where as the first version I saw, and perhaps the proper version, is at faster than life speed.
It's not the proper version. They didn't project things faster to make them funny. They used a slower film speed back then and it's played back too fast, now.
(I also think the faster version was funnier).
Not supposed to be.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_filmsUntil the standardization of the projection speed of 24 frames per second (fps) for sound films in 1926, silent films were shot at variable speeds (or "frame rates"), typically anywhere from 16 to 23 frames per second or faster, depending on the year and studio. Unless carefully shown at their original speeds they can appear unnaturally fast and jerky, which reinforces their alien appearance to modern viewers. At the same time, some scenes were intentionally undercranked during shooting in order to accelerate the action, particularly in the case of slapstick comedies. The intended frame rate of a silent film can be ambiguous and since they were usually hand cranked there can even be variation within one film. Film speed is often a vexed issue among scholars and film buffs in the presentation of silents today, especially when it comes to DVD releases of "restored" films; the 2002 restoration of Metropolis (Germany, 1927) may be the most fiercely debated example.
Projectionists frequently ran silent films at speeds which were slightly faster than the rate at which they were shot. Most films seem to have been shown at 18 fps or higher - some even faster than what would become sound film speed (24 fps, or 90 feet per minute). Even if shot at 16 fps (often cited as "silent speed"), the projection of a cellulose nitrate base film at such a slow speed carried a considerable risk of fire. Often projectionists would receive very general instructions from the distributors as to how fast particular reels or scenes should be projected on the musical director's cue sheet. In rare instances, usually for larger productions, detailed cue sheets specifically for the projectionist would carry a detailed guide in how to present the film. Theaters also sometimes varied their projection speeds depending on the time of day or popularity of a film in order to maximize profit.[6]
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SinemaGirl
16 years ago
The cue sheets consisted of musical suggestions for the house musicians at the cinemas showing the films they were accompanying. They also include the suggested running time of each sequence.
Based on the 1927 cue sheet for "The General," it was suggested that, when adding the lengths of all the scenes, the film last about 75 minutes. Based on other info I read, this would mean that "The General" was supposed to run at a speed of 26 frames per second, faster than was became the standard for sound film.
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