There is a nice batch of happy shadow play in this:
http://www.maddogmovies.com/theothergods/video.html
1921 Lovecraft writes the short story, 'The Other Gods.'
1922 Lovecraft and Rhodes meet in Brooklyn and they strike up a friendship. Rhodes reads several of Lovecraft's unpublished stories and is inspired to sketch some of the author's more terrible creations. Lovecraft, likewise, is intrigued by Rhodes' artwork.
May, 1923 Rhodes receives word that his brother has disappeared. He journeys upstate to find out what he can about John's whereabouts. What Rhodes may have discovered about his brother is not known, but he returns to New York a changed man. He turns to Lovecraft's story of 'The Other Gods' and seems to find catharsis in its story of a blasphemer who asks too much from his gods.
April 1, 1924 Rhodes' first screening of 'The Other Gods' is for the Theosophical Society in Manhattan. Lovecraft is flattered by the result, but refuses to endorse any public screenings. His belief in the power of the written word over cinema does not falter. Undaunted, Rhodes works on other adaptations, including 'The Cats of Ulthar' and 'The Doom that Came to Sarnath.'
When Peter Rhodes died, he left behind a collection of artwork and films that his family neither cared for, nor understood. It sat neglected for many years until it was sold off at the Rhodes estate auction in 1953.
Unfortunately, the man who bought Rhodes' artwork (who has requested that his name be kept private) did not realize the significance of his purchase for many decades. It was not until the late nineties, at the urging of his family, that he made inquiries as to its worth.
When I visited this collector, he showed me to his 'archives,' a dusty corner of his cellar. There were several cans of film bearing Rhodes' name. I was ecstatic and dismayed all at once.
Several Rhodes films were still intact, but in less than stellar condition. After examining each one, it was decided that 'The Other Gods' would be the first to be restored.
'The Other Gods' has been scanned, frame by frame, and will be going through an extensive clean up in the coming months.
There's something otherworldly and ancient about the silhouette animation used in Rhodes technique. Barzai the Prophet becomes a fearsome conjurer when viewed in this vision. Lovecraft himself saw something in his style, as he encouraged Rhodes to pursue his portrayal of his narratives.
