23 Skidoo by Mort Laitner
We are skedaddling off to Fort Meyers—winter retreat to the Edisons and the Fords, They were friends and neighbors. Tom, Henry and Harvey Firestone created the Edison Botanic Research Corporation. They constructed a laboratory in Fort Myers in search of a native supply of rubber, After collecting and testing 17,000 plant samples, they found an adequate source of rubber in the Goldenrod plant. The lab is now a National Historic Chemical Landmark; both of the estates are major tourist attractions.
Enough of this history lesson, you guessed it! “The Stairs” won again—Number 23.
“Greetings, We are happy to inform you that your film has been accepted to play in the 7th annual Fort Myers Film Festival to be held March 8-12, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida. Congratulations!” For those of you who are thinking of joining us, there will be a Black Tie Red Carpet Gala on March 8, 2017 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7 p.m. The event will begin with the red carpet rolling out, paparazzi clicking and doors opening at 5 p.m. for drinks, mingling & musical entertainment with local and international filmmakers prior to the featured movie. I wonder if I will fit into my tux. On the 12th there will be champagne and awards gala dinner at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Keep your fingers crossed.
I think how appropriate to be showing our short movie in the town that houses the Thomas Alfa Edison museum. I’ll be able to walk in the actual home of America’s greatest inventor—-the light bulb, phonograph and motion picture camera. Edison’s film studio made close to 1,200 films: The Kiss; The Sneeze; Uncle Josh at the Movie Picture Show; Frankenstein. Tom and his team helped create the film industry. (I wonder who created the film-festival industry.) The majority of his movies were short films. I can relate.
As a 13 year old, I used my Super 8 GAF movie camera with detachable handle and its zoom lens to produce my first short films. (Downtown Woodridge and Taking A Tramp in the Woods—sadly these early cinematic gems no longer exist). I touched the film’s perforations and ran my fingers across the smooth texture of the spool. I recall the electric bulb inside the projector melting the film. I watched bubbles percolate on the screen and rushed to turn off the projector. A puff of black smoke rose from the machine, ran up my nose, and sulfur burned my nostrils.
From a paper catalogue, I selected and bought one of Edison’s early distribution movies (1903), entitled The Great Train Robbery. (Estimated production cost of $150 for this 12 minute film) I watched that movie multiple times by projecting it on my bedroom wall. I used my GAF projector. (I wonder how many emails I will receive from fans who made home movies with a GAF camera or collected short silent films.) I still love watching silent films.
It is hard to believe that Mr. Edison played a direct role in my cinematic development.
Everything comes full circle.
Like Mr. Edison’s crew of inventors, scientists and filmmakers, “The Stairs” team of actors and crew, had the right chemistry to come together and make an award-winning film.
Hope to see you at the Fort Myers Film Festival.
