Ten Years -- January 1, 2024

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Ten years ago today, on 01-Jan-2014, I launched this blog, splitting it from my other blog.

2023 was another interesting year. Early on, I was recovering from a heart operation that took place in 2022, and then my wife and I came down with COVID-19. Later she had a serious operation.

In 2023, I participated in one blogathon:

Film Daily, 11-June-1922

The Ninth Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon:

The Ninth Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon | Silent-ology (wordpress.com)

My post:
Buster Keaton's Silent Shorts -- Reel Two and a Half: https://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2023/03/buster-keatons-silent-shorts-reel-two.html

Birmingham Age-Herald, 17-January-1923

In January, Russia continued to make illegal war against Ukraine.

Record-setting rain and wind caused flooding, fallen trees and landslides. The town of Pescadero was flooded. 

I wrote about the Lunar New Year. the Year of the Rabbit.  

I wrote about the 100th anniversary of the Warner Brothers adapting F Scott Fitzgerald's second novel, The Beautiful and Damned. I wrote about a 3-D movie process. 

I noted what would have been the 125th anniversary of the birth of Randolph Scott and the 100th anniversaries of the births of Norman Mailer, Paddy Chayefsky and Larry Storch. 

Gina Lollobrigida, Cindy Williams and Lisa Loring died.

I wrote about the 125th anniversary of the death of Lewis Carroll and the 100th anniversary of the death of Wallace Reid. 

Motion Picture News, 24-February-1923

In February, the war in Ukraine continued. Russia tried to make some big success in time for the first anniversary, but they failed. 

The weather stayed dry for most of the month. I noted International Polar Bear Day. 

100 years ago, Paramount was pushing its new western epic, The Covered Wagon. I started a new series of trade ads.

I found a strange story about Larry Semon being invited to join a Chinese tong. I mentioned that plans were afoot 100 years ago to build the Alexandria Theater in my old neighborhood. 

Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis were married in February, 2023.  

The Toll of the Sea was the second feature film made by the Technicolor Corporation, the first to be released and the first using the subtractive, two-color Process 2. It was also the first film starring Anna May Wong. It was released in February, 1923.

I noted the 50th anniversary of the release of The Harder They Come in the US. 

I mentioned what would have been the 125th birthday of Bertolt Brecht. I wrote about the 100th birthday of Franco Zefferelli. Barbara Hershey, Christopher Guest and Tom Wilkinson all turned 75 on the same day. Jennifer O'Neill also turned 75. 

Raquel Welch, Stella Stevens, Richard Belzer, Donald Spoto and Burt Bacharach died. 

Motion Picture News, 10-March-1923

In March 1923 Harold Lloyd's Safety Last was a big hit. Robin Hood with Douglas Fairbanks was also a great success.

In March, Russia made no progress in its war on Ukraine. Ukraine's allies were supplying main battle tanks. There were rumors swirling that Putin was in bad health or might be taken down by the oligarchs. In March the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant because he kidnapped Ukranian children.

Backbone. 

I started a new series about Pola Negri. 

William S Hart was accused of fathering a child out of wedlock.

I found items about both Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer, early in their careers.

I noted the 100th anniversary of the death of Sarah Bernhardt.

Los Angeles Times, 01-April-1923

In April I wrote about a racehorse named Buster Keaton. 

In April I noted the 100th anniversary of Harry Langdon signing his first movie contract, and of the Warner Brothers incorporating their studio. 

In April I wrote about what would have been the 125th birthday of George Jessel and the 100th birthdays of Gloria Henry, Adele Mara and John Mortimer. 

wgacontract2023.org

In May I mentioned the Writers' Guild of America's strike. Other unions are supporting them.

I mentioned the crowning of King Charles III. 

I noted what would have been Anne Baxter's 100th birthday.

I took a break for the last half of May after my wife had an operation. 

Motion Picture News, 30-June-1923

In June, there was a huge outcry when Warner Brothers gutted the upper management of TCM and scattered its staff to the winds. They later reversed some of the cuts. 

In June, 1923 Harry Langdon signed his first movie contract. 

I noted the 75th anniversary of Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium. 

I posted a preview of Fox' 1923-1924 season. It had many interesting color images.

I wrote about Roscoe Arbuckle successfully returning to the stage. 

 In July, SAG-AFTRA went on strike. The writers remained on strike. 

I posted a series of small ads for the film Souls for Sale. 

Photoplay, August, 1923

In August, I noted the 100th anniversary of Erich von Stroheim shooting scenes for Greed in San Francisco.

In August, I posted a tiny ad for a movie called Dulcy every day till I ran out of them. 

I noted the 100th anniversary of the death of Warren G Harding.

I noted what would have been the 100th birthday of Rhonda Fleming.

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In October, we wrote about the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard.

Hamas raided Israel and took 200 hostages. Israel struck back with bombs and missiles. 

"Loudest Longest Lustiest Leading Lot of Laughs" -- perhaps the best tag line ever. 

Glynis Johns turned 100 years old. Linda Darnell would have turned 100. Margot Kidder would have been 75. Kate Jackson turned 75. 

Suzanne Somers. Richard Roundtree and Piper Laurie died. I wrote about the 100th anniversary of the death of Big Joe Roberts, who often played Buster Keaton's foil. 

Film Daily, 16-November-1923

In November there was a brief ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, but then the fighting resumed.

Harry Langdon signned with Mack Sennett 100 years ago this month. Roscoe Arbuckle, discouraged by unfavorable public reaction, cancelled a speaking tour. Samuel Goldwyn won a lawsuit that allowed him to use his name for a new production company.

Actresses Lina Christian and Gloria Grahame would have been 100 years old.

And finally we noted the 100th anniversary of the death by fire of actress Martha Mansfield.

Film Daily, 23-December-1923

In December I noted the 100th anniversary of Harry Langdon's first movie with Mack Sennett. I wrote about Joseph Tykociner's demonstration of his sound-on-film process. I marked the 175th anniversary of the death of Emily Brontë.  I noted an early mention of Bela Lugosi appearing in the film made in the United States. I also noted a mention of the first film that Alfred Hitchcock worked on as assistant director. He directed part of the film. 

In December comic Tom Smothers, producer Norman Lear and actor Andre Braugher died.

Dancer and actress Ann Miller appears at the top of this page. I remember her in Stan Freberg's Great American Soup commercial. She wore her hair like a friend of my mom's whom I didn't like. Later I saw her in movies and learned that she had been a wonderful dancer. We saw Kiss Me Kate in 3-D at the Four Star Theater and I was stunned by "It's Too Darned Hot."