Chaplin: The Life and Times of the Tramp by Simon Louvish

Chaplin
The Tramp's Odyssey
by Simon Louvish

“The unhappiest and shyest human being I have met,” according to a reporter for the New York Times, quoted in Simon Louvish's account - Time UK

Latest book about Charlie Chaplin is from author Simon Louvish. Chaplin: The Tramp's Odyssey, focuses on the 'mask behind the man' and 'weighs the relationship between the Tramp, his creator, and his world-wide fans'. The Times online UK, has a full review at this link.


The book is published by Faber and Faber, and is available online from Waterstones bookshop UK and Tesco Entertainment UK.

Update March 28th, 2009 - Guardian UK review by Simon Callow

Glen Gold Sunnyside update: Hardcover deal

With independent booksellers speaking out, the publishers of Glen David Gold's Sunnyside hardback edition have decided not to offer Mr. Gold's hardcover book only through Waterstone. more>

Annette Lloyd latest book about Harold Lloyd

Harold Lloyd
Magic in a Pair of Horn-Rimmed Glasses
by Annette D'Agostino Lloyd
planned release from BearManor Media
July 4, 2009

"I am proud to announce that my latest book on Harold Lloyd - entitled Magic In a Pair of Horn-Rimmed Glasses - is now nestled safely with its publisher, BearManor Media! It is quite a departure from other books on HL, in that it deals specifically with the Turning Points in his life and career. These are the moments, the events, the milestones, that changed him, altered his methodologies, defined who he was." - Annette Lloyd

(Annette did mention she would send us more. When it comes, I will post here.)

Dilys Laye has died

Comic actress, Dilys Laye, has died at the age of 74. Laye's played in the film 'A Countess from Hong Kong' directed by Charles Chaplin. The Stage (UK) reports it will have a full obituary notice on Laye.
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67-Foot Tall Chaplin Statue
Under the odd news section, a 67-foot tall statue of Charlie Chaplin is planned to be unveiled in OtthineNe, March 28th. The statue is being used for a scene in a film called 'Houseful'.

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For our UK readers:
BBC 4 (Broadcast) - February 28, 2009 - 21:00 (9PM London Time) - Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock

Update March 1, 2009 - Live in the UK? Check the BBC 4 website to see it online on iPlayer. (check site for how long)

Easy Street and more...

If you haven't been over yet, Silents are Golden is presenting the exclusive online version of Famous Library Films, by H.A.V. Bulleid, M.A. With the introduction by Kevin Brownlow, it features a preface by Fritz Lang. By clicking on the image below you can enter the book.

You will find several listings, so far,
including this listing for Easy Street.

We need to thank Lon Davis for helping make this happen.

Also, to continue with Mr. Davis, Lon's interview with KMTR reporter Kelli Warner, in Eugene, Oregon is now available on YouTube.

How do you pronounce Edna Purviance's name?

A question I am often asked is how did Edna pronounce her last name. I heard it pronounced different ways over the years. If you watch the 1959 version of The Chaplin Revue, you will clearly hear Charlie Chaplin say Edna's name correctly.

It is in in the beginning of the film, where Chaplin is showing his new studio in 1918. Chaplin did a voice over for the 1959 re-release and edits of his original films from First National.

This is how I knew Edna's name was pronounced, until I visited Nevada.

When I visited Paradise Valley, Winnemucca, and Lovelock, Edna's name was pronounced differently. Listen to this audio/video link with Lita Hill, Edna's grand niece, to learn how Edna Purviance pronounced her last name, officially.

Stephen Weissman lectures in San Francisco

Dr. Stephen M. Weissman, author of Chaplin: A Life, will be presenting a lecture about Chaplin called 'Chaplin's The Kid & The Loss-Restitution Hypothesis of Creativity' in San Francisco, May 16, 2009. The lecture will be with a showing of The Kid.

The presentation is part of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry's 53rd Annual Meeting, being held at the Hilton San Francisco. Here is a link to a PDF file with more information.

Reminder: Mr. Wessiman will also be doing a free lecture in New York City, April 27th.

Interview with Garen Ewing by Matt Badham

If you have been around Edna's site since I started eight years ago, you know the name Garen Ewing. Garen give me my first ever official link to the web!

I told Garen this many times, that Edna's site most likely would have never made it off my hard drive without his sheer enthusiasm when I first showed him my very first site, months before it had an .org or .com.

Tonight, I just read a wonderful interview by Matt Badham at Forbidden Planet about Garen Ewing. The best yet!

Garen's book The Rainbow Orchid is due to start publication this year at Egmont, and I am very excited about it! I only wish I could make it over to the book signings and celebrations as it gets launched.

UPDATE: April 1, 2009 - Announced on Garen's site today! Release date for The Rainbow Orchid is August 4th, 2009. more>

But short of that, we can at least learn more about this talented artist, from the UK, thanks to Mr. Badham.

Thank-you, Garen, for sharing your time.

LINK TO INTERVIEW

February 23, 2009 - I have just read this morning, Garen has just updated his The Rainbow Orchid site. It is the official web home for The Adventures of Julius Chancer. He is updating the members section, as well, to 'The Adventurers' Society', a special place that he plans to load with unique items for members only. He is also returning to having a Rainbow Orchid shop, as the publication date nears this summer. Really looking forward to it!

Updated note: I have been really enjoying the newly updated website. One section called, Behind the Scenes, has always been a real favorite of my. The updated section has even more great additions!

Our Gang Star Shirley Jean Rickert has died

February 12, 2009 - Our gang star Shirley Jean Rickert died at her nursing home in Saratoga Springs, New York last Friday. Born in Seattle in 1926, she was 82 years old. Shirley played the girl with the blond spit curls in the Hal Roach 1930s Our Gang comedies. more>

The Gold Rush at the SF IndieFest

February 28, 2009
San Francisco Independent Film Festival
Presenting
The Gold Rush
Placer County Museums and the Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office
Time: 4PM at the Sugarbowl, Norden, Ca.
See this link for more information.

Keystone Films planned for release Fall 2009

The Charlie Chaplin Keystone Films appear to be planned for release in the fall of 2009! This is the latest information from BFI. Watch for more details.

Updates: books, smile, site and more...

First off, I have placed up a new A Brief Glimpse with a special item we received from the Louis Munoz Collection. We like to thank Mr. Munoz for sharing this special item with us. Check it out!

• The Chaplin Library and Chaplin Library Database has been updated with the Latest books in the Dominique's Chaplin book collection.

• On the Purviance book, just doing a load of research and waiting for some information to return. A few items have come back, but the research and planning for book two continues. Thanks for all the letters and good wishes of support on this project. It is coming along.

• On the Edna front, we again thank everyone getting The Sea Gull. Watch your emails for information on your orders. Also, if you like a book, but low on cash, try to win one during our Chaplin Chaplin Birthday event. Thanks for the interest, so far.

• Also, we have been getting quite a few inquires on different topics, so I am getting to them, as I can. One topic I will be placing up a special post very soon.

• And thanks for the new updates coming in. Here is one of interest for our SMILE fans. Stephen Weissman has posted this one of Geraldine Chaplin and grand daughter, Oona Chaplin singing SMILE.

• And we received a message about a new site about Mabel Normand. The site has a different twist, as it features vintage postcards from the golden age of Southern California, when silent films were the rage and everything was new. Created by Delores Hanney, you can check out the new site called Mabel in Paradise at this link.

• Other items, I have been updating here and there on Edna's site, so you may see something new. All for now, and thank you for visiting!

San Francisco Silent Film Festival Valentine's Day Event

San Francisco Silent Film Festival will be holding a special Valentine's Day event on Saturday, February 14, 2009.


Called 4th Annual Winter Event, the program will have live music played by Philip Carli and Dennis James.

Films scheduled for the day:
Our Hospitality (1923)
A Kiss from Mary Pickford (1927)
Sunrise (1927)
The Cat and the Canary (1927)

See this link for more details.

Motion Picture Hospital: Candlelight Vigil Planned

FEBRUARY 12, 2009
Candlelight Vigil
at the front of the home starting at 5PM

Address: 23388 Mulholland Dr.
Woodland Hills, California, 91364
from the 101 fwy north and Mulholland towards Calabasas

Thank you for your comment on our earlier post about the closing of the Motion Picture Hospital.

This is to let our readers know a Candlelight Vigil is planned for in front of the home on February 2, 2009, starting a 5PM. If you can be there, please stop by to show your support.

The following is the full comment we received:
"I have been an employee at the MPTV Fund for the last 10 years. This is not only a sad story it is criminal. The "Board" NEVER in the last four years reached out to ANYONE regarding the supposed losses/deficit. They have turned away ALL donations for the home to remain open.

They did this on purpose and with malice. For the board this killing two birds with one stone. They are able to take the charity into a different direction without regard to HUMAN LIFE. AND to dismantle the Union by eliminating over 200 Union employees.

Where is their responsibility to human life? Do they simply do Charity for SPORT? It seems that way. Research what I'm saying.

Please Join us in standing up for the vulnerable. We are holding a candlelight vigil in front of the home on 2/12 at 5pm to help stop the criminal EVICTION of over 100 residence."

Address:
23388 Mulholland Dr. Woodland Hills
CA 91364
of the 101 fwy north and Mulholland towards Calabasas

Note: this is a link I had on the sidebar recently. The article is still 'live' so here is the link from the Daily News in LA.

February 11, 2009 - Latest from the LA TIMES

Update: We received three messages before this event, so hope it went well.

TCM Charlie Chaplin's Birthday 2009

April 16, 2009 - Turner Classic Movies plans a full day of Chaplin films to celebrate Charlie's birthday on April 16th. The films will run from morning to early evening. Check your local schedule for times.

Charlie Chaplin Birthday Event!

Contest for
Charlie Chaplin's Birthday
April 16th, 2009

Charlie Chaplin Birthday
Edna's Crossword Puzzle Challenge
Win a signed copy of The Sea Gull with 8x10 cover photo
(Over $50 value, including shipping) Contest open Worldwide.

Win a copy of The Sea Gull, by getting all the answers correct on this specially made Edna crossword puzzle. The questions are centered around Edna and the answers are on ednapurviance.org site or in Edna's films.

You can use the download workout sheet with crossword puzzle and questions to help find the answers. See this link for more details.

Once you have the answers, fill in the official entry form and email to us with all requested information. All information is required. If your answers are correct, your name will be entered in the the drawing for a copy of The Sea Gull.

Deadline April 16th, 2009: 12 noon West Coast Time

In case we do not have a winner on April 16th, the contest will continue until we do. Do read this link page for full details.

AND TO MAKE THIS EVENT MORE SPECIAL TCM (Turner Classic Movies) will have a full day of Charlie Chaplin films on Chaplin's birthday!)

Get those pencils sharpened and give it a try! Join in the fun!

THANKS FOR ALL THE INTEREST SO FAR, BUT GET YOUR ENTRIES IN TOO, TO HAVE A CHANCE! ANSWERS ON ON EDNA'S .ORG SITE AND IN A FEW OF HER FILMS.

This puzzle is a tribute to Stephen Burstin and his wonderful work producing The Chaplin Society newsletter. There were a great team of people behind it, but Stephen was the 'engine' that got it done. Stephen had a puzzle in that publication which I really enjoyed. I always wanted to try one here and thought this was a good time. Leading Ladies has given away two Sea Gull books so far. This will be number three. Really wanted to make it more fun and more of a challenge too (especially with the higher cost of the book). Good luck to all who try! We will continue the contest, until we have a winner.

Crossword Puzzle created by Linda Wada for event.