More streets of London from the BFI Petticoat Lane 1903 It is amazing to think while these people looked into the camera, they couldn't imagine who will be looking back at them one day.
Tower Bridge Road Market 1931 Keep a careful eye out for the man who suddenly starts walking like Charlie Chaplin for a brief moment.
Charlie Chaplin's London from 1903. An amazing film from the BFI film collection. About 4 minutes of the streets of London. (When there appeared to be no traffic rules.)
Now, take a 1898 train ride through the countryside of Devon to the seaside town of Ilfracombe. (films from BFI Films)
If you haven't signed already, you can sign the Motion Picture Nursing Home Petition at this link. And for the latest 'spin' on what is happening, here is a link to The Wrap. (Richard Stellar has a personal involvement with the hospital.)
Edna Purviance spent her last year at the home and died there in January 1958.
After 15 years with CIGNA health insurance company, Wendell Potter blows the whistle. If you haven't seen this, you should... Part one and Part two. Podcast link below the video.
But Paypal decided not to make a big deal out of it, so never made a big announcement about it to their customers. Very kind of them, don't you think. You just find out the next time you order something.
This note below I am repeating from Matt Mickiewicz, who sent an email out about it. Paypal maybe a bit busy answering emails about why the new fees and why didn't you say something about it! I never like surprises on my bills, but that seems to be the norm in business.
"If you’re a PayPal customer, you may be in for a surprise the next time you look at your account.
Personal accounts are now charged a 2.9% fee + 30 cents to receive payments for “Goods” or “Services”, something that was previously free. No formal announcement about the change was made.
We didn’t want to make a huge formal communication out of this pricing change, because we weren’t really adding any fees, and we were hoping it would be a more useful experience for people.” — Charlotte Hill, PayPal PR Manager
Read that again. They chose not to announce it because it would be a more useful experience. PayPal’s director of product marketing, Heinz Waelchli was also less than forthcoming on the PayPal blog while trying to spin the story.
This double-dipping — charging both sellers and receivers for transactions — will result in a major increase in fee revenue for eBay Inc. which owns PayPal.
Want to get around this blatant money grab? Get a Premium or Business Account with PayPal.
John Schwally, writer and producer of FDR's Secret Air Force, was on Heritage Radio, Sunday, August 16th, 2009. He talked about the latest on FDR Secret Air Force. LINK to the podcast. Best to listen to the full program to catch all the broadcast. (Note: You have to page back some to find the link.)
Also, here is a link to the latest update on the trailer. David Hartman (known for his years as co-hosting Good Morning, America), narration is now added to the trailer.
If you haven't read yet, a segment of John Squire's private films are being edited into this documentary. (Jack was silent film star Edna Purviance's husband. He was one of the pilots who worked for the Secret Air Force.) ________________
Note: Any listeners to Edna's video and audios, if you have listening problems, let me know. I know there are issues out there with so many different players, so like to make sure you can hear and see the programs we have. But if you have a problem and don't mention it, I won't know. Thanks...
A few days ago, we reported about The Charlie Chaplin Playground winning an award. Jack (who lives in England) wrote in to tell us about the sign outside of the playground and kindly sent in these photos. The first one shows the gate and the second one a detail shot of one of the signs.
Jack, who is a longtime Chaplin fan, was wondering who is representing Chaplin in the playground sign, since the person doesn't look like the real Chaplin.
I have to agree, it doesn't look like Chaplin. Special thanks to Jack for sending these photos in!
The Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground has won the Adventure Playground of the Year award for 2009. This is great news, as a few years ago, they were having funding problems as the BBC report below shows.
But as this 2009 award shows the Charlie Chaplin playground has bounced back nicely:
"Beverley Salmon, senior playworker at Charlie Chaplin, said: "It's absolutely fantastic news for everyone here at Charlie Chaplin. We work very hard to make it a fun-filled and enjoyable experience for all.
"This is our second year as an independent voluntary run playground managed by Chaplin Trustees, it's been hard work but totally worth it.
"Charlie Chaplin has a large dedicated and highly supportive staff team with a vibrant family atmosphere. The team spirit, drive and passion for play make it a pleasure for me as playground manager.
"Charlie Chaplin is a very special place, a busy energetic environment with the constant roar of children laughing, playing and simply being themselves. We would like to say a big thank you from all the kids, staff, committee and all Chaplin supporters."
Melian Mansfield, chair of London Play, said: "We are delighted that the winner of the 2009 Adventure Playground of the Year Award, chosen by children, is the Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground in Lambeth." - Community Newswire Press
The BBC report from a few years ago when things were on the edge:
In April 2009, I did an interview with Garen Ewing about The Rainbow Orchid, the Adventures of Julius Chancer. I told Garen at that time I planned to create a video version using his audio recording of the interview and here it is!
When you get your book, check out that special 'spot varnish' on the cover. This is a quick shot (hand held, so a bit of a ghost) but shows the parts with the varnish (Characters and title).
Update Aug. 12: I know from stats, some of you have been trying to translate the podcast page to your language. I wish I knew many different languages, because I would translate it for you. Thanks for visiting! Hope you enjoy and able to get a copy of The Rainbow Orchid.
The thoughts of children's book author, Anthony Horowitz, from his interview today on the BBC World News Service. Enjoying books like Tintin as a child, Horowitz speaks to Owen Bennett-Jones about writing and his childhood. Interview about 28 minutes. LINK
Hayao Miyazaki, who rarely comes to the US, was recently at Comic-Con in San Diego. The Los Angeles Times caught up with the fame animator, who today prefers Charlie Chaplin films like Modern Times, to art house films. more >
Edna's home site officially past the 3 million pages read, as of August 5, 2009. I do believe it was in the morning hours. Who was the '3', I don't know, but happened sometime just before 2AM, Wednesday morning. Thanks to all our readers, over the years!
Budd Schulberg, the son of B.P. Schulberg (chief at Paramount Pictures in the 1920s and signed Riza Royce, which brought her to Hollywood) has died at the age of 95. more>
Riza Royce first met Josef von Sternberg about the time The Sea Gull started filming in 1926. They would marry after the filming, but had a rather rocky marriage which ended in the early 1930s.
The Rainbow Orchid by Garen Ewing has it's official Egmont UK launch this evening at the Foyles Gallery and bookshop in Central London. We send our congratulations and very best wishes for the success of his upcoming series of books about the adventures of Julius Chancer.
Garen's book is available now, at many UK and online locations, including Garen's RO shop. I am currently working on a short video presentation to our podcast interview launched in May. I will post when ready.
Update: A lovely report from the event this evening.
UPDATE Aug 3rd: On this night of the London launch, three Rainbow Orchids have just arrived in the post! Now I call that timing! Officially arrive at midnight London time, August 4th, 2009, the original release date for The Rainbow Orchid.
Latest Update Aug 4th:
The drawing of Lily and Edna from RO was in the Gallery show at the launch.
To continue my Rainbow Orchid celebration a sneak peek of my book. I may have to take this image down, due to copyright issues, but wanted to show you another view of The Rainbow Orchid books that arrived at midnight London time, Aug. 4th (just after Garen's official launch in London).
Our girl Edna is on this page, with the charming Lily Lawrence. A wonderful surprise and a zillion thanks to Garen for including Edna in his wonderful book! (Which I just sat down and marveled at last night, too overcome to just read it at the moment, but I will.)
I have followed Garen's book being created since the fall of 2001, and know it has been a long and hilly road (with great highs and lows), but what an achievement for him, finally!
If you are interested in ordering from Amazon, these were from Amazon UK and USA. The USA order from The Book Depository was ordered just over a week ago and two from Amazon UK ordered in May (pre-release). Both arrived the same day in excellent condition. Be aware, when ordering from the US, UK prices do vary, due to the ever changing exchange rate. (Note: if you live in the USA and like to save on shipping, The USA Book Depository website has the Rainbow Orchid locked in currently at a US dollar price, with FREE shipping.)
Really looking forward to seeing some items from Garen's Rainbow Shop, which just fully opened on Sunday, August 2nd. I will share those, when they come.
Learn more about The Rainbow Orchid at Garen's website. Also, on my podcast interview with Garen, I have links to the latest reviews and interviews. I am working on a short video for the podcast as well.
Update Aug. 8th: I have really enjoyed seeing Garen's book get some really good numbers on sales this week. While it always changes, Garen's Rainbow Orchid book has been in the top 100 bestsellers for comic graphic novels under Amazon UK for three days in a roll (I saw it as high as #18). And I should note, if you haven't read it here yet, Edna is pictured in this book with Lily Lawrence (Garen's leading lady and silent film star.) So if you are an Edna fan, I say, a must for your collection.) Garen used to run the Chaplin UK several years ago, so a longtime Chaplin, Edna and silent film fan.
Update Aug. 8th: I have read some exciting chatter for Garen's next two books, featuring Part 2 and 3 of the continuing story about The Rainbow Orchid. Please be patience, they are coming, but it does take time. They are not ready to fly out to the press, but much work goes into creating this wonderful story! At this moment, mid and late 2010 are the dates planned, but dates can change, so please be patience, there coming.
Update Aug. 9th: Here is a video interview in London during Garen Ewing's The Rainbow Orchid book launch at Foyles Gallery on Monday, Aug. 3rd. The program is Fantastic Realm with Iyare (comic book program). The program is 9 minutes long and Garen appears about 3:36 minutes into the video for a short interview segment in the gallery. (Note: I do know now, Edna's picture from the book was included in the Gallery show.)
Aug. 21, 2009 -
Latest interview with Garen Ewing by Alex Fitch.
Oct. 4, 2009 - Video of Garen Ewing signing book for fan, Ray Clenshaw, at BICS:
August 6, 2009 - Cape Cod Museum - 6PM Eastern - Stephen Weissman lecture with screening of 'The Kid' at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Lecture free with museum donation. More information
One of our special Edna fans sent us this special video interview with Sunnyside author, Glen David Gold, from the Guardian UK. (about 14 minutes) Link
Laurel + Hardy's
This 12 minute video includes Garen talking about the story of The Rainbow Orchid, creation of some of his characters to publishing with Egmont UK. We hope you will enjoy this glimpse into Garen's work with his own words. (The program is saved as a Quicktime high quality video. If you have any playing issues, please let me know. I could try saving in Real Player for PCs.)
When you get your book, check out that special 'spot varnish' on the cover. This is a quick shot (hand held, so a bit of a ghost) but shows the parts with the varnish (Characters and title).
The drawing of Lily and Edna from RO was in the Gallery show at the launch.
Update Aug. 8th: I have really enjoyed seeing Garen's book get some really good numbers on sales this week. While it always changes, Garen's Rainbow Orchid book has been in the top 100 bestsellers for comic graphic novels under Amazon UK for three days in a roll (I saw it as high as #18). And I should note, if you haven't read it here yet, Edna is pictured in this book with Lily Lawrence (Garen's leading lady and silent film star.) So if you are an Edna fan, I say, a must for your collection.) Garen used to run the Chaplin UK several years ago, so a longtime Chaplin, Edna and silent film fan.
