Sick Abed -- July 7, 2020

Memphis News-Scimitar, 29-July-1920

Patient Wallace Reid feigns illness so he can spend time with pretty nurse Bebe Daniels.  The program at the Strand Theater in Memphis included "Cleaning Up," a short comedy starring Al St John. 

Ennio Morricone, RIP -- July 6, 2020

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Composer Ennio Morricone, who wrote many of the best film soundtracks, has died.   I first learned who he was when I saw Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns.

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The New Comedy King -- July 5, 2020

Leavenworth, Washington Echo, 02-Jul-1920

This item touts Larry Semon as "The New Comedy King."  

Independence Day, 2020 -- July 4, 2020

Happy Independence Day, everyone.

Beautiful actress, dancer and singer Rita Hayworth lights a cannon. Her original name was Margarita Cansino. She began performing in the family's dance act at an early age. At Columbia Pictures, she became a big star and a popular pin-up. She made some very interesting movies including The Lady From Shanghai, with her husband Orson Welles, Gilda and Blood and Sand.

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Locklear, the Daredevil of the Skies -- July 3, 2020

St. Landry Clarion, 03-July-1920

After serving in the US Army Air Service during World War I, Ormer Locklear became a barnstormer who specialized in wing walking. He and his partner Skeets Elliot toured the country thrilling audiences. The Great Air Robbery was Locklear's first starring movie role. While shooting his second starring movie, The Skywayman (great title), pilot Elliot was blinded by spotlights during a night dive and both men were killed. The producers left the scene in the movie.

Carl Reiner, RIP -- July 2, 2020

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Carl Reiner has died. I grew up watching reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show. Then radio comedy shows played Reiner and his friend Mel Brooks doing "The 2000-Year-Old Man." Later I learned about Your \Show of Shows. I think I have seen only two of the movies he directed, Oh God and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.

In 2000, he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. 

He served in the USAAF during World War Two. He was a French translator and then performed in shows for Special Services.  

An Eastern Westerner -- July 1, 2020

Motion Picture News, 03-July-1920

100 years ago this month, Harold Lloyd was appearing in "An Eastern Westerner."