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March 12, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Teni Melidonian – (310) 247-3090
tmelidonian@oscars.org
Academy to Screen Rediscovered
Silent Films in Hollywood
Beverly Hills, CA — “The Curse of Quon Gwon,” the first known feature made by Chinese-Americans, and “Her
Wild Oat,” starring the quintessential 1920s flapper Colleen Moore, will unspool as part of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences’ “Lost and Found” film series on Thursday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn
Theater at the Academy’s Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood. Both films will be accompanied by live
music performed by Michael Mortilla.
“The Curse of Quon Gwon,” directed by Marion Wong, is one of the few American silent feature films directed by
a woman. It was thought to be lost until filmmaker Arthur Dong discovered two surviving reels in the possession of the lead
actress’s daughters.
Dong brought the nitrate 35mm negative reels, as well as ten minutes of additional 16mm footage, to the Academy Film Archive
for preservation. In December 2006 the Library of Congress selected “Quon Gwon” to be added to the National Film
Registry.
In “Her Wild Oat,” Moore, with her signature flapper haircut, stars as a woman who owns a small lunch wagon and
falls for a duke’s son who is pretending to be his own chauffeur. Many of Moore’s films have been lost to nitrate
decomposition. This print newly restored by the Archive provides the public a rare opportunity to rediscover Moore’s
work. Her filmography includes both silent and sound films; her final film role was Hester Prynne in the 1934 version of “The
Scarlet Letter.”
“Lost and Found” is a periodic screening series designed to showcase archival prints that have been recently rediscovered,
or films that have been restored from new materials that improve the presentational quality of previous available versions.
In some instances, the films may be incomplete or damaged, making access unlikely through more traditional venues. The series
provides renewed access to “lost” films and brings to light some of film preservation’s more notable success
stories.
Tickets to “Lost and Found” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid
ID. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved.
The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 North Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available behind the building
through the entrance on Homewood Avenue. For more information, call.
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©A.M.P.A.S.®
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA
www.oscars.org
publicity@oscars.org
above photo:Silent Ladies & Gents
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