James Card, leading film preservationist, founder of the Department of Film at the George Eastman House of Photography, and co-founder of the Telluride Film Festival, died Jan. 16 in Syracuse, N.Y. He was 84.
Card was the founder and first film curator of the George Eastman House, the 50-year-old photography museum established in the mansion of Eastman Kodak Co. founder George Eastman.
Card joined the museum in 1948, bringing with him a personal collection of 800 films. Card was a passionate archivist, directing the museum's preservation efforts for nearly 30 years. During this period, Card's reputation and personal film collection built the framework of the Eastman House's success, an era in which it was considered the premiere film archive in the United States.
Prior to his service at the Eastman House, Card was head of a documentary film and photography project for the federal government. During World War II, Card served in the United States Army.
In addition to his role as preservationist, Card devoted his time to promoting the future of film. He co-founded the Telluride Film Festival in 1974 and later served on the Board of Directors of the Montreal World Film Festival. Card also taught film at Syracuse University and the U. of Rochester.
Card authored "Seductive Cinema: The Art of Silent Film," a 1994 critical review of the history of silent film as well as a personal memoir of his life and career in film.
In 1995, he was recognized with the National Board of Review's Pioneer of Film award.
Card is survived by his wife, Jeannie, two daughters and a sister.
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