This has been uploaded by a number of different accounts on to the YouTube but the thing is, they all seem to play with different soundtracks.
Is there a definitive - this music should be played with this film, that would have been sent out at the time. Or were these silent films just distributed and anyone could put whatever they fancied set to it once it was in their theatre?
In most cases, at least in the U.S., films were sent to theaters without any instructions regarding music, and theater owners did what they wanted. Many theaters had no sound at all, and simply projected the film. Some had a piano, others an organ, and the nicest theaters had a full orchestra. Prestige releases often came with a score, but again, what was ultimately played was up to the theater owner. Short films rarely came with anything, and the music was left to the whim of the musician(s) in the theater, if any.
The Soviet Union's film industry was far smaller, and it's possible they did things differently. Perhaps the studios there did include some musical instruction when the sent out films, though if they did it's likely been lost over time, or it's tucked away in a vault along with the original film stock.
Thanks. Interesting stuff.
I didn't expect all to be sent with a score of original music but thought maybe they have sent instructions re certain pieces to be played with it...
Anyway, my interest with piqued accidentally! One of the pieces sounded really familiar and I thought Chilly Gonzales had lifted it for a piece on his chess film (which would have made for an interesting connection!) but I was mixing it up with another tune of his.
Are you a silent film fan, or developing an interest in them? International Silent Film Day is September 29, which is a week from today as I write this. Depending upon where you live, there may be a film screening near you.
https://silentmovieday.org/participate-1
If not, it might be an excuse to watch one at home, though silent movies lose a lot when watched at home.