STOLEN MOMENTS - Podcast by Donna Hill

Donna Hill, Rudolph Valentino and silent film fan, has started what I believe is the first SILENT FILM PODCASTS in the US called STOLEN MOMENTS.

I have a list of shows below, with the latest, listed last.

While she currently has several shows about Valentino, she has started a few shows that included interviews with Kevin Brownlow and Patrick Stanbury with Photoplay Productions. Mr. Brownlow does talk about the Hollywood Series DVD collection in this interview and mentions it is copyright issues that have been a problem. Listen to the podcast to hear what Kevin has to say about it and more.

Also Podcast interviews with classic film festivals, like the Buster Keaton Convention and with David Kiehn with the Niles Bronco Billy Film Festival. (Check the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum for their latest events. Fans would also know David from his book 'Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company'.)

The programs are on iTunes and available with free subscription. Follow this link to a page of programs (download the PDF schedule) and this link to the blog about the shows. I know I will be a regular listener. (see green bold link below for latest update.)

UPDATE MARCH 31, 2007 - Links to more about Kevin Brownlow.

UPDATE JANUARY 17, 2007: Stolen Moments have posted there preview for 2007 programs. She mentions a possible interview with Kevin Brownlow. Check Stolen Moments for more.

UPDATE JANUARY 28, 2007: As fans know, The Hollywood Series was produced by THAMES PRODUCTION COMPANY. More about THAMES

UPDATE FEBRUARY 5, 2007 - Donna's February 5th show is ready to listen too! Features recordings from Luther H. Mahoney, who worked for Rudolph Valentino and chat with Denise Morrison, from the Kansas Silent Film Festival.

UPDATE MARCH 12, 2007 - Donna's has her latest program about Rudolph Valentino.

UPDATE AUGUST 18, 2007 - Donna had from recording problems this summer, but a new show will be coming soon! More>

UPDATE OCTOBER 15, 2007 - Donna Hill's interview about her coming book about Valentino. More>

UPDATE OCTOBER 20, 2007 - Donna has her current podcast up with information about upcoming shows. Including a future interview with Kevin Brownlow about Louise Brooks. More>

UPDATE APRIL 9, 2008 - Donna Hill is back with her current podcast! She speaks with founders Rob Farr and Richard Roberts from Slapsticon. MORE>

UPDATE JUNE 9, 2008 - Donna Hill interview with Stephen Salmons, San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Charlie Chaplin Library - LATEST

Dominique and I have updated the Chaplin Library Latest Page with the current additions in Dominique's Charlie Chaplin Book Collection. Nearing 500 books, look to see books on Chaplin from the 1910's to 2006.


Two of the newest publications included on the Latest page: 'Silent Traces' by John Bengston under the English section and 'Un Comico Vede IL Mondo' by Lisa Stein under the Italian section. (Lisa is well-known for her great site thelittlefellow.org and Discover Chaplin newsletter.) You can read about Lisa's book at her site, plus, she was involved with 'Silent Traces'.

I personally have seen 'Silent Traces' and find it should be of interest to any person interested in films and the old Los Angeles/Hollywood area. Chuck full of images with well researched film locations from Chaplin's films.

Library Notes: Except for books noted as 'in the current library', the books on the LATEST page are not listed on any other section of the library at this time. All books in the library are listed by country. Authors names are listed in order under each country. If a book has no author, the book is listed at the last page of each section.

Because we are reaching over 500 entries, I will be making some changes to the library in the future to handle the new additions. Enjoy your visit!

Charlie Chaplin lost production 'The Sea Gull'

THE SEA GULL "A Woman of the Sea"
By Linda Wada
Charlie Chaplin's lost film production.
(PUBLISHED BY LEADING LADIES)
BOOKS IN STOCK!
Purchase now ONLY at ednapurviance.com.
Comments about the book

"THE SEA GULL is an important contribution to film history, and worth buying for the stills alone. The look of the film, revealed in these marvellous photographs, makes it all the more tragic that it was destroyed.

This book provides the nearest experience we will have to seeing it. Thank you for all the hard work. It is much appreciated."

Kevin Brownlow - Silent Film Historian - London, England


If you were at Cinecon or saw Edna's home page, you would have seen our announcement about our first Edna book called THE SEA GULL - 'A Woman of the Sea'. Edna Purviance starred in the film which was directed by Josef von Sternberg, but Chaplin never released it.

While little has been known about this film, Edna personally kept a collection of images from the film. A few stills from this same collection are now in the BFI collection, which I reported on a couple of times on Edna's site. (Edna Purviance Collection and Edna Purviance Collection: Re-visited) But the ones for this book are from Edna's own collection and never seen before.

The SECOND book we are working on is Edna's biography. We do not have a name for that book yet, but we will have more on it in the coming months.

Update April 12, 2008 - We have just learned about a major Josef von Sternberg program planned for Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, Italy, June 28-July 5, 2008. Click this link for more information.

Have you seen this Charlie Chaplin Doll?

We are looking for anyone who may have seen this Charlie Chaplin doll. Charlie is dancing with a lady that could be one of his leading ladies, but with the dark hair under her hat, might represent Georgia Hale. This doll could have been a one of a kind, as the owner has checked many different sources and has come up empty. This Chaplin doll is made out of cloth and with 'straw and sawdust' like stuffing. It is about 16" high with a string attached to the two figures.

You can contact us here or on Edna's site if you can help with information. Thank you...

OCTOBER 15TH UPDATE: We have learned of another owner of the same Chaplin Dancing Doll! This time with a doll in the original box with tag! The new information is the doll was made by the DEAN'S DOLLS and TOYS COMPANY of London. (They are known for making Teddy Bears.) The label on the box says the doll is named: 'Charlie and auntie'. The tag on the dolls says: 'Dancing Drolls'. The patent number is: 33891. We like to send our special thanks to this owner for the new information! If you know of more information about this company or the dolls we would appreciate it. Thank you!

Update: The Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture at the University of Exeter in South West England, has a Chaplin doll that appears to be the same Charlie, but without the girl he is dancing with. The Centre's records on this doll. (This doll pictured on Douglas Centre site)

Update: Couple more Chaplin dolls

February 2, 2007 - The Charlie Chaplin Action Figure Doll is the latest doll on the market.

March 12th, 2007 - Here is Bernd Kunze's collection of Chaplin figures and toys.

UPDATE: March 10, 2009 - Here is our latest Charlie Chaplin doll we are researching.

The Rink & Modern Times, Live Music Birmingham UK

Birmingham event and more....
Birmingham, UK - October 14th, 2006 - Birmingham Symphony Hall will present Modern Times and The Rink with live music conducted by Carl Davis. Link for MORE information. Check this link for more live events.

Other events:
• St. Louis - thru October 15th - Don't miss the Webster University Chaplin Film Series which runs thru October 15th.
• San Francisco - Thanksgiving Weekend - San Francisco Symphony will show Charlie Chaplin's City Lights with David Robertson as conductor (Robertson is with the Saint Louis Symphony). Dates: November 22, 24 and 25 (Thanksgiving Weekend).
• CHARLIE & EDNA ON TCM in October & November - Schedule
• Auction Note: Edna's friend, Mabel Normand, is having an auction of personal items with Hertiage Auction Galleries. No Edna, but photos of Mabel, Chaplin and personal letters once belonging to Miss Normand.

Watch for on Edna:
• Our Cinecon/Hollywood Report
• Chaplin Library Update (Sept. 20th - Currently being updated)
• Current news about our first book about Edna Purviance's lost film: 'The Seagull'.
• See our latest story on Edna 'Chance and Speculation: Charlie Discovers Edna Purviance'.
• Coming: something for Edna's birthday October 21th.
• New Brief Glimpse

• Also don't forget to sign the Edna Purviance Walk of Fame Petition.

Charlie Chaplin Discovers Edna Purviance

Charlie Discovers Edna, A Wonderful Bit of Chance and Speculation, is our latest article on ednapurviance.org.

Originally planned for release January 17th, 2005, I have just released on Edna. It is from research I found a few years ago about Edna and her life in Nevada and San Francisco.

How Charlie and Edna first met as been written many different ways, with each story having different versions. But this 'speculation' shines light on how Chaplin could have FIRST SEEN Edna, back in Jaunary 1915.

This is SECTION ONE of the story. The conclusion is to follow. (NOTE: A FLASH PLAYER IS USED FOR ONE OF THE IMAGES.)

Edna Purviance Hollywood Walk of Fame Petition Drive

Edna Purviance
Hollywood
Walk of Fame
Signature Drive!
Learn MORE!

Behind the Limelight - play about Chaplin

The New York Musical Theatre Festival and the Chaplin Corporation are presenting a play about Chaplin called 'Behind the Limelight'. The six performances start September 19th and end September 30th. Actress, Brooke Sunny Moriber will play the part of Edna Purviance. This play premiered in the summer of 2005. I have not heard any news about it, so something of interest for fans in the New York area.

Update Sept 21th: Here is a review on this play from theatermania.com

MORE INFORMATION:
Link to the BEHIND THE LIMELIGHT official website.
July 21, 2005 - Playbill article
Vassar article on Limelight

Also, someone sent a couple more reviews you can see in comments.
MORE INFORMATION: The lyrics to the Limelight theme 'Eternally' and more...

UPDATE: Because of a related internet question I will place a short answer here - Edna Purviance was never in Limelight. Check this link for more.

Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance on TCM Sept. 15, 2006

UPDATE: Couple more early morning Charlie and Edna films to come on TCM. October 24, 5AM Eastern 'The Kid' & November 20th, 1:15 Eastern, 'The Pilgrim'. And November 28th, 6:30 AM Eastern 'The Great Dictator'.

September 15, 2006 - TCM will have five Charlie Chaplin films, including four with Edna Purviance. Check TCM September schedule for times (the current schedule list the programs starting at 7:30 AM Eastern).

They start with 'The Rounders' (Keystone 1914, with Chaplin and 'Fatty' Arbuckle) and the rest with Edna Purviance: 'A Dog's Life' (1918), 'Shoulder Arms' (1918), 'A Day's Pleasure' (1919) and 'The Idle Class' (1921).

UPDATE: Hollywood Series - Kevin Brownlow

I have been informed the Kevin Brownlow Hollywood Series DVD collection has been removed from the Amazon UK order list. It was delayed to a December release in the UK, but now has been removed.

I do know from our visit in Italy last year, copyright issues were a problem from the start. This film is full of film clips and interviews from many different sources.

As soon as we learn more, we will pass on. I hope this will be resolved, since having the collection available in DVD to help create new fans to silent films, is more valuable for all concern.

Update December 17, 2006 - So far I have not heard anymore news when this series will be available. There is lots of interest in this, so if any of our readers hear of anything by chance, certainly do past on. Many thanks... L - Edna's Place

Update April 21, 2007 - Kevin Brownlow was honored at the San Francisco International Film Festival on the weekend of April 28th. April 29th, he will present Kevin Brownlow: Introduction to Silents. Some news on the series might be mentioned during this visit. Fans will certainly be asking.

Update May 18, 2007 - No Hollywood Series information, but video of Kevin at the San Francisco International Film Festival. more>

From CINECON in Hollywood

Hello from Hollywood, California, the day after our film event Edna Purviance "The Angel from Nevada". We had a standing room only crowd! We did a seat count and we had 140-150 people in the room, with people standing along the back wall. I was at the back door bringing in more chairs as people continue to come in, after all the seats were taken. We had double applause at the end and met many people after the show was over.

We extended our thanks to everyone who attended! It was great to see a few long time fans and meet many new! We like to send a special thanks to longtime Edna fan Mark McKenzie for flying in to visit us here!

I am planning a Cinecon report for the site. Watch for it in the coming weeks! That is all from Hollywood for now... Many thanks! Watch for a new EDNA and CHARLIE story coming soon! AND see Edna's home page about our first BOOK on EDNA!

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2006
Cinecon Classic Film Report