Ben Model’s blog

While taking my daughter to school this morning, a boy who looked like he was around 11 (and who attends her school) came up to us. He asked me, “Are you the guy who showed a Buster Keaton movie at… Read More »cat story

October 14 – RED BANK, NJ – well, my 4th silent film for the annual Red Bank International Film Festival was a presentation of Don Q, Son of Zorro with Douglas Fairbanks. 35mm print came from Douris, and I accompanied… Read More »2 organ shows: Red Bank Film Fest and Silent Clowns

Haven’t had a chance to post, because of all the work and gigs. Here’s a quick update. Am in the midst of composing/recording a score for Haldane of the Secret Service (1923), starring Harry Houdini (also prod/dir). It’s a straight… Read More »Busy, busy, busy…

Spent the week giving a talk to clowns, playing for MoMA’s Pola Negri series, and “christened” a new venue out in Sag Harbor (L.I.). 9/17 – BROOKLYN, NY – Did my talk on silent film comedian’s adapting their performance work… Read More »Circus clowns, Pola Negri and Sag Harbor

Have only been back in town for a few days, and already a number of things are percolating: ReelclassicDVD’s release of Paths to Paradise with Raymond Griffith (and my piano score) is now available I’ve been hired to record a… Read More »more fall shows booked, plus DVD score news for Kino and RCDVD

Photo at right was published in the Tromsø newspaper; we had a special screening of THE COOK for some kindergarten kids and press folk. So that’s I look like during a show…sheesh! Saturday’s two shows (for me) were a Fy… Read More »Tromsø – Saturday/Sunday Sept 9 & 10

Today at 10am I played for THE COOK to a group of around 100 fifth graders…who screamed with laughter and just loved the whole experience. Tonight were screenings of Terge Vigen (star/dir Victor Sjostrom) in a new print with tints… Read More »Tromso – Friday Sept 8

This morning I played to a near-full house of teenagers — a Buster Keaton program., at 9am no less. The kids, who had never seen a silent film before, loved it. At noon, a handful of kindergarteners were brought in… Read More »Tromso, Norway – Thurs Sept 7

HAMILTON, NY – August 13 – Played for Harold Lloyd’s GIRL SHY on at the historic Hamilton Theater (near Colgate). Print was a beautiful 35mm from Sony, the edition restored by the UCLA Film & TV archive. Accompanied the film… Read More »August – Hamilton NY, Manchester VT, Waitsfield VT

Welcome to the silent film music blog. I’ve been accompanying silent movies for over 25 years, and perform in NYC and travel for shows as well. I’ll post here from time to time with tales of road shows, audience reactions,… Read More »