Lawrence of Arabia -- May 29, 2023

listal.com

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. 

Peter O'Toole played TE Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia. Lawrence did not die during the war, but he probably died because of his experiences during the war.

Mother's Day, 2023 -- May 14, 2023

Happy Mother's Day, everyone.  I'm grateful for my mother and my wife and my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law and cousins and friends. All excellent mothers.

I took the photo at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica on 05-October-2008, during the school's 40th anniversary celebration.

Coronation -- May 10, 2023

bbc.com

Saturday we watched bits and pieces of the crowning of Charles III and his consort Camilla. It was nice to see the old traditions, but whole thing was silly.

William S Hart -- Ben Hur -- May 9, 2023

Bourbon News, 24-November-1899

I couldn't find much about William S Hart from 100 years ago this month, so here is an item about Hart from before he went into movies. He was rehearsing with the cast of the original Broadway production of Ben Hur, where he played Messala, the bad guy.

Marion Davies -- Supported by the Most Impressive Cast Ever Assembled -- May 8, 2023

Washington Times, 23-April-1923

In 1922, William Randolph Hearst was looking for a suitably ostentatious project for his inamorata, Marion Davies. His production company, Cosmopolitan, hit upon the novel When Knighthood Was in Flower. Director Robert Vignola used a virtually unlimited budget to create a huge movie. "Cosmopolitan's mammoth spectacle drama."

Annapolis Evening Capital, 20-April-1923

"Special Augmented Orchestra." "This magnificent production represents the Supreme Achievements of the Motion Picture Art."

Washington Star, 20-April-1923

"Supported by the Most Impressive Cast Ever Assembled..." 

Anne Baxter 100 -- May 7, 2023

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Anne Baxter was born 100 years ago today, on 07-May-1923. I love her delivery.

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Billy Wilder wrote and directed Five Graves to Cairo, which was silly but had Erich von Stroheim as Rommell. Anne Baxter was both funny and serious as Mouche.

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Joseph Mankiewicz directed Bette Davis and Anne Baxter in All About Eve. Both were nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award. 

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Fritz Lang directed The Blue Gardenia. The tune sometimes gets stuck in my head.

Harold Lloyd -- So Good That It Hurts -- May 6, 2023

Motion Picture News, 12-May-1923

Harold Lloyd's thrill comedy Safety Last was another great success. This trade ad calls it "The First Seven Part Comedy." Seven part means Seven reels. 

Motion Picture News, 26-May-1923

"They are tearing the arms off the chairs in Portland." "A knockout in Omaha." "Biggest business of year in Akron."

Washington Times, 12-May-1923

I like the minimalist design of this ad, which says that Safety Last was being held over for a second week at the Metroplitan Theater in Washington, DC. "Second Hysterical Week."

Motion Picture News, 26-May-1923

Inmates at San Quentin Prison, north of San Francisco, enjoyed a showing of Grandma's Boy. 

Cine-Mundial, 05-May-1923

With the retirement of Mildred Davis after Safety Last, Jobyna Ralston became Harold's new leading lady. She had appeared in many one-reelers for Hal Roach. This is not a flattering photo of Jobyna. 

Cine-Mundial, 05-May-1923

Bugambilia -- May 5, 2023

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Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. Dolores del Rio may have been the most beautiful woman in the world. She was proud of her Mexican heritage. She had a distinguished career in Hollywood and then another distinguished career in Mexico. She was always classy and elegant.

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Coming to Rock the Entire Civilized World to Its Very Foundation -- May 4, 2023

Motion Picture News, 12-May-1922

Dorothy Davenport, who had been a successful actress under her own name, was usually billed as Mrs Wallace Reid after the death of her husband on 18-January-1923.

Motion Picture News, 08-November-1913

Wallace Reid was a major star. He was injured in a train accident in 1919 and became addicted to opiates. He died in a sanitorium, leaving behind Dorothy and two small children.

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Later in the same year, Dorothy starred in and co-directed an anti-drug movie, Human Wreckage.

Educational Screen, September, 1923

Dorothy went on to direct several more movies. She is most remembered for The Red Kimona. I made a blogathon post about Dorothy a few years back:

Dorothy Davenport: Her Life and Career -- March 27, 2017 https://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2017/03/dorothy-davenport-her-life-and-career.html

Biograph -- New Films From Icy Alaska and the Golden Northwest -- May 3, 2023

New York Clipper, 28-March-1903

The American Mutoscope and Biograph Company was doing well in 1903. You could have bought a Mutoscope, "the king of all slot machines," for $45. Most of the films listed were taken during the Yukon Gold Rush. 

Larry's Latest and Greatest -- May 2, 2023

Motion Picture News, 12-May-1923

Larry Semon was very big 100 years ago this month. I like the image of Larry and the Moon.

Motion Picture News, 05-May-1923

Fewer gags, more farce. 

WGA -- 97.85% YES -- May 1, 2023

wgacontract2023.org

Today is International Workers' Day. It seems appropriate that on this day The Writers' Guild of America is negotiating with producers to get a fair share of revenues for content creators. The rank and file overwhelmingly voted to strike.