The Scream of the Screen -- August 21, 2017

Moving Picture World, 11-August-1917

Billy West closely imitated Charlie Chaplin in a long series of comedies for different studios.While Chaplin was making the excellent Mutual comedies, West was making imitations of Chaplin's Essanay comedies.

Moving Picture World, 18-August-1917

With the US in World War One, the draft was a hot subject.

Moving Picture World, 18-August-1917

"The star, Billy West, in that short time has acheived a degree of popularity that is nothing less than remarkable in one so new to the glories of the screen." 

Moving Picture World, 18-August-1917

 Billy West and his costar Ethlyn Gibson, were both arrested by the Jacksonville, Florida police for speeding. 

Jerry Lewis, RIP -- August 20, 2017

www.listal.com

Jerry Lewis has died.  When I was a little kid, he was very popular.  When I got old enough to go to movies, he was laughed at, but not in a good way.  I saw many of his movies with Dean Martin on television.  I thought their comedy was undisciplined.  I preferred Chaplin and Keaton.

Then I saw The Nutty Professor on television.  I love it.  There was a shot where Professor Kelp was lying on the floor and the camera pulled back and I could see his white socks.  It broke my heart.

After that, I knew that Jerry Lewis was a great director.  I found The Total Film-Maker at the Main Library.  Video assist sounded like a wonderful idea, especially for a person who directed himself.  He talk film courses at USC. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas studied with him.

I tried to watch the telethon a couple of times.  I couldn't stand it.

The last new thing I saw him in was an episode of Law and Order. 

Luke's Wild Women -- August 19, 2017

Moving Picture World, 25-August-1917

Rolin was a company founded by Hal Roach and Dan Linthicum. Harold Lloyd was their first comedy star. Bebe Daniels was their cute leading lady and Snub Pollard was Snub Pollard.  By mid-1917, the Lonesome Luke series was a big hit.  It had moved from one-reelers to two-reelers.

"Luke's Wild Women" sounds interesting.  "Besides the fun that is in every scene the cast contains the usual Rolin beauty congress."

A Pictureview With Charles Chaplin -- August 17, 2017

Photoplay, March, 1917

This item is not from 100 years ago this month, but it is fun. 

Moving Picture World, 04-August-1917

Big Eric Campbell was Chaplin's villain most of his Essanay and Mutual comedies.  I had not heard this story about his wife and daughter.  Eric Campbell died in an auto accident in September. 

Moving Picture World, 04-August-1917

Chaplin had just signed a million dollar contract with First National.  They expected the first picture in December. 

Moving Picture World, 11-August-1917

Chaplin was still working on his last Mutual film, "The Adventurer." 

Mrs Castle and Company at Sarnac Lake -- August 15, 2017

Moving Picture World, 18-August-1917

Irene Castle had become famous, with her husband Vernon, as a ballroom dancer.  He left the act in early 1916 to return to his native Britain, where he joined the Royal Flying Corps.  He was a successful pilot, earning the Croix de Guerre.  He was sent to Canada and then the United States to train new pilots.  He died in a flying accident in 1918.

 Sarnac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains, was a popular location in early movies. 

Famous Fights -- August 13, 2017

Movie Makers, April, 1943

Mogulls Film Library offered many silent or sound films for  home viewing.  These included a series of films of famous fights.  Dempsey-Willard would be the 04-July-1919 fight in Toledo, Ohio where Jack Dempsey took the heavyweight title from Jess Willard.  Willard could not come out for the fourth round.  Louis vs Galento would be the 28-June-1939 fight where champ Joe Louis defended his title against Two Ton Tony Galento.  Louis won by a TKO in the fourth.  Nova vs Baer was one of two fights between Lou Nova and former heavyweight champ Max Baer.  Nova won both fights, in 1939 and 1941 by TKO.  Braddock vs Louis was the 22-June-1937 fight where James J Braddock lost the heavyweight title to Joe Louis.  Baer vs Galento could have been the 1940 fight against Max Baer or the 1941 fight against his brother Buddy Baer.  Galento lost both. 

Anerican Troops Landing in France -- August 11, 2017

Moving Picture World, 25-August-2017

America had declared war on Germany in April, 1917.  By August, American soldiers were landing in France.  This was a popular topic. 

Moving Picture World, 25-August-2017

The US government's Liberty Loan issued bonds that the public could buy to help pay for the war effort.  Movie theaters did much to promote the program. 

Moving Picture World, 18-August-2017

Moving Picture World, 25-August-2017

War movies like "The Tanks at the Battle of the Ancre," which we read about last month, were hot subjects. 
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-tanks-at-battle-of-ancre-july-11.html