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Article: Film Institute Reels In Treasure; Oregon Collector Donates Unique 1912 Version of `Richard III'
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 18, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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A former projectionist in Portland, Ore., has donated a 1912
movie version of Shakespeare's "Richard III," believed by historians
to be America's oldest surviving complete feature film, to the
American Film Institute.
William Buffum acquired the silent film -- long considered by
archivists to be lost -- approximately 30 years ago when he swapped
other silent movies with a fellow collector. Buffum traded between
20 and 30 silent films for the original print of "Richard III" and a
second film he has also given to the film institute, the 1919 drama
"When Bearcat Went Dry," featuring Lon Chaney in a supporting role.
He had kept both films in waterproof cement enclosures at his homes
in ...