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Classic Film/lou place's stuff

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Expert: DM - 10/28/2009


Question

great train robbery
Not sure this get a responce but i have to start somewhere.
My name is Gage. I have a question I was hoping you could help with. I bought a house a few years back from a guy named Jeff Place. Left behind were boxes and boxes of old movie stuff. Did some research and found out his dad is Lou Place (a director/assist dir from the 50's). Well I think I have some valuable stuff here and am wondering if you had any idea where I could start with finding a film expert. I have numerous reel 2 reel movie's including "the great train robbery" the 1903 version. Also many reels of "red skeleton" I think they were friends or worked together. 6 Mickey Mouse and silly symphony.   There are lots of movie scripts as well as TV show scripts. Also a ton of old movie making equipment. Well I wont waste anymore of your time going on and on.
 If there's any way you can help I would greatly appreciate it.I live in Arizona.

                                         Gage


Answer
Dear Gage,

Thank you for contacting me about your discovery. Please, go through every item carefully and inventory each so you can communicate with others about the details. One never knows what gems may turn up in the collections of memorabilia left behind by someone else.

To begin, please contact Bruce Calvert, who runs the Silent Movie Stills Archive at:
http://www.silentfilmstillarchive.com/index.html

Others, who search for and bring out new DVDs of rare, old films include:
GRAPEVINE VIDEO
http://www.grapevinevideo.com/

FLICKER ALLEY
http://www.flickeralley.com/

You might also post your inventory on the following web sites that are read often by film fans and other collectors. You never know who may be searching for these very treasures:

SILENT GOOGLE GROUP SITE
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.movies.silent/topics?hl=en

NITRATEVILLE.COM SITE
http://www.nitrateville.com/index.php

I would also suggest sending your inventory list to the American Film Institute, who might assist you with determining the rarity and/or value of those items: Telephone: 213.856.7660

Best of luck to you, and thank you again for bringing your discovery to my attention. I have often found rare films and recordings buried in the most unlikely places.

Sincerely,
David W. Menefee
Author:


Sarah Bernhardt in the Theater of Films and Sound Recordings (Foreword by Kevin Brownlow)
www.mcfarlandpub.com

The First Female Stars: Women of the Silent Era
www.greenwood.com

The First Male Stars: Men of the Silent Era
www.bearmanormedia.bizland.com

Richard Barthelmess: A Life in Pictures
www.bearmanormedia.com

DM

Expertise

US silent films made from 1900-1929. Sarah Bernhardt, Lillian Gish, Mary Pickford, Jack Pickford, Lottie Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Richard Barthelmess, George O'Brien, Lou-Tellegen, Wallace Reid, Mae Marsh, Alla Nazimova, D. W. Griffith, Billy "Buckwheat" Thomas.

Experience

I am the author of Sarah Bernhardt in the Theater of Films and Sound Recordings (McFarland 2003), The First Female Stars: Women of the Silent Era (Greenwood/Praeger 2004) The First Male Stars: Men of the Silent Era (BearManor Media March 2007) Richard Barthelmess: A Life in Pictures (BearManor Media February 2008) George O'Brien: A Man's Man in Hollywood (BearManor Media January 2010) I have spent many years researching silent films, and have a large collection of rare resource books from which I can draw information that may be helpful.

Education/Credentials
Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts

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