Kyoto Charlie Chaplin Conference - report

Here is a report on the recent Kyoto Charlie Chaplin Conference in Japan. Article by Philip W. Chung. more>

"Kyoto may seem like an odd place to host what is quickly becoming the preeminent Chaplin gathering in the world, but the conference is the brainchild of Osaka University professor Hiroyuki Ono, Japan’s leading expert on Chaplin and one of the reasons why the comedian is so beloved in his country." - Philip Chung

Kevin Brownlow to be given Mel Novikoff Award

San Francisco International Film Festival - April 26 - May 10, 2007 - Kevin Brownlow will receive the Mel Novikoff Award at this year's 50th anniversary event. Mr. Brownlow will also present Douglas Fairbanks 1929 'The Iron Mask' on April 28th at the Castro Theatre. more>

April 25, 2007 - Brownlow article from the SF Bay Guardian. more>
Louise Brooks Society Reports Kevin Brownlow will do a book signing April 28 after the screening of THE IRON MASK.

From SFF about the Mel Novikoff Award
"Named in honor of legendary San Francisco film exhibitor Mel Novikoff (1922-1987), this award is given to an individual or organization notable for making significant contributions to the Bay Area's richly diverse film community."

Grand View Gravesite sold Twice?

April 4, 2007 - Glendale Press report a burial site at Grand View Cemetery looks to have been sold twice, as signs of casket appeared while digging a plot on Monday. The planned Tuesday funeral was canceled.

"It was one of the most … upsetting things I've done in a long time, to go tell that family that they couldn't put their father in that grave," said Paul Ayers, an attorney representing people suing the cemetery.

The discovery Monday of what attorneys say appear to be a plot that was double-sold was the latest in a string of scandals at Glendale's oldest cemetery." - Glendale Press

Detailed Story at this link

April 23 - The family for this case have filed a lawsuit. As for the current GV case, the next hearing is May 3rd. As for Edna's situation, no news at this time. While the family have some plans, nothing can be done until the current court case is settled.

For the latest news on Grand View, type in Grand View in Edna's blog search or check the monthly links to the right.

Smile on Idol

Charlie Chaplin's - Smile theme performed on Idol
I don't watch very much prime time TV, so I didn't see America Idol where one performer sang Charlie Chaplin's Smile last night.

Chaplin wrote the music for his 1936 film Modern Times. It was the theme for the film and used beautifully at the end, but Charlie Chaplin did not write the lyrics.

In 1954, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons wrote the lyrics to Chaplin's composition. Nat 'King' Cole was the first singer to record Smile with lyrics. It became a big hit for him and reached #10 on the Billboard Charts in 1954. It has been a standard ever since. Even Robert Downey Jr., (who turned 42 today) sang Smile for his Futurist CD collection. (Robert played Charlie in the movie CHAPLIN).

As for last night America Idol singer Gina Glocksen, reports are she impressed two of the judges. A fan of the show wrote:

"Charlie Chaplin wrote “Smile” for his film Modern Times, and it proves what an amazingly talented man he was. What a heart-wrenching song for a man who made his living making people laugh. It was a perfect choice for Gina and really showcased what a great singer she is."

(Unfortunately no smiles for Gina, as she has been voted off.)

IL CINEMA RITROVATO - 2007

IL CINEMA RITROVATO
June 30 - July 7, 2007
Bologna, Italy
Special Feature 2007
Charlie Chaplin 30th Anniversary (after his death)

"This year marks the 30th anniversary of Chaplin’s death and the Cineteca di Bologna is paying a five month homage to him with a monumental exhibition, seven concerts and an entire retrospective dedicated to him which is culminating in the festival week with some brand new treasures for all cinephiles’ palates. We are presenting the last of the recently restored Keystone prints of the Chaplin legacy – as well as a showing of A Countess from Hong Kong, a much maligned film, but a masterpiece in our eyes.

Our aim is to highlight the essence of various periods of the Chaplin oeuvre, presented by the finest international specialists, starting with David Robinson and Kevin Brownlow (whose Unknown Chaplin, arguably the best “director at work” portrait ever, will be shown in optimal theatrical conditions); and three evenings with the Teatro Comunale Orchestra, who will accompany The Kid, The Gold Rush (the rare original silent version), and, to top it all, Modern Times, which when seen “live” becomes simply the most overwhelming art object of the 20th century."

- Artistic Director, Peter von Bagh, President, Gian Paolo Testa - more

Link to more about this event from The Chaplin ArchivesMore about Bologna and festival

Charlie Chaplin on TCM - Happy Birthday!

Evening of Silent Films at USC April 6th

April 6, 2007 - 7:30 PM Eastern - University of South Carolina in Columbia, will hold an evening of Silent Films with music by silent film accompanist Dennis James. Films planned include works by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. (The State lists Easy Street and The Kid on the program.) Link to more information.

April 1, 2007 - Article on Jack Totheroh
Son of Roland and Ida Totheroh... more
(Roland was Chaplin's cameraman)

End of the month notes...

Where did March go! I thought it just started and now it is gone! April will bring some fun things for Chaplin and Edna fans, as TCM plans several movies for Chaplin's birthday. Speaking of movies, I am updating the Chaplin Film List to included documentaries.

Other updates on Edna's site include more books in the Chaplin Library, general updates on the whole site (on going) and I have just updated A Brief Glimpse.

Mabel Normand fan, Marilyn Slater, sent this week a posting on her Mabel Normand site of Edna playing tennis. The photos were for a magazine spread, but fun to see Edna in action! Thanks Marilyn for the send!

And very glad to see the firefighters stop the wildfire from burning down the Hollywood sign on Friday (March 30). The fire was started by teenagers burning firecrackers on the dry Hollywood Hills. If you ever been to the Los Angeles area, you would know it is truly a desert, so not a good start on a very early fire season, that even burned properties this winter.

Also, speaking of Hollywood, I just got a chance to listen to Cinematic Retrospective special interview with Gregory Paul Williams, author of The Story of Hollywood. Always great to listen to someone who is passionate about their subject, and Mr. Williams knows his subject, since he grew-up in Hollywood. I haven't seen the book yet, but will be seeking it out. You can take a listen of the interview at Cinematic Retrospective.

Back to work on The Sea Gull now. We hope you have a great weekend!

Update April 2 - More detail news about Il Cinema Ritrovato and the Special 30th Chaplin Anniversary

Latest on Grand View - Records to be reviewed

Glendale News reports attorneys will be able to review 'critical records seized' from Grand View Cemetery earlier this year.

"The documents are key to understanding the cemetery's operations and the problems with the cemetery's operations," said attorney Paul Ayers, who represents many who are filing suit against the cemetery. "I'm looking forward to seeing them." - Glendale News
The next hearing for the case is May 3, 2007. You can read the full story at this link. (Stories on Glendale News are available to read for free 14 days after posting - this GV story posting started March 29th)

Note: I have no news to report about Edna's situation at Grand View at this time. Also, for Chaplin fans, Paul Ayers name may sound familiar. He is a Chaplin fan who was noted in the latest book 'Silent Traces.'

April 29, 2007 - You can use the search feature to find other posts about Grand View Cemetery. I will be working on other options.

Charlie Chaplin ask Courts to Stop His Imitator

Throughout his career, Charles Chaplin brought lawsuits against others imitating him. This suit was in the courts during the time of A Woman of Paris. Chaplin had just premiered Paris in New York City October 3, as he was asking the courts to stop Charlie Amador from imitating his style.

October 5, 1923 - Los Angeles - "A decision was expected Friday in the suit brought in the superior court by Charlie Chaplin motion picture comedian, against Charles Amador and the Western Feature Productions for a permanent order restraining Amador from "imitating" the Chaplin film clothes.

Chaplin already has obtained a temporary injunction preventing the showing of two films made by the defendants and in which it is alleged the styles of shoes, trousers, cane and mustache made famous by Chaplin as well as his pictures were imitated.

The defendants contended that Chaplin's clothes and mannerisms were as old as comedy itself and that he merely an imitator of ancient jesters, so that he had no reason to complain if others used the same "props." - Denver Post October 5, 1923 (pg 24)

The Charlie Chaplin Murder Mystery by Wes Gehring

Dominique sent a new collection of book covers for the Chaplin Library. I will be adding these, but in the meantime, sharing one of the books from the collection about Charles Chaplin by author Wes Gehring. It is called "The Charlie Chaplin Murder Mystery" a comic novel released in 2006.

It is about "a lost Charlie Chaplin film and the shenanigans people go through to obtain it." It is Gehring first novel. The book can be purchased through LULU. (It is a paperback, 152 pages and no illustration.)

As for us we have been working a lot recently on Chaplin's real lost film, The Sea Gull, a film Chaplin produced, but not directed or starred in. More coming in April. Thanks again for the interest.

Interview with Gregory Williams author of The Story of Hollywood

"...a book about the neighborhood where he grew up. Lavishly illustrated with over 800 vintage images from the author’s private collection"

March 29, 2007 - 10pm Central/8pm Pacific - The Definitive Cinematic Retrospective has scheduled for their 10th show an interview with Gregory Paul Williams, the author of The Story of Hollywood.

Definitive is live on Thursday evenings or can be downloaded after the broadcast.

New Albert Einstein Biography & Chaplin connection

"On the same excursion, Einstein, at his own request, met Charlie Chaplin, who, as they arrived at the première of “City Lights,” said, of the applauding public, “They cheer me because they all understand me, and they cheer you because no one understands you.” - New Yorker

Chaplin and Einstein attended the Los Angeles premiere of 'City Lights' in 1931. The film was Chaplin's second to last silent film, but it wasn't totally silent. It was Chaplin's first film with his own musical score.

While fans of Chaplin know that Georgia Hale was with Charlie the night of the premiere, Edna fans learned at the 2006 Cinecon showing of the Lita Hill interview that members of Edna's family were at the same premiere.

Edna Purviance did not attend, but her sister Bessie Purviance Hill and sister-in-law, Helen Hill (wife to Chaplin's cameraman Morgan Hill and Lita Hill's mother) did attend the 'City Lights' premiere. A ticket and photos from that evening event are still in the collection.

Quote above from the latest biography about Albert Einstein "Einstein: His Life & Universe" by Walter Isaacson (from Simon and Schuster). Available in April 2007.

UPDATE APRIL 12, 2007 - from NPR
July 2006 - (4+ minutes) Interview with author Walter Isaacson about the Einstein letters. "Einstein Letters Reveal Inner Thoughts, Doubts" - LINK TO INTERVIEW

April 9, 2007 - NPR - "The Life Behind Einstein's World-Changing Ideas"- LINK

April 10, 2007 - (30+ minutes) - NPR interview with author Walter Issacson "Einstein: Relatively Speaking, a Complicated Life" - (interesting program) - LINK TO INTERVIEW

Double Rainbow - Nanny Assis's Sorrir

Brazilian artist Nanny Assis has his recording of Charlie Chaplin's Sorrir (Smile) on his latest CD Double Rainbow. Sung in Portuguese, you can hear a sample at this link.

CHAPLINIANA - 30th Anniversary in Italy

Here is more information on the special 30th Anniversary planned for Charlie Chaplin at Cineteca di Bologna in Italy this summer. LINK






Events Planned before and during
Il Cinema Ritrovato
Bologna, Italy 2007
Exhibition: Chaplin in Pictures
Now through October 2007

Films and Concerts
June 15 - July 11, 2007
Includes all the currently restored Keystone comedies, Chaplin's last two British films (King of New York and Countess of Hong Kong), Essanay, Mutual and First National films, and his United Artists collection.