Special Colored Feature -- August 20, 2022

Vicksburg Evening Post, 15-August-1922

Oscar Micheaux was a pioneer in producing what were known as race films. 100 years ago this month, his film The Dungeon was showing at the Princess Theater in Vicksburg, Mississippi. "A grim, gripping drama of the underworld in seven reels." The film is probably lost. 

I did not find many references to race films in August 1922. Perhaps this is because many theaters closed during the hot season.

Washington Times, 03-August-1922

Someone was trying to sell a "Large Colored Theater" in Washington, DC.

Chicago Whip, 26-August-1922

The musical revue A Mississippi Sunset was playing at the Sunset Cafe in Chicago. "Entire Production Staged Under the Personal Supervision of Clarence E. Muse of New York." Muse wrote the music, co-wrote the book and performed. During the sound era, he appeared in many movies, both race films and mainstream films. 

San Francisco UHF station KEMO had a program called The Worst of Hollywood, hosted by  Bob Deckelman. One Friday night he interviewed Clarence Muse. I wish I could remember more about the interview. 

Motion Picture News, 05-August-1922

Meanwhile, back in the mainstream, Lewis J Selznick, father of David O, announced that his organization had signed an African-American comedian, Douglas Carter. The IMDB says Carter appeared in only five movies, the last released in 1924.

Motion Picture News, 05-August-1922

And in the benighted state of Georgia, the Imperial Kluk of the Ku Klux Klan and a bunch of his minions went to see a movie in which some characters wear Klan-like robes. 

Tulsa Tribune, 13-August-1922

The Tulsa Tribune ran a whole page of ads for companies that wanted to tie their businesses to night riders.

Omaha Guide, 09-August-1947

I jumped ahead to look at August 1947, seventy-five years ago, and found that the Brumbaugh of Omaha bookstore sold Micheaux's novels. Black Boy must have been Richard Wright's memoir. Color Blind may have been Margaret Halsey's book about racism in Georgia. Kingsblood Royal was a novel by Sinclair Lewis. The main character learned he was of African ancestry. 

Modjeska Theater, Milwaukee -- January 18, 2022

Moving Picture World, 07-January-1922

Milwaukee's Modjeska Theater is adorned with large posters specially painted for this showing of After Midnight, a Selznick production. 

Chicasha Daily Express, 30-January-1922

 

Memories and Impressions of Helena Modjeska, An Autobiography
By Helena Modjeska -- 1910

The theater was named after Helena Modjeska, a Polish-born actress who had great success in the United States and Great Britain. She was Ethel Barrymore's godmother. 

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. 

The Best Specimen of Virile Characterization Ever Put on a Screen -- December 21, 2014

Motography, 07-November-1914

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.

Motography, 14-November-1914

Their first feature was an adaption of Salomy Jane by Bret Harte.  "There is not a dull moment in its entire six reels."  I agree. 

Motography, 28-November-1914

Salomy Jane did well at the Portola Theater in San Francisco.  "Strictly High Class." 

Motography, 28-November-1914

ALCO did a bad job of distributing the films of the CMPC.  I believe ALCO went bankrupt soon after. 

Moving Picture World, 26-December-1914

This ad announces that the next CMPC production, an adaption of Alice Hegan Rice's Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch would be release in January by Lewis J Selznick's World Film Corporation.