Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Serpentine and Cloak Slides (Rich Colored) -- October 3, 2023

New York Clipper, 28-February-1903

Philadelphia's Harbach and Company offered Edison films, "film machines," magic lantern slide projectors, and magic lantern slides. I wonder what "Serpentine and Cloak Slides (rich colored)" look like. Perhaps they depict serpentine dances. 

Monday, October 2, 2023

Truart Presents Larry Semon in a Series of Deluxe Comedies of Feature Length -- October 2, 2023



Motion Picture News, 06-October-1923

Larry Semon was nearing the end of his long association with the Vitagraph. Truart, his new studio, published this elaborate ad in October 1923, but the first five-reel production, The Girl in the Limousine, based on a popular play, was not released until June 1924. 

Film Daily, 16-October-1923

Larry was already casting The Girl in the Limousine.

Motion Picture News, 06-October-1923

"Scenes from Larry Semon's newest Vitagraph comedy, "Lightnin' Lou."


Saturday, September 30, 2023

Mae Murray -- A Photoplay of Love, Laughter and Luxury -- September 30, 2023



Motion Picture News, 15-September-1923

Actress and dancer Mae Murray had been a headliner in the Ziegfeld Follies.  Murray is most famous today for starring in Erich von Stroheim's The Merry Widow. The French Doll looks like fun. 

Motion Picture Classic, September, 1923

Motion Picture Classic, September 1923

Friday, September 29, 2023

People Love Dog Stories -- September 29, 2023

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

One of Jack London's most popular novels, set in the Klondike Gold Rush, The Call of the Wild, has been made into at least five motion pictures and one television series.  This is a beautiful image of Buck. Hal Roach produced this version and Fred Jackman directed. Jack Mulhall played John Thornton, Buck's last master. People love dog stories. 

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Look at that face. 

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

Strongheart was born in Germany and trained to work for the police and the Red Cross during World War One. After the war, the dog's owner could not afford to keep him, so he placed him with a kennel in the United States. Director Lawrence Trimble saw Strongheart and persuaded screenwriter Jane Murfin to purchase him. Trimble trained Strongheart and directed him in four movies. Strongheart got burned by a studio light in 1929 and died from a tumor caused by the burn. Strongheart was one of the first German Shepherd dogs to star in a movie. I love the goggles on Strongheart and Lady Jule.

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Rin-Tin-Tin was the biggest dog star of all. During the last days of World War One, Lee Duncan, an American soldier who loved dogs, found Rinty and his sister with their dying mother in a damaged German kennel. Duncan tried to bring the puppies to America, but the female died. Duncan trained Rinty and got him into the movies, where he showed great natural talent. Chester Franklin directed Where the North Begins

Thursday, September 28, 2023

First Motion Pictures of the Japanese Earthquake -- September 28, 2023

Film Daily, 26-September-1923

On 01-September-1923, the Great Kantō Earthquake devasted a large part of Japan. Fires spread through cities and at least 140,000 people were killed. 

Newsreel footage had reached the US by the end of the month. 

Film Daily, 25-September-1923

Pathé's "Marvelous Pictures of the Japanese Earthquake" were shown on the Pacific Coast on 24-September-1923. 

Film Daily, 27-September-1923

"You get it all, you get it quick, you get it best in the Pathé and without extra charge."

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Gloria was Beautiful/Anthony was Damned -- September 27, 2023

Helena Daily Independent, 06-September-1922

In the adaption of F Scott Fitzgerald's second novel, The Beautiful and Damned, Marie Prevost played Gloria Gilbert and Kenneth Harlan played Anthony Patch. Prevost later married Harlan in real life.

Helena Daily Independent, 04-September-1922

The Antlers -- great name for a movie theater. 

Wichita Eagle, 02-September-1923

I don't remember reading about Conductor 1492, adapted from Fitzgerald's story "The Camel's Back." Johnny Hines starred, along with Dorothy Vernon, the mother of Christie comedian Bobby Vernon. 

Vancouver Sun, 02-September-1923

Doris May was the leading lady. 

Tuscaloosa News, 02-September-1923

I do not remember reading that Zelda Fitzgerald wrote the book and lyrics for a musical called The Clinging Vine, using her maiden name, Zelda Sayre. The reporter may have been confused. The author appears to have been Zelda Sears. 

Harrisburg Telegraph, 03-September-1923

Topeka Success, 01-September-1923

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

It's a Whale of a Picture -- September 26, 2023

Helena Daily Independent, 06-September-1922

Down to the Sea in Ships was a popular movie about whaling. Clara Bow had a small part, but received much attention.