The Face at Your Window -- September 20, 2021

Lakeland Evening Telegram, 22-September-1921

I was concerned when I came across ads for this movie. Was this another movie like Birth of a Nation where the Ku Klux Klan are the good guys? 

Moving Picture World, 24-September-1921

I was more concerned when I saw that the Klan staged a march to endorse the movie, which was showing at a theater in Atlanta.  

I dug around through some reviews and found that the movie was about labor and anti-immigrant issues. The recently organized American Legion comes in to cool down a strike, but the costume is troubling. 

Meanwhile, the Klan was going through a big revival, which encouraged and was encouraged by rerelease of DW Griffith's Birth of a Nation. This ad was for a showing at the Convention Hall in Tulsa, which ironically was a place where African American residents were herded while their neighborhood was being destroyed during the Tulsa Race Massacre a few months earlier:

http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2021/06/tulsa-race-massacre-100-day-2-june-1.html

Wallace Reid 125 -- April 15, 2016

Cine-Mundial, May, 1921

Happy 125th birthday to actor Wallace Reid who was born on 15-April-1891.  He died tragically young on 18-January-1923. 

Everything I have read about him says what a nice guy he was, and I don't think it was just people who were trying not to speak ill of the dead. 

He worked for DW Griffith, having important parts in Birth of a Nation and Intolerance.  He starred in many comedies, including several that involved auto racing. 

He was injured in a train wreck and became addicted to morphine.  This led to his early death. 

I have enjoyed all of his movies that I have seen. 

Motography, 23-October-1915

Photoplay, January, 1921

The Great American Play at Last! -- February 25, 2015

New York Evening World, 20-February-1915

I have spent most of the month of February trying to work myself up to write about the premiere of DW Griffith's epic The Birth of a Nation.  I read about the movie for years before I saw it.  I saw it in 16mm somewhere while I was in high school.  Later I saw it at the Avenue Theater in San Francisco, where they played silent movies every Friday night, accompanied by Bob Vaughn on the Mighty Wurlitzer.  I remember that they chose not to put the name of the movie on the marquee.  I remember the audience getting very excited during the battle scenes and the ride of the Klan.  I got excited, too, which made me uncomfortable.  The distortions of history also made me uncomfortable. 

Professor John Fell showed the movie, without music, in a film class at San Francisco State.  The audience got agitated during some of the Reconstruction scenes and hissed during some of the bad stuff.  I didn't hiss, but I understood their feelings. 

This is one silent movie I chose not to show my daughter when she was growing up. 

The ad above promotes the New York premiere.  "Romance and Comedy Midst Historic Scenes."  The Romance and Comedy are not what stick in my mind. 

East Oregonian, 22-February-1915

This gossip column item mentions that BOAN will be the "first $2 moving picture." 

Washington Evening Star, 18-February-1915

This story talks about the famous White House showing for President Woodrow Wilson.  It reminds us that Thomas Dixon, the author of the two books upon which the movie is based, was "an intimate friend" of Wilson's. 

New York Evening World, 27-February-1915

The circle logo appears many times in ads for the movie.  I think this is the earliest example I have seen.  "The Expression of Genius in a New Realm of Art."  "Rich in Historical Value." 

Motography, 06-February-1915

"How the Clansman Was Made" was written before Griffith changed the name of the movie.  Don't believe all the stories. 

Motography, 13-February-1915

Griffith formed the Epoch Company to handle the roadshow release of the movie. 

Moving Picture World, 20-February-1915

The movie, now called The Birth of a Nation, had its exclusive New York first run at the Liberty Theater on 42nd Street near Broadway. 

Motography, 20-February-1915

"After arrangements had been made with Thomas Dixon to utilize his well known story, the author suggested the change in name so that the scope and tremendous appeal of the enlarged story could be more comprehensively covered in the title." 

Moving Picture World, 20-February-1915

An attempt was made to block showing of the movie in Los Angeles. 

Motography, 20-February-1915

"soon to begin work on a production that is to be even greater than 'The Clansman.'"  That would be Intolerance. 

Majestic and Komic Guide for Exhibitors -- December 20, 2014

Moving Picture World, 05-December-1914

After leaving the Biograph, DW Griffith formed Reliance-Majestic with Harry Aiken. Griffith brought along most of his Biograph stock company, including Mae Marsh, Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish and Miriam Cooper.  I read Miriam Cooper's autobiography, Dark Lady of the Silents; My Life in Early Hollywood. 

Moving Picture World, 19-December-1914

Mary Alden played Austin Stoneman's mulatto mistress in Birth of a Nation. 

Moving Picture World, 26-December-1914

I don't like that photo of Dorothy Gish. 

The Clansman Completed -- November 29, 2014

Motography, 21-November-1914

100 years ago this month, DW Griffith completed The Clansman, which later became known as Birth of a Nation.  This movie is still controversial. 

The Famous Gish Sisters -- November 10, 2014

Moving Picture World, 07-November-1914

After leaving the Biograph, DW Griffith formed Reliance-Majestic with Harry Aiken. Griffith brought along most of his Biograph stock company, including Lillian Gish, "the most beautiful actress in America."

Moving Picture World, 07-November-1914

Lillian Gish "has been absent from Majestic features for two months, having been engaged during that itme in playing a leading part in Mr. Griffith's special production of The Clansman.  She will now appear regularly in Majestic releases." 

Moving Picture World, 14-November-1914

I have mentioned before that I really like this photo of Blanche Sweet. 

Moving Picture World, 14-November-1914

The only member of the "Famous Authors Whose Stories are Filmed By The Majestic Motion Picture Co." may be O Henry. 

Moving Picture World, 28-November-1914

"The Famous Gish Sisters -- Lillian and Dorothy -- Appearing together for the first time in a Majestic release."  Appropriately, it was called "The Sisters." 

A Drama with a Sociological Purpose -- October 11, 2014

Moving Picture World, 03-October-1914

After leaving the Biograph, DW Griffith formed Reliance-Majestic with Harry Aiken.  Griffith brought along most of his Biograph stock company, including Blanche Sweet.  I like this photo, which looks remarkably current. 

Moving Picture World, 10-October-1914

Mae Marsh was another Griffith actress.  She looked like a little girl, but she could act.  Note that Griffith specials are listed at the bottom, including The Avenging Conscience, The Escape, Home Sweet Home and The Battle of the Sexes.  "Coming -- THE CLANSMAN -- America's Biggest Film."  This became The Birth of a Nation. 



Moving Picture World, 31-October-1914

"Paid With Interest" was a two-reeler.  This ad offers large photos of the stock company, and lists the company's Komic comedy productions.