Happy New Year's to our Friends in the UK & Europe!

Library of Congress 2009 National Registry

25 films were added to the 2009 Library of Congress National Registry, including silent films with Mabel Norman 1914 "Mabel's Blunder," 1927 film directed by Karl Brown "Stark Love," and the 1911 live action animation work of "Little Nemo" by Winsor McCay.

Here is a little tribute to all of them. More about the list at this link.

Charlie Chaplin's 'White Elephant'

My cartoon pick for the day and it might disappear, since I can't find the copyright on it.



UPDATE: Here is a PDF with more from BFI about this and other Chaplin 'Clones.' I will keep this cartoon up, as long as allowed. Note: BFI is currently working on the DVD collection of the Chaplin Keystone films.

Slapstick 2010 Program

The current Slapstick 2010 program in Bristol, England is now available in a PDF download. LINK TO PDF.


Update: BBC Breakfast report on Slapstick 2010

Amazon UK link for the DVD Chaplin Keystone

Amazon UK has the link for the Chaplin Keystone Collection from BFI Video Publishing, up and running. You can currently sign up for an email alert when the collection goes on sale. The BFI PAL edition, are in 2 discs and according to the latest information, does not include outtakes as extras.


UPDATE August 25, 2010 - The USA Flicker Alley release of the 4 DVD set of Chaplin at Keystone will release in Oct. (either on 26th of before). Pre-order special with free shipping on now at Flicker Alley. LINK

The USA version will be released through FLICKER ALLEY, but it currently doesn't show any Amazon links on the USA site. So we are getting closer to having these being available! I can see lots of these under the tree next some year! (Note - Keystone ASIN: B002EAKWDO)

Checkout FLICKER ALLEY site for bonus clips of several currently release silents films, including the Valentino Collection, J'Accuse and Douglas Fairbanks. Also, check out the BFI site for more about the restoring of the Keystone films.

See comments for more information on this long awaited collection.

1916 - Charlie Chaplin's Own Story, online

"Christmas came and went and I did not have an offer of a place on the stage." - from 'Charlie Chaplin's Own Story', 1916 on Internet Archives

Looking for some online reading this Christmas? Internet Archives has the 1916 book 'Charlie Chaplin's Own Story.' It was the first book published about Chaplin, but this controversial book, cause a legal battle when it was published. This rare book is now available online. It is available for download or to read online.

Update on Chaplin The Keystone Films

I learned today from our loyal European fan, that The Keystone Films will be released worldwide under different labels. In the UK, it will be under BFI and in the USA it will be under Flicker Alley. It is currently still on schedule for sometime in 2010.

Honorable Mention for Miss Edna

The Sea Gull author just learned we have received a HONORABLE MENTION for BEST NON-FICTION AUTHOR from the Beverly Hills bi-weekly publication called The Beverly Hills Outlook.

Meanwhile, we are still sorting out details with a possible new printer for the book. Christmas holiday season for the book company and a load of personal business work for us, does slowdown the process.

We do have a growing list of people interested in buying The Sea Gull. Currently, we are sold out of good copies, so hoping to get this all worked out. If you are interested in the book, you can add your name to the list by contacting us.

In case you didn't know, our current printer basically quit doing the job this fall, so we had to look for another printer who can produce quality work. I will email the list on any major developments, but in the meantime, just watch Edna's websites for updates.

Note: The Sea Gull is about Edna Purviance's lost film, produced by Charles Chaplin, and directed by Josef von Sternberg. Book by Linda Wada, published by Leading Ladies.

My silent film era Cartoon Pick of the day!

It is Saturday morning and time for another animated cartoon pick. Getting my fix with Felix the Cat today. From Crazy Toon World. 1920s animated Felix Cartoon. Felix's creator, Otto Messmer, was inspired by cartoon artist Winsor McCay and by the film work of Charlie Chaplin.

Actress, Jennifer Jones, has passed away

Academy Award winning actress, Jennifer Jones, has died at the age of 90. She won the Oscar for "The Song of Bernadette" in 1943. Full story here at the LA Times.

Claire Bloom on UK's The Doctor Who Christmas Special

Claire Bloom will be on Doctor Who Christmas special this holiday season on the UK BBC. From the Times Online, an interesting article covering her time with Charlie Chaplin. (Bloom's first film was Limelight, with Charlie Chaplin.) More

UPDATE: DEC. 25th - I just had a Chaplin/Purviance fan, clear this one up for me, as BBC America will be showing Doctor Who latest program with Claire Bloom on Dec. 26th (the day after it first appeared in the UK). Check it out SATURDAY, Dec. 26th, on BBC America.

Another little book in a Top Book list...

Thanks to Lon Davis, who just let me know about another little book making it into the San Francisco Examiner Best Book List of most recent books... Take a look at the slide show at the bottom of the article...

My tribute to photographer, Larry Salton

In the summer of 1980, I was a student at the Sun Valley Art Center in Sun Valley, Idaho. One of the workshops that summer was with photographers Mike Mandel and Larry Salton. The workshop was two weeks long, with the second week devoted to creating a billboard in Shoshone, Idaho.

They Came to Shoshone was created from varies ideas involving the town of Shoshone. Three students, including myself, were photographed and placed on the billboard. It stayed there for many months, but this picture was taken the day we put it up. All the students helped in creating it.

Larry Salton has passed away Sunday from cancer at his home in Greenbrae, California. He was 63 years old. More at the LA Times.

2009 BEST BOOK LISTS!

Books I have posted on Edna's site this year that have made it on some BEST BOOK LIST for 2009. Check them out! (Updated December 16th.)

Leonard Maltin's BEST BOOKS LIST includes:
King of the Movies: Francis X. Bushman
by Lon and Debra Davis (Also on the S.F. Examiner List)

The Comedy of Charlie Chaplin: Artistry in Motion
by Dan Kamin

UK Independent list BEST CHRISTMAS BOOKS

Best Movies
'Chaplin: A Life' by Stephen Weissman

Best Children's
The Rainbow Orchid by Garen Ewing
Also on the Lovereading 4 Kids Books of the Year 2009

Update December 16, 2009
San Francisco Examiner - Best 2009 and Recent Film Book List

The Sea Gull - by Linda Wada

Aviators in Early Hollywood - By Shawna Kelly

Great additions to your collection! For more books on these list, check these links: Leonard Maltin, UK Independent and The San Francisco Examiner. Note: The Sea Gull is on the Best Most Recent Film Book List (since it was published in 2008). The Sea Gull is currently working on getting a new printer for the book.

Latest Chaplin Library Database Update

I just love this cover!
It is the first cover I have seen
about eight images of Edna on it.

Just one of the latest books added to Dominique's
Chaplin Library Database

Recollecting Charlie

by Kaushik, Manav
Hardback edition with jacket (English)
Shubhi Publication (India) 2009
426 pages - illustrated

Charlie Chaplin Antique Enameled Handbag

Charlie Chaplin
Antique Enameled Handbag
Cream and black over metal mesh
Silver-toned metal handle
(Auction Now Over: Winning Bid Chaplin bag: $1784.25.)

This lovely purse is currently up for auction at Auctions Collect.

There is a colour handbag, as well, with Clark Gable. Auction ends December 16th... (Winning Bid Gable: $1989)

Actor Gene Barry has died...

Actor Gene Barry died Wednesday at the Sunrise Assisted Living center at Woodland Hills, California. He was 90 years old. Mr. Barry played in dozens of films and numerous television series, including starring in the 'The War of the Worlds' (sci-fi classic). More at the LA TIMES.

My cartoon pick for today

My cartoon video pick of the day. Ivan Maximov Russian cartoon set to Bolero. Again, another wordless piece set to music.

Amazing animation with paint on city streets

From my other interest file, an amazing animated video by BLU. Created in Brazil, this animation wasn't created with blue screens, but painted on the city street walls of Buenos Aires and Baden. I find it like a modern silent film, since there is no talking and only music and some sound effects accompanying the 7+ minute piece. Enjoy.

The Rainbow Orchid special DECEMBER SALE!

SPECIAL SALE NOW OVER
The Rainbow Orchid
Special December Sale!
£4 off Signed/Sketched Books & T-shirts!
Click here and HURRY and order TODAY!


"Best Books for Christmas List 2009"
Independent UK

Direct from Garen Ewing's
The Rainbow Orchid Shop
Sale price includes shipping
Special gift this holiday season!
Watch for Volume 2 in 2010!

Update: December 11, 2009: Garen Ewing's 'The Rainbow Orchid' listed as one of the Best children's books for Christmas - The Independent (UK).

UPDATE Jan. 2010 - Looking for the best USA price on The Rainbow Orchid? Check out The Book Depository. It is listed under $10 with free shipping worldwide. Prices can change. I have ordered from them and had good service from the UK. Also, if you have an Amazon account, it is listed under $7 (currently in January 2010), but you need to add shipping to USA order.

Aurélia's Oratorio at Berkeley

Aurélia’s Oratorio
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Berkeley, California
December 4 - January 24, 2010

Written and directed by Victoria Thierrée Chaplin

"Fantasy for the whole family."

Austrian Film Museum Chaplin retrospective

From today (Dec. 2nd) through January 7th, 2010, the Austrian Film Museum will be showing a full retrospective of Charlie Chaplin's films. Check this link for more details.

February 25, 2010 - Review of the event.

December events at Niles

DECEMBER EVENTS AT THE NILES ESSANAY
SILENT FILM MUSEUM AND THEATRE

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - 3:00 PM

Free Book Signing and Presentation

Theatres Of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose with Jack Tillmany and Gary Parks.

Saturday, December 5, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $15 general admission - $12 museum members
advance tickets available

THE GREAT NICKELODEON SHOW
Return to a time when movies were shown with vaudeville acts, illustrated songs, hand-colored slides, and lecturers in frock coats. See Illusionist extraordinaire, Reed Kirk Rahlmann with his notorious contortionist routine, still uncensored but all-new, rivaling Houdini and the Great Sandow for its outrages against the human body.

See Greg Tiede impersonating Winsor McCay in his famous vaudeville act featuring Gertie the Dinosaur, the world’s first cartoon superstar. See the Georges Melies' fantasy masterpiece A Trip to the Moon performed as San Francisco originally saw it – with narration – recreated by the Niles Essanay Thespian Ensemble.

See four lost illustrated songs. Hear [and see!] songs accompanied by authentic handcolored magic lantern slides and song stylings by the inimitable Lori Leigh Gieleghem and Sean Sharp. The entire affair will be presided over by Frederick Hodges, who will accompany the live acts and additional movies in the authentic nickelodeon style. 35mm Prints will be shown on our Powers Cameragraph 6B hand-cranked projector.

Additional films include:

The Great Train Robbery - (1903, Edison, handcolored, 35mm)
Suspense - (1913, Rex, 35mm)
The Dancing Pig - (1907, Pathe, 35mm)
The Red Spectre - (1907, Pathe, hand-colored)

Sunday December 6, 2009 - 12:30 PM
Suggested donation $10 general admission - $8 museum members
advance tickets available

AVIATION THRILLS ON THE SCREEN

The Legend of Pancho Barnes (2009)

The thrilling life and times of aviation pioneer Florence Lowe ‘Pancho’ Barnes, one of the most colorful and accomplished women pilots of the early 20th Century, is chronicled in this documentary directed by Amanda Pope; produced and written by Nick T. Spark.

It features interviews with Chuck Yeager and Buzz Aldrin, and is narrated by Tom Skerritt and Kathy Bates. Mr. Spark will host this event and be available for questions after the film. Photo courtesy of the Pancho Barnes Trust Estate Archive

Hell’s Angels (1930, Caddo Co.) Ben Lyon, James Hall, Jean Harlow
Howard Hughes’ aviation classic tells the story of two brothers, both in love with Jean Harlow, who join the RAF when World War 1 breaks out. Maybe the dialog and acting are dated, but no expense was spared on the impressive dogfight and zeppelin scenes. Pancho Barnes provided sound effects for the film by flying at an altitude of 1000 feet around a balloon that contained a microphone.


Saturday December 12 3:00 PM
Free
Book Signing and Presentation
Early Universal City by Bob Birchard

Saturday December 12, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Judy Rosenberg (piano)
advance tickets available

UNIVERSAL CITY-AN EVENING WITH BOB BIRCHARD
In conjunction with the publication of Bob Birchard’s new book, Early Universal City, Bob will host a program of Universal releases, and be available to sign his books, which include biographies of Cecil B. De Mille and Tom Mix, and filmmaking in Santa Barbara.
The Goose Woman (1925, Universal) Louise Dresser and Jack Pickford star in a story of a mysterious woman whose past comes to light.

With shorts:
Behind the Screen - (1915, Nestor) Al Christie, Neal Burns, Eddie Lyons
He Married Her Anyhow - (1914, Joker-Universal)
The Black Masks - (1913, Bison, reissued as Unmasked, 1917) Francis Ford and Grace Cunard.

Sunday December 13, 2009 - 4:00 PM
Suggested donation $5

LAUREL & HARDY MATINEE

advance tickets available

The Midnight Patrol Tent of the “Sons Of The Desert”

The International Laurel & Hardy vintage comedy appreciation society, will once again be meeting at the Edison Theater at 3:00 pm prior to the films. The public is welcome to attend their friendly, informal and informative meeting. Bill Cassara, author of Edgar Kennedy, Master of the Slow Burn, will be in attendance to sign his book.

Babes in Toyland - (1934, Roach) Laurel and Hardy star in this perennial favorite with music from the Victor Herbert operetta.

With shorts:
Mabel’s Wilful Way - (1915, Keystone) Mabel Normand, Fatty Arbuckle, Edgar Kennedy
Laughing Gravy - (1931, Roach) Laurel and Hardy
Mama’s Little Pirate - (1934, Roach) Our Gang

Saturday December 19, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Judy Rosenberg (piano)
advance tickets available

Short Subjects Night
The Floorwalker - (1916, Lone Star) Charlie Chaplin
Among Those Present - (1921, Roach) Harold Lloyd
The High Sign - (1921, Comique) Buster Keaton
Big Business - (1929, Roach) Laurel and Hardy

Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Bruce Loeb (piano)

Steamboat Bill, Jr. - (1928, Buster Keaton) Buster Keaton filmed this Mississippi riverboat comedy in Sacramento. It includes one of his most famous and dangerous stunts.
With shorts:
Two Gun Gussie - (1918, Rolin) Harold Lloyd
Love ‘em and Weep - (1927, Roach) Stan Laurel, James Finlayson, Oliver Hardy

Check this link for tickets and more details!
Thanks to Michael Bonham for the December schedule. (listing from Niles)