On Monday night, April 19th , Women in Film/Seattle, and West Seattle’s Historic Admiral Theater partnered to pay homage to two films by Northwest bred cinema pioneer, Nell Shipman. Money raised was donated to the Seattle Humane Society.

Shipman is one of the first women who wrote, directed, produced, and starred in many of her own productions. By the '20s, she had set up her own production company where she specialized in outdoor adventure films involving an assortment of wild animals including skunks, raccoons, wolves, and bears that would later become her trademark as a filmmaker. Shipman played a role that would occur throughout her film career: a strong, resourceful female who came through to save the day.

This marked the premier performance at the Admiral of the renowned revivalist musician of live silent film accompaniment, Dennis James. James specially orchestrated scores for the two films that will screen; "Something New," 1920 - and the 1921 classic, "A Bear, a Boy, and a Dog," which co-star Nell’s dog Laddie and her bear, Brownie. He played on a Hammond B3 organ.

"Compilation of this composition comes from pre-existing music," said James after the films. "The job of the organist is to take pre-existing music to match images, sounds, tension, chases. What you heard tonight was fully prepared, fully synchronized. The opening scene has the boy whistling and then we meet the dog. Well there was a very popular song written in 1906 called 'The Whistler and his Dog.'" (Which he played.)

"I found at least 15 pieces about bears," he added. "When the bear is eating (in the film) there is absolutely no other piece to play other than 'Teddy Bears Picnic.'"

Sunday, April 25, at 7:30 pm the Admiral Theater will feature "Weekend in Havana" with Carmen Miranda, Cesar Romero, and Alice Faye. A live Cuban band will perform prior to the film, at 6:00 pm. Significant because this was the first film to open the Admiral Theater back on January 22, 1942. You can read West Settle Herald's story about the film and history of the Admiral Theater here:

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/03/20/news/admiral-theater-goes-b…

For over forty years Dennis James has played a pivotal role in the international revival of silent films with live music and has dedicated his career to the continuation of the theatrical traditions of organ performance and furthering public interest in theater pipe organs. Many people know of his work through his tenure as the Paramount organist for their silent film series. His appearance is sponsored by the Packard Humanities Art Institute.