News of the Week July 31, 1915 -- July 31, 2015

The 31-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Scenes of devastation caused by cyclone at Cincinnati, Ohio.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  A big storm on June 24 caused damage throughout the Midwest. 

"Harry K. Thaw after jury has declared him sane.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  Harry Kendall Thaw was the son of a rich industrialist.  Harry had mental problems.  On 25-June-1906 he murdered architect Stanford White, who had been involved with Evelyn Nesbit, Thaw's wife, who had been a chorus girl and a model.  Thaw's attorney had him declared legally insane, which was not a stretch.  The caption may contain a typo, or this was after Thaw's mother wanted to go with temporary insanity so the family would not be stigmatized. 

"'Little' Billy McCarthy, one year old and weighing 85 pounds.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I couldn't find anything about the poor kid. 

"Lindy Lee, said to be a perfect specimen of Chimpanzee, stars as a motion picture actor.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   I couldn't find anything about the poor chimp, either. 

"Locomotives wrecked to amuse crowd at Emeryville, Calif.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   In 1896, William George Crush came up with the idea of staging a head-on collision of two locomotives to create a spectacle.  Scott Joplin composed "Great Crush Collision March" in honor of the first attempt, in Texas.  I think this collision took place as part of a Fourth of July celebration. 

"The railroad starts a campaign for protecting the public at Long Island City, N. Y.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Long Island Railroad posted signs warning people to stop, look and listen at railroad crossings.  Operation Lifesaver carries on the work today. 

This is the first week that has not included any stories about World War One. 

Bugs Bunny 75 -- July 27, 2015

Showmen's Trade Review, 05-June-1940

27-July-1940 saw the debut of the Buck-Toothed Barrymore, the Hardest Working Hare in Show Business, the Chairman of the Carrot Patch, Bugs Bunny.  There is some controversy over the identity of the first Bugs Bunny cartoon.  Some people favor "Porky's Hare Hunt" from 1938.  Some people like other movies, but the rabbit's official debut was in "A Wild Hare," which was released on 27-July-1940.  Tex Avery directed it.  Bugs said "What's up, Doc?" for the first time.  Warner Brothers received an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject. 

News of the Week July 24, 1915 -- July 24, 2015

The 24-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Liberty Bell starts for the Panama Fair.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   This caption is with the wrong photo.  It belongs with the one in the lower right-hand corner.  San Francisco school children raised money and persuaded Philadelphia to allow the Liberty Bell to travel to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. 

"U. S. S. Wyoming passing under Brooklyn Bridge.   Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Dreadnought battleship USS Wyoming (BB-32) later served with the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet.  She trained many gunners who served during the Second World War. 

"Cornell beats Leland Stanford University in rowing championship race.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Cornell crew defeated Stanford at Poughkeepsie on 04-July-1915. 

"Firearms taken from prisoners in Chicago police stations thrown into the lake.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   I hope this doesn't cause people to go diving. 

"Heavy storm leaves toll of death in Cincinnati.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   A big storm on June 24 caused damage throughout the Midwest. 

"Observation train at Cornell race.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  This caption belongs with the photo in the upper left-hand corner.  Rowing fans watch the race at Poughkeepsie from stands built on railroad cars. 

EL Doctorow, RIP -- July 22, 2015

www.listal.com

I was sad to learn of the death of EL Doctorow.  I enjoyed the movie version of Ragtime.  It was neat to be able to say I had seen a James Cagney movie on its first run.  I was very impressed by Elizabeth McGovern, who played Evelyn Nesbitt.

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www.listal.com

News of the Week July 17, 1915 -- July 17, 2015

The 17-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Italian recruits rally to colors in Rome, Italy.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Italy entered the war on 23-May-1915. 

"Yale wins great victory over Harvard in regatta.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Yale defeated Harvard at New London, Connecticut on 25-June-1915. Last week we saw the Hearst-Selig News Pictorial version. 

"Tremendous ovations given to the ambassador by Italians in London, Eng.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Italians must be celebrating their entry into the war.

"Working to save flood swept railroad in Kansas.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The The Topeka State Journal on June 19 reported "All Rivers in Kansas Full and Still Are Rising" and "State's Railroads Awash." 

"Sculptor John Flanagan designing the medal of award for the Panama-Pacific Exposition.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  This is a repeat of an item from last week, where we also saw an example of the medal. 

"Preparing to raise an automobile truck, which recently slipped over a bridge in Chicago.   Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   This is also a repeat of an item from last week. 

Bastille Day, 2015 -- July 14, 2015

www.listall.com

In honor of Bastille Day, here is mignon French actress Simone Simon.  I liked her in Val Lewton's The Cat People and Jean Renoir's Zola adaption La Bête Humaine. 

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www.listall.com

 

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Omar Sharif, RIP -- July 11, 2015

www.listal.com

Omar Sharif died.  He was great in good movies like Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago and good in bad movies.  I always admired his moustache. 

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News of the Week July 10, 1915 -- July 10, 2015

The 10-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Preparing to raise an automobile truck, which recently slipped over a bridge in Chicago.   Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   I couldn't find anything about this incident. 

"Official welcome to first train in the underground railway at Brooklyn, N. Y.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  On 22-June-1915, the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company opened its first subway line, which still operates as the Fourth Avenue Line of the BMT Division. 

"Yale wins from Harvard in the annual regatta at New London.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Yale defeated Harvard at New London, Connecticut on 25-June-1915. We saw them practising last week, also in a Hearst-Selig News Pictorial. 

"Tremendous enthusiasm marks the opening of Chicago's new Speedway track.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The board racetrack in Maywood, Illinois opened on 11-June-1915 with a 300-mile race won by Dario Resta. 

"Sculptor John Flanagan designing the medal of award for the Panama-Pacific Exposition.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  John Flanagan created the official medal of award of the fair in San Francisco.    See an example of the medal below. 

"Scions of men who fought at Bunker Hill celebrate the 140th anniversary of the battle.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Bunker Hill Day is celebrated on June 17. 

Happy Independence Day, 2015 -- July 4, 2015

www.lucywho.com

Happy Fourth of July to all.

Actress Gloria DeHaven celebrates Independence Day during World War II.  The "V" stood for "Victory."  Her parents, Carter and Flora Parker DeHaven were vaudeville performers.  They appeared in many film comedies. 

Gloria DeHaven acted and sang in many movies and television shows. 

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www.listal.com

www.listal.com

News of the Week July 3, 1915 -- July 3, 2015

The 03-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"N.Y.A.C.'s summer season opens at Travers Island, N. Y.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The New York Athletic Club held its Spring games at Travers Island on 05-June-1915.  The New York Athletic Club owns the island. 

"President Wilson speaks at the Flag Day exercises at the Treasury Building.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. 

"Jitneys carry car strike crowds in Chicago.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Chicago transit workers went on strike on 13-June-1915.  The mayor agreed to arbitrate and service resumed on June 16. 

"Secretary of State Bryan, who resigned, and Robert Lansing, who took his place.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  William Jennings Bryan, famous for losing three presidential elections, served as Woodrow Wilson's Secretary of State until The Lusitania was sunk by the Germans.  Bryan, who favored pacifism, disagreed with Wilson's tone towards Germany.  Robert Lansing became the new Secretary of State. 

"Dr. Bernhard Dernburg, unofficial spokesman for the Kaiser, leaves for Europe.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   Dernburg, a German politician, presented German propaganda in the United States. 

"Yale crew trains for regatta with Harvard.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Yale defeated Harvard at New London, Connecticut on 25-June-1915.