sample chapter at the publisher's website. (Scroll down to the bottom of the store page to access the "Browse Before you Buy" feature):

This new exhibit explores another side of Douglas Fairbanks - the writer. Including all of his published books, Fairbanks penned hundreds of stories (both fiction and non-fiction) for various newspapers and magazines throughout his long career.

Doug composed most of his own film treatments, usually under the pseudonym Elton Thomas (his two middle names), and had an active hand in every word of publicity that came out of the Fairbanks/United Artists studios in those days, often writing it himself. These rare materials will be displayed to the public for the first time in decades to coincide with the new book, Douglas Fairbanks - In His Own Words, available from booksellers in July, 2006.

The exhibit will kick off with a book launch/preview party at the museum from 6-8pm on February 14th. On Valentine's Day, we will celebrate one of the things in life Douglas Fairbanks loved most - the art of writing!

Come see the life story of Douglas Fairbanks, told In His Own Words. Exhibit dates: Feb. 15-September 4, 2006

The winter edition of the Wednesday Evening Film Series continues at the Historic Elsinore Theatre, and it's a special 30th Anniversary season that includes many classic silent offerings. On February 1, they will present Mary Pickford with future husband Charles "Buddy" Rogers in 1927's My Best Girl, followed on Feb. 15 by Fairbanks' all-time swashbuckling classic, The Three Musketeers, originally released in 1921 and directed by Fred Niblo. Admission is only $5.00.

These silent film presentations will feature digitally restored films from archival prints when available, correct projection speed and live accompaniment on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. For more information, contact the Historic Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem, OR. Phone: (503) 375-3574.
 

Summer, 2006 -

In July of 2006, the museum acquired a hand drawn sketch of Batman by the character's creator, artist Bob Kane. Museum friend Willard Bell suggested he thought an item like this would be an interesting addition to our archives, and we agreed. Mr. Bell placed this sketch with the museum permanently after several years of having the artwork in his personal collection.

The sketch is appx. 11x14, and is addressed at the top to "Bobby." The inscription reads: "Would you believe that one day you would meet the creator of "Batman" after sitting in your Batman rockin' chair as a kid!..."Bats" wishes always, Bob Kane." The sketch is dated 1992 by Kane and was drawn while Mr. Kane was in his final years, six years before his death in 1998.

Bob Kane often said that Douglas Fairbanks not only inspired him to create Batman, but Robin as well. Kane envisioned Batman as a kind of masked Zorro-type character; Robin was directly influenced by Fairbanks' 1922 version of Robin Hood, right down to his green costume and feathered cap.

The United States Mariners' Museum of Newport News, Virginia will hold an exhibition focusing on the romantic image of the pirate scheduled for July 7, 2006 through the summer of 2007. The exhibit will spotlight swashbuckler films but will also include other elements such as literature and explore the often harsh realities of real pirate life.

The Douglas Fairbanks Museum will loan artifacts from our collections to the Mariners' Museum for the duration of this exhibit. Original production stills and promotional materials from Fairbanks' legendary 1926 film The Black Pirate will be on display to the public at the Mariners' Museum, and we invite all Fairbanks fans in the Virginia area to visit the exhibit during its' year-long run.

If you can't make it to Austin, Texas to visit the Douglas Fairbanks Museum's own Black Pirate 80th Anniversary Exhibit this year, you can enjoy a sampling of these rare treasures at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA. For more information about the Mariners' Museum or their upcoming Pirate Exhibit, please visit their official website.

Fall, 2006 -

Now there is finally a place on the internet where you can find that perfect gift for the Fairbanks fan in your life. From books to bumperstickers, DVDs, t-shirts, caps, bags, office decor, housewares, all in one convenient spot. Many different designs, colors and sizes to choose from - whatever you're looking for, you'll surely find it here with prices to suit any budget.

We offer safe, secure online ordering through our approved merchants, and a money-back guarantee if not completely satisfied. All custom items in the Gift Shop feature rare images from our archives. Selections change frequently, so items are often limited edition and truly one of a kind. Best of all, you're helping with our mission; our portion of every sale is used entirely to fund research, preservation and education programs at the museum. Get cool gear and make a difference today!

2006 will mark the 80th Anniversary of The Black Pirate's original 1926 release, and the Douglas Fairbanks Museum plans a special exhibit to commemorate this important milestone in film history.

The Black Pirate was the very first feature film to ever be made entirely in Technicolor, which was then a two strip process (instead of three strip). In the 1920s, this experimental technology was considered far too expensive and risky for film producers to invest in fully, so film studios simply "dabbled" in the Technicolor process, utilizing it for a scene or two to give a certain emphasis or effect. (Such as the famous Bal Masque sequence in 1925's The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney.)

Douglas Fairbanks took the risk that other Hollywood producers feared, and invested his own money to make The Black Pirate in full, glorious Technicolor. Having grown up on pirate novels as a young lad, Fairbanks had long desired to make a film about pirates, even announcing his plans to do so as early as 1923. He abandoned the idea for a while because Fairbanks felt strongly that black and white simply would not do justice to a pirate story. Either it should be done in color, he said, or not at all.

It took three years for the technology to catch up with Fairbanks' grand plan, but by late 1925, the Technicolor process had been refined to the point where Doug felt the heavy investment was worth the risk. The work was painstaking, involving special costumes, makeup and set color "tests" to correctly register colors on the screen, the hours were long for both cast and crew, but the result is absolutely stunning, even by modern standards of film making. The Black Pirate turned out to be not only a visual feast for the eyes, it has also become the example which all pirate films must live up to, setting the standard for films like Errol Flynn's Captain Blood, The Crimson Pirate, and even 2003's Pirates of the Caribbean.

"Ships Ahoy!" - The Black Pirate exhibit will feature many rarely seen film stills, behind-the-scenes photographs, production notes, publicity material, and the original theatrical program booklet which was handed out to audiences back in 1926. Free screenings of The Black Pirate will run daily at 2pm and 4pm in the museum gallery throughout the duration of this exhibit. We invite you to enjoy swashbuckling adventure at its' best. Come see Fairbanks' Technicolor dreams come true!

EXHIBIT DATES: September 18, 2006 -February 16, 2007. To schedule a tour, please email or call (512) 233-2214.

All text and images copyright 1998-2006, The Douglas Fairbanks Museum.
www.DouglasFairbanks.org