Two Edison Kinetoscopes, Slightly Used, Both Bargains -- September 4, 2024

New York Clipper, 01-February-1908

Need two Edison Kinetoscopes, slightly used, both bargains? Frank E Russell of Batavia, New York will mail you a free catalogue. 

Herman Wauke of Coney Island, New York offers "15,000 Feet of Up-To-Date Films" in perfect condition. 

Larry Semon is Preparing 'The Wizard of Ox' -- September 3, 2024

Film Daily, 14-September-1924

Larry Semon's new series of short comedies was produced by Chadwick and released by Educational.

Film Daily, 28-September-1924

"Her Boy Friend" was directed by Larry Semon and Noel Smith. Larry's wife, Dorothy Dwan, was the leading lady. Noel Smith had directed Larry's first feature, The Girl in the Limousine. Oliver Hardy and Frank Alexander had both played fat men in Larry's Vitagraph comedies.

Film Daily, 22-September-1924

The Girl in the Limousine has a poor reputation. Los Angeles newspapers gave it mildly positive reviews. 

Exhibitors Herald, 06-September-1924

Perhaps this item spelling the title wrong is a foreshadowing of problems which faced this film.

Film Daily, 30-September-1924

Added 05-September-2024:

Exhibitors Herald, 27-September-1924

"Larry Semon's return to the short subject lengths after a sojourn in the feature footage is something to be grateful for."

Salt of the Earth -- September 2, 2024

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Happy Labor Day, everyone.

Salt of the Earth told the story of Mexican-American mine workers standing up to a big corporation demanding fair treatment. The movie was sponsored by the International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers. Director Herbert Biberman was blacklisted in Hollywood. Most of the actors were not professionals. During the McCarthy Era, the film was widely attacked, but it never went away.

Richard Arlen 125 -- September 1, 2024

 

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Richard Arlen was born 125 years ago today, on 01-September-1899. An American, he volunteered to serve in the Royal Flying Corps during World War One.

Motion Picture Magazine, November, 1928

His most famous film was probably William Wellman's World War One epic, Wings. Arlen and Buddy Rogers starred with Clara Bow and Buddy Rogers.

I was able to introduce several people to silent movies in a great environment by taking them to the Friday night shows at San Francisco's Avenue Theater.  Several friends saw silent movies accompanied on the Mighty Wurlitzer by Bob Vaughn. Wings made a big hit with my high school friends.

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Island of Lost Souls is a fun movie. The "Panther Woman" was Kathleen Burke, who had won a contest to get the part. Charles Laughton bit off huge chunks of scenery.

During World War Two, Arlen was a US Army Air Force flight instructor.

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He was married to Jobyna Ralston from 1927 to 1945. 

Shining Stars Reflected in Big Money at Your Box Office -- August 31, 2024

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

Baby Peggy Montgomery had been Century's biggest comedy star. She moved on to starring in features for Universal and Sol Lesser's Principal Pictures. Captain January was based on a book by Laura E Richards. Shirley Temple starred in a later adaption. Eddie Cline directed.

Exhibitors Herald, 16-August-1924

"To say nothing was left undone in an exploitation way in connection with Baby Peggy's 'Captain January' during its Broadway showing is to pass up showmanship ideas and stunts of real worth."

Exhibitors Herald, 30-August-1924

Century produced several series of short comedies. Series starred Pal, the Dog, Bubbles the Chimp, the Century Follies Girls, Wanda Wiley, Buddy Messinger, the Century Comedy Kids, Al Alt and Hilliard Karr. 

Exhibitors Herald, 09-August-1924

Wanda Wiley starred in "Her City Sport" with Harry McCoy and Hilliard Karr. Charles Lamont directed. 

Exhibitors Herald, 30-August-1924

Albert Herman directed Wanda Wiley in "The Trouble Fixer."

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

Albert Herman directed Al Alt in "Eat and Run."

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

The Christie Brothers, Al and Charles, produced comedies in Hollywood. Charles took care of the business and Al produced their films and directed many of them. Educational released their short comedies. 

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

Christie stars of the Bobby Vernon, Walter Hiers and Neal Burns comedies appeared in the "Greater Movie Season" parade in Los Angeles. 

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

Oscar Micheaux -- The Greatest Negro Photoplay of All Times! -- August 30, 2024

Oklahoma City Black Dispatch, 06-August-1949

Oscar Micheaux was a pioneer in producing what were known as race films. His last film, The Betrayal, premiered at a Broadway theater. This was a first for any race film. The movie is probably lost.

Note: "This is not a Chapter play, but due to its great length must be shown in three weekly installments!"

Saint Louis Argus, 24-August-1924

I couldn't find much about race films from 100 years ago this month, but I did see that Evelyn Preer, who appeared in many of Oscar Micheaux's movies, was touring in vaudeville with Edward Thompson (no relation), a fellow member of the Lafayette Players.

Sabatini's "The Sea Hawk" a Masterpiece -- August 29, 2024

Exhibitors Herald, 12-July-1924

Frank Llloyd made an epic production based on Rafael Sabatini's novel The Sea Hawk. The 1924 movie, which starred Milton Sills and Enid Bennett, bears no relation other than its title to the 1940 The Sea Hawk with Errol Flynn.

Exhibitors Herald, 14-June-1924

San Francisco Bulletin, 30-August-1924

I like the design of this ad, especially the sail and the waves. 

San Francisco Bulletin, 30-August-1924

The San Francisco Bulletin's critic approved.

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

Meanwhile, Vitagraph was preparing an adaption of another pirate novel by Sabatini, Captain Blood.