Three More Happy Days -- June 13, 2020

El Paso Herald, 24-June-1920

I like the image of Douglas Fairbanks.  I also like the bit at the bottom of the ad: "Don't fail to see Douglas this week!" and "Then see his wife Mary in "Suds" next week!"

Adrienne Barbeau 75 -- June 11, 2020

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Actress Adrienne Barbeau was born 75 years ago today, on 11-June-1945.  She was very popular when I was young.

Charles Dickens 150 Years -- June 9, 2020

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Boz (pronounced like "nose") died 150 years ago today, on 09-June-1870. Some years ago I decided to read or reread all of Charles Dickens' novels, even Barnaby Rudge and Martin Chuzzlewit, during my commute. I don't remember how long it took, but it was worthwhile. I still have to read some short stories and Christmas stories. I don't know how many movies have been made from  his novels and short stories. A college professor once said that Dickens' works make good movies because "they can cut out all the dull stuff." Several of the members of the class were offended, but she was probably right.  

Moving Picture World, 20-July-1912

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The Funniest Feature Comedy Ever Filmed -- June 7, 2020

Motion Picture News, 19-June-1920

Some sources claim that Tillie's Punctured Romance is the first feature-length slapstick comedy, or even the first feature-length comedy. I don't know if that is true, but it is certainly the first one to be a big success. Various companies kept flogging this movie for many years. 

William Boyd 125 -- June 5, 2020

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Actor William Boyd was born 125 years ago today, on 05-June-1895.  He played the lead in several Cecil B DeMille movies. People mixed him up with actor William "Stage" Boyd who was arrested for possession of alcohol and drugs. This almost killed his career.

Boyd made a comeback when Paramount cast him as Hopalong Cassidy in a well-made series of westerns. He was the rare cowboy star who wore a black hat.  When television came along, he owned the rights of his movies and also created a television series. 

His fifth and last wife was actress Grace Bradley. 

And Now Stardom -- June 3, 2020

Motion Picture News, 03-June-1920

Bebe Daniels, who had been Harold Lloyd's leading lady in a long series of short films for Hal Roach's Rolin studio, left to work as an ingenue in Cecil B DeMille's movies. Realart had her star in a series of features that lasted for the rest of the 1920s. 

Vitagraph-Larry Semon Comedies -- June 1, 2020

Motion Picture News, 26-June-1920

The Vitagraph advertised its successful Vitagraph-Larry Semon series of comedies.