Who Could Think of Ducks With Chickens Around -- September 25, 2020

 

Motion Picture World, 25-September-1920

In his wonderful book The Silent Clowns, Walter Kerr suggested that Lloyd Hamilton was one of the great silent comics whose reputation has diminished. This is because many of the solo movies Hamilton made for Educational during the 1920s are lost. Perhaps this is also because he was not able to succeed as a star in feature films.

Please excuse the blackface. 

Mickey Rooney 100 -- September 23, 2020

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The wildly talented Mickey Rooney was born 100 years ago today, on 23-September-1920.  When he died in 2014, he was one of the last living people who had starred in a silent movie, in his case a series of Mickey McGuire short comedies.  He may also have been the last person alive who starred in a movie with Tom Mix, My Pal, the King.

He made many popular films with Judy Garland. 

I remember seeing  him on television when I was a kid and having trouble relating him to the young boy I saw in old movies. 

He was amazingly talented.  His career had a lot of ups and downs, but more ups.    

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Paul Muni 125 -- September 22, 2020

 

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Extraordinary actor Paul Muni was born 125 years ago today, on 22-September-1895. He started acting in the Yiddish theater at 12. His performances were usually intense. He was an actor, not a personality. Many eople remember him most for his strong performances in Scarface and I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang. Other people remember him for the biopics he starred in: The Story of Louis Pasteur, The Life of Emile Zola and Juarez. 

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International Motion Picture Almanac - 1937-1938

Michael Lonsdale, RIP -- September 21, 2020

 

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Actor Michael Lonsdale has died. He appeared in French- and English-language movies. The first movie I remember in was The Day of the Jackal. 

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Get Out and Get Under -- September 21, 2020

 

Motion Picture News, 25-September-1920

100 years ago this month, Harold Lloyd was appearing in "Get Out and Get Under." The title came from a popular song about people having to fix their Model T Fords. 

She Shook a Wicked Shoulder -- September 19, 2020

 

Moscow, Idaho Daily Star-Mirror, 17-September-1920

The Chorus Girl's Romance, starring Viola Dara was based on F Scott Fitzgerald's' short story "Head and Shoulders."

Motion Picture News, 25-September-1920

The Chorus Girl's Romance was a hit so Metro decided that Viola Dana's next movie would be an adaption of Fitzgerald's "The Offshore Pirate." 

A Riot of Romance and Realism -- September 17, 2020

 

Washburn, Wisconsin Times, 16-September-1920

Director Marshall (Mickey) Neilan made Go and Get It, a horror comedy featuring a gorilla with a human brain. The movie may still exist. In 1941, Paramount remade the story as The Monster and the Girl.