Café: Over 35 films, short features, and a Red Ryder serial will be shown from Thursday through Sunday. What are some of the titles you’re most excited about presenting?
Café: Which silent films will feature live musical accompaniment?
SG: All of the silent films feature live piano accompaniment by either David Drazin or Dr. Philip Carli.
Café: What are the seminars that are being presented?
Café: What kinds of Movie memorabilia will be offered for purchase in the vendor room?
SG: The dealer room is really a treasure chest of movie-related items. You can find original movie posters (one-sheets, half sheets, window cards, inserts, lobby cards, heralds), pressbooks, stills, autographs, books, movie magazines, 8mm and 16mm films, laserdiscs, DVDs and Blu-rays, kitsch, and more.
Café: Does the $65 weekend pass cover the cost of everything?
SG: The weekend pass covers everything except the t-shirt. It gives you access to the film screenings, the dealer room, the book signings and the seminars and comes with a free program book.
Café: Can festival attendees get a discount for hotel rooms and, if so, must they book their rooms by a certain date?
SG: Yes, they can register at $144 per night at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, but only until May 3rd.
Café: What inspired you and the other organizers to launch the Columbus Moving Picture Show?
SG: I have attended Cinevent for years and worked as a staff member for the last several. Michael Haynes asked me if I would be interested in taking over the show someday and I said yes. Someday came sooner rather than later.
Café: I saw where you named Mary Pickford, Van Johnson, Dick Powell, and Betty Hutton as some of your favorite classic movie stars. Name a favorite film for each one! (I love Dick Powell in Murder, My Sweet…but also really like Cornered and You Never Can Tell).
SG: My Best Girl is always the silent movie I recommend to people because it is sweet and relatively modern so people forget they're watching a silent film. I love Van Johnson in Thrill of a Romance; that's my go-to if I need a pick-me-up. Gold Diggers of 1933 is an incredibly fun movie all around, and Dick sings some great songs in it. Betty Hutton is fantastic in Annie Get Your Gun. I love her fearlessness in front of the camera. I know many people like to say Betty is no Judy Garland, but I don't think Judy could have been as funny as Betty is in that movie. Esther Williams and Van Johnson
in Thrill of a Romance.
Café: Finally, where can Café readers learn more about the Columbus Moving Picture Show?
SG: Check out our website https://www.columbusmovingpictureshow.com!
Café: Thanks so much for talking with us, Samantha.