Hypnotized -- The Two Black Crows -- October 11, 2026

listal.com

Halloween is coming. I like to watch a few scary movies during the month of October. Hypnotized scared the heck out of me. 

George Moran and Charles Mack performed in blackface as The Two Black Crows. They were successful in vaudeville, records and radio. They were not successful in movies. 

Educational Pictures signed the act to do a feature and a series of short films. Comedy pioneer Mack Sennett directed.  Sono Art-World Wide Pictures, famous for its logo, released the film. I came across Hypnotized, which I had read about years ago, on YouTube.

Moran (the little guy) and Mack (the big guy) work as the crew for a low-grade circus owned by Charlie Murray. Marjorie Beebe, also in blackface, appeared as a maid. Wallace Ford and Maria Alba were performers. She was supposed to be Hungarian, but she spoke with her usual Spanish accent.

Maria Alba -- listal.com

The scenes in the circus are disjointed, but Wallace Ford, who loves Maria Alba, finds out that he holds a winning ticket in a sweepstake but has to go to London to collect. The whole circus, which is leaking money, winds up on the ocean liner with him. Moran appears to disappear at that point. I never noticed him on the ship.

A crooked hypnotist, played by Ernest Torrence has hypnotized both Mack and Ford. He wants the sweepstake money. All sorts of hard to follow things happen. 

This was a terrible movie, and not just because of the blackface. I suspect that there was supposed to more to the movie than they shot or released. 

To add insult to injury, the next thing that came up on YouTube was the cut-down two-reel version. It omitted the circus scenes entirely, so Moran did not appear at all. It was more disjointed than the feature.

Educational Players Do Their Stuff on the Air -- April 9, 2025

Moving Picture World, 04-April-1925

Radio station KFWB went on the air in March, 1925. It was founded by Warner Brothers and served as a publicity arm for the studio. KFWB no longer belongs to Warner Brothers, but it is still on the air.

Educational Players Do

Their Stuff on the Air

JACK WHITE'S Mermaid Comedy Company, together with performers appearing in other units producing comedies for distribution through Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., last week staged a very successful exploitation tieup when stars of the various companies broadcast a program from the recently opened radio station KFWB at Los Angeles, operated by Warner Brothers.

The program was opened by Eddie Nelson, now starring in Mermaid Comedies, who delivered a monologue and some of the vaudeville chatter which he used on the Orpheum Circuit in the West, where he is known as "The Sunkist Kid." This was followed by the Mermaid Quartette which sang two numbers.

Following this came Clem Beauchamp, an assistant director and a promising lyric tenor, who delivered two songs. The O'Neal sisters, Zelma and Bernice, then sang two of their latest songs, "When You and I Were Young, Maggie," a la 1925, and "Log Cabin." Zelma O'Neil sang a special comedy number, "I'm a Pickford That Nobody Picked," one of her successes from Harry Carroll's "Pickings," the show in which she was appearing when Jack White discovered her. Miss O'Neal is a Cameo star.

Lige Conley, Mermaid star, followed with a display of his versatility in rendering a piano, banjo and saxophone solo. At this point the entire radio program was tied up with the showing of two Mermaid Comedies in Los Angeles, when it was announced that Conley could be seen at Loew's State in "Fast and Furious" and in "What a Night" at the California.

Joseph Diskay, the tenor, a favorite with radio fans, contributed his services to the program and sang two numbers, and Miss Hilda Goldman, operatic soprano, also popular with radio fans on the West Coast, obliged with selections.

Larry Semon Special Comedies -- October 5, 2024

Film Daily, 26-October-1924

After his feature The Girl in the Limousine staggered in the box office, Larry started a series of two-reelers to be released by Educational. "Her Boy Friend" was the first of the "Larry Semon Special Comedies." Larry Semon and Noel Smith directed.

Film Daily, 14-October-1924

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."

Larry Semon has Given the Screen a Feature Length Comedy -- August 1, 2024

Exhibitors Herald, 16-August-1924

Like his contemporary Lloyd Hamilton, Larry Semon was trying to move into feature productions. The Girl in the Limousine was based on a play by Wilson Collison and Avery Hopwood. Larry Semon and Noel Smith directed. First National was going to release the film.

"They'll find Semon's first feature length picture a great evening of fun." They didn't, actually.

Exhibitors Herald, 09-August-1924

Exhibitors Herald, 09-August-1924

Larry started work on a series of short comedies for Educational "in which he plays 'straight' characters." He tried to move to a character that was more realistic than his long-time image. 

Exhibitors Herald, 16-August-1924

"Semon will direct his own pictures." This series of movies was produced at FBO and released by Educational.

The Most Popular Child in All the World -- March 30, 2024

Motion Picture News, 08-March-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. 

Note the Baby Peggy Doll, offered at Gimbel's in New York. 

Motion Picture News, 08-March-1924

You could buy Baby Peggy Hosiery, Baby Peggy Dresses, Baby Peggy Underwear, Baby Peggy Jewelry, Baby Peggy Bonnets, Baby Peggy Dolls, Baby Peggy's Own Storybook, Baby Peggy Handkerchiefs, Baby Peggy Coats, Baby Peggy Writing Paper, and Baby Peggy Silverware. I'm exhausted from typing that list.

Motion Picture News, 15-March-1924

"So great is Baby Peggy's 'Fan' Correspondence that five secretaries work daily answering her letters."

Motion Picture News, 15-March-1924

"The most intensive fan campaign ever carried on for a star." I'll bet. 

Motion Picture News, 29-March-1924

Meanwhile Century Comedies carried on without Baby Peggy. "The Century Follies Girls, a bubbling, youthful group of girlish beauty in an unusual series of clean, entertaining comedies, are making friends and profits for showmen everywhere."

Motion Picture News, 22-March-1924

Pal the Dog was the star of "That Oriental Game." Charles Lamont and Noel Smith directed. I wonder if the title refers to mah-jongg, which was very popular around that time. 

Motion Picture Magazine, April, 1924

Motion Picture News, 29-March-1924

Buddy Messinger was a kid who starred in a series of Century Comedies. Albert Herman directed "The (or was it A?) Young Tenderfoot."

Motion Picture News, 29-March-1924

Arthur Trimble was another child actor starring in a series of Century Comedies. The caption remarks that he "looks like Buster Brown." He later played Buster Brown in a series. 

Motion Picture News, 15-March-1924

Christie advertised Dorothy Devore as "A Clever Queen of Comedy." Christie's short comedies were distributed by Educational.

Motion Picture News, 08-March-1924

Scott Sidney directed "Getting Gertie's Goat." The title was probably a satire of the play (later filmed twice) Getting Gertie's Garter. 

Film Daily, 04-March-1924

Dorothy Devore's success in short comedies led Christie to put her in feature-length comedies. Hodkinson released Christie's features. 

Film Daily, 06-March-1924

Motion Picture News, 22-March-1924

Christie produced series of short comedies starring Neal Burns and Jimmie Adams. I like the stick figures. 

Film Daily, 28-March-1924

Educational offered free ad mats for their short subjects. These could be run as stand-alone newspaper ads or inserted into larger ads. Al Christie himself directed Neal Burns and Vera Steadman in "Busy Buddies." 

Motion Picture News, 22-March-1924

Bobby Vernon also starred in a series of Christie comedies. Archie Mayo directed "Reno or Bust." 

Motion Picture News, 29-March-1924

Educational released shorts from many different producers. This item has ad mats from a variety of series. 

Motion Picture News, 15-March-1924

Cameo Comedies were one-reelers released by Educational. Sid Smith and Cliff Bowes starred in many. "Cave Inn" is a good title for a stone age comedy. 

Motion Picture News, 15-March-1924

Motion Picture News, 29-March-1924

Lloyd Hamilton Was Never Funnier -- January 28, 2024

Motion Picture News, 19-January-1924

Lloyd Hamilton starred in a series of two-reel comedies released by Educational. Many are lost.

Motion Picture News, 26-January-1924

Note the dogs in the top center photo. 

Film Daily, 28-January-1924

Film Daily, 31-January-1924

Some of us will remember that in 1923, Al Jolson signed a contract to star in a movie produced by DW Griffith. Jolson got cold feet and broke the contract. Albert L Grey was DW Griffith's brother, who worked on many of his films. Lloyd Hamilton replaced Jolson in the movie that was made, "His Darker Self." I love Lloyd Hamilton, but the movie is revolting. I will write more about it in the coming months.

Film Daily, 28-January-1924

Film Daily, 09-January-1924

Juvenile Comedies must have been Educational's response to Roach's Our Gang. Jack White produced and Earl Montgomery directed "About Face."

Film Daily, 07-January-1924

Film Daily, 31-January-1924

Educational offered free ad mats for their short subjects. These could be run as stand-alone newspaper ads or inserted into larger ads. Brian Foy directed Harry Tighe, Ned Sparks and Doris Deane in "One Night it Rained."

Motion Picture News, 12-January-1924

Baby Peggy Montgomery had been Century's biggest comedy star. She moved on to starring in features for Universal. 

Motion Picture News, 12-January-1924

Giant Jack Earle starred with Harry McCoy in Century's "Obey the Law." Robert Kerr directed. 

Motion Picture News, 05-January-1924

Fox Sunshine's "The Income Tax Collector" starred Lew Brice as a man hated by everyone. Erle C Kenton directed. Lew was Fanny Brice's brother. 

Motion Picture News, 05-January-1924

Archie Mayo directed Al St John in Fox Sunshine's "Spring Fever."

Film Daily, 10-January-1924

I know precisely nothing about Jazz Comedies, but "jazz" was a very popular word in 1924. 

Best One-a-Week Comedies on the Market -- September 23, 2023

Motion Picture News, 15-September-1923

Century Comedies proclaimed its four popular series of comedies, starring Baby Peggy, Pal the Dog, Buddy Messinger and the Century Follies Girls. 

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

"Baby Peggy Signs Lesser Contract." This did not mean that she was making less money, but that she had signed with Sol Lesser's Principal Pictures.

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

"Count on Christie Comedies This Year." Christie showed a panoply of comic actors. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

In "Navy Blues," Dorothy Devore's character dressed as a sailor and wound up serving on a ship. Harold Beaudine directed. 

Film Daily, 24-September-1923

"More Laughs Than the Navy Has Beans." Great slogan

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Fox advertised series with Al St John and Clyde Cook, and the Imperial Comedies with chimps. "A new brand of high class fun." I'll bet. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

I first saw Mabel Normand in The Extra Girl on our local PBS station, KQED-9. Mabel said "I am confident it is the type that will greatly appeal to the public." She was right. 

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Mack Sennett with scenes from his current comedies, which starred Ben Turpin, Harry Gribbon and Billy Bevan. 

Motion Picture News, 15-September-1923

"Down to the Sea in Shoes" starred Billy Bevan and a bunch of pretty girls. 

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

This ad for Paramount-Mack Sennett comedies emphasized the pretty girls. 

Motion Picture News, 15-September-1923

Educational released series of short comedies made by many different producers. Cameo Comedies were one-reelers 

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Lloyd Hamilton starred in a series of two-reel comedies. Many are lost. 

Film Daily, 17-September-1923Film Daily, 17-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Lloyd Hamilton appeared in his first feature film, His Darker Self. This was supposed to be a film with Al Jolson, directed by DW Griffith; Jolson got cold feet and left. The surviving two-reeler is full of blackface and racist gags. 

   

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Educational released Mermaid Comedies. Lee Moran played "The Busher," which was an adaption of a story in Ring Lardner's series called "The Busher." The famous "You Know Me Al" stories are part of the Busher series. I don't think Mermaid made any more stories from the series. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Educational released Tuxedo Comedies, which were billed as situation comedies rather than slapstick. 

Film Daily, 10-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Hal Roach with several of his stars, including Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Stan Laurel, Edna Murphy and Mickey Daniels.

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Hal Roach with scenes from his current comedies, including an animal series and Our Gang. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Roach planned to release one short a week and two features a year.

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Snib Pollard was one of Hal Roach's most dependable comics. We see him in a scene from "It's a Gift." Snub has invented a magnetic car. A friend had this movie on 8mm, and I loved watching it. I want  a magnetic car.

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

I have never seen a Spat Family movie. The series involved a married couple and a brother-in-law.

   

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

"Our Gang" was Roach's most popular series. 

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923