Comments on: Milestone: The Past Speaks in a Silent Film

By: Jim Campbell

Jim Campbell — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:57:39 +0000

I thought, here’s a coincidence: An Ann Arbor News salesperson making a video. As you know, after 25 years of helping people market their business with newspaper ads, I switched to the new media world like you did. I wish you the best and will make a point to acknowledge the Chronicle to your advertisers. Thanks for publishing this article. I had missed it, and am glad I came across it in a search. I’m going to check with the library to see if I can view it there.

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:57:45 +0000

Thanks for pointing that out – what this column doesn't mention is that "Back Page" was part of a double feature. The other film – "The Casting of the Baird Carillon" – was also made in 1936. The Baird Carillon at UM's Burton Tower has been restored, and Tuesday's screening of the silent film about its creation was one of several events to mark the restoration and the carillon's 75th anniversary. Steven Ball narrated the film while another organist provided background music – Ball's description and deep knowledge of the process added a terrific layer of understanding to what we were viewing. One of the most interesting things for me was to see how there were virtually no safety precautions used by the craftsmen while working with molten metal. The foundry that cast the bells – John Taylor & Co. Bellfoundry in Loughborough, England – is still in business, and did the restoration work.

By: LaidOffTeacherPatti

LaidOffTeacherPatti — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 15:18:25 +0000

I loved those movies!! I never thought about how a bell was cast and so I learned a lot from the first movie. The A2 News movie was just awesome and so funny! While I love your online newspaper very much, I did miss my paper A2 News as I watching the movie.

Btw, I had no idea that the Detroit Free Press cost $1.00 each…I had to buy some to cover up the boards in my classroom and I was really surprised.

By: Sabra Briere

Sabra Briere — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 01:54:19 +0000

I’ve renewed my subscription.

This is such a valuable resource. I even read the articles on sports!