Richard Arlen 125 -- September 1, 2024

 

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Richard Arlen was born 125 years ago today, on 01-September-1899. An American, he volunteered to serve in the Royal Flying Corps during World War One.

Motion Picture Magazine, November, 1928

His most famous film was probably William Wellman's World War One epic, Wings. Arlen and Buddy Rogers starred with Clara Bow and Buddy Rogers.

I was able to introduce several people to silent movies in a great environment by taking them to the Friday night shows at San Francisco's Avenue Theater.  Several friends saw silent movies accompanied on the Mighty Wurlitzer by Bob Vaughn. Wings made a big hit with my high school friends.

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Island of Lost Souls is a fun movie. The "Panther Woman" was Kathleen Burke, who had won a contest to get the part. Charles Laughton bit off huge chunks of scenery.

During World War Two, Arlen was a US Army Air Force flight instructor.

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He was married to Jobyna Ralston from 1927 to 1945. 

Frisco Jenny -- April 18, 2024

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Today is the 118th anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire in San Francisco. Wild Bill Wellman directed Ruth Chatterton in Frisco Jenny, a strong pre-code movie. The Earthquake and Fire kills Jenny's father and fiancee, and she gives birth soon after. She becomes involved in prostitution and has to give up her son. Her son grows up to be a lawyer and then district attorney. He doesn't know he is prosecuting his mother for murder and before she is hanged, she begs her old friend never to tell him.

Buck Jones -- The Sheik of the Cow Country -- April 10, 2024

Photoplay, April, 1924

The Fox Film Corporation needed a western star to back up Tom Mix. Buck Jones made a long series of movies for Fox. I imagine they tried to change his name to Charles to allow him to move into other movie genres. This item is the first sign I have seen that Fox was giving up on the name change. I find his smile in this photo a little disconcerting. 

Motion Picture News, 05-April-1924

The Vagabond Trail, co-starring Marian Nixon, was directed by Wild Bill Wellman. 

Motion Picture News, 19-April-1924

Buck's next film, The Circus Cowboy, gave him the chance to invite children to serve as extras in the audience. "Several thousand of the youngsters are said to have responded."

Motion Picture News, 05-April-1924

As with The Vagabond Trail, The Circus Cowboy co-starred Marian Nixon, and was directed by Wild Bill Wellman.

Motion Picture News, 19-April-1924

Speaking of circuses, this item claims that Buck was a "featured rider in the Wild West Show of the Ringling Brothers' Circus -- back in 1915." He and his wife were in a wild west show in 1915, but I don't know if it was part of the Ringling Brothers' Circus.

Buck Jones -- The Circus Cowboy -- March 15, 2024

Motion Picture News, 29-March-1924

The Fox Film Corporation needed a western star to back up Tom Mix. Buck Jones made a long series of movies for Fox. I imagine they tried to change his name to Charles to allow him to move into other movie genres. Wild Bill Wellman directed The Vagabond Trail. 

Motion Picture News, 29-March-1924

Wellman also directed The Circus Cowboy. Fox had been trying to change Buck's name to Charles. 

Notice that the leading lady was Marian Nixon, who went on to have a successful career in non-Westerns. 13 "Baby Stars" were chosen each year by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers as young actresses who showed promise. 

Vagabond Trail Next for Buck Jones -- February 21, 2024

Motion Picture News, 09-February-1924

The Fox Film Corporation needed a western star to back up Tom Mix. Buck Jones made a long series of movies for Fox. I imagine they tried to change his name to Charles to allow him to move into other movie genres. Marian Nixon co-starred in Vagabond Trail and Wild Bill Wellman directed. 

Charles Jones in His Latest Picture -- December 10, 2023

Casper Daily Tribune, 28-December-1923

The Fox Film Corporation needed a western star to back up Tom Mix. Buck Jones made a long series of movies for Fox. I imagine they tried to change his name to Charles to allow him to move into other movie genres. 

 Wild Bill Wellman directed Cupid's Fireman.

The extra added attraction at Casper's America Theater, "Brownlee's Hickville Follies" must have been a hillbilly music show. Roy Brownlee led the Hickville Seven Jazz Band. 

Hell's Hole, showing at the Iris Theater, was another Buck Jones film, directed by Emmett J Flynn.  

Buck Jones -- Cupid's Fireman -- November 10, 2023

Motion Picture News, 03-November-1922

Fox was still trying to change his billing from "Buck" to "Charles."

Motion Picture News, 03-November-1922

Cupid's Fireman is an interesting title. 

Buck's leading lady in both movies was Marian Nixon. Wild Bill Wellman directed both.

Buck Jones -- When the Flame Goes Out We Are Doomed! -- September 12, 2023

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

I love this poster for Hell's Hole, which shows Lefty Flynn, Ruth Clifford and Buck in various states of distress. Emmett J Flynn directed. Fox was still billing Buck as Charles. 

Motion Picture News, 22-September-1923

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

"Eleven hours of thrills in an hour and a half of entertainment." Bernard J Durning directed The Eleventh Hour.

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

Wild Bill Wellman directed Big Dan. 

Film Daily, 14-September-1923

This item said that Fox might not renew Buck's contract, but I think they did. 

Buck Jones -- All Sure-Fire Box Office Attractions -- August 14, 2023

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923

Fox was still trying to change Buck Jones' name to Charles. This a nice photo of him.

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923

William Wellman directed Buck Jones and Ruth Dwyer in Second-Hand Love. 

Film Daily, 07-August-1923

Wellman to Direct -- June 27, 2023

Film Daily, 30-June-1923

William Wellman, often called Wild Bill, got his first opportunity to direct in 1923, making The Twins of Suffering Creek, starring Dustin Farnum. Wellman directed his last movie in 1959. He was married to actress Helene Chadwick.

Film Daily, 20-September-1926

Wellman was a veteran of World War One, where he flew as an American volunteer for the French Lafayette Flying Corps. After the French gave him a medical discharge because of an accident, he joined the United States Army Air Service.

Wise Guys Prefer Brunettes -- September 6, 2015

Film Daily, 20-September-1926

Helene Chadwick had been leading lady in a variety of movies when producer Hal Roach cast her in the short "Wise Guys Prefer Brunettes."  The title is a parody of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  Her costar, Jimmy Finlayson, worked for Roach for many years. 
For a short time, Helene Chadwick was married to director Wild Bill Wellman. 

A note at the bottom of this ad says that it is a cornerblock provided to theaters to use in newspaper advertising.

The Story of G.I. Joe -- May 25, 2015

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Happy Memorial Day, everyone.  I thought this was a good day to write about William Wellman's The Story of G.I. Joe.  The movie is the story of Ernie Pyle, a war correspondent who paid attention to the infantrymen.  I cry every time I see the death of Captain Bill Walker, played by Robert Mitchum.