The Actograph Housecleaning -- July 3, 2024

New York Clipper, 01-February-1908

The Actograph Company had 200,000 feet of second-hand film which they were willing to sell. Actograph appears to have been a film rental exchange. 

Taka-Chance Week -- July 3, 2024

Wichita Eagle, 03-July-1924

I thought it was interesting that Stanley N Chambers, manager of the Miller Theater in Wichita, came up with the concept of Taka-Chance Week. "...every feature of our program will be a surprise..." Titles would not be announced ahead of time.

This was the first announcement, published 100 years ago today, on 03-July-1924. I like the little guy with the flag.

Larry Semon -- His First Feature Length Picture a Drawing Card -- July 2, 2024

Exhibitors Herald, 26-July-1924

Like his contemporary Lloyd Hamilton, Larry Semon was trying to move into feature productions. The Girl in the Limousine was based on a play by Wilson Collison and Avery Hopwood. Larry Semon and Noel Smith directed. First National was going to release the film.

"The password to weeks of big business." That tag-line proved to be over-optimistic.

Exhibitors Herald, 12-July-1924

  

The play The Girl in the Limousine was a bedroom farce. Co-author Wilson Collison also wrote Up in Mabel's Room, another bedroom farce.

Charles Laughton 125 -- July 1, 2024

Actor Charles Laughton was born 125 years ago today, on 01-July-1899. Charles Laughton was always interesting to me. I think the first thing I remember him in was The Hunchback of Notre Dame. When I was young, everybody seemed to remember him playing Captain William Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty.

He directed only one movie, but it was the great Night of the Hunter. I don't know why he did not get another opportunity. 

Charles Laughton left his hand and footprints in the forecourt on July 24, but he didn't include the year. (31/DSC_0052.JPG)

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