Work Coming Along

The re-worked video for Cinecon is coming along. It will have about a 11 minute silent section with images and story set to music. The main feature is Lita Hill telling her personal story on Edna Purviance.

The silent section will have new information on Edna with one part having a related feature planned for ednapurviance.org site before the Cinecon event.

Ednapurviance.com site is also under construction.

And the first book is also in the works. More details to be released. The biography is a bit on hold.

We are also awaiting the exact day and time for the event at Cinecon. I will report as soon as we receive the information.

UPDATE: JULY 1th - Congratulations to France for heading on in the World Cup. I was sorry to see England lose today. It was a tough game with the injuries.

Grand View uncertain future...

June 27, 2006 - Until a buyer is found, Grand View Cemetery, Edna's final resting place, will remain totally closed. The future is uncertain. And even if a buyer is found today, it takes 90 days for the sale to clear and six additional months for the owners to receive a license to operate.

Lady Chaplin and Her Tramp: The Life and Art

In Evanston, Illinois, at the Piven Theater, a play is being shown called 'Lady Chaplin & Her Tramp: The Life & Art of Charlie Chaplin'. In this review from Backstage, the reviewer says the playwright based his story on Joyce Milton's book on Chaplin. Here is the link to the Backstage review. The play closes on June 25th.

Just to note a new Brief Glimpse is now up.

June 26, 2006 - Sunday's auction brought record price for Chaplin's hat and cane.
June 27, 2006 - Updates to the Chaplin Library to come in July

Update on Grand View

Update: May 24, 2008 - See below or this Grand View link. Note: some of the stories these are linked to are now offline...

The latest on Grand View is not good news. The 'Beleaguered Cemetery closed its Gate', says the June 14th, 2006 Glendale News Press.

On June 17th, 2006, the Glendale News Press reports 'Grave sites untouchable for now'. 'Troubled memorial park will remain closed and locked by order of the state for foreseeable future.'

I visited Grand View on my recent trip to Hollywood. I got there very late, so didn't have a great deal of time. But the thing I remember most, was returning to the door I entered one of the buildings and someone had closed it. When I grabbed the door knob to open the door, it fell off in my hand.

Seeing the gate was locked, I decided I better leave. Because I was so late in getting there, I didn't find Edna's space, but will try again on the return trip this year. Just hope the gates are open by that time...

Search Edna's Place for more stories on Grand View. Also, check Lisa's latest stories on Grand View. See here link to the right.

Update April 22, 2007 - I have many different posts about Grand View. You can find many of them by typing in GRAND VIEW in the Blogger Search feature for Edna's Place on the top left hand side of this site.

Update May 24: Grand View will be open for four hours (noon to 4PM) Sunday, May 25, 2008. More at this link.

Charlie Chaplin - Leading Lady Find...

I was working away on the video today and came across an item I found during my research. It is from the March 1926 Variety called ANOTHER CHAPLIN "FIND":

"Charlie Chaplin figures he has found another star in the embryo. Her name is Linda Nixon, sister of Marion Nixon.

Miss Nixon has a small part in the comedian's latest, 'The Circus''. Should her work prove satisfactory Chaplin contemplates making her his leading woman for a following picture."

Actually, I don't know Linda Nixon but wonder, if she was in 'The Circus', she could have been the lady in the 'disappearing act' scene. I could be totally wrong, but she was the most notable woman I can think of in that picture in a small role. She also reminded me a bit, in looks, to Georgia Hale. Here is a link to the Leading Ladies he did hire.

NOTE: Linda Nixon didn't play in the disappearing act. That scene was played by Betty Morrissey.

City Lights - #33 AFI Most Inspirational Film

Charlie Chaplin's 'City Lights' was picked number 33 by American Film Institute as the most inspirational film. The program on Wednesday evening showed the 100 inspired films with 'It's a Wonderful Life' as number one. 'City Lights' was the oldest entry in the list...

Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance books...

We are currently working on two books concerning Edna Purviance. Of course Charlie Chaplin figures in both, but one of the books will be of interest to anyone one has an interest in films. Stay tune for more information to come...

Sneak Peek of Lita Hill Interview

I am planning a special sneak peek of my interview with Lita Hill. If you are interested in getting on the list to learn more, please email me at Edna's site.

Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival - Bologna, Italy

July 1-8, 2006 - Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy will be held. See this link for more 2008 details... Here is a report from our visit at 2005 festival.

UPDATE: 2008 Il Cinema Ritrovato Festvial
Il Cinema Ritrovato 2008 - Bologna, Italy - June 28-July 5, 2008
Josef von Sternberg will be the featured event in 2008. The festival plans a program filled with Sternberg's films and even a talk about The Sea Gull "A Woman of the Sea". more>

'Silent' has new date (POSTPONED)

Lee H. Smith's play 'Silent', at the Sheffield Library Theatre, in Sheffield, England, has been postponed due to an illness with one of the main cast members. Check this link for more details...

Charlie Chaplin's A Day's Pleasure scene Yesterday and Today

Chaplin opened his studio in 1918 in what was orange farms and country homes. Hollywood grew up around it quickly in the 1920's. Houses were being built as can be seen in the background of the 1919 film 'A Day's Pleasure'. Chaplin shot this scene late in the day outside his dressing room.





The bottom image was taken about noon in May 2006. The 1919 image was taken with a longer lens, so that is why the hills in the background seem closer. Also there is a large building behind me where I shot this image. The area behind me was most likely a field in 1919...

Update June 20: I have another view I will post one of these days showing how close the studio is to Chaplin's former dressing room/office...

not good news...

Not good news from this ABC report concerning Limelight Films, if found to be true...
Note: Limelight Films Website is offline.

UPDATE: June 18, 2006 - Kiera has called off her wedding to the Count Basseville.

Chaplin Mutual Comedies - July 11 release date listed

I have been very busy so only noticed today the Chaplin Mutual Comedies: Restored Edition (with Carl Davis music) release date has been moved to July 11, 2006.

Personally, it gives me time to think. I love to have it, but with the cost and my budget, it does add up. I know many fans wouldn't think twice about buying it. I use to be that way myself, but if you have the money, it would be a great addition, for sure!

With the Hollywood Series coming out on DVD (hopefully soon in the US too) that is an easy decision in getting.

Charlie Chaplin's The Kid - Utah Symphony

July 8, 2006 - 9PM - 'The Kid' will be shown with a live performance by the Utah Symphony. See this link for more details...