One of Uncle Sam's First-Run Picture Houses -- June 27, 2024

Photoplay, June, 1924

The crew of USS Pennsylvania was treated to a first-run movie on deck. This item says that they frequently saw new pictures before they went into wide release. 

Dreadnaught USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was launched on 16-March-1915.  During the Pearl Harbor attack, she was in drydock, but her anti-aircraft guns fought back.  15 of her crew were killed, but she was able to sail to San Francisco for repairs.

News of the Week March 11, 1916 -- March 11, 2016

The 11-March-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Wounded French soldier learning to write with his left hand -- Pathe."  The carnage of the war led to advances in prosthetics and treatment of injuries.

"Baptiste Ugo, nine-foot Italian and Esmiliare Adrien, 29-inch Frenchman Arrive in New York -- Pathe."  Battista Ugo was born on 21-June-1876 he and his younger brother Paolo Antonio performed in France as "les Geants des Alpes."  Baptiste was 7 feet, 6 1/2 inches tall.  Antonio was going to the United States to work for the Barnum and Bailey Circus.  He died on 15-February-1914.  Baptiste went in his place.  He died of diphtheria on 22-April-1916.  Adrien was 2 feet, 3 1/2 inches tall. 

"Fighting the five million dollar dock fire suffered by Brooklyn, N. Y. -- Mutual."  A 16-February-1916 fire destroyed Pier Three and two ships.  The fire was thought to be caused by electricity rather than sabotage.

"U. S. S. Pennsylvania, Uncle Sam's latest superdreadnaught, leaving for speed trials. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  Dreadnaught USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was launched on 16-March-1915.  During the Pearl Harbor attack, she was in drydock, but her anti-aircraft guns fought back.  15 of her crew were killed, but she was able to sail to San Francisco for repairs.

"Miss Hildur Erlandsen, winner of cross country race at Cary, Ill., skee tournament. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  It looks as if the ski meet was held on 13-February-1913.  One report says Mrs F. Lunde was first and Mrs Erlandsen was second.

"Superimposed turrets of the Battleship Pennsylvania, each carrying three huge guns. -- Pathe."  We saw a Hearst-Vitagraph about the ship above. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Polar Bear enjoying the winter weather in Central Park Zoo. -- Hearst-Vitagraph."  Just as we like animal videos, newsreel audiences liked animal stories. 

"Wreck of the Aberdeen, San Francisco harbor. -- Mutual."  During a big storm on 28-january-1916, steam schooner Aberdeen, carrying garbage for the city of Oakland, was driven ashore outside of the Golden Gate.  Eight men were lost.  I'm not sure the image shows the Aberdeen, which was reported to be smashed up. 

News of the Week January 8, 1916 --January 8, 2016

The 08-January-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Welcoming Yoshito, 122nd Emperor of Japan in Kyoti, Japan.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  Yoshihito was crowned Emperor on 10-November-1915, succeeding his father, Meiji.  Yoshihito suffered from health problems throughout his reign.  Yoshihito's son Hirohito became regent in 1921.  Yoshihito died in 1926.  I assume that Kyoti means Kyoto.

"Roger W. Babson conducts outdoor office in zero weather.  Copyright, 1915, Mutual Weekly."  Babson was an eccentric entrepreneur who founded three universities and colleges.  I don't know what he was doing outside in zero degree weather. 

"Ex-Bandit Al Jennings in New York City.   Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Jennings was a former bank and train robber who once shared a prison cell with O. Henry.  Jennings later starred in some movies.

"Two immense grain elevators in Pennsylvania are destroyed by fire.  Copyright, 1915, Paramount News Pictures."  I have not been able to find any details about these fires.

"Christmas trees shipped from Maine woods.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I wonder if they still travel by rail. 

"A view of U. S. flagship Pennsylvania.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Dreadnaught USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was launched on 16-March-1915.  During the Pearl Harbor attack, she was in drydock, but her anti-aircraft guns fought back.  15 of her crew were killed, but she was able to sail to San Francisco for repairs.

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

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

"Twenty-ninth U. S. Infantry leaves New York for Panama Canal zone.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  The 29th Infantry Regiment stayed in the Canal Zone until September, 1918. 

"Rescuing all that was left of Lincoln Beachey and his ill-fated machine.   Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Lincoln Beachey was the featured aerial performer at San Francisco's Panama Pacific International Exposition, where he died on 14-March-1915 when his new monoplane crashed into the bay, where he drowned, trapped in the wreckage:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2015/03/lincoln-beachey-plunges-mile-out-of-sky.html

"The Kaiser on the battlefield in North Poland.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Kaiser Wilhelm II was visiting his troops who had driven the Russians back after they invaded East Prussia. 

"Rome, Italy visited by a great flood that swept through the city.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  Rome's Tiber River flooded frequently.  The flood of 1915 lasted a long time.

"Launching the U. S. S. Pennsylvania at Newport News.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Dreadnaught USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was launched on 16-March-1915.  During the Pearl Harbor attack, she was in drydock, but her anti-aircraft guns fought back.  15 of her crew were killed, but she was able to sail to San Francisco for repairs.

"A mile-a-minute on skiis at Montreal, Canada.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  I assume this is a ski jump competition.