OUR COMING ATTRACTIONS!

These are films we can't screen until new prints are struck,
either because we only have the negatives or because the prints are
too old and rare to be subjected to the rigors of projection.

Here is a prime example of the latter case...

"SO THIS IS EDEN" is an unknown 35mm three-reel shorter feature that probably
constitutes the magnum opus of obscure director Joseph Rothman.
The date code on the camphor diacetate safety stock is 1927, so by his failure to find immediate
handling for this piece Rothman was facing an uphill battle in attempting to sell a
silent film during 1928 and 1929, when sound was very much the coming thing.

Some handsome trimmimgs were lavished upon "Eden", which features tinted scenes
and snappy titles, and leads off with one of Tony Sarg's few silhouette animations.
Because this is the only existing print we don't dare risk running it on a projector,
so the grand premiere must await funding for safe duplication.
Luckily the film is in very good condition with only mild Vinegar Syndrome,
and currently reposes in cold storage awaiting its glorious unveiling.

Here are sample frames from "So This is Eden":

Elliott Nugent as Jim Wendell

Elliott Nugent as Jim, Edna Murphy as Eve Wendell

We'd love to hear from anyone who might have heard about this film in the past.
Director Joseph Rothman was alive at least as late as the 1950s
and may have told family members about his attempts to get "So This Is Eden" distributed.
Surely someone from the cast or crew would have made remarks to friends or relatives...
More of the available facts to come!

SOME OTHER TITLES AWAITING THE EXCELSIOR SCREEN:

"EASY VIRTUE" (1928) Isabel Jeans, Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
"CROOKEDEST RAILROAD" (1921) Short documentary on the Mt. Tamalpais Railway
"GRAND TOUR" (Circa 1905) Early travelogue with footage of Italy, France, Egypt and India.