A Film Memorial of Woodrow Wilson -- February 3, 2024

Film Daily, 05-February-1924

100 years ago today, on 03-February-2024, former president Woodrow Wilson died. The newsreel companies were quick to send out special reports:

https://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2024/02/woodrow-wilson-is-dead-february-3-2023.html

Film Daily, 07-February-1924

Motography, 02-October-1915

President Wilson appeared in a lot of newsreels. "President Wilson throws out the first ball, at opening of baseball park. Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly." I'm guessing this is the opening of Braves Field in August. On 09-October-1915, Wilson became the first president throw out the first ball at a World Series game, when the Boston Red Sox played the Philadelphia Phillies at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. Wilson was a big baseball fan.

Jackie Robinson 50 Years -- October 24, 2022

www.listal.com

I find it hard to believe that Jackie Robinson died 50 years ago today, on 24-October-1972.  He starred 

in many sports at UCLA.  He received a commission in the Army during World War Two.  Refusing to move to the back of the bus, he faced a court-martial for insubordination.  He was acquitted and spent the rest of his service coaching Army athletics.

After the war, Robinson joined the Kansas City Monarchs, a team in the Negro American League.  Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey signed him to play for the Montreal Royals in 1946.  Rickey had been looking for a player to break the baseball color line, which had been in effect since the late Nineteenth Century.  Robinson agreed to turn the other cheek when racists on and off the field taunted him. In 1947, Robinson came out of spring training with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

www.listal.com

In 1950, Robinson played himself in The Jackie Robinson Story.  Ruby Dee played his wife Rachel.
I remember a 1990 television movie called The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.  I couldn't find any photos.  Andre Braugher played Robinson.

www.listal.com

In 2013, Chadwick Boseman played Robinson in 42.  Ruby Dee played his mother.

Vin Scully, RIP -- August 3, 2022

I was sad to learn that Vin Scully has died. Scully was a fan of the New York Giants.  Mel Ott was his favorite player.  In 1950, he began announcing Brooklyn Dodgers games.  After 67 seasons, he retired as announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016.  Ironically, the last game of the Dodgers' season was against the San Francisco Giants, at Pac Bell Park. The Giants won. 

I have always hated the Dodgers, but admired Vin Scully.  When I was young, I discovered that I could tune in Los Angeles AM stations at night, including KFI, which carried the Dodgers.  He also did the Game of the Week and sometimes the World Series. I liked his voice.  It was soothing. 

Jackie Robinson 100 -- January 31, 2019

www.listal.com

Jackie Robinson would have been 100 years old today.  He starred in many sports at UCLA.  He received a commission in the Army during World War Two.  Refusing to move to the back of the bus, he faced a court-martial for insubordination.  He was acquitted and spent the rest of his service coaching Army athletics.

After the war, Robinson joined the Kansas City Monarchs, a team in the Negro American League.  Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey signed him to play for the Montreal Royals in 1946.  Rickey had been looking for a player to break the baseball color line, which had been in effect since the late Nineteenth Century.  Robinson agreed to turn the other cheek when racists on and off the field taunted him. In 1947, Robinson came out of spring training with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

www.listal.com

In 1950,. Robinson played himself in The Jackie Robinson Story.  Ruby Dee played his wife Rachel.
I remember a 1990 television movie called The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.  I couldn't find any photos.  Andre Braugher played Robinson.

www.listal.com

In 2013, Chadwick Boseman played Robinson in 42.  Ruby Dee played his mother.

Bessie Love at the Bat -- May 27, 2018

I have always been fascinated by the career of actress Bessie Love. She was born in Texas. Her name was Juanita Horton. Her family moved to Los Angeles and she went to Los Angeles High School. Looking for work, she met director DW Griffith and got a small part in Intolerance. She appeared in movies with William S Hart and Douglas Fairbanks. She was a 1922 WAMPAS (Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers) Baby Star. She played many leading roles, most famously in The Lost World, but never broke through until the talkies came, when she starred in The Broadway Melody. Her career was hot again for a few years, but then tailed off. She continued to appear in small parts in movies until the early 1980s. Here we see her dressed for baseball.

"Play Ball" in Mutual Weekly -- March 11, 2017

Moving Picture World, 24-March-1917

Here we see the Chicago Cubs taking Spring Training in Pasadena, California.  The players in the photo are pitchers Phil Douglas, Claude Hendrix and Hippo Vaughn. 

On 02-May-1917, in Chicago, Vaughn and the Cincinnati Reds' Fred Toney each gave up no hits for nine innings.  In the tenth, the Reds scored on a hit by Jim Thorpe.  Vaughn lost the game. 

Vin Scully Retires -- October 2, 2016

Vin Scully was a fan of the New York Giants.  Mel Ott was his favorite player.  In 1950, he began announcing Brooklyn Dodgers games.  Today, after 67 seasons, he is retiring as announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Ironically, the last game of the Dodgers' season is against the San Francisco Giants, at Pac Bell Park.

I have always hated the Dodgers, but admired Vin Scully.  When I was young, I discovered that I could tune in Los Angeles AM stations at night, including KFI, which carried the Dodgers.  I like his voice.  It is soothing. I wish him well. 

Vin Scully, or his voice, has appeared in many movies, usually as the Dodgers' announcer.

Ironically, his first wife, who died tragically young, was Joan Crawford.  Not that Joan Crawford.

www.listal.com

 For Love of the Game is one of Kevin Costner's baseball movies.  He plays a Detroit Tigers pitcher who is dealing with many issues while pitching a perfect game at the end of the season.  Vin Scully calls the game. 

www.listal.com

Experiment in Terror was set in San Francisco, but Vin Scully's voice is heard during a Giants-Dodgers game. 

www.listal.com

Vin Scully doesn't get a credit, but he appears in The Party, a Blake Edwards movie starring Peter Sellers. 

News of the Week May 6, 1916 -- May 6, 2016

The 06-May-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.  I am sad to report that this is the last "News of the Week as Shown in Films" that I have been able to find.  I wonder by the editors of Motography decided to drop the feature.  I'm going to miss it. 

"Here is a fully equipped camera reporter in Mexico -- a daring Mutual sharpshooter and his Yaqui bodyguard."  The Yaqui resisted the central government and tried to remain independent.

"Pearl White, the Pathe star, dons painter's gard to help on the Motion Picture Exposition sign.  Pathe News."  Pearl White was the first serial queen.  As a stunt, she climbed the scaffolding to put up signs for the exposition at Madison Square Garden. 

"Australia believes in preparedness.  The launching of her new fighter, the Brisbane, at Sidney.  Pathe News."  HMAS Brisbane was a light cruiser which was lauunched on 30-September-1915.  She served in the Pacific and the Mediterranean during World War One.  She was scrapped in 1936.

"Women police n the making.  School girl cops who help keep order in New York City.  Universal Weekly."  The Home Defense League was formed to train auxiliary officers to support the New York Police Department.  Perhaps this had something to do with that. 

"The wood in 'Home Run' Baker's bat is the most dependable of any whiffed by the N.Y. Yankees.  Selig-Tribune News."  Frank Baker was the third baseman in the "$100,000 Infield" of the Philadelphia Athletics.  He received the nickname "Home Run" by hitting two key home runs against the New York Giants, against Rube Marquard and Christy Mathewson, in the 1911 World Series.  After one of the fire sales that are still traditional with the Oakland Athletics, he went to the New York Yankees.  I guess "whiffed" didn't mean "struck out" then. 

"Home again! U.S. Dreadnaught 'New York' returning from five month's practice in Cuban waters -- Mutual News."  USS New York (BB-34) had been commissioned on 15-May-1914.  She patrolled with the British Grand Fleet during World War One.  She served in the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War Two.  After the war, she was one of the ships used in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll.

The World's Championship Baseball Series of 1915 -- November 4, 2015

Moving Picture World, 13-November-1915

Mutual distributed "The World's Baseball Championship of 1915," produced by the World Series Film Company, about the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Phildelphia Phillies.  The Red Sox won in five games. 

News of the Week October 2, 1915 -- October 2, 2015

The 02-October-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

 "English and French commissioners seek loan for allies.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The Allies depended on US loans to continue buying US food and material.

"Famous warship Portmouth set on fire to get iron from hull.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  USS Portsmouth was a sloop of war launched in 1843.  She served in the Mexican War and the Civil War.  On 09-July-1846 a detachment of her marines raised the US flag in the plaza of Yerba Buena, now called San Francisco.  The plaza is called Portsmouth Square.  After serving as a training ship and a quarantine ship, she was burned in Boston on 06-07-September-1915.

"Sant' Anna leaving New York for Italy.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Italian reservists headed back to Italy on the French liner Sant Anna, which had been launched in 1912.  She became a troopship in 1915.  Sant Anna caught fire on 12-September-1915 in mid-Atlantic.  People suspected German sabotage.  She made it to Europe.  She was torpedoed in the Mediterranean on 11-May-1918.  605 died. 

"Dr. Dumba, Austria-Hungary Ambassador, leaving the Embassy.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  The Ambassador tried to foment trouble among his nationals working in US steel plants.  He said that they could prosecuted for helping the enemy. 

"Envoys from the allies arrive in New York to negotiate big loan.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I assume these are the same men seen in the first photo. 

"President Wilson throws out the first ball, at opening of baseball park.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  I'm guessing this is the opening of Braves Field in August.  On 09-October-1915, Wilson became the first president throw out the first ball at a World Series game, when the Boston Red Sox played the Philadelphia Phillies at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia.  Wilson was a big baseball fan. 

The Eclair Junior Baseball Club -- January 13, 2015

Moving Picture World -- 16-January-1915

A group of New York kids who were moving picture fans named their baseball club after the Éclair company, the American branch of a French production company.

The Second of the Christy Mathewson Series -- November 8, 2014

Moving Picture World, 07-November-1914

Christy Mathewson was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball. He won three games for the New York Giants in the 1905 World Series. He was widely considered the best human being in baseball. He served in the army during the First World War and was exposed to gas during a training exercise and developed tuberculosis. This led to his early death at the age of 45. He was a member of the first class of the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1914, Mathewson signed with Universal to do a series of movies.

This article mentions that the first movie, "Love and Baseball," was a big hit, and that the second movie, "The Umpire" is coming. 

The Remarkable Skill and Ingenuity of the Thanhouser Organization -- October 30, 2014

Moving Picture World, 03-October-1914

The Million Dollar Mystery was a Thanhouser production made in association with the Chicago Tribune, which ran the weekly stories in printed form. The 23-chapter serial starred Florence La Badie, a popular Thanhouser actress who died the next year in a car wreck. Her leading man was James Cruze, who later became a director. His most famous production was The Covered Wagon.

Bisbee Daily Review, 03-October-1914

Notice that The Million Dollar Mystery is billed on top  in this ad for Bisbee, Arizona's Orpheum Theater. 

Motography, 10-October-1914

"In episode No. 16 of The Million Dollar Mystery is a thrilling portrayal of an actual quicksand into which Flo La Badie falls."

Motography, 17-October-1914

"Jones rescues Norton from the basement dungeon." 

Motography, 17-October-1914

"The conspirators set the trap for Norton." 

Motography, 24-October-1914

"It contains new thrills -- new action..."

Motography, 24-October-1914

"Olga forces the princess to do her bidding." 

Motography, 24-October-1914

"Florence tells Olga of the invitation." 

=================================

The San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in the seventh game of the World Series.  Madison Bumgarner was the winning pitcher and the MVP.  It was a heck of a season.  The Royals put up a great fight. 

World's Baseball Series of 1914 -- October 9, 2014

Moving Picture World, 17-October-1914

Wallace Carlson had been a newspaper cartoonist with the Chicago Inter Ocean.  He became a pioneering animator.   His most famous series was Dreamy Dud.  The Historical Feature Film Company offered a cartoon about the 1914 World Series which would "be released within 24 hours of the last game."  The Boston Braves played the Philadelphia Athletics.  The Miracle Braves swept the Athletics in four games.  I can't find much about "the well known Negro comedian, Bert Murphy." 

Matty in Pictures -- September 11, 2014

Moving Picture World, 26-September-1914

Christy Mathewson was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball. He won three games for the New York Giants in the 1905 World Series. He was widely considered the best human being in baseball. He served in the army during the First World War and was exposed to gas during a training exercise and developed tuberculosis. This led to his early death at the age of 45. He was a member of the first class of the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1914, Mathewson signed with Universal to do a series of movies.

I don't know how many got produced, and I doubt any still survive.

This item talks about his appearance in "Love and Baseball."  "Christy Mathewson has acquired more fame in the baseball world than any other player; he has established a reputation as the greatest pitcher the world has ever produced."

 

Baseball Manager Plays Detective -- August 9, 2014

John McGraw managed the New York Giants from 1901 to 1933.  He became a nationally known character, and appeared in a fiction movie, "Detective Swift," for the Eclectic Film Company.  Some of the footage was taken during the world tour of the Giants and the Chicago White So:
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2014/06/giants-white-sox-world-tour-june-8-2014.html

Compelled to Race With Death -- July 21, 2014

Motography, 11-July-1914.

The Perils of Pauline was a big hit in 1914. The 20 chapter serial was not the first movie serial, but it was one of the big ones. It starred Pearl White, the first serial queen. The Eclectic Film Company distributed Pathé movies in the United States. The film exists only in a mutilated form, based on a copy exported to France. The subtitles has been translated into French, then translated back into English. I like the large image from the 11-July-1914 Motography.

Motography, 04-July-1914.

During the 1913-1914 offseason, the National League Champion New York Giants, led by manager John McGraw, toured the world with members of the Chicago White Sox, led by manager Jimmy Callahan. The Giants roster included Christy Mathewson, Jim Thorpe and Turkey Mike Donlin. As seen in the list above, they visited and played exhibition games in, among other places, Japan, Hong Kong, Manilla, Shanghai, Australia, Ceylon, Egypt, Naples and Rome. In 1914, the Eclectic Film Company released a movie about the tour.

Motography, 04-July-1914.

Motography, 11-July-1914.

"Pauline Escapes Unharmed" sort of gives away the conclusion. 

Motography, 18-July-1914.

"Pauline Pulls People.  She's a Gold Mine." 

Motography, 25-July-1914.

Motography, 25-July-1914.

Click on the images to see larger versions.

Motography, 20-June-1914.