The Sound and Silents (Patreon)

I'd thought that perhaps Sherlock, Jr., which triumphed over The Box this week, might be our very first silent winner. Checking the list, though, I'm reminded that y'all previously chose both The Kid and Vampyr, so this is merely rare, not unprecedented. Sorry not to give you more credit. As it happens, another silent film—one of my very favorites, last time I checked in (1997)—showed up at the top of June's random drawing, alongside longtime request Help!, which I've somehow never seen. Always happy when someone's patience/stubbornness finally gets rewarded. The Wind is streaming on the Criterion Channel; Sherlock, Jr. (which I last saw in 1995) is available in some places via Kanopy and/or Hoopla (plus numerous rental options); looks like Help! is strictly on iTunes. 

As I write this, California, where I reside, has just issued a statewide face-mask mandate for all public spaces, in recognition of the reality that COVID-19 isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Glad to have a governor who behaves responsibly, but I was already wearing a mask and—more importantly—had long since resigned myself to the fact that life won't be returning to anything much like normal during this calendar year. Which, again, makes me all the more grateful for your continuing support, upon which I'm now more reliant than I'd prefer. Thank you so much. And stay safe, wherever you may be.