Friday, July 16, 2010

Philly's Mad Muralist

The story of Isaiah Zagar is lovingly portrayed by his son, Jeremiah, in the documentary film, In A Dream.  It's shocking, heartbreaking, colorful, filled with life and all its intricacies... and inspiring in its own special way.  Jeremiah skillfully captured not only his father's art, but the depths of his mother, as well as his brother's recovery from drug addiction and all the struggles they went through.

Over the past four decades, Isaiah Zagar has covered more than 50,000 square feet of Philadelphia with stunning mosaic murals. "In A Dream" is a documentary feature film that chronicles his work and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Julia. It follows the Zagars as their marriage implodes and a harrowing new chapter in their life unfolds.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Long-lost Chaplin Film Turns Up at Antiques Sale

A short silent comedy that was lost for decades holds a big surprise for film buffs and historians when a familiar face emerges from the bushes in police uniform and that unforgettable mustache.

The 1914 film, "A Thief Catcher," was missing for so many years that everyone forgot Charlie Chaplin made a brief cameo as a buffoon Keystone cop, with all his familiar twitches and gestures.

Out of nowhere, the 10-minute film turned up late last year at an antiques sale in Taylor, Mich. Film historian Paul Gierucki thought he was buying just another Keystone Studios comedy and didn't watch the 16mm print for months. [more...]