Germany / 1928 / 117 min 

Director: Mario Bonnard, Nunzio Malasomma

Cast: Luis Trenker, Marcella Albani, Alexandra Schmitt, Clifford McLaglen

Cinematographer: Sepp Allgeier, Willy Winterstein

Screenplay: Arnold Fanck, Nunzio Malasomma, based on the novel “Der Kampf ums Matterhorn” (1928) by Carl Haensel

Production Company: Hom-Film GmbH

Print Source: Deutsches Filminstitut, Frankfurt am Main

 

An Alpine thriller with a romantic subplot, Fight for the Matterhorn is based on a true historical account of two climbing parties in a race to summit one of the highest peaks in the Alps. Anton Carrel is an Italian mountain guide hired by English climber Edward Whymper, who has eyes for Carrel’s wife. The joint expedition fails, and the two climbers go their separate ways. Years later, their fates are once again entwined as they compete to reach the summit of the Matterhorn from two different cliffs.

 

The film was shot on location and features spectacular Alpine scenery. The reconstruction by Deutsches Filminstitut used prints from the French and Czech export versions, as well as fragments of a 16 mm print from the 1930s. 

 

 

 

7th Heaven 

 

USA / 1927 / 118 min

Director: Frank Borzage

Cast: Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Albert Gran

Cinematographer: Ernest Palmer, Joseph A. Valentine 

Screenplay: Benjamin Glazer

Production Company: Frank Borzage Production, Fox Film Corporation

Print Source: Park Circus

 

A love story set in Paris during the war, 7th Heaven was an inspiration for a classic Thai film Sawan Mued (Dark Heaven). Chico is a sewer worker who desires to be elevated to the position of street cleaner. One day he rescues Diane from police harassment by claiming that she’s his wife. Their love is finally realized just as war breaks out in Europe, and their marriage is interrupted by the call to arms.

7th Heaven was one of the films that made Janet Gaynor the first winner of the Oscar for Best Actress (she won from three films, 7th Heaven, Street Angel and Sunrise). The film itself was nominated for Best Picture and Best Art Direction. It was remade as a sound film in 1937, which later became a model for a 1958 Thai film Sawan Mued, directed by R.D. Pestonji.

 

 

Italy / 1915 / 70 min

Director: Mario Roncoroni

Cast: Valeria Creti, Giovanni Spano, Cristina Ruspol, iMario Mariani

Cinematographer: Luigi Fiorio

Screenplay: Giovanni Bertinetti

Production Company: Corona Film

Restoration: EYE Filmmuseum

Print Source: Milestone Film

 

 

A 1915 Italian crime thriller that boasts daring heists, exciting subterfuge and a touch of feminism, Filibus tells the story of a mysterious sky pirate who flies high above the clouds in her airship. Also a master of disguise, she robs the rich then vanishes into the clouds, terrifying millionaires, banks, and the police. With the famed Detective Kutt-Hendy on her trail, Filibus must up her game as she plans to steal a precious Egyptian statue.

 

Film in black and white, Filibus is dazzling with colors through the use of ancient tinting and toning technique. Previously seen in an imperfect version, the film was recently remastered by the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam.

 

 

 

UK,Germany,India / 1928 / 105 min

Director: Franz Osten

Cast: Himansu Rai, Charu Roy, Enakashi Rama Rau

Cinematographer: Henry Harris, Emil Schünemann

Screenplay: W. Burton, Based on play by Niranjan Pal

Production Company: British Instructional Films, Emelka Film, Himansu Rai Film

Print Source: British Film Institute

 

Based on the romance between 17th-century Mughal ruler Shah Jahan and his queen, Shiraz tells a ravishing tale behind the creation of one of the world’s most iconic structures: the Taj Mahal. 

Shot entirely on location in India, it features lavish costumes and gorgeous settings -- all the more impressive in this restoration by the BFI National Archive. Produced by and starring Indian film legend Himansu Rai, the film is performed by an all-Indian cast, featuring Rai as humble potter Shiraz, who follows his childhood sweetheart Selima when she’s sold by slave traders to the future emperor.

 

 

 

 

USA / 1928 / 86 min

Director: Ted Wilde

Cast: Harold Lloyd, Ann Christy, Bert Woodruff

Cinematographer: Walter Lundin

Screenplay: John Grey, Lex Neal, Howard Emmett Rogers, J.A. Howe

Production Company: Harold Lloyd Corporation

Print Source: Harold Lloyd Entertainment, Inc., Janus Films

 

 

Speedy, Harold Lloyd’s last silent film, is a superb valedictory to the silent era. “Speedy” (Harold’s real-life nickname) is a baseball-crazy young man who cannot hold a job. His employment misadventures include work as a soda jerk and a cab driver. Harold’s girlfriend, Jane, lives with her grandfather, who owns New York City’s last horse-drawn streetcar. A gang hired by a railroad monopoly steals the horse and streetcar. By stopping Pop’s streetcar from operating more than twenty-four hours, the rail monopoly hopes to steal away his franchise. Speedy ultimately finds the car and manages to get it back on track in time to make the daily run, saving the franchise. 

Filmed partly on location in New York, the film features a memorable cameo from baseball legend Babe Ruth and a wild chase scene in downtown Manhattan.