Happy 100th Charlie Chaplin!

Greeting in Charlie Chaplin's 100th year, since being in his first film, with the presentation of the London 2014 Firework show. Set at The London Eye, on the banks of The Thames, by Royal Festival Hall and close to where Chaplin grew-up, what better way to kick off this year! Thanks, BBC One!

Garen Ewing's 'Napoléon' adventure

On November 30th, 2013, I had the great pleasure of seeing Kevin Brownlow's restored film of Abel Gance's NAPOLEON in London, at the Royal Festival Hall. And, equally so, I got to see it with comic creator, and silent film fan, Garen Ewing. Garen had wanted to see the film, since reading Kevin Brownlow's acclaimed book "The Parade's Gone By."

Here is Garen's excellent report about the film history and recent showing in London. It also includes Kevin Brownlow lecture on the film, held at BFI on December 10th. LINK

Clara Bow "It Girl" by comic artist Jessica Martin

Ever since I was introduced to Garen Ewing's The Rainbow Orchid, I have kept an eye out on other graphic novels/comic books, with a story based in the 1920's and in the silent film era.

Here is a brand new one created by Jessica Martin called "It Girl." It's based on the biography of Clara Bow's life. It's Martin's first comic and is available worldwide from her online shop. Certainly worth looking into for those who love silent films and looking to add some original new items to your collection. I certainly plan too!

'The retro period feel of the piece is gorgeously observed and beautifully referenced, and Martin's visual interpretation of Clara has an almost haunting authenticity…'

                                                                      Broken Frontier

Always enjoy seeing a new generation of people captured by the silent film era. Thanks, Jessica, for making Clara your first! (Thanks to Garen for leading me to this.)

Link to Martin's shop.

London's The Cinema Museum uniform collection

Ten years ago, I traveled to Great Britain in November 2003 to see a three day Charlie Chaplin film event. So, this year, I made another trip back to Britain to see NAPOLEON at the Royal Festival Hall. It was a wonderful trip, and I have some reports to follow. But for now, an online tour of one the places visited, called The Cinema Museum in London.

This video was made a few years ago by David Trigg, detailing the vast collection of uniforms once used during the golden age of cinema. Featured is the museum founder, Ronald Grant.



In coming weeks, I will have about our visit to the museum, on ednapurviance.org.