Edna Purviance's bio

June 6, 2018 - Re-editing Edna Purviance's family biography 2nd Draft. Photo: Leading Ladies © used by ednapurviance.org

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Charlie Chaplin & Edna Purviance: First Grand March

On this night, on January 30, 1915, Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance lead the Grand March at the Celebrities Ball held at the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.


"Lincoln Beachey, who is to be in the grand march with Miss Ellie Shoemaker, has surrendered the leadership to Charles Chaplin. - Jan. 29, 1915, The Call

"Chaplin is to lead the grand march at the Celebrities' Ball... Chaplin was playing in a comedy with Miss Edna Purviance, who is his latest partner in the strenuous photoplay life and who has consented to be his partner in tonight's grand march." - Jan. 30, 1915, The Call

This was Edna's second visit in just three weeks to the Civic Center Auditorium in San Francisco.

During her first visit, of January 9, 1915, she was just one of tens of thousands, who attended, and watched the Grand March, at the Grand Opening event of the building.

Edna had no idea she would go from someone watching, to center of attention, in this same building, in just three weeks.

Now, she would take the lead role in the Grand March, with her new partner, Charlie Chaplin, at the Celebrities Ball.

What a thrill it had to be for Edna. But while it changed her life, it didn't change her.

It would be the beginning of a love affair, that would heat up in the coming months, but cooled to a warm friendship, that lasted a lifetime.

Friday, January 29, 2010

CNN with BFI and the Charlie Chaplin Keystones

The Keystones Restored Report. A special article and video report from CNN Screening Room with Bryony Dixon at the British Film Institute. LINK



Update: It has been announced by the Chaplin Conference that all the restored Charlie Chaplin Keystone films will be shown at the October event. Date and times to be arranged.

List of the Keystone films being restored
Making a Living - Feb. 2
Directed by Henry Lehrman

First film at the theatres showing Chaplin's Tramp character
Kid Auto Races at Venice - Feb. 7
Directed by Henry Lehrman

Mabel's Strange Predicament - Feb. 9
Directed by Henry Lehrman and Mack Sennett

Between Showers - Feb. 28
Directed by Henry Lehrman

A Johnnie Film - March 2
Directed by George Nichols

Tango Tangles - March 9
Directed by Mack Sennett

His Favorite Pastime - March 16
Directed by George Nichols

Cruel, Cruel Love - March 26
Directed by George Nichol

The Star Boarder - April 4
Directed by George Nichols

Mabel at the Wheel - April 18
Directed by Mabel Normand (?) and
Mack Sennett

First Chaplin directed film
Twenty Minutes of Love - April 20
Directed by Charles Chaplin

Caught in a Cabaret - April 27
Directed by Mabel Normand (?)
and Charles Chaplin

Caught in the Rain - May 4
Directed by Charles Chaplin

A Busy Day - May 7
Directed by Charles Chaplin (?)

The Fatal Mallet - June 1
Directed by Mack Sennett

Her Friend the Bandit - June 4
Directed by (?)

The Knockout - June 11
Directed by Charles Avery

Mabel's Busy Day - June 13
Directed by Mabel Normand (?)

A Mabel's Married Life - June 20
Directed by Charles Chaplin

Laughing Gas - July 9
Directed by Charles Chaplin

The Property Man - Aug. 1
Directed by Charles Chaplin

The Face in the
Directed by Charles Chaplin

Recreation - Aug. 18
Directed by Charles Chaplin

The Masquerader - Aug. 27
Directed by Charles Chaplin

His New Profession - Aug. 31
Directed by Charles Chaplin

The Rounders - Sept. 7
Directed by Charles Chaplin

The New Janitor - Sept. 24
Directed by Charles Chaplin

Those Love Pangs - Oct. 10
Directed by Charles Chaplin

Dough and Dynamite - Oct. 26
Directed by Charles Chaplin

Gentlemen of Nerve - Oct. 29
Directed by Charles Chaplin

His Musical Career - Nov. 7
Directed by Charles Chaplin

His Trysting Place - Nov. 9
Directed by Charles Chaplin

This film marked the beginning of even more fame for Chaplin
Tillie's Punctured Romance - Nov. 14
Directed by Mack Sennett

Getting Acquainted - Dec. 5
Other English Titles:
Directed by Charles Chaplin

His Prehistoric Past - Dec. 7
Directed by Charles Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin's Grand March with his new leading lady

On this date in 1915, (according to the San Francisco Call & Post), famous, early day aviator and chairman of The Celebrities Ball, Lincoln Beachey, visited Niles Studio. He hand delivered a personal invitation to Charlie Chaplin to be part of the Celebrities Ball.

While the Ball was open to the public, all the dancers in the Grand March were invited guest. Charlie Chaplin was selected to lead the Grand March.

During the week the local newspapers reported different ladies to dance with him, including Mabel Normand. But Charlie Chaplin had someone else in mind for this honor: his new leading lady, Edna Purviance.

Edna just attended the huge Civic Center Exhibition Auditorium event on January 9, 1915. She was a private citizen, who just happened to be photographed by the San Francisco Examiner. Her picture appeared in that newspaper on the Society page, January 17, 1915. (The Society page was right next to the theatre and movie listings.)

Charlie Chaplin just arrived in San Francisco bay area that same weekend of January 16th. He was in Chicago January 9, 1915, working on his film "His New Job" and just left the Essanay Chicago Studio a few days later to start work in Niles. He only had about three days in the bay area, to get his new picture started and look for a new leading lady.

By January 21, 1915, Edna was in Niles, reporting for her first day at the studio.

Now, just about one week later, she would be the leading lady in the Grand March at the Celebrities Ball with her new leading man, Charlie Chaplin. The Ball was scheduled for Saturday night, January 30, 1915.

LINK
You can see "His New Job" from the Image Entertainment collection at this link. Note, Image has the wrong name on the film. They list it as "A Night Out."

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Another Grand Ball event for Edna

All this week, in 1915, Edna worked with Chaplin and crew on "A Night Out" in Oakland and at the Niles Studio. Meanwhile, another Grand Dance was being planned in San Francisco.

Jan. 2010 Chaplin Library Database Update

Chaplin Library Database
has been updated with the latest books in
Dominique's Charlie Chaplin book collection.

Learning English?

Something for my 'other interest' column this morning. It has been on the web, but a good example on how the same word can have different meanings in the English language.

Can you read these right the first time?

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Papier-mâché pastry anyone?

Picture Play Magazine - April 1919
More Movie Tricks
by Emma-Linsay Squier
Page 186
From my Edna Purviance Collection

"Charlie Chaplin came into the studio when making "A Dog's Life" and wanting some papier-mâché cream puffs made up. He wanted imitations pastry light enough to be popped into his mouth by twos or threes. The result was a tray load of delectable-looking cream puffs that were detection-proof three feet away. When they were placed on the vendor's wagon, and the comedian begun snatching them into his mouth, the camera man did not know they were faked until told by the director to "cut" so that Charlie could spit out the pasteboard." - Picture Play Magazine, April 1919




I don't usually do this, but this has been on youtube. Chaplin's films from 1918 'A Dog's Life' onward, are copyrighted with Roy Export. But this does show the film clip the magazine article talks about.

And for you Charlie Chaplin fans out there, a special Charlie Chaplin Conference will be held in Ohio, October 28-30, 2010. You can learn more at this link.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Ben Model Silent Film Video Blog


Silent film accompanist
Ben Model
has started his own video blog.

You can catch his shows at Silent Film Music Blog.
Also, follow his events at his website, Silent Film Music.
You will find a list of coming events.


Chaplin look alike? From 1924?
He also has a collection of work at his Silent Film Music Channel. There you can see actor's like Lige Conley, who looks quite a bit like Charlie Chaplin without make-up. In this film 'Fast and Furious' from 1924, it has scenes that look like Chaplin's 1916 'The Floorwalker.'

Update: Here is the video borrowed from Mr. Model's youtube site.


Monday, January 25, 2010

Edna Purviance first week at Essanay

Niles, California - During this week of January 24, 1915, Edna Purviance was spending her first full week at Essanay Studios. Her first film was called "A Night Out" and was Chaplin's second film with Essanay. As part of her assignment, Edna watched the film being made.

Charlie was spending a great deal of time with all his players, especially Edna. He had to know his actors well, to direct them.

It was during this period Chaplin, and company, had a little party or get together, during one of the breaks in filming.

As everyone enjoyed their meals, Chaplin started making claims he could put anyone asleep. A bet was made and Edna took him right up on it.

Chaplin placed Edna in position for his trick. His made dramatic movements in front of Edna as he was "hypnotizing" her for the crowd. At one of the passes, he whispered to Edna to "fake" it.

Chaplin was taking a chance with his new leading lady, knowing full well she could have made a fool of him.

Edna had only seconds to think, but made her decision as smooth as silk sliding off a table.

She 'passed right out' in front of everyone, frighting the crowd.

Charlie quickly asked for assistance, as he grabbed her. As Edna was being revived, he had a smile to himself in being pleased with his new leading lady. She could have easily grabbed the money from the bet, but instead, played along for the joke.

Chaplin was very impressed and would learn more about his leading lady in the weeks to come.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

"Charlie Chaplin" in Grand Rapids Ballet

January 29-31 & February 5-7, 2010 - "Charlie Chaplin" will be featured in the Grand Rapids Ballet production of "Flickers" at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre in Grand Rapids. Check their website for tickets.

Attila Mosolygo will play Charlie Chaplin

"Mosolygo stars in the revival of Gordon Peirce Schmidt's "Flickers," a one-act ballet the GRBC artistic director created in 2003 for the company's Dancers' Theatre Series. Mosolygo, who was born in Budapest, Hungary, prepares not only by watching videos of his past performances in "Flickers," but also by watching Charlie Chaplin's films, too." - mlive.com

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Jean Simmons - Interview on ICONS Radio

The late Jean Simmon's interview on ICONS Radio. Click on itunes...

Friday, January 22, 2010

New Proof, New Printer, New Sea Gull, New Start

THE SEAGULL
NEW Proof Book arrived this afternoon!
Watch for re-launch in February!
Sorry for the poor picture. My digital cameras are on the blink.

My digital cameras are working poorly, I didn't have the best lighting, it is dark outside and my flashes are useless. But I at least wanted to show you, we did indeed get our new proof book today. We both have to say, we are very pleased with the printing and binding of this book. (Huge worry, but seeing this and the five sample books yesterday, not so much...)

If there is any real difference in this book and our old Sea Gull, it is the inside pages are not the same paper, as before. The new paper is bit more toothier, not as slick feel, giving the images a softer look. The pages are about the same weight, as before, with the cover slightly heavier in weight. The softer paper does give the images a softer and smoother look throughout, but with no signs of printing errors.

With the new personal service and contact we have now, this should work out to be a good relationship. Our new Sea Gull has a brand new and official ISBN number (our old Sea Gull had an ISBN, but because of the printer and many other issues, we couldn't used it, so it was officially canceled by Bowker last week).

The price for this book, may change a bit, but I don't know yet, until I get the final cost in for the first batch of books. I do know shipping cost have gone up, but I can't see this book being more expensive.

I will be ordering our first patch of stock first thing Monday. But, again, with this in mind, a great proof is only a great proof, until you have a box full of them. (Learned that from experience and a very good friend.)

But I am feeling better about this company and we will tell you who it is, once I have my first stock of books in house. It is very tough to find any printers out there who can do what we need, but I can say, it would be hard to find one any bigger in the business, than this one, at this type of printing.

The last printer never contacted us again and left our order unfinished. It looks like they were in the process of shedding people, instead of keeping them. They got over $6000 of Sea Gull orders, but they will not get a dime more.

Our new printer has a special agent assigned to us, with phone, fax and email, all ready to call, when needed. The quality checks is also most impressive, if this proof is an example. But I will be the only one selling the books from Edna' .com site and will wholesale to small bookshops, like our friends in Niles.

So for now, keep checking back for Edna's .com shopping cart to return with Sea Gull books to sale. Looking at the calendar, I am sure it will be in February when we will re-launch The Sea Gull.

P.S. - All you fine folks who bought The Sea Gull before November 2009, you do have a collector's item. This book is great, but not quite the same, but only because of the difference paper used. (Our old book had a slightly glossy paper feel, while the new book pages have a more mat paper feel and look.) But it is the nearest we will ever get to it, at this point.

Fun Facts: The files were sent to the printers Tuesday, Wednesday they were all set by the printers, Thursday they printed, Thursday night they shipped by UPS Next Day Air. Book arrived at our door (in the snow) about 3:30 PM Friday. Smiles on faces, 15 minutes later, after viewing every page! :-)

And Yes! It is still a full color printed book, available worldwide.

Link to Edna's .com site for The Sea Gull

Note: I wrote this pretty quick, so it maybe edited.

Update February 3, 2010 - The Sea Gull book stock is printed and on it's way. Watch for a re-launch date this February.

THE SEA GULL PROOF BOOK IS HERE...

AND IT IS BEAUTIFULLY DONE! SPECIAL POST COMING!

Edna learning the ropes

On this day in history: After becoming an official member of the Essanay team on Thursday, the 21st, 1915, Edna started to watch how silent films were made. Chaplin asked Edna to observe while work began on his second film with Essanay 'A Night Out.' Edna appearance happens about halfway through this film. For Edna, it was exciting times, as she started her new job...

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sea Gull Update - Proof book coming!

Our proof book has been shipped! And, it was shipped Next Day Air, so, looks like it will be here, FRIDAY! Oh, MY! Less than 24 hours from now (if our local UPS doesn't have any problems.)

So far, I have been impressed with this company. We had personal contact through the whole process. And they have been very helpful in showing us how they do their work.

Today, we received over $100 in free sample books (five in all), from full color large format photography books to black and white illustrated story books, (paperback to hardbound). All the books were very impressive and well made.

Now the nervous time seeing our book. Of course, it is only the first proof. We took three proofs the last time we did this on such a major scale. So, until tomorrow...

Youth Silent Film Festival


June 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2010
Youth Silent Film Festival
Hollywood Theatre - Portland, Oregon


"A chance for filmmakers under the age of 20 to create a modern version of silent film, see it on the big screen with live accompaniment, and win cash prizes!"

Edna Purviance Arrives at Essanay Studio

On this day: Thursday, January 21, 1915, Edna Purviance arrived at the Essanay Studio in Niles, California. Charlie Chaplin was reported to have arrived at Niles on January 18th. He just arrived in the San Francisco area over the weekend of January 16th. Edna's photograph in the San Francisco Examiner appeared on Sunday, January 17, 1915.

In the Thursday, January 21, 1915 issue of The Examiner, the paper stated seeing Charlie Chaplin at the Gaiety Theatre, where he spoke with reporters. He was watching "Tillie's Punctured Romance" and seeing "pictures of all the interesting incidents of the recent Auditorium ball" which was held on January 9th, 1915.

A short walk away, was the St. Francis Hotel, the place Chaplin said he first met Edna.

Now exactly how and where Charlie and Edna first met has been written in several accounts, even by Chaplin and Purviance. But accurate accounts can be hard to find. Example being, Charlie and Edna's stories at the time were based more on a few facts, laced with fiction, filled in by studio publicity departments. While most writers know this, I found evidence of this practice from the Chaplin Studio publicity department from Edna's own archive.

Why the fiction? For many reasons, but protecting privacy was one.

So to state exactly how they first met isn't really known, but I do agree Edna knew someone from Essanay. And for an added fact, the studio used local livestock for their westerns. This does tie into the fact Edna's brother-in- law, Sydney Hill, was manager of one of the largest ranches in California at the time. And Sydney's home base for his job was in the San Francisco bay area. It is just another link to how Edna could have met someone from Essanay, before she ever met Charlie Chaplin.

While Sydney did work for the California ranch company, he and his family still lived in Lovelock. Bessie never lived in San Francisco, but she did visit there often. Edna and Myrtle were the only sisters who lived in San Francisco. At the time of this event, Bessie was in Lovelock, as was Louise Purviance Nurnberger (Edna's mother). Louise was running her boardinghouse and Bessie was caring for her son Morgan, who was attending school in Lovelock.

How Bessie ever got mentioned as the sister Edna was living with in San Francisco, has been an error. Myrtle married a San Francisco native and lived there a few different times, over the years. Anytime Edna visited San Francisco during her film career, it was always to Myrtle's home. In later years, Edna and Jack Squire lived in San Francisco. It was in a fine neighborhood, in an high story apartment building, overlooking the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.

Other facts: Essanay did have a tie to the January 9th ball, because they were filming the event. And the Gaiety Theatre (where Chaplin watched "Tillie") was built and owned by G.M. Anderson, the man who signed Charles Chaplin to Essanay. Chaplin did say he went to San Francisco, with Anderson, to see girls in the theatres, but he didn't mention in his biography, he watched a movie.

"Tillie's" started at 11AM each day. On January 19 or 20th, Chaplin was at a showing, and could have had a meeting with Edna, at the dining room of the St. Francis, afterwards.

It has been mentioned that Edna was a waitress at that time, but I have not been able to find any solid evidence to support it. I have found evidence of Edna's interest in the secretary field, clear back to Lovelock, where she took a business course in Lovelock. (Both her sisters studied business school courses too.) Myrtle was able to support herself, and found success in the field of bookkeeping. But I found no evidences of the girls being waitresses, except, maybe, to help with Louise's boardinghouse. But the meals at Louise's boardinghouse business was always leased out for other people to run. Except to help out or to hold a special event, Louise never ran the boardinghouse kitchen.

So from the evidences I have found, so far, Edna most likely was working as a secretary at the time she met Chaplin. Edna attending the popular cafes at the time, was more likely as a diner, not a server. And one person she probably met as a diner was Charlie Chaplin.

And what role did Edna's photo in the San Francisco Examiner play in this? I do believe it had a role, in at least Chaplin seeing Edna, in print, before meeting her. Oddly, it has never been mentioned in any Chaplin related information, except for the oddly mentioned story, where Edna is quoted as saying she was picked out of a large group of girls. That never made any sense (as it was written) and seemed more fanciful than fact. (Makes for a colorful story.) But seeing Edna in this newspaper story, with thousands of women at the ball, does make sense and could be how she was found so fast, and lead to her being at Essanay on this day, in 1915.

Click on the Edna History label below for more.

Updated Note: We have been getting our The Sea Gull set up with a new printer, because our old printer abandoned us, right in the middle of an order they needed to correct (they sent us poorly printed books, but stopped contact in fully correcting it). On Friday, January 22nd, we received our first newly printed proof book. I just noticed the date for the printing of the proof was January 21, 2010. The proof came out very well. So very nice to have the re-started Sea Gull, start on the same date, as Edna started with Essanay, on Thursday, January 21, 1915.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Framed Rainbow Orchid Prints


Last summer I shared with you my Rainbow Orchid prints. It took awhile, but this week we finally got the prints on the wall to enjoy. They make quite the handsome pair and are currently still available through Garen's Rainbow Orchid shop.

Currently, we are looking forward to the July 2010 release of Rainbow Orchid Volume 2, which is available for pre-order from Amazon UK.
Who knows what the cover will be on that one, but the fans can't wait for the adventure to continue.

Garen Ewing is currently working on Volume 3 of his epic adventure, with the release set for 2011. Until then, I will certainly enjoy these lovely orignial giclée prints.

The Sea Gull - Third Edition update

We have sent the files off to have our first new proof book from our new printers.

"Chaplin's Shadow: Toraichi Kono" by Hiroyuki Ono

Coming to Japan
"Chaplin's Shadow: Toraichi Kono"
by Hiroyuki Ono


Also, we hope to see this new book about Chaplin's private secretary in more languages in the future.

Update February 11, 2010 - Rafu Shimpo, the Japanese-American newspaper in Los Angeles, as reviewed the book, January 28, 2010. (I didn't see the article online.)

BBC Slapstick 2010 with Tim Brooke-Taylor



Also, for more Buster Keaton, a recent podcast from the screening of "Steamboat Bill, Jr." at Carrboro, NC's Century Center Cinema. This is an audio video, that includes stills from the evening event, with Nic Beery and "Damfinos" Laura Nigro.









Monday, January 18, 2010

Update: The Sea Gull

I have learned today, we are getting close to having the files ready for the new printer. This means we are close to having a proof book created for The Sea Gull. This doesn't mean we are ready to re-start selling any Sea Gull books yet, but at least moving toward that goal.

Silent fun with an Egg

My video pick for the day has some silent fun with counting the errors, with an egg.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

January 17, 1915

January 17, 1915, is a special day for Edna Purviance. It was the day her photograph appeared in one of the largest newspapers in San Francisco, The Examiner.

On January 9, 1915, Edna Purviance attended the grand ball at the opening of the San Francisco Civic Center Exhibition Auditorium. It was a huge affair, with over 20,000 people attending. Edna was one of them.

After the event, the Examiner started running stories, showing photographs of people who attended. The photos showed on the Society page.

On this day, in 1915, Edna's picture appeared in the paper. The paper wasn't only seen in San Francisco, but thanks to the trains, it appeared in many cities across the US. Lovelock, Nevada had their edition soon after its release. The whole town was overrun with excitement in seeing their Edna, in the SF paper!

But their excitement was only beginning. Monday, Edna went to work, as usual, not knowing that she was about to meet a famous young filmmaker looking for a new leading lady.

UPDATE: Today is also Mack Sennett's birthday! If it wasn't for Mack signing Chaplin for Keystone films, we might have never seen Edna (or Chaplin in films, for that matter). After Chaplin's success with Keystone in 1914, he signed with Essanay in 1915.

NOTE: If you own The Sea Gull, it is on page 8. Or you can see a flash version of the page at this link. Edna was the biggest picture on the page, filling nearly half the right hand side. Her name was listed on the back side of this page. Her hometown was bubbling with excitement about this. Personally, I think it has something to do with Edna being found so fast after this release.
________________________________

Edna's Date in History:
January 16, 1958 - Edna's funeral was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. It was a small private affair. Due to recovering from a serious illness, Lita Hill could not attend. Edna did receive a pay check from Mr. Chaplin until her passing.

Silent films meets XBox

The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom
'Time bending fun in a silent film world"
XBox meets the silent film world. Based on the time of Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin, PB Winterbottom really wants some pies and this award winning game gives them to him. Link to PB home site with trailer and more details and this link to more interviews about the game. The music is amazingly good!

Interview from GameSpot

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Queen with silent films

My video pick for today combines one of my favorite groups, Queen, with a collection of silent film clips used in the video. I was surfing FB last night and ran across this one. Fitting, since I have been listening to Queen's UK collection on the headphones most of the week, during work. Thanks to Michael for posting it on FB.

Friday, January 15, 2010

'Tokyo Story' at London's National Film Theatre

I have been reading this insightful review all morning about 'Tokyo Story' so wanted to share with our readers. The restored print is currently showing at the National Film Theatre on Southbank in London. BFI are currently running a series of Ozu's films until February 27th, 2010.

An early Ozu film pick for the day - I Graduated
(surviving few minutes of this lost film)

Kansas Silent Film Festival February 2010


Kansas Silent Film Festival

14th Annual Festival

February 26-27, 2010



Special Guest: Melissa Talmadge Cox
(Grand-daughter of Buster Keaton and Natalie Talmadge)



Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Anniversary

I had thoughts of doing a special post today, as this is the 2nd anniversary of The Sea Gull launch, but more importantly, it is the day of Edna's passing on January 13, 1958. Not really in the frame of mind to do something special today, but thanks to all of you out there who do pass by.

For you who might be passing by, just letting you know, we are working on getting The Sea Gull set up with a new printer, but it takes a ton of time. You can get on the re-launch list by writing to us at Edna's .com or .org site. Meanwhile, give a little thought to Edna on this day...
_________________

Update: Since this post earlier, had a good talk with the new printers. So far, so good. When we get further along, I will be more sure of a date for the re-launch of The Sea Gull. And special thanks for the recent 'new orders' which we are looking forward to filling.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Miep Gies has died

Miep Gies, the last surviving member of the group who helped hide Anne Frank and her family, from the Nazis during World War II, has died at the age of 100 in the Netherlands.

"Mrs Gies died in a nursing home after suffering a fall at Christmas.

Speaking last year as she celebrated her 100th birthday, Mrs Gies played down her role, saying others had done far more to protect Jews in the Netherlands.

She and her fellow employees kept Anne and the seven others supplied for two years, from 1942 to 1944."- BBC NEWS

You can check out interviews with Gies and more at the official Anne Frank Channel on Youtube.

New York, New York 1920s tour

Visit the city Edna and Charlie both seen during the booming 1920s. A Willoughbys film directed by Ray Foster, from the Ira Gallen collection. Charlie Chaplin first seen NYC in 1910 and Edna Purviance made her first visit in late 1917.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

A short bit of Silent Acting

A little 'silent' animation that won a student 'Best Silent Acting' in an animation video for his graduation project.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Edna's Big Night in San Francisco, without Charlie

On this afternoon in San Francisco, on January 9, 1915, Edna Purviance was getting ready to attend the biggest event she ever attended. It was the grand opening of the Exhibition Auditorium at San Francisco Civic Center.

This event was a worldwide event, as over 20,000 people from all over the world came to attend on this one evening. It was the official re-opening of the Civic Center area, since the 1906 earthquake, which destroyed the original Civic Center. And Edna Purviance was one of guest to attend.

Exhibition Hall October 2009 - Photos by Linda Wada

At the time, Edna lived with her sister Myrtle Purviance Bell. They lived only a few blocks from the Civic Center. One can just picture Edna getting the final touches ready for the big evening.

During the event, Essanay Studios filmed the early arrivals to the event. By midnight, they returned with a special film to show the audience. Was Edna still there? She could have been, since midnight dances in Lovelock were a fairly common affair, with dances starting as late as 9PM.

This all happened before Edna Purviance ever met Charlie Chaplin.

Edna would go back to work the following Monday, not knowing her life would be changed forever in the coming two weeks.

And Charlie Chaplin? He was in Chicago on the night of January 9th, 1915. He was finishing up his first film and preparing to travel to California in the coming week. But he could have easily read about the opening, in the Chicago newspapers.


Exhibition Hall about the time of the opening



Friday, January 08, 2010

Stephen Weissman interview on BBC Radio

Click on image and on the webpage two links for part 1 and 2.

Update: The Sea Gull

Leading Ladies has been officially excepted by a new printer today. Still have along ways to go, but movement toward a new beginning. Stay tune! Also, if you like to be on our growing re-launch list, just write us here at this link. Thanks to everyone for your continued interest and support of The Sea Gull.

Charlie Chaplin animated in 3-D Colour!

Charlie Chaplin is to return in a new animated series complete in full colour and 3-D! Eleven and half million dollars is behind this joint adventure with DQ Entertainment, MK2 and Method Animation. Planned are 104 six-minute episodes, all with original content, and with no talking.

Countries involved included, France, Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Scandinavia, India and Australia. Nothing mentioned for the USA, so US fans will have to wait. Plans to hit the screens by 2011.

The eight-million-euro (11.5-million-dollar) project is a joint venture with French media groups Method Animation and MK2, the companies said at a news conference in Mumbai Friday.

A total of 104 six-minute episodes without dialogue will be made, inspired by sketches and gags culled from 70 short films made by Chaplin involving his iconic bowler-hatted vagabond character with a toothbrush moustache and cane.

But there will also be original content, Method president Aton Soumache told reporters.

DQ chairman and chief executive Tapaas Chakravarti said the project, for which the firms have been given approval from the Chaplin estate, would be "better than Mr Bean" -- British comic Rowan Atkinson's accident-prone buffoon.


"(Mr Bean) has delighted everyone for a number of years... It's very, very clear that to tickle people's funny bones you don't really have to talk all the time and silent movies can work. Chaplin did it for so many years," he added.

"We are absolutely sure that we have to get Chaplin back for 21st century kids and parents."

The animated shorts -- aimed at children aged six and above -- are set to hit screens from early next year, Chakravarti said.
- AFP (more at this link)

From Variety:
"A 45-second clip played at the press meet showed an animated Chaplin performing one of his trademark pratfalls against a New York City backdrop. The mobile phone he uses is shaped like an old fashioned telephone in keeping with the companies’ ambition to blend early 20th century with the present day.

The companies plan to exploit the series across television, mobile, homevid and Internet platforms. The €8 million ($11.4 million) production cost has been raised from pre-sales. The series is expected to be ready by spring 2011." - Full Variety story here

Latest
January 10, 2010 - Guardian

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Charlie Chaplin to be animated by DQ

DQ Entertainment has brought the rights from the Chaplin Family (and Method Animation and MK2) to created an animated Charlie Chaplin television series and movies. Business Standard says:

"An Indian animation and special effects company, DQ Entertainment, headquartered in Hyderabad, has acquired the animation remaking rights of Charlie Chaplin from the Chaplin family, in collaboration with two French companies, Method Animation and MK2.

The legendary comedy show will be produced by them in animated format, as a television series and as movies.

While a formal announcement is expected in this week, the production is already reported underway. Tapaas Chakravarti, the Chairman and CEO of DQ Entertainment was not available for comment.

Sources say DQ is also in talks with multiple channels internationally to telecast the animated series worldwide, including Europe, Japan, Australia, UK and China. The telecast rights in India are yet to sold." - Business Standard, January 7, 2010

We will watch to see how this one develops.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Sketching Charlie Chaplin

My video pick for the day is sketching Charlie Chaplin, in under 9 minutes. I'm not good at translating this and don't want to add the wrong name for the artist. Anyone who could help, please do. The video is from Portugal.



Link to large screen. (I don't know how long it really took, but the video was sped up some.)

Stolen Moments 'A Kiss for Mary Pickford'

Stolen Moments
A Kiss for Mary Pickford
Donna Hill interviews documentary filmmaker Hugh Munro Neely

If you missed it during the holiday season, you can catch it now.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

January 2010 'Month of fun in Niles'

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, check out the silent film happenings in Niles! In Fremont, California, you usually can find something happening each weekend during the year. Check this LINK for the current showings. You can download a schedule and/or get on their mailing list.

Now while I did a little 'just for fun' video on my October trip, here is another video I found on web showing a bit more about Niles.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Charlie Chaplin: The Great Londoner Exhibition

Starting January 5, 2010
London, England
The London Film Museum
Permanent Exhibit

Charlie Chaplin: The Great Londoner
An exhibition devoted to Chaplin's history in cinema.
Watch for more from The London Film Museum

Update: Special Website page about the exhibit
"Chaplin biographer David Robinson, who collaborated on the project, said: "We thought it was really interesting to stress that Chaplin was a London boy. "The museum is bang in the middle of the territory where he grew up, with all the music halls where his parents came from and where he trained." - This is London, London Evening Standard

Saturday, January 02, 2010

William S. Hart to Calvin & Hobbes on 2010 stamps

Silent film star William S. Hart and Tom Mix, join comic strip 'stars' Calvin and Hobbes, on the 2010 US Postal stamps. Movie star legend, Katharine Hepburn and cartoonist, Bill Mauldin are also included in the 2010 releases. Release dates vary, so check this link for more details and stamps planned for release.

Friday, January 01, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2010!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Lovely and unique artworks for a donation

To start 2010 at Edna's, here is a lovely drawing by comic artist, Rachel Dukes. In addition to her normal work load, Rachel is currently doing individual commission works for a donations of $10 or more. (The donations helps her with on going medical cost.) To learn more and see more of her drawings, check out this link. Rachel will create an unique drawing, just for you. Lovely job, Rachel!

(Chaplin is a copyrighted image with Roy Export. Rachel's drawing is an 'one off,' not met for re-sale.)