Thanks for all the knowledgeable commentary on the film footage. I've asked this before, but I'll ask again because we seem to have a new coterie of knowledgeable people on board: is anyone aware of Twain having commented on cinema. One of the newspaper clippings he quotes in "Italian Without a Grammar" includes advertisements of two cinemas--Sala Edison, showing _Quo Vadis; and Cinematografo, showing _Don Chisciotte_. It's hard to imagine that he wouldn't have seen some films, even if not these, but an Italian version of Don Quixote seems especially irresistible to him. Any leads would be apreciated. Thanks, --LH Larry Howe Professor of English Chair, Department of Literature and Languages Roosevelt University ________________________________________ From: Mark Twain Forum [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rick Talbot [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 1:18 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: The only known MT film footage What's old is new again. When Uncle Norman got the new color "Super 8" camera in 1967, he pointed it at the family, who immediately took the stance of deer in headlights, and shouted, "Move around. Move around! This is a MOVIE camera." Yes, there was stage direction going on in 1909. Had to be. And Twain was HUGE on new developments, i.e., telephones, typewriters, and the good old reliable Paige Compositor, etc. Seeing another opportunity at self promotion he today would have had his own Web site, and Twitter account and all the rest. He embraced technology. And while I'm not particularly on the subject, did you guys see Twain's quote as attached to Christy Gray's errata slip e-mail? If you've ever sent an e-mail or forwarded a manuscript for publication this is one of the best things I have ever seen. I loved it ... I take comfort from the following statement from Samuel Clemens to Sir Walter Bessant (22 February 1898): "And then there is that other thing: when you think you are reading proof, whereas you are merely reading your own mind; your statement of the thing is full of holes & vacancies but you don't know it, because you are filling them from your mind as you go along. Sometimes -- but not often enough -- the printer's proof-reader saves you -- & offends you -- with this cold sign in the margin: (?) & you search the passage & find that the insulter is right -- it doesn't say what you thought it did: the gas fixtures are there, but you didn't jet the lights." Richard Talbot 1531 West Idaho Avenue Falcon Heights, MN 55108-2118 (651) 646-6624 (651) 280 8734 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dave Davis Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 8:46 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: The only known MT film footage This mystery of the man who brings the hat seems to be deepening! ;-) I think the best guess is still the butler. Walking in a member of the film crew to a family scene seems unlikely to me. Has anyone published about what was really going on in this staged media event? It was a big deal, even in 1909, to have a film crew visit a celebrity at home and capture some moments-- it seems obvious to me that there was some 'stageing'. "Stand in the doorway" and "Walk around the corner here" -- b/c films demand motion. "Have tea with your daughters." So, who wanted/asked for the film to be created, and -- if it wasn't our boy's idea (I wouldn't rule that out)-- then who's idea was it, and what would SLC's motivation to cooperate be? Bottom line: The film capture is a window into a moment. Fortunely, an apparently happy moment, a good day. But the window hides more than it tells, I think. Some deconstruction seems called for -- and I wonder if anyone has already attended to that task? DDD