Edna Purviance's bio

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

Thursday, December 31, 2015

First Draft of Edna Purviance's Family Bio is Complete!

Happy New Year! Sorry again for the lack of updates here, but letting you know the FIRST DRAFT of Edna's family bio is complete. After four years and four months, I began the re-writes today. Getting closer to having a biography on the life of Edna Purviance, and the family beside her.

More a bit later...

Friday, December 04, 2015

Glimpse of Edna Purviance & Charlie Chaplin Event in Nevada

This year I was invited by Lena Covello, from the the Aurora Repertory Theatre, as a guest for an Edna Purviance & Charlie Chaplin event in Nevada. The event was held in Reno on the weekend of October 23, 24, and 25, 2015.

On Edna's birthday, October 21, I was also scheduled to make an appearance in Lovelock, Nevada, for an get together. It was great fun to meet (and re-meet) some wonderful people there, and to see some of the changes in town since my last visit.

In Reno, I had the great pleasure of working with David Shepard and pianist, Frederick Hodges, as we entertained and informed people, for a full two days on Saturday and Sunday. Being emcee, I shared information on each film, with background on Edna, throughout, some not shared anywhere before.

One of the highlights was a 16MM showing of "A Woman of Paris" with Mr. Hodges playing the original 1923 score. Because I do love film, it looks far better than the newest DVDs. And since Chaplin had supervised the music, it's too bad this version, with the 1923 music, can't be available. I will covering this in Edna's book, so was great to hear this version live. I also shared some key information about this film, as it involved Edna (covered in the book I am working on). Being in Nevada, I often went from Edna's perspective.

Unlike other trips, where I often take many photos, I was working on this one, so not many photos or videos taken. And the auditorium was quite dark for photos (even with lights on), but perfect for film watching. This video is from my perspective of the trip, but captures as much as possible of the event.


Thanks to Lena Covello, Carol Franc Buck Foundation, the Marshall's Mint, Darlene Vonsild (Lovelock), and all the people who helped make this Nevada event happen.




Guest: Film preservationist David Shepard, pianist Frederick Hodges, and Edna researcher (and emcee for the event), Linda Wada. Video created by Linda Wada (ednapurviance.org). Includes visit to Edna Purviance's hometown of Lovelock, Nevada. Music played by Frederick Hodges.