Rodney Dangerfield 100 - November 22, 2021

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Rodney Dangerfield was born 100 years ago today, on 22-November-1921. I was aware of him as a comedian for most of my life, but then in the 1980s and 90s he had a second career appearing in movies. I loved his delivery. He died in 2004. "I don't get any respect."

"I tell ya, when I was a kid I had it rough. Once on my birthday, my old man gave me a bat. The first day I played with it, it flew away."

"What a childhood I had. My parents sent me to a child psychiatrist. The kid didn’t help me at all."

"I tell ya, when I was a kid I got no respect. My parents got divorced. They had a custody fight over me. No one showed up."

"I went to the fights last night, and a hockey game broke out."

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My late father-in-law loved Caddyshack. I don't think I ever saw it all the way through. Sometimes I think I am a snob. 

Harry Langdon & Co --November 21, 2021

New York Herald, 13-November-1921

The BF Keith Circuit controlled the best vaudeville theaters in New York City, including the Palace. Harry Langdon, who was playing the Colonial, would be the last of the great silent comics to go into films. 100 years go this month, he was still appearing in vaudeville. He appeared in his first movie in 1923.

Note that Babe Ruth was playing the Palace.

Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford -- Two Novels -- November 20, 2021

Omaha Bee, 06-November-1921

Douglas Fairbanks' adaption of Alexandre Dumas père's Three Musketeers was doing booming business. I like the saluting swordsmen at the bottom and the oval frame at the top, with Doug's picture.

Motion Picture News, 12-November-1921

Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, husband and wife, were the main pillars of United Artists. 

Motion Picture News, 26-November-1921

Mary Pickford played two roles in this adaption of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel Little Lord Fauntleroy. She was Cedric Errol, who became Little Lord Fauntleroy, and Cedric's mother, Dearest. Mary Pickford was particularly proud of a double exposure scene, where she as Cedric's mother gave herself as Cedric a hug.

Motion Picture News, 19-November-1921

Mary Pickford's ne'er-do-well brother Jack co-directed with Alfred E Green.

Give Your Patrons the Time of Their Lives With Buster Keaton -- November 19, 2021

Moving Picture World, 12-November-1921

First National, having taken over distribution of Keaton's second season of silent short comedies, was promoting them heavily. "Oh! What a joy ride!" "The Boat" is one of the all-time absolute unquestionable best silent comedy shorts of all time.

Motion Picture News, 05-November-1921

"The Playhouse," the last picture released in Buster's first season, received equal billing with the feature on this bill. "A hilarious comedy." I still think the image, which we saw in another ad last month, does not do justice to Buster Keaton.

Washington Times, 15-November-1921

I like this blurb for "The Boat." "The King of Drollery at His Unsmiling Best in the Funniest Two-Reel Shriek Ever Show on a Screen." 

I noticed that I have mentioned Charles Ray in this blog only once. He was a big star who played naïve young men or country bumpkins in pictures that he produced, and sometimes directed, himself. His career was about to take a turn for the worse. 

Exhibitors Herald, 26-November-1921

"There's Gales of Laughter When the Waves Roll High."

Exhibitors Herald, 05-November-1921

"Sit Tight! Don't Rock the Boat!"

Horror Shockers -- See These Great Horror Flicks in Your Own Home -- November 18, 2021

Vampirella 52, 1976

When I was young, I read Warren Publishing magazines like Famous Monsters of Filmland and Vampirella. The magazines always carried ads for back issues, posters and movies. I didn't have a film projector, so I read the ads with envy. Eventually, I got a Super-8 projector, but I didn't have enough money to buy any of these films. A friend had Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and I was fascinated by the way it had been cut down to less than 20 minutes.

This ad features highlights from Psycho and two Universal horror films split into pieces. "House of Dracula" and "The Wolfman's Cure" were created from the feature House of Dracula. "Frankenstein's New Brain" and "Trial of Frankenstein" were created from the feature Ghost of Frankenstein. 

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Liberty Theater, Sacramento -- November 17, 2021

Motion Picture News, 05-November-1921

Sacramento's Liberty Theater, at 617 K Street, had some impressive decor out front, including a Statue of Liberty. It closed in 1957 and was demolished in the 1960s.

Barbara Leigh 75 -- November 16, 2021

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Actress Barbara Leigh was born 75 years ago today, on 16-November-1946. I probably saw her on television shows like Harry O and The Rockford Files, but I don't think I have seen any of her movies. 

I bought the issue(s) of Warren Publishing's Vampirella where she appeared on the front cover, dressed as the title character.

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