Ben Model’s blog

  • Too much to go into, and am sorry I’ve not posted in a while. Lots of things going on and lots to catch up on…and not enough time to get it all in right now. I will try to update you in drips and drabs in the next couple of…

  • Tonight I saw Tom Nazziola’s BQE Project perform his brand new original score to Buster Keaton’s Battling Butler at the Walter Reade Theater. I’ve known Tom for a number of years, and while he’s come to a few of my shows, I’ve always been working when the BQE has performed.…

  • Have just finished recording theatre organ scores for a release by Unknown Video of William S. Hart in Sand. Also on the disc is an Art Acord 2-reel oater and a surprise comedy short (you’ll just have to buy it to find out!). Recorded the scores earlier in the week…

  • Our Silent Clowns show on Nov 11 featured the 1927 “Wings”, and I accompanied on the Miditzer virtual theatre organ. We had a real nice 16mm print, originally owned by Walter Kerr and donated to us a few years ago by the Kerr family (along with a few other titles).…

  • The week or so before Halloween was busier than usual for me. Five shows, two of which were out of town overnighters, left me a little winded but with a greater appreciation of Lon Chaney’s talents. Three of the shows I played were Phantom of the Opera (Oneonta, NY), The…

  • Here’s a new videoblog report about what’s goin’ on right now: News in brief: just been booked as a speaker for a show of City Lights in Feb ’08 for the Greenwich Classic Film Series newly donated Steinway at MoMA now in place, and chrome-legged piano in Titus 2 now…

  • Much, much to report. Have been meaning to post a videoblog, but there still hasn’t been enough time to deal with that. Still trying to get the dust from Sept to settle (24 performances)… Played for 5 Sessue Hayakawa films at MoMA the week after I returned from Norway. One…

  • Here’s my final report on Stumfilm Dagere in Tromsø Norway: See you soon!

  • Here is a report on day 3 from Tromsø Norway:

  • Here’s a report on day 2 (and a little of day 3…): I accompanied a program of comedy shorts for kids (including The Sea Nymphs with Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, a real rarity), a program of polar expedition films, saw Madame de Thebes (1915) dir by Mauritz Stiller and accompanied by…