Articles 2000-2009

I have written many articles over the years. Some are still of interest, though just as many are not. Journalism, like other things, can become dated or loose relevancy. What follows is a selection of my published work from the years 2000 through 2009. I’ve chosen these pieces as I feel they have some value or still may be of interest to readers. A few are personal favorites, while others are markers which show some aspect of my work as a journalist. I have linked to as many pieces as possible.

If you are interested in checking out more of my online or offline journalism, visit one or more of the following pages.

1984 – 1999  //  2000 – 2009  //  2010 – 2014  //  2015 – today

“Charlie Chaplin at Grace Cathedral New Year’s Eve.” examiner.com, December 28, 2009.

“Best DVDs of 2009.” examiner.com, December 21, 2009.
— this piece was also archived on nitrateville.com

“Best film books of 2009.” examiner.com, December 15, 2009.
— this piece was also archived on nitrateville.com

So, just who is Frank Buxton?” San Francisco Silent Film Festival blog, December 11, 2009.

J’Accuse – masterpiece not to be missed.” examiner.com, December 10, 2009.

Considering Abel Gance.” San Francisco Silent Film Festival blog, December 9, 2009.

When Chang came to town.” San Francisco Silent Film Festival blog, December 3, 2009.
— see also “When Chang came to town, part two

The American Venus.” San Francisco Silent Film Festival blog, November 23, 2009.

“Stuart Oderman: talking to the piano player.” examiner.com, November 22, 2009.

“Film biographer William Mann discusses new book on Elizabeth Taylor.” examiner.com, November 10, 2009.

“Francis X. Bushman – King of the Movies revealed in new book.” examiner.com, November 6, 2009.
— review of King of the Movies: Francis X. Bushman by Lon and Debra Davis

“New Doctor Who comic celebrates silent film.” examiner.com, October 31, 2009.
— this piece, like others of mine, were syndicated, aggregated, hijacked by World News network

“Celebrating Carla Laemmle and early Universal.” examiner.com, October 28, 2009.

“San Francisco movie theater falls to wrecking ball.” examiner.com, October 15, 2009.

“Sad tale of Oakland comedian told in new book.” examiner.com, October 8, 2009.
— my review of this biography of Lloyd Hamilton was archived on nitrateville.com

“Anna May Wong documentary at film festival.” examiner.com, September 16, 2009.
— this piece, like others of mine, were syndicated, aggregated, hijacked by World News network

“Six silent film stars in need of a biography.” examiner.com, September 6, 2009.
— this piece was archived on nitrateville.com

“Six silent films not on DVD that should be.” examiner.com, August 27, 2009.
— all but one has come to be

“Silent films among new Warner Archive offerings.” examiner.com, August 23, 2009.

“Silent films show in Berkeley.” examiner.com, August 15, 2009.
— about The Salvation Hunters (1925)

“Jan Wahl through a lens darkly.” examiner.com, August 13, 2009.
— book review

Bardeleys the Magnificent is that.” examiner.com, August 11, 2009.

Black Pirate screens in San Jose with Dennis James on organ.” examiner.com, August 6, 2009.

“Theatres of San Jose pictured in new book.” examiner.com, August 4, 2009.
— review of Theatres of San Jose by Gary Parks

“The murder that almost killed the movies.” examiner.com, July 24, 2009.
— book review of Famous Players, the Mysterious Death of William Desmond Taylor,” by Rick Geary

“Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra accompanies Harold Lloyd in San Rafael.” examiner.com, July 13, 2009.
— this piece, like others of mine, were syndicated, aggregated, hijacked by World News network

“Aviators of early Hollywood take flight in new book.” examiner.com, July 10, 2009.
— piece on Aviators in Early Hollywood by Shawna Kelly

“Six questions with . . . film historian Jeffrey Vance.” examiner.com, July 9, 2009.
— excerpted on the University of California Press website and reposted on the Douglas Fairbanks Museum website

“Nell Brinkley art highlighted in book by San Francisco herstorian.” examiner.com, July 8, 2009.

“Aftermath of 1906 earthquake depicted in newly available films.” examiner.com, July 7, 2009.
— this piece was archived on nitrateville.com

“Louise Brooks and Pandora’s Box still attract.” examiner.com, June 30, 2009.

Old San Francisco among newly released silent films.” examiner.com, June 23, 2009.

The Sea Gull, silent film, and the state of publishing.” examiner.com, June 19, 2009.

“From silents to sound – book details tipping point in Hollywood history.” examiner.com, June 16, 2009.
— review of Silents to Sound: A Biographical Encyclopedia of Performers Who Made the Transition to Talking Pictures, by Roy Liebman

“Local chapter of Sons of the Desert to convene in East Bay.” examiner.com, May 29, 2009.
— about the Laurel & Hardy fan club

“Reviving the art of silent film, one note at a time.” examiner.com, May 25, 2009.
— interview with musician Dennis James

“The Silent Cinema in Song.” examiner.com, May 19, 2009.
— book review of The Silent Cinema in Song, 1896 – 1929, by Ken Wlaschin

Wings takes flight in Fremont.” examiner.com, May 13, 2009.

“Cinematic new novel depicts Charlie Chaplin and silent film era.” examiner.com, May 12, 2009.
— piece on Sunnyside, by Glen David Gold

“Chaplin biographer to speak in San Francisco.” examiner.com, May 8, 2009.

Lost World finds sound in San Francisco.” examiner.com, May 1, 2009

“Louise Brooks stars in Los Angeles series.” examiner.com, April 30, 2009

“Mary Pickford to shine in Larkspur.” examiner.com, April 29, 2009

“When Hollywood came to town.” examiner.com, April 28, 2009.
— review of Silent Film Stars on the Stages of Seattle by Eric L. Flom

“Early films screen at Niles.” examiner.com, April 14, 2009.
— discussed on Alt Film Guide: this piece was also archived on nitrateville.com

“Father of JFK recalled as Hollywood mogul.” examiner.com, April 10, 2009.
— piece on Joseph P. Kennedy Presents: His Hollywood Years, by Cari Beauchamp

2006
Galley Talk.” Publisher’s Weekly, July 28, 2006.

2004
We’ll Miss You, Sadie.” Noe Valley Voice, December 2004 / January 2005.
— letter to the editor in community newspaper

Louise Brooks.” In Encyclopedia of the Great Plains, edited by David J. Wishart, University of Nebraska Press, 2004.
— entry in regional reference work

2001
“Jim Carroll: Verbal Entries.” In Contemporary Literary Criticism, Gale Group, 2001.
— reprint of interview with poet, rock musician, and author of The Basketball Diaries

2000
“Emil Petaja.” Classic Images, October 2000.
— obituary of the noted writer & film collector

Emil Petaja (1915-2000).” September, Locus, September 2000.

Emil Petaja.” Bay Area Reporter, August 24, 2000.
— obituary

“Emil Petaja (1915-2000),” Science Fiction Writers of America News. August 19, 2000.
— obituary of the noted science fiction & fantasy writer

“A Window into Old Hollywood: Three Biographies.” Booksense.com, August, 2000.
book reviews

“Publisher’s Ask, ‘Who Reads’?” In The Contentville Reader, Contentville, 2000.
— my short piece is included in this ephemeral book, along with the work of other booksellers