Showing posts with label William Randolph Hearst. Show all posts
Showing posts with label William Randolph Hearst. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Stars Break Up Hearst Yacht Party When Death Strikes Ince -- November 19, 2024

New York Daily News, 20-November-1924

One hundred years ago today, on 19-November-1924 producer Thomas H Ince died under what some see as questionable circumstances. William Randolph Hearst and his inamorata Marion Davies invented several Hollywood acquaintances to a party on Hearst's yacht, Oneida. On 15-November-1924, the group held a birthday party for producer, director and writer Thomas H Ince. Ince took sick that evening. He may have indigestion, a heart problem or some sources insist that he had been shot. Some people believe that William Randolph Hearst was jealous of Charlie Chaplin's attentions to Marion Davies and that Hearst tried to shoot him but mistook Ince for Chaplin. Ince's family took him to their home in Los Angeles, where he died on the Nineteenth. 


STARS BREAK UP HEARST YACHT
PARTY WHEN DEATH STRIKES INCE
Director Dies in Arms of
Wife; Children Near

(Special to DAILY NEWS)

Los Angeles, Cal., Nov. 9. -- Thomas H, Ince, maker of celebrated films and film celebrities, died early this morning at his Beverly Hill home, of a heart seizure. The producer's death was sudden and came from a heart affection following an attack of indigestion which began at a yacht party aboard the Oneida, off San Diego, last Sunday.

Personages who made merry with Ince on Sunday when the yacht party was turned into a celebration for Ince's forty-third birthday anniversary, dispersed yesterday and tonight none could be reached, although a partial list of the guests assembled from other quarters contained the following names:

Marion Davies, William Randolph Hearst, Elinor Glyn, Charlie Chaplin, Seena Owen, D.C. Goodman, Margaret Livingstone.

Miss Davies Hostess

It is understood Miss Davies issued the invitations for the party.

Ince died in the arms of his wife and surrounded by their children, William, 14; Thomas H. jr., 11 and Richard, 8. at his estate, Dias Dorados, in Beverly Hills.

The film magnate decided to quit the Oneida when he found that Dr. D.C. Goodman, the executive head of Hearst's film enterprises and formerly a practicing physician, was returning by train to Los Angeles by San Diego by train on Monday morning.

Became Nauseated

Shortly after taking the train at San Diego Ince became violently ill. He was extremely nauseated, and Dr. Goodman decided when the train stopped at Del Mar, 25 miles on the road toward Los Angeles, that his friend's condition was critical.

He gave the film magnate temporary attention until Dr. Parker of La Jolla, Cal., and a nurse summoned from San Diego arrived at Stratford inn, in Del Mar, to attend the sick man. Both doctors agreed Ince was suffering from acute indigestion, which often precedes heart seizure.

Mrs. Ince was notified by wire at Beverly Hills and another wire sent to the yacht party at San Diego, which broke up after news of Ince's condition.

The Oneida is said to be listed in marine records under the name of International Film Corporation.

It has been regarded however, as the personal yacht of Miss Davies, used by her on week-ends and periods between the making of pictures.

The yacht, when in New York waters, was known as the property of Mr. Hearst. It came to coast waters from New York within the past several months.

Monday, August 26, 2024

Marion Davies -- In the Days of 1776 -- August 26, 2024

Exhibitors Herald, 16-August-1924

Marion Davies appeared in a string of successful movies.

Exhibitors Herald, 02-August-1924

Janice Meredith was an epic tale of the American Revolutionary War. Here we see the Battle of Trenton and Janice Meredith meeting George Washington, who was played by Joseph Kilgour.

Picture Play, August, 1924

Here we see Washington crossing the Deleware, the Battle of Trenton and Marian with her co-star Harrison Ford. This is not the contemporary Harrison Ford.

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

New York's Cosmopolitan Theater was specially decorated for the premiere of Janice Meredith.

Exhibitors Herald, 09-August-1924

San Francisco Bulletin, 30-August-1924

Note Gino Severi's eyebrows. 

Exhibitors Herald, 23-August-1924

"It's hundred proof!"



Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Marion Davies in a Charming Scene -- July 23, 2024

Exhibitors Herald, 05-July-1924

Marion Davies starred in Janice Meredith, an epic film about the American Revolution. E Mason Hopper (great name) directed.

Exhibitors Herald, 12-July-1924

Composer Deems Taylor later appeared as the narrator in Disney's Fantasia.

Exhibitors Herald, 12-July-1924

People get Harrison Ford, Marion Davies' co-star in Janice Meredith, with the more recent Harrison Ford.

Exhibitors Herald, 05-July-1924

New York Daily News, 30-July-1924

"It's American to the Core."

Exhibitors Herald, 05-July-1924

Italian-American artist Edmund (Edmondo) Pizzella was a popular painter. I wonder if the painting still exists.

Exhibitors Herald, 12-July-1924

That is a silly hat.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

A Spectacular Moment from Yolanda -- May 28, 2024

Exhibitors Herald, 03-May-1924

Yolanda was another epic starring Marion Davies. 

Shreveport Times, 04-May-1924

William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Productions signed Fields to play a supporting role as a Red Coat Sergeant in Janice Meredith, a movie about America's Revolutionary War, which starred Hearst's inamorata, Marion Davies. Despite the statement that "This marks Mr. Fields' debut on the screen," Fields' film career had been paused since he made two short comedies in 1915. Janice Meredith was Fields' first feature film.

Thursday, May 16, 2024

WC Fields -- Banana Oil -- May 16, 2024

Tacoma News Tribune, 09-May-1924

In the 1920s, "banana oil" was a synonym for "BS," "baloney" or "horse feathers." Here we see WC Fields made up as Professor Eustace McGargle in the Broadway musical Poppy. Fields was a widely proclaimed dispenser of banana oil.

Tacoma News Tribune, 09-May-1924

The item at the top is part of a full page ad announcing that Milt Gross' comic Banana Oil was going to start appearing daily in the Tacoma News Tribune. The ad includes endorsements from many popular entertainers. 

New York Daily News, 26-May-1924

Poppy was in its tenth month at the Apollo Theater. It would soon suspend operations for the summer. 

Mr. Battling Buttler was another popular musical. It starred Charlie Ruggles. In 1926, Buster Keaton starred in a silent adaption entitled "Battling Butler." Note that the musical spelled the name "Buttler" and the movie spelled it "Butler."

Shreveport Times, 04-May-1924

William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Productions signed Fields to play a supporting role as a Rec Coat Sergeant in Janice Meredith, a movie about America's Revolutionary War, which starred Hearst's inamorata, Marion Davies. Despite the statement that "This marks Mr. Fields' debut on the screen," Fields' film career had been paused since he made two short comedies in 1915. Janice Meredith was Fields' first feature film.

Monday, May 8, 2023

Marion Davies -- Supported by the Most Impressive Cast Ever Assembled -- May 8, 2023

Washington Times, 23-April-1923

In 1922, William Randolph Hearst was looking for a suitably ostentatious project for his inamorata, Marion Davies. His production company, Cosmopolitan, hit upon the novel When Knighthood Was in Flower. Director Robert Vignola used a virtually unlimited budget to create a huge movie. "Cosmopolitan's mammoth spectacle drama."

Annapolis Evening Capital, 20-April-1923

"Special Augmented Orchestra." "This magnificent production represents the Supreme Achievements of the Motion Picture Art."

Washington Star, 20-April-1923

"Supported by the Most Impressive Cast Ever Assembled..." 

Friday, April 7, 2023

Marion Davies -- The Most Amazingly Beautiful Picture Ever Screened -- April 7, 2023

Brownsville Herald, 01-April-1923

When Knighthood Was in Flower was an 1898 novel written by Edwin Caskoden. His real name was Charles Major. The story was inspired by the life of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII's sister. The book sold well. In 1901, Paul Kester adapted the story into a play which was also successful.

In 1922, William Randolph Hearst was looking for a suitably ostentatious project for his inamorata, Marion Davies. His production company, Cosmopolitan, hit upon When Knighthood Was in Flower. Director Robert Vignola used a virtually unlimited budget to create a huge movie.

I have come across many quite elaborate ads for the movie.

Gardneville Record-Courier, 13-April-1923

The small drawing showed up in many ads. This ad has a nice image of Marion. 

Dawson Georgia News, 17-April-1923

Brownsville Herald, 14-April-1923

Her next movie, The Young Diana, is thought to be lost. Robert Vignola directed.

Moscow, Idaho Daily Star-Mirror, 12-April-1923

I like this ad for Adam and Eva, except that it looks as if something is coming out of Marion's nostril. Robert Vignola also directed this one; he must have been a busy guy.

Motion Picture News, 07-April-1923

We saw recently that a fire in Cosmopolitan's New York studio interrupted the shooting of Little Old New York. The film was finished just about on time. The director was Sidney Olcott.

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Marion Davies -- She is the Flapper Daughter Who Tries to Give the Efficiency Expert Lessons in Flapperism -- March 5, 2023

Seattle Star, 17-March-1923

Adam and Eva sounds like a fun movie, but only one reel is known to survive. I was surprised to see T Roy Barnes ("Do you know a man by the name of LaFong? Carl LaFong? Capital L, small a, Capital F, small o, small n, small g. LaFong. Carl LaFong.") listed above Marion Davies. 


Motion Picture News, 03-March-1923

The Cosmopolitan Studio, owned by William Randolph Hearst, was hit by a fire when Little Old New York, starring Marion Davies was about 60 per cent completed. The negatives of that film and two others were not damaged. 
 
Motion Picture News, 03-March-1923

We saw last month that Marion Davies appeared on Western Electric's New York radio station WEAF to talk about applying makeup. It appears to have been a success.

Motion Picture News, 10-March-1923

William Randolph Hearst, Marion's long-term partner, purchased a theater in Manhattan. The first movie shown was to be Little Old New York, starring Marion Davies. I wonder if this influenced Charles Foster Kane building an opera house for Susan Alexander.

Motion Picture News, 31-March-1923

Despite the fire, Little Old New York was finished nearly on schedule.

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Marion Davies -- The Most Amazingly Beautiful Picture Ever Screened -- January 5, 2023

Moscow, Idaho Daily Star-Mirror, 10-January-1923

When Knighthood Was in Flower was an 1898 novel written by Edwin Caskoden. His real name was Charles Major. The story was inspired by the life of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII's sister. The book sold well. In 1901, Paul Kester adapted the story into a play which was also successful.

In 1922, William Randolph Hearst was looking for a suitably ostentatious project for his inamorata, Marion Davies. His production company, Cosmopolitan, hit upon When Knighthood Was in Flower. Director Robert Vignola used a virtually unlimited budget to create a huge movie. This full-page ad must have cost lots of money.

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Marion Davies -- It Will Appeal Tremendously to Every Member of the Fair Sex -- September 7, 2022



Moving Picture World, 02-September-1922

Beautiful and talented actresses Marion Davies was the inamorata of media tsar William Randolph Hearst. He directed and sometimes misdirected her career, and paid for plenty of expensive advertisements, like this elaborate set for The Young Diana. The movie is believed to be lost. I hate typing those words.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Marion Davies -- The Young Diana -- August 4, 2022



Moving Picture World, 19-August-1922

Beautiful and talented actresses Marion Davies was the inamorata of media tsar William Randolph Hearst. He directed and sometimes misdirected her career, and paid for plenty of expensive advertisements, like these elaborate sets for The Young Diana. The movie is believed to be lost. I hate typing those words.



Moving Picture World, 26-August-1922

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Marion Davies, Cosmopolitan Star, Whose Admirers Number Millions -- May 31, 2022



Moving Picture World, 06-May-1922

Beautiful and talented actresses Marion Davies was the inamorata of media tsar William Randolph Hearst. He directed and sometimes misdirected her career, and paid for plenty of expensive advertisements, like this elaborate set for Beauty's Worth.

Moving Picture World, 20-May-1922

The Young Diana featured a story about reversing age. 

Moving Picture World, 27-May-1922