"America" Will Open in N.Y. Feb. 21 -- January 9, 2024

Motion Picture News, 19-January-1924

DW Griffith's epic of the American Revolutionary War, America, was scheduled to open in New York City on 21-February-1924. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) were strong supporters of the movie. 

Film Daily, 28-January-1924

Some of us will remember that in 1923, Al Jolson signed a contract to star in a movie produced by DW Griffith. Jolson got cold feet and broke the contract. Albert L Grey was DW Griffith's brother, who worked on many of his films.

Comic Lloyd Hamilton replaced Jolson in the movie that was made, "His Darker Self." I love Lloyd Hamilton, but the movie is revolting. I will write more about it in the coming months.

DW Griffith -- A Big Revolutionary Film With a Big Idea Behing It -- September 8, 2023

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

I have never seen The White Rose, which was shot on locations in the south. Mae Marsh had worked with Griffith since the Biograph. Ivor Novello was born in Wales. He was a playwright, a composer and singer. Someone called him "a minor league Noel Coward." Carol Dempster, Griffith's protégé, also played a leading role.

Film Daily, 07-September-1923

"The White Rose is a Griffith masterpiece."

.

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

The White Rose was a hit at San Francisco's Strand Theater. By the time I went to the Strand, it was showing quadruple features and was a popular place for homeless people to sleep.

Film Daily, 14-September-1923

Theater owner Sid Grauman liked it, too. 

Omaha Bee, 16-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) encouraged Griffith to make America, and epic about the Revolutionary War.

Film Daily, 10-September-1923

100th Anniversary of the National Park Service -- September 19, 2016

www.listal.com

Today I went to Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and talked to Junior High kids about the topic of the current DAR essay contest, inspired by the Centennial of the National Park Service, taking a trip with their family to a national park.  I talked about the history of national parks and the National Park Service.  I talked about ways to make a more interesting essay that would catch the attention of readers.  I had extra time with the 6th graders, so I talked about making the trip from what is now Pacifica to Yosemite in 1916.  They were amazed that it would take a train, a streetcar, a ferryboat, a train, probably an overnight stay in Merced, another train and a bus.  

The image is from Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest.  

The Land of Hope -- September 19, 2014

Exhibitors' Herald, 28-May-1921

Today I am speaking to the Junior High kids at Good Shepherd School, Pacifica about the subject of the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest, "A Child's Journey Through Ellis Island."

Alice Brady was the daughter of theatrical impresario (great word) William A Brady.  She was a popular actress in silent and sound films.  She played Carole Lombard's mother in My Man Godfrey.  In the lost film The Land of Hope, she played a Russian immigrant who arrived at Ellis Island.