I received the following press release from the Library of Moving Images
and thought it might be of interest.  If there really is a revival of
interest in
silent films, maybe we'll see some of the other early adaptations of
Twain's works released in the future.

Jim Zwick

---------------

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information contact: Michael Yakaitis at 310-469-7499

THE LIBRARY OF MOVING IMAGES

Is proud to announce the re-release of the 1917 silent film version of

TOM SAWYER

HOLLYWOOD - A resurgence of interest in silent films is in the air.
Innovative and spectacular in their day, ridiculed as over-blown and
corny with the advent of sound, the silent film is at last being recognized
for the artistic and creative medium it is.

Michael Yakaitis of The Library of Moving Images is proud to announce
the restoration and re-release of one of the most charming film versions
of that classical tale of Americana - Tom Sawyer.  Originally filmed in
1917 and directed by the famous William Desmond Taylor, this
millennium release has been beautifully restored, tinted and timed.  A
delightful, original score by Maria Newman accompanies the film and is
performed by the Viklarbo Chamber Ensemble.

The 44 min. scenario is based on the Adventures of Tom Sawyer by
Mark Twain and stars Jack Pickford whose clever Tom makes mischief a
regular practice.  When Samuel Clemens wrote Tom Sawyer, he must
have had Jack Pickford in mind.  Although more than 20 actors have
played the role and schemed their way out of whitewashing that famous
picket fence, no one has captured the boy-child essence of the roguish-
conniver like the ultimate man-child, himself - Jack Pickford, the younger
brother of Mary Pickford, America's Sweetheart.  With the re-release of
this updated version, today's audience can see and appreciate the
honesty, simplicity and charisma of this sensitive and talented actor.

The 1917 version touches all the high-points of Twain's tale -- the picket
fence negotiations, the sweet romancings of Tom and his adorable
sweetheart, Becky Thatcher, the adventures and dangers out on the
mighty Mississippi with Huck Finn, and even trauma and duplicity of living
through his own funeral.

The newly-restored Tom Sawyer is packaged with the meticulously
researched documentary, In Mary's Shadow, The Story of Jack Pickford
and is being released on video through Monument Video.  Both films will
screened for the public at Cinecon 2000, coming this September in
Hollywood, CA and at the Le Giornate del Cinema Muto - Pordenone
Silent Film Festival in Sacile, Italy in October 2000.

Please note: The Vikalbo Chamber Ensemble will be performing live at
future screenings of the newly-restored Tom Sawyer locally and
throughout the US.  Watch for dates and times.