Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum -- August 10, 2016

On Sunday, after our ride on the Niles Canyon Railway, we went to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum.  Saturdays are busy for us, so I have never been able to attend one of their film programs.  They have a nice variety of old cameras and projectors, and many posters for Essanay films and others.  There are many items about Broncho Billy Anderson and Charlie Chaplin, who made movies in Niles.  A volunteer was giving an enthusiastic tour, telling about Gilbert Anderson. 

"His Regeneration" starred GM Anderson, but he was not playing Broncho Billy.  Chaplin made a cameo appearance.

"Versus Sledge Hammers" was a comedy short made in Niles which starred Margaret Joslin, Harry Todd, Victor Potel and Ben Turpin.

A label on the projector said it was from a company on Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco.  Golden Gate Avenue was a center of the film industry.  In the 1970s and 1980s I took black and white film to a lab on Golden Gate for developing.

The California Motion Picture Company produced many of its movies in San Rafael.  They starred the beautiful and celebrated prima donna (that's how she was billed), Beatriz Michelena.

A silent movie camera, perhaps a Bell and Howell.

A DeBrie Parvo movie camera

Blackhawk Films must have been having a special one month, because I purchased a Super-8 copy of this Broncho Billy movie. 

Another non-Broncho billy part for GM Anderson. 

This Model T Ford was parked out front. 

Beatriz Michelena Studies Hypnotism -- November 28, 2015

Motion Picture World, 16-October-1915

George Middleton, a San Francisco automobile dealer, married the beautiful and celebrated prima donna (that's how she was billed), musical comedy actress Beatriz Michelena in San Francisco in 1907. She left the stage for a while, then returned in 1910. In 1912, Middleton, son of a famous family in the lumber business, founded the California Motion Picture Company in San Rafael, north of San Francisco. At first he made promotional films for his auto business, but in 1914 he began to produce dramatic features starring his wife. Salomy Jane still survives and is very impressive. Most of the CMPC movies were destroyed in a fire.

Motion Picture World, 30-October-1915

Salvation Nell was a popular play.  "It is not a drama of the religious type, but the Salvation Army is used as the background for a gripping story of life in a big city."  World Film Corporation was releasing CMPC movies.

Motion Picture World, 30-October-1915

"Miss Michelena, in particular, gives an impressive characterization."

Motion Picture World, 06-November-1915

"Most beautiful and versatile artist appearing in motion pictures..."

Motography, 13-November-1915

This article mentions that she plays a child of wealth rather than a poor woman. 

Motion Picture World, 30-November-1915

The Unwritten Law was being produced "on elaborate scale." 

Picturing the Stirring Days of Early California with Historic Fidelity -- May 30, 2015

Motion Picture News, 01-May-1915

George Middleton, a San Francisco automobile dealer, married the beautiful and celebrated prima donna (that's how she was billed), musical comedy actress Beatriz Michelena in San Francisco in 1907. She left the stage for a while, then returned in 1910. In 1912, Middleton, son of a famous family in the lumber business, founded the California Motion Picture Company in San Rafael, north of San Francisco. At first he made promotional films for his auto business, but in 1914 he began to produce dramatic features starring his wife. Salomy Jane still survives and is very impressive. Most of the CMPC movies were destroyed in a fire.

The ad above touts the company's movies, like The Lily of Poverty Flat and Salomy Jane, which were based on stories by Bret Harte.  Harte wrote many stories, poems and novels about Gold Rush era California. 

Moving Picture World, 01-May-1915

Scenes from The Lily of Poverty Flat were shot in Boulder Creek, near Santa Cruz. 

Moving Picture World, 01-May-1915

The review praises the scenery and criticizes the leading lady.  "Miss Michelena always appears attractive on the screen and she might further enhance her natural good looks by a more judicious use of make-up.  In nearly all of the scenes in this picture her lips are far too heavily rouged, a mistake made particularly obvious by close-ups." 

Moving Picture World, 08-May-1915

"Picturing the stirring days of early California with historic fidelity." 

Moving Picture World, 15-May-1915

A Phyllis of the Sierras was CMPC's third movie based on a Bret Harte story or poem.  In Greek mythology, Phyllis was the daughter of a Thracian king.  She married a Greek king who returned to Greece, leaving her behind. 

Motography, 15-May-1915

"Beatriz Michelena, the charming opera star who is now shining just as brightly on the screen as she did behind the footlights, is cast in the title role in this most exacting part of the Sierran tomboy  To interpret the character requires more than emotional ability of an exceptional nature.  It requires a real talent for comedy, something which the admirers of the California screen star have hardly suspected..."

Moving Picture World, 29-May-1915

A Phyllis of the Sierras featured beautiful interiors and exteriors, shot in Boulder Creek, near Santa Cruz. 

Selznick Practicing the "Poverty Flat" -- February 28, 2015

Moving Picture World, 13-February-1915

George Middleton, a San Francisco automobile dealer, married the beautiful and celebrated prima donna (that's how she was billed), musical comedy actress Beatriz Michelena in San Francisco in 1907. She left the stage for a while, then returned in 1910. In 1912, Middleton, son of a famous family in the lumber business, founded the California Motion Picture Company in San Rafael, north of San Francisco. At first he made promotional films for his auto business, but in 1914 he began to produce dramatic features starring his wife. Salomy Jane still survives and is very impressive. Most of the CMPC movies were destroyed in a fire.

 By the time of the ad above, the CMPC had moved its distribution from Alco, which was in financial trouble, to Lewis J Selznick's World Film Corporation. 

Moving Picture World, 06-February-1915

George Middleton was probably able to get some of his society acquaintances to let the company use their homes. 



Motography, 13-February-1915

Michelena was injured during the shooting of Salomy Jane. 

Moving Picture World, 13-February-1915

I think the Motography and Moving Picture World articles were copied from the same press release. 

Moving Picture World, 20-February-1915

I wonder if anyone has a collection of this publication. 

Motography, 27-February-1915

I like the use of original gowns. 

Moving Picture World, 27-February-1915

Lewis J Selznick, father of David O and Myron, was the head of World Film Corporation.  The Cliff House is still there.  I'd like to see the "Poverty Flat Trot." 

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Happy 100th birthday to Zero Mostel, a force of nature.  The Producers.  The Front.  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.  He was blacklisted. 

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Every time I told someone that Louis Jordan had died, that person said "I thought he was dead."  Every time.  He sure was good-looking, and he could act.  He worked for the Resistance during World War II.  I remember Hitchcock telling Truffaut that Jourdan was too good-looking and clean for his part in The Paradine Case, but that is hard to hold against someone.  I didn't like Gigi, but I liked most of the movies I saw him in. 

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I know many people who are more serious Trekkies than I will have a bad time dealing with the death of Leonard Nimoy.  I admired his acting, his directing and his frequent comments on society.  He was an NCO in the army.  I think the first movie serial I saw was Zombies of the Stratosphere.  A San Francisco television station, I think KPIX Channel 5, had a Saturday night locally produced magazine show to ran the Republic serial because of Star Trek.  Leonard Nimoy had a small part.  I had to watch every episode.  I wanted to be the Rocket Man or whatever he was called in that movie.  I remember his seasons in Mission: Impossible.  I liked it when he appeared on Fringe. 

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Greatest and Most Beatuful Artist Now Appearing In Motion Pictures -- January 27, 2015

Moving Picture World, 02-January-1915

George Middleton, a San Francisco automobile dealer, married the beautiful and celebrated prima donna (that's how she was billed), musical comedy actress Beatriz Michelena in San Francisco in 1907. She left the stage for a while, then returned in 1910. In 1912, Middleton, son of a famous family in the lumber business, founded the California Motion Picture Company in San Rafael, north of San Francisco. At first he made promotional films for his auto business, but in 1914 he began to produce dramatic features starring his wife. Salomy Jane still survives and is very impressive. Most of the CMPC movies were destroyed in a fire.
By the time of the ad above, the CMPC had moved its distribution from Alco, which was in financial trouble, to Lewis J Selznick's World Film Corporation.  This ad touts Michelena's portrayals of Salomy Jane, Mignon and Lovey Mary in Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. 

Moving Picture World, 02-January-1915

Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch was based on a popular novel by Alice Hegan Rice.  It has been filmed at least four times.  WC Fields appeared in the 1934 Paramount production. 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

Lewis J Selznick's World Film Corporation handled an ambitious number of movies.  This ad has the CMPC productions of Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch and Mignon, along with a feature starring Clara Kimball Young, "The Most Popular Star in Pictures." 

Moving Picture World 04-July-1914

The World Film logo featured an elephant. 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

Here is a closer view of the Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch section of the ad. "A complete circus was used in one of the scenes of this great production."

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

And here is a closer view of the Mignon section.  Mignon was a popular opera by Ambroise Thomas.  Here the diva poses with a rabbit. 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

"The role of Lovey Mary is taken by Beatriz Michelena, the beautiful California opera star...The beauty and intelligence of Beatriz Michelena in the role of Lovey Mary make her very acceptable."

Moving Picture World, 16-January-1915

Moving Picture World, 16-January-1915

This week's World Film Corporation ad still had the Clara Kimball Young film and Mignon, and adds a movie starring Lillian Russell, who had been a famous actress 20 years before. 

Moving Picture World, 16-January-1915

This week's Mignon section does not have Michelena or the rabbit. 

Moving Picture World, 23-January-1915

"The Most Artistic Work Ever Seen on the Screen." 

Moving Picture World, 23-January-1915

Here is a detailed view of Michelena and the rabbit.  I like the CMPC logo with the California Grizzly. 

Moving Picture World, 23-January-1915

This week's World Film Corporation ad still had Mignon and the Lillian Russell movie, along with Money, a United Keanograph production.  I like the name United Keanograph. 

Moving Picture World, 23-January-1915

This week's Mignon section has Michelena and the rabbit, but the rabbit does not look well. 

Moving Picture World, 23-January-1915

"The beautiful leading woman intelligently blocks out the part rather than distills its essence for us."

Moving Picture World, 30-January-1915

Moving Picture World, 30-January-1915

\"America's most beautiful prima donna in a film dramatization of a world famous grand opera."  It must be nice when one's spouse owns the production company.