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Silent Film Locations Rediscovered Through Old Photos
16 Mar
Summary
- John Bengtson mapped silent film stunts to real-world locations.
- His work revealed a visual record of vanished cityscapes.
- He died at 68 due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
John Bengtson pursued an unusual passion for over three decades, meticulously matching architectural elements like fire escapes from silent films to their real-world locations. Partnering with visual effects expert Craig Barron, he demonstrated how a famous stunt from the 1923 Harold Lloyd film 'Safety Last!' was filmed at 908 South Broadway in Los Angeles.
His extensive research involved comparing film stills with archival photographs, aerial maps, and postcards. This allowed him to identify hundreds of sites used by silent comedy legends such as Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd in films like 'The Kid' and 'Cops.'
Bengtson's efforts inadvertently created a visual archive of disappearing city landscapes. He believed watching silent movies offered a form of time travel, immersing viewers in past urban experiences. Film historians lauded his contributions, noting his inspiration from how films illuminate everyday spaces.
Mr. Bengtson, a resident of Pleasant Hill, Calif., died on January 29 at his home. He was 68 years old and had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
