DW Griffith 150 -- January 22, 2025

Wichita Falls Times, 28-May-1922

Director DW Griffith was born 150 years ago today, on 22-January-1875.

The Funniest Farce in Forty Years -- January 21, 2025

Moving Picture World, 31-January-1925

100 years ago this month, there were lots of articles about Charlie Chaplin and Lita Grey expecting a baby and looking for a divorce, but almost nothing about his movies. I thought this month I'll give Syd Chaplin the spotlight. Charley's Aunt was a good part for him, because he knew all the traditions about appearing in drag.

Moving Picture World, 03-January-1925

Moving Picture World, 03-January-1925

Selma -- January 20, 2025

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Today we celebrate Dr Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday. Ava DuVernay's Selma was well-received but has some inaccuracies. David Oyelowo played Doctor King.

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Laurence Olivier Presents Hamlet -- January 19, 2025

Syracuse Post Standard, 13-January-1950

Seventy-five years ago this month, filmgoers in Syracuse could see Laurence Olivier's Academy Award-winning adaption of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. We watched this again on TCM a few weeks ago. 

Bob Uecker and David Lynch, RIP -- January 18, 2025

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Bob Uecker had a short and undistinguished career as a catcher. Then he turned making fun of himself into a fine art. He announced Brewers games until last year. People who are old enough remember his commercials for Miller Lite. Almost everyone I know says "Just outside" when they hear his name. We will miss him.

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David Lynch made a bunch of movies and one television show that were surreal and often violent. My favorite movie of his is The Straight Story, which was not surreal or violent.

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Harry Langdon -- The Acid Test -- Clocking the Laughs -- January 17, 2025

Moving Picture World, 10-January-1925

"Show these two rib-rockers in your house."

Moving Picture World, 10-January-1925

Jack Hoxie -- Thundering Your Way -- January 16, 2025

Universal Weekly, 10-January-1925

Jack Hoxie was a real cowboy and rodeo performer who became a star in the early 1920s. I like the image in this trade ad.

Calgary Albertan, 22-January-1925

Fred Thomson (no relation) had a diverse career. While attending the Princeton Theological Seminary, he earned the Amateur Athletic Union's All-Around Champion trophy in 1910, 1911 and 1913. After being ordained as a Presbyterian minister, he joined the Army and served as a chaplain during World War One. He went into the movie business after he married director and screenwriter Frances Marion. In time, he became a major western star. Sadly, he died of Tetanus in 1928.

Note that Jack Hoxie starred in Flying Hoofs and Fred Thomson starred in Thundering Hoofs.

Lethbridge Herald, 26-January-1925

"Fred Thomson World's Champion Athlete, and his Wonder Horse Silver King." I like the image of the two together.

Orange County Plain Dealer, 13-January-1925

I like the style of the lettering of the title.

Moving Picture World, 03-January-1925

Birmingham News, 18-January-1925

Buddy Roosevelt starred in a series of silent westerns and played small parts in many talkies.

Norfolk Ledger-Star, 05-January-1925

Bill Cody (Buffalo Bill Jr) also starred in a series of silent and early sound westerns.