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

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. 

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."

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

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.

Jean Hersholt Resumes Role in "Greed" -- September 25, 2023

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

Jean Hersholt, who played the despicable villain in Erich von Stroheim's Greed, an adaptation of Frank Norris' novel McTeague, was thrown by a horse while the crew worked in Death Valley. Jean Hersholt later played many saintly characters, like Doctor Christian, and became a dedicated philanthropist.

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

After shooting in deplorable conditions in Death Valley, Erich von Stroheim returned to the Goldwyn studio to start the epic job of editing Greed. 

Arbuckle Will Not Be Allowed to Appear Here -- September 24, 2023

Sidney, Ohio Daily News, 10-September-1923

I had the impression that Roscoe Arbuckle's movies did not get shown in the US after his legal troubles, but here we see his 1921 film The Dollar a Year Man playing at the Majestic Theater in Sidney, Ohio. 

Perth Amboy Evening News, 26-September-1923

At the same time, some cities and counties would not let Roscoe appear in person. 

Best One-a-Week Comedies on the Market -- September 23, 2023

Motion Picture News, 15-September-1923

Century Comedies proclaimed its four popular series of comedies, starring Baby Peggy, Pal the Dog, Buddy Messinger and the Century Follies Girls. 

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

"Baby Peggy Signs Lesser Contract." This did not mean that she was making less money, but that she had signed with Sol Lesser's Principal Pictures.

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

"Count on Christie Comedies This Year." Christie showed a panoply of comic actors. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

In "Navy Blues," Dorothy Devore's character dressed as a sailor and wound up serving on a ship. Harold Beaudine directed. 

Film Daily, 24-September-1923

"More Laughs Than the Navy Has Beans." Great slogan

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Fox advertised series with Al St John and Clyde Cook, and the Imperial Comedies with chimps. "A new brand of high class fun." I'll bet. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

I first saw Mabel Normand in The Extra Girl on our local PBS station, KQED-9. Mabel said "I am confident it is the type that will greatly appeal to the public." She was right. 

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Mack Sennett with scenes from his current comedies, which starred Ben Turpin, Harry Gribbon and Billy Bevan. 

Motion Picture News, 15-September-1923

"Down to the Sea in Shoes" starred Billy Bevan and a bunch of pretty girls. 

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

This ad for Paramount-Mack Sennett comedies emphasized the pretty girls. 

Motion Picture News, 15-September-1923

Educational released series of short comedies made by many different producers. Cameo Comedies were one-reelers 

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Lloyd Hamilton starred in a series of two-reel comedies. Many are lost. 

Film Daily, 17-September-1923Film Daily, 17-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Lloyd Hamilton appeared in his first feature film, His Darker Self. This was supposed to be a film with Al Jolson, directed by DW Griffith; Jolson got cold feet and left. The surviving two-reeler is full of blackface and racist gags. 

   

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Educational released Mermaid Comedies. Lee Moran played "The Busher," which was an adaption of a story in Ring Lardner's series called "The Busher." The famous "You Know Me Al" stories are part of the Busher series. I don't think Mermaid made any more stories from the series. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Educational released Tuxedo Comedies, which were billed as situation comedies rather than slapstick. 

Film Daily, 10-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Hal Roach with several of his stars, including Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Stan Laurel, Edna Murphy and Mickey Daniels.

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Hal Roach with scenes from his current comedies, including an animal series and Our Gang. 

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Roach planned to release one short a week and two features a year.

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Snib Pollard was one of Hal Roach's most dependable comics. We see him in a scene from "It's a Gift." Snub has invented a magnetic car. A friend had this movie on 8mm, and I loved watching it. I want  a magnetic car.

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

I have never seen a Spat Family movie. The series involved a married couple and a brother-in-law.

   

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

"Our Gang" was Roach's most popular series. 

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923