Out West 1918

Petzi · Jun 5, 2007

I really like this photo. I wonder if I could obtain a higher res version. I assume the photographer is unknown? I believe it is a still shot taken on the film scene. Maybe by the film crew itself, or would they hire an extra photographer for this?

http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/O/OutWest1918.html

Curt · Jun 5, 2007

Why do you like this photograph?

Kino · Jun 5, 2007

Petzi said:
I really like this photo. I wonder if I could obtain a higher res version. I assume the photographer is unknown? I believe it is a still shot taken on the film scene. Maybe by the film crew itself, or would they hire an extra photographer for this?

http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/O/OutWest1918.html

It is a 1918 production still from a Paramount Silent film with Buster Keaton, directed by Roscoe Arbuckle, so there is a good chance you can still get a reasonable quality 8x10 (or 10x8) online somewhere.

You might find the unit photographer's name in a history of Paramount or similar obscure book, but the most direct answer can probably be had by posing your question on the UseNet group alt.movies.silent.

copake_ham · Jun 5, 2007

This is definitely a movie "still".

Still not sure why you think it is hard to obtain. You might want to ask the website in your link where they got it?

Isn't Roscoe Arbuckle a.k.a "Fatty" Arbuckle? Interesting how in early H-wood folks would wear numerous hats.

Petzi · Jun 6, 2007

Curt said:
Why do you like this photograph?

It's hilarious. There is "tension" in it. Makes me wonder how they are going to resolve this situation. What's going to happen next?

It wouldn't be half as good without the guy on top of the bar waiting with the bottle...

Petzi · Jun 6, 2007

It is also a nice portrait of three well known actors that made movie history. They are trying to kill each other. It is completely over the top. I like it.

I just read that Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was Al St John's uncle. (Al St John is also known as "Fuzzy Q Jones")

I wonder why the camera was not leveled. Look at the edge of the bar. If it was taken with a view camera on a tripod, this shouldn't have happened? Perhaps it was printed so?

Kino · Jun 6, 2007

Dynamic tension; cinematographers were much more ready to break conventions to obtain effects and MOST silent cinematographers were also responsible for the stills on the set.

Sirius Glass · Jun 6, 2007

Petzi said:
I wonder why the camera was not leveled. Look at the edge of the bar. If it was taken with a view camera on a tripod, this shouldn't have happened? Perhaps it was printed so?

The position is PERFECT!. The camera is lined up with the median height of the bar, at eye level with two of the actors. That is what catches the tension in the photograph.

Steve

copake_ham · Jun 7, 2007

Oh, and as to "angle" of the shot - does the term "screwball comedy" come to mind?

Kino · Jun 7, 2007

Not to be picky but...

Actually, "slapstick" comes to mind; screwball comedy as a genre did not come into being until the arrival of sound and the influence of Broadway playwrights...

I know, splitting hairs, but isn't that what we do here?

copake_ham · Jun 7, 2007

Kino said:
Not to be picky but...

Actually, "slapstick" comes to mind; screwball comedy as a genre did not come into being until the arrival of sound and the influence of Broadway playwrights...

I know, splitting hairs, but isn't that what we do here?

Slowly walking to corner of the room, facing away from all, I emplace the dunce cap atop my head.....

Petzi · Jun 7, 2007

Dana Sullivan · Jun 7, 2007

Fatty Arbuckle murdered a young woman but was not convicted for it. How interesting is that?

copake_ham · Jun 7, 2007

Dana Sullivan said:
Fatty Arbuckle murdered a young woman but was not convicted for it. How interesting is that?

I'll bet a dollar to a donut that Phil Spector is hoping for a similar outcome!

Kino · Jun 7, 2007

copake_ham said:
Slowly walking to corner of the room, facing away from all, I emplace the dunce cap atop my head.....

Oh now STOP THAT!

Sirius Glass · Jun 8, 2007

copake_ham said:
Slowly walking to corner of the room, facing away from all, I emplace the dunce cap atop my head.....

"Ollie, this is another fine mess you got us in."

Out West 1918

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