Friday, January 3, 2025

The Motiograph No. 1 Model 1908 -- January 3, 2024

New York Clipper, 01-February-1908

Motiograph manufactured film equipment. The company was founded by Alvah Roebuck. 

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Larry Semon -- Wedding Bells -- January 2, 2024

New Britain Herald, 27-January-1925

Comedian Larry Semon married his leading lady, Dorothy Dwan in New York City on 23-January-1925. I don't see where "Larry had his nose bobbed."

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Eleven Years -- January 1, 2025

lucywho.com

Eleven years ago today, on 01-Jan-2014, I launched this blog, splitting it from my other blog.

2024 was another interesting year. 

In 2024, I participated in one blogathon:

Photoplay, March, 1924

The Tenth Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon:

Buster Keaton -- Three Ages -- What the Well-Dressed Man of the Ages Should Wear: 


San Francisco Chronicle, 26-January-1924

In January, Russia continued to make illegal war against Ukraine.

I made a long post about Mabel Normand, whom I have been neglecting. 

I belatedly wrote about the 100th anniversary of the opening of San Francisco's Alexandria Theater in my old neighborhood, the Richmond District. I wrote about the 100th anniversary of Larry Semon appearing in person at San Francisco's California Theater, and the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Columbia Pictures. I noted the 100th anniversary of William S Hart's return to movies after a personal scandal, and the beginning of Harry Langdon's film career.   

I noted the 125th anniversary of the birth of actress Phyllis Haver. Actresses Katy Jurado and Dorothy Malone would have turned 100. Caroline Munro celebrated her 75th birthday. Comedian John Belushi and musician Robert Palmer would have been 75. 

Actress Glynis Johns died not long after celebrating her 100th birthday. Director Norman Jewison and CBS reporter Charles Osgood died. 

I noted the 50th anniversary of the death of singing cowboy Tex Ritter. 

Washington Times, 03-February-1924

In February, Alexei Navalny, opponent of Vladamir Putin, mysteriously died in prison. Everyone in the world believes that Putin murdered Navalny.

I noted the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon. 

I wrote about the 100th anniversary of the death of Woodrow Wilson. 

Actor Ramon Novarro and actress Gale Sondergaard would have celebrated their 125th birthdays. Actor Lee Marvin would have turned 100. 

Actress Brooke Adams turned 75. 

Musician Wayne Kramer, actors, singers and dancers Chita Rivera and Hinton Battle, and actors Don Murray and Carl Weathers died. 

Film Daily, 28-March-1924

In March, I started a series about the mysterious WAGL. 

I noted the divorce of William S Hart from Paramount. 

I wrote about the 125th birthday of actor Jay C Flippen. I noted what would have been the 100th birthday of actress and singer Helen Parrish. 

At the end of March, Louis Gosset, Jr and Barbara Rush died. 

Film Daily, 11-April-1924

In April, I continued the series about the mysterious WAGL. I posted an item every day.

I binge-watched Manhunt, a limited series about Lincoln's assassination and the hunt for his cowardly killer. 

I wrote about Larry Semon planning to make his first feature-length comedy. I mentioned the continuing break up between William S Hart and Paramount. I noted WC Fields' plan to resume his film career. I wrote about the 100th anniversary of the merger that created M-G-M. 

Film Daily, 16-April-1924

I wrote about the first appearances of ads for the Disney Brothers' Alice comedies. I did daily posts about WAGL (It's not a broadcasting station).

I posted an item about Abel Gance's plan to make Napoleon.

I noted what would have been the 100th birthdays of Marlon Brando, Henry Mancini and Stanley Donan.

Exhibitors Herald, 10-May-1924

In May I wrote about what would have been the 125th birthday of Fred Astaire. I noted the 75th birthday of Pam Grier.

Roger Corman died.

Photoplay, June, 1924

In June, I wrote about the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dennis Weaver.

I wrote about the 100th anniversary of the death of Franz Kafka. I noted the deaths of Janis Paige and Donald Sutherland.

Wichita Eagle, 03-July-1924

In July, I did a series about Tak-a-Chance Week.

I wrote about the 100th birthday of Eva Marie Saint. 

Bob Newhart, Shelley Duvall and Martin Mull all died.

Film Daily Yearbook, 1963

To celebrate what would have been Alfred Hitchcock's 125th birthday in August, I reran a set of posts from a 2012 blogathon on my other blog.

In August, I noted what would have been the 125th birthdays of Colleen Moore and Charles Boyer. I wrote about Madeline Smith and Shelley Long's 75th birthdays. 

I noted the 100th anniversary of the death of Joseph Conrad. Gena Rowlands and Alain Delon died.

listal.com

In September and October, I took an unscheduled break.

In September I wrote about what would have been Lauren Bacall's 100th birthday. I also wrote about what would have been Richard Arlen and Neil Hamilton's 125th birthdays. Jane Greer and Sylvia Miles were born on the same day 100 years ago.

James Earl Jones died.

coverbrowser.com

In October I made a bunch of posts leading up to Halloween. Teri Garr died.

Great Falls Tribune, 01-November-1924

In November, I wrote about the 100th anniversary of Larry Semon getting engaged, and about Charlie Chaplin marrying his second wife, Lita Grey, who was underage and pregnant.

I noted what would have been the 125th birthdays of Jobyna Ralston and Hoagy Carmichael. 

Jim Abrahams died.

Photoplay, December, 1924

In December I did many posts leading up to Christmas and New Year's.