"I bid you welcome..." Well, if you are here then you are someone whom is familiar with the subject of London After Midnight, starring Lon Chaney, the pioneering “Man-of-a-Thousand-Faces”. Directed by Tod Browning and released in 1927, critical consensus of the film was mixed...But of course, you knew that already didn't you?
However, in the mid-1960s, a fire broke in the MGM vaults claimed what is thought to be the last known print of London After Midnight; a tragedy which has since, garnered it the legendary status as the “Holy Grail” of the lost silent film era. While numerous claims persist that a print may still exist somewhere in the world, all "theories" have so far proven fruitless and the wishful thinking of Chaney fans! Over ninety-years-later, so far, all we have been accustomed to is a series of photographs capturing Chaney’s iconic vampire, as well as many production notes and publications, yet, any trace of the film itself remains unfound and presumably lost forever.
Various reconstruction attempts of the film, although impressive and valiant, have only added to the mystique of London After Midnight’s legacy; in 1985, author, Philip J. Riley, created his own photo-reconstruction of the film’s plot. Then, in 2002, TCM presented a motion reconstruction of the film, completely comprised of still photographs, regarded as the nearest experience to seeing the film as was originally seen.
However, that is no longer a 100% fact anymore.
How is this book different?
With an affinity for the silent era, and a fascination of Lon Chaney, I set out to discover as much new material on London After Midnight as possible! With hard graft and many, many, many amazing and helpful leads, my research has resulted in perhaps the best discovery to-date on the so-called "lost" film... During my searching I was eventually blessed to discover over 30 frames from Lon Chaney's films which included the lost London After Midnight! My eyes went as wide as the vampire itself staring back at me on the fragments. "FINALLY" I thought! This, along with my many other discoveries, could now become the foundation for the book I always hoped to make since childhood and release a chunky book any die-hard Chaney fan would love to own!
Impact:
There have been a sleuth of articles and various book publications; a most-notable publication was by Thomas Mann; responsible for discovering a previously-unknown novelised magazine story for the film. I was later able to bring a new piece of insight to Mr. Mann’s original analysis which prompted his second volume for which I was kindly acknowledged within (adding to my London After Midnight credentials).
But now, the greatest find after years of hopeful searching, to date, a series of surviving nitrate fragments of the film ITSELF which have been agreed to debut in my book!!! Having searched archives and scouring for leads I was fortunate to witness these images for the first time and present them in full analytical study. Other impressive materials include a rare first draft script and new production photographs; shown here for the first time! A remarkable find for something so lost, yet, provides a new glimmer of hope for fans that London After Midnight might still be within closer reach than we think. However, now I require funding to acquire licensing rights to some of these important materials, and to create a fantastic book which is where YOU guys can hopefully help…
Risks & Challenges
Research resources can be a very costly venture if not backed by an institution, and it is an endeavour I’ve been very fortunate to embark on and achieve so much with my own limited resource. However, now, I need to begin assembling my materials around my written analysis of the film as so to deliver a visually striking, yet, highly informative book which is bound to excite and please those as equally as fascinated with London After Midnight as I have been for so many years.
The funding raised will be able to cover licensing costs to feature certain archival materials within the book; materials which are hundreds of dollars/pounds range just for their licensing for publishing usages. As a majority of the materials reside in international collections and archives, I am required to journey overseas to reference photograph them which funding would permit me to accomplish with 0 barrier, as well as examine various archives I am yet to visit. Also the funds raised will give the opportunity to have a creative graphic artist to design the book cover and create a visually striking book cover.
For those with a passion for Chaney films, London After Midnight or silent lost cinema, this book will deliver a great new treat for your shelves! It is REALLY important for me to be allowed to finish gathering this material to present it in its entirety to share with all wanting to discover more on this title for themselves. You will be amongst the first people ever to see this new-found material as well as receive some amazing rewards for your amazing contribution!
There are a range of amazing rewards to be had for your participation in helping to bring this scholarly endeavour to life; from books and DVD's, to special prints and informative documents, you will have full opportunity to own a piece of the experience for yourself!
Check out our rewards, and PLEASE help this project!