Ray Harryhausen 100 -- June 29, 2020

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Animator Ray Harryhausen was born 100 years ago today, on 29-June-1920.  I remember seeing The Mysterious Island on television when I was very young.  I later read in Famous Monsters of Filmland, I think, that Harryhausen and his wife went out to dinner and he brought home the crab shell to use in the movie. 

I loved Mighty Joe Young.  I liked It Came From Beneath the Sea with its 8-legged octopus and scenes shot in San Francisco.  I saw Clash of the Titans and some of the Sinbad movies in the theater.  When I got a Super 8 camera, I tried to do some object animation.  It only showed me how difficult it is to do what Ray Harryhausen did. 

Where the Strong Win -- June 27, 2020

Pendleton East Oregonian, 01-June-1920

100 years ago this month, Tom Mix was appearing in Rough Riding Romance at the Arcade Theater in Pendleton, Oregon, along with a Big V Comdey starring Earle Montgomery and Joe Rock, "Throbs and Thrills." 

Joel Schumacher, RIP -- June 25, 2020

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I am sorry to learn that director Joel Schumacher has died.  I particularly liked The Lost Boys. 

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An Entirely New Style of Art Titles -- June 23, 2020

Washington Star, 13-June-1920

Earlier this year, I wrote about Buster Keaton's first feature film, The Saphead, for the Sixth Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon:
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2020/03/buster-keatons-first-feature-saphead.html

I came across the above newspaper item.  Here is an example of an art title from the movie:

William H Crane played Old Nick.

Paul Frees 100 -- June 22, 2020

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Growing up, I learned to recognize the voice of Paul Frees in cartoons, feature films, radio and television shows, but I did not know what he looked like until I found this photo on listal.  Frees was born 100 years ago today, on 22-June-1920. I always enjoyed spotting it when he dubbed dialogue for other actors. 

Sidney Toler -- June 21, 2020

Exhibitors Herald, 26-June-1920

Long before he succeeded Warner Oland as Charlie Chan, Sidney Toler was a playwright. Paramount produced The Bait as an adaption of Toler's play The Tiger Lady. 

The Offshore Pirate -- June 19, 2020

Exhibitors Herald, 26-June-1920

An article about upcoming Metro productions mentioned that one would be an adaption of "The Offshore Pirate," a short story by F Scott Fitzgerald. The movie starred Viola Dana.

Ian Carmichael 100 -- June 18, 2020

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Actor Ian Carmichael was born 100 years ago today, on 18-June-1920. I think I first became aware of Ian Carmichael when Masterpiece Theater ran Clouds of Witness with him as Lord Peter Wimsey. I watched the other stories and then read many of the books during the summers. I liked the way Lord Peter and Bunter had served together during the war and Bunter had helped Lord Peter deal with shell shock.

Louise Fazenda 125 -- June 17, 2020

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Comedienne Louise Fazenda was born 125 years ago today, on 17-June-1895.  She started working at Keystone, and kept going into the sound era.  She married producer Hal Wallis.  She was known for doing charitable work.

Moving Picture News, 24-January-1920

The Servant Question -- June 15, 2020

Motion Picture News, 05-June-1920

Actor William Collier (later known as William Collier Sr after his adopted son got into the business) appeared in many silents and talkies.  I know nothing about The Servant Question except that it was directed by Dell Henderson, a Keystone veteran, but I like the cat.

Flag Day, 2020 -- June 14, 2020

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Happy Flag Day, everyone. Lovely actress Ava Gardner poses with Old Glory. 

Three More Happy Days -- June 13, 2020

El Paso Herald, 24-June-1920

I like the image of Douglas Fairbanks.  I also like the bit at the bottom of the ad: "Don't fail to see Douglas this week!" and "Then see his wife Mary in "Suds" next week!"

Adrienne Barbeau 75 -- June 11, 2020

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Actress Adrienne Barbeau was born 75 years ago today, on 11-June-1945.  She was very popular when I was young.

Charles Dickens 150 Years -- June 9, 2020

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Boz (pronounced like "nose") died 150 years ago today, on 09-June-1870. Some years ago I decided to read or reread all of Charles Dickens' novels, even Barnaby Rudge and Martin Chuzzlewit, during my commute. I don't remember how long it took, but it was worthwhile. I still have to read some short stories and Christmas stories. I don't know how many movies have been made from  his novels and short stories. A college professor once said that Dickens' works make good movies because "they can cut out all the dull stuff." Several of the members of the class were offended, but she was probably right.  

Moving Picture World, 20-July-1912

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The Funniest Feature Comedy Ever Filmed -- June 7, 2020

Motion Picture News, 19-June-1920

Some sources claim that Tillie's Punctured Romance is the first feature-length slapstick comedy, or even the first feature-length comedy. I don't know if that is true, but it is certainly the first one to be a big success. Various companies kept flogging this movie for many years. 

William Boyd 125 -- June 5, 2020

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Actor William Boyd was born 125 years ago today, on 05-June-1895.  He played the lead in several Cecil B DeMille movies. People mixed him up with actor William "Stage" Boyd who was arrested for possession of alcohol and drugs. This almost killed his career.

Boyd made a comeback when Paramount cast him as Hopalong Cassidy in a well-made series of westerns. He was the rare cowboy star who wore a black hat.  When television came along, he owned the rights of his movies and also created a television series. 

His fifth and last wife was actress Grace Bradley. 

And Now Stardom -- June 3, 2020

Motion Picture News, 03-June-1920

Bebe Daniels, who had been Harold Lloyd's leading lady in a long series of short films for Hal Roach's Rolin studio, left to work as an ingenue in Cecil B DeMille's movies. Realart had her star in a series of features that lasted for the rest of the 1920s. 

Vitagraph-Larry Semon Comedies -- June 1, 2020

Motion Picture News, 26-June-1920

The Vitagraph advertised its successful Vitagraph-Larry Semon series of comedies.