IT CAME FROM THE BOTTOM SHELF!

The treasures of our rich film heritage are decomposing, if they have not been lost already. Fifty percent of the films made before 1950 are missing, presumably gone forever, and resources are limited to save those that remain. Each year, in an effort to add a bit to those resources, Rodney Sauer and the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra website produces a Silent Movies Calendar. The calendar features film stills and informal photographs of silent film stars donated by collectors and institutions; and all of the proceeds (after printing costs) are used to benefit silent film restoration.

The 2020 Calendar is now available. This year, the theme is “Animal Edition,” featuring stars of the silent era accompanied by animals of all sorts.  In addition to the silent cinema artwork, the calendar features birthdays of silent-era film stars and personalities, as well as notable marriages, deaths, film openings, and other significant dates.

The calendar is $12, plus shipping, and they take Paypal.  What are you waiting for?  Just click on the link below already, and buy the dern thing!

Get it here–> 2020 Silent Movies Calendar

If you need more incentive, here is some of the good work the calendar has done in the past:

• The 2019 silent film calendar raised $2019 for the George Eastman Museum
• The 2018 silent film calendar raised $2024 for the UCLA Film and Television Archive
• The 2017 silent film calendar raised $2005 for the San Francisco Silent Film Festival
• The 2016 silent film calendar raised $1750 for Film Preservation Associates
• The 2015 silent film calendar raised $2300 for the Museum of Modern Art.
• The 2014 silent film calendar raised $2240 for Film Preservation Associates.
• The 2013 calendar raised $1808 for the George Eastman Museum.
• The 2012 calendar benefitted the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
• The 2010 and 2011 calendars benefitted the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Niles California http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/.
• The 2009 calendar funds supported an internship in film preservation through the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
• The 2008 calendar funds supported the video restoration of Bardelys the Magnificentthrough Film Preservation Associates and Lobster Films.
• The 2007 calendar funds were donated to the George Eastman House.
• The 2006 calendar benefitted Film Preservation Associates.
• The 2004 alt.movies.silent calendar raised $1442.06, for two projects.
• The 2003 calendar made possible a donation of $671.07 to the UCLA Film and Television Archive, earmarked for preservation activities in silent film.