Friday, October 23, 2015

News of the Week October 23, 1915 -- October 23, 2015


The 23-October-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.


"Vernon Castle, the famous dancer, takes a lesson in hydro-aeroplaning.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Vernon Castle and his wife Irene were pioneers in popularizing ballroom dancing.  He was raised in England and emigrated to America when he was about 13.  Vernon wanted to do his part in the war and took flight lessons.  After a farewell performance in early 1916, he went to Britain and joined the Royal Flying Corps.  After making over 300 combat missions and shooting down two enemy aircraft, he was sent to Canada to train new pilots.  After the US entered the war, he came to America to train pilots.  He died after crashing while trying to avoid another airplane.  Irene carried on as an actress.

"A scene from the Rookies encampment at Ft. Sheridan, Chicago, Ill.  Copyright 1915, by Mutual Weekly."  Fort Sheridan, which closed in 1993, was a mobilization and officers' training center.


"Ex-President Taft visits $2,000,000 Columbia highway at Portland, Ore.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  Construction of the Columbia River Highway started in 1913 and was finished in 1922. 

"Members of the G.A.R. march in gand review at Washington, D.C.  Copyright 1915, International Film Service Incorporated."  The Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Army veterans, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Civil War with an encampment in Washington, DC on 27-September-1915.  This is the first item we have seen from the International Film Service Incorporated.  I think it was Hearst's project to replace the Hearst-Selig News Pictorial. 



"Bandmaster of popular recruiting band presented with status at London, England.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The British used many methods to encourage enlistments. 

"Two victims of submarine F-4 disaster arrive at San Francisco, Calif.  Copyright 1915, by Mutual Weekly."  SS-23, US submarine F-4, sank near Honolulu on 25-March-1915.  Her entire crew of 21 died. 

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