(William Desmond Taylor, US 1920, 90 min.)

The big screen’s first feature-length adaptation of Mark Twain’s landmark satirical novel has been lovingly restored by George Eastman House’s motion picture preservation team. The story of the irrepressible Huck (Lewis Sargent) and his picaresque journey up the big Mississippi river with runaway slave Jim (George Reed) is faithfully recreated in this big-budget Paramount Pictures production, directed by veteran craftsman William Desmond Taylor, whose death in 1922 would be one of Hollywood’s first major scandals. Thought lost for years, a new 35mm print was created from an original nitrate print with Danish intertitles. Newly translated intertitles, some of which are directly derived from Twain’s text, have been added and the original color tinting schemes have been reinstated. The resulting restoration is cause for celebration among cinephiles and Twain-philes and this screening, featuring live piano by Philip C. Carli, is certainly one of the major events of this festival. A post screening discussion of the restoration will be led by Anthony L’Abbate, Preservation Officer, Motion Picture Department, George Eastman House. No Take-10 tickets accepted.

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