Raquel Meller, NOT Edna Purviance

Another NOT EDNA PURVIANCE, as Jessica Buxton shared an image she found in the new book 'Charlie Chaplin' by Peter Ackroyd (released May 2014).

The photo marked (A) shows Charlie Chaplin, but NOT with Edna Purviance, as the caption reads in Ackroyd's book, but with Raquel Meller. And the year wasn't 1918, but 1926. In picture (B), Chaplin and Meller were photographed for the Los Angeles Times on the Circus set, at Chaplin's studio in the summer of 1926 (image B). 

Special image created by ednapurviance.org

Chaplin had one of his instant attraction to Meller, and even wanted to cast her in his NAPOLEON film. While nothing came of that, Chaplin did use the song Meller helped make famous, "LA VIOLETERA," for his music for the blind girl theme in 'City Lights.'  Chaplin never credited the composer, leading people to think  "LA VIOLETERA" was his own creation. The composer, José Padilla Sánchez, sued Chaplin, and won his lawsuit against Chaplin for using his music uncredited. 

As for the caption, it's another example of people not knowing what Edna Purviance looks like. It's easy to see it is NOT Edna, by face features and hair colour alone. What's more puzzling, is how the author came to the conclusion this was Edna.   

Thanks, Jessica, for sharing this. Just want people to know, if you have this book, and you see this image, it is NOT Edna Purviance. 

Another NOT Edna Purviance at Edna's Facebook page and Edna's org. Home site.

And here is an original recording of "LA VIOLETERA" as sung by Raquel Meller in the 1920s.

Original composer, José Padilla Sánchez.

Grand View Cemetery sold!

After nearly a decade of court battles, and trying to find a new owner, Grand View Cemetery has been sold. The Heritage Cemetery Management Inc. purchased the Glendale cemetery in May 2014.

Currently, the cemetery is having some upgrades, with future plans for more improvements. The cemetery first opened in 1890. It ran into serious problems leading to a lawsuit in 2005. Time will tell what the future of the cemetery will be, but at least it is beginning a new start.

Grand View is the final resting place for several films stars, including Edna Purviance.

More from the Glendale Press.

Edna Purviance DOES NOT have a Star on the Walk of Fame

Just letting fans know, I learned today from Diana Calado, my FAKE Walk of Fame Star, for the Edna Purviance Walk of Fame petition drive, was used in a book about Charlie Chaplin, saying Edna has a star.

Edna DOES NOT have a star on the Walk of Fame, and these people never read the site or never followed up, to learn the information behind this star. They just took it and published it.

So, letting my followers and fans know, this is my fake star, and I had NOTHING to do with the publisher of the book, who took my image and published it with false information on Edna. Thanks very much to Diana Calado, for informing me about this today...

Comparing Charlie Chaplin's THE PILGRIM

Joao Antônio Franz dos Santos has created this wonderful comparison video showing the official release of THE PILGRIM (as Charlie Chaplin had last edited it for The Chaplin Revue in the late 1950s) and a much earlier Russian version released closer to the original silent version.

Don't know the exact year of the Russia version, but could have been an original silent version released with sound during the 1930s, since the frame isn't as wide. But Joao was going through his collection and re-discovered it, so can't remember when he got it, but decided to make this comparison to show the differences.

Sample from Joao's comparison, showing Edna & Charlie in scene not in the any official version.

The Russian version is not restored, but putting that aside, you'll see totally different takes, more close ups, scenes not seen anywhere else, changes in speed, and general different feel of Charlie's character, that Chaplin edited together in the earlier version. I and others, have seen a more gentle version of Charlie's character in his last edited films, over his earlier edited films during his career. (I did a report on The Kid a few years ago.)

I personally enjoy seeing these earlier versions, because it tells me more about Chaplin during his filmmaking years, over the period he was retired and re-editing his work for a modern audience. He shifted his character to being more gentle and polite in his later edits, every chance he got. I have now seen the same change in The Kid, Shoulder Arms, Pay Day and now The Pilgrim. (Should say, also love the silent version of The Gold Rush, over the narrative one in the 1940s.) Just something more real about this character in his earlier edits.

Chaplin also was more balanced in showing the other characters he played with. To me, he seemed to refocused the last edits toward himself more, and removed bits to whole backgrounds of the other characters. (I thought Jackie had some of his best scenes in an earlier version of The Kid, but could say the same for some of Chaplin's scenes, as well.) Great film in both, but love the earlier version as Charlie's character seems more real, and not as polished. The best thing I like about the last edited films is the music, but really like the earlier versions for the character and story.

These films were released by Chaplin since he owned the copyright from 1918 onward, so he approved of both, just in different eras. Just love seeing the earlier Chaplin, when he was in his prime years and seeing films his peer audiences saw. Thanks to Joao for making this comparison. Great study!

Also has scenes not seen of Edna Purviance in other versions, which is great for Edna's fans!

Comparison created by Joao Antônio Franz dos Santos