A Weird and Spectacular Modern Drama -- September 21, 2014

Moving Picture World, 19-December-1914

The Oz Film Manufacturing Company, located in Los Angeles, was formed in 1914 to produce movies based on stories by L Frank Baum, the creator of The Wizard of Oz. The company made some movies, but was not a financial success. Looking to change their luck, they made a movie out of L Frank Baum's 1908 adventure novel, which had been published anonymously, The Last Egyptian.  It was done in the style of H Ryder Haggard.  Three of the five reels survive at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. 

That is Where the Film Leaves One Gasping for Breath -- September 20, 2014

Motography, 05-September-1914

The Perils of Pauline was a big hit in 1914. The 20 chapter serial was not the first movie serial, but it was one of the big ones. It starred Pearl White, the first serial queen. The Eclectic Film Company distributed Pathé movies in the United States. The film exists only in a mutilated form, based on a copy exported to France. The subtitles had been translated into French, then translated back into English.

The reviewer particularly admired the cliffhanger in Episode 12. 

Motography, 19-September-1914

This Eclectic Film Company ad describes a five reel feature, The Perils of Pauline, and a Max Linder split reel comedy. 

Motography, 19-September-1914

In Episode 13, Pauline gets kidnapped again and has to jump off a clip to escape. 

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. 

The War of Wars -- September 18, 2014

Motography, September 5, 1914

Ramo Films, Inc presented The War of Wars, a movie intended to represent the Germans' violation of Belgium.  "...the events which it relates in dramatic form are those which have actually happened since the beginning of hostilities." 

Whoopee!!!! Tom Mix -- Septebmer 17, 2014

Tom Mix had been away from movies during the transition from silents to sound, but Universal was happy to announce, in the 17-June-1931 Moving Picture Daily, that they had signed the "undisputed King of Western Stars and 'Tony' his Wonder Horse." 

Martin Eden and Burning Daylight -- September 16, 2014

Moving Picture World, 05-September-1914

Actor Hobart Bosworth admired Jack London's writing and formed a company to produce movies based on London's stories and novels.

I first read Martin Eden one summer while I was in high school.  London's description of working conditions during the Gilded Age made a large impression on me.  Martin Eden shares many of Jack London's traits, as a self-taught man who pulled himself from the bottom to the top.  I have never seen any of the film or television adaptions. 

Moving Picture World, 19-September-1914

Jack London published Burning Daylight in 1910 and it was his biggest seller while he lived.  I have not read the book, but I use the phrase a lot.  It is another story based on London's time in the Klondike.  Has anyone seen the 2010 version? 

A Trip Thru Barbarous Mexico -- September 15, 2014

Moving Picture World, 13-March-1913

 

The Mexican Revolution was a hot subject for US films.  Here we have an ad for Barbarous Mexico, a five reel feature.  The title gives an idea of the feeling many people in the US had towards Mexico and its people.  "A Five Reel Production Featuring the Peasant Revolution." 

"Madero versus Diaz."  Francisco Madero, a democrat who fought for social justice, was a leader of the revolution, who was elected President after hated dictator Porfirio Diaz resigned and fled in 1911.  In February, 1913, General Victoriano Huerta led a military coup.  Madero was deposed and then assassinated.  I think I remember more than one movie where the characters would say Huerta's name then spit.  The only movie I could find in a quick Google search was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  I believe there are others.