Leila Hyams petition drive for films release to DVD

Gary Sweeney at Midnight Palace started a petition drive to get Leila Hyams films released onto DVD. You can learn more about Leila Hyams at Gary's official web site more>. Also, here is the link to the petition drive.

Charlie Chaplin camera to be auctioned

While waiting for one more manuscript of The Sea Gull to return, a bit of Chaplin news off the web.
One of the Bell & Howell 2709 cameras Chaplin used at his studio will be up for auction at Christie's in London July 25th, 2007. The camera was used for many films, including The Kid and The Gold Rush. more>

Here is an article by Kevin Brownlow that mentions the Bell & Howell 2709 as a standard camera of its day. more>

I was hoping the Christie's site would have more details on the camera, but I found this image from AP on this site of the camera: more>

Grand View will be open Mother's Day

The Glendale City council decided to open Grand View Memorial Park one extra day this month by having the cemetery open this coming Sunday for Mother's Day. more>

Update May 14, 2007 - Remembering loved ones at Grand View on Mother's Day. more>

Please note, these stories posted at the Glendale News web site are only up for 14 days for free...

Question for you...

Here is the answer to last Wednesday's question:
Who was the first person to use the word 'documentary' in an article?
John Grierson. He is credited for coining the word 'documentary' for the first time in an article about Robert Flaherty's film 'Moana' in 1926. But we have learned another man looks to have used the word in a much earlier publication. His name is Charles Urban. Check out comments for more.

Now a new question for you... (answer next week)
Who worked in a film with Edna Purviance and Douglas Fairbanks?

Charlie Chaplin Book Publisher List

As work continues on the new updated Chaplin Library, I also created a new listing called Charlie Chaplin Book Publishers. This listing is being created from the books in the Dominique Dugros Chaplin collection. This listing shows countries with links to publishers web sites.

More publishers will be added as more books are entered into the library, but it is now available to view. Also check out the bottom of the listing as more 'helpful links' will be added. more>

Hepburn Family brought into Grand View lawsuit

The Glendale News reports today that the Hepburn family have been brought into the lawsuit against Grand View Cemetery. The Hepburn's were the former owners of Grand View before the late Marsha Lee Howard bought it in the early 1990s. The Hepburn's were the owners from 1929-1990.

In fact, it was the Hepburn's who owned the cemetery when Edna Purviance's sister Myrtle interred Edna at Grand View in February 1958 (nearly a full month after Edna's funeral at Forest Lawn). Edna's records does show the name of one of the Hepburn family members during the transfer from Forest Lawn to Grand View.

The next 'status conference' on this case is scheduled for June 4th, 2007. Lisa Burks does write behind the scenes stories on Grand View, as well. See links to right under GRAND VIEW.

Glendale Article (available to read for 14 days from today 05/04)
(May 22, 2007 - Glendale Article is no longer available for free.)

May 30, 2007 - With no watering on the grounds for nearly a year, trees are dying and grass is dead at Grand View. more>

See our LABEL LINKS to the right under Grand View for the latest.

Few Edna Updates...

While still waiting for a few manuscripts to return, I have been spending a few evenings doing a few updates here and on Edna's site.

On this site, I have been working on the links section (see the right hand side). On Edna's site, I did more updating on the Silent Film Event page, more work on the Chaplin Library (as the whole library is currently being updated - more on that later), general updates and corrections throughout the site, and placed up a new Brief Glimpse.

Now just a few notes: We like to send our best wishes to Elaine Pommerening. She produced the Lovelock Walking Tour Brochure two years ago. Our best wishes to a couple of loyal Edna fans, who have been 'under the weather' recently, and hope they are much better soon! And thanks to the latest supporters to The Sea Gull project. Getting much closer to the final printed book now, but still much to do.

Speaking of books, while author Miranda Seymour said she plans a book on Virginia Cherrill, a future Chaplin book is being worked on by Dr. Lisa Stein. It is about Sydney Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin's brother.

On Grand View, there is a scheduled court hearing this week (should be today - see May 4th, 2007 post for the latest). Lisa Burks does have a behind the scenes report on her blog about the first disinterment at Grand View. No news to report about Edna at Grand View, at this time.

Finally a thanks to all the visitors to Edna's site in April. It made for another record breaking month. More to come in the following weeks, so stay tuned. Thanks very much for visiting and for some of our visitors, have an enjoyable Bank Holiday Weekend!

Question for you...

Who was the first person to use the word 'documentary' in an article?
Answer next week...

Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance on TCM July

Turner Classic Movies will have three Charlie Chaplin films coming this July 2007, including Edna Purviance and Chaplin in the 1918, 'A Dog's Life.' more>

The Paramount Theatre - Seattle - Harold Lloyd Retrospective

April 30th - May 25th, 2007 - The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington is hosting A Retrospective of Harold Lloyd Films. It is part of the Trader Joe's Silent Movie Mondays series. Check The Paramount web site for times and tickets. more>

The Sea Gull - win a copy reminder....

While I am still waiting for manuscripts to return from our reader panel, thought I remind anyone interested in The Sea Gull contest, that the form for entering the contest will end without warning on Edna's site. This is so I prevent lots of last minute entries and give the fans who signed-up and have been patiently waiting, a better chance in winning.

Also to give you an idea who is interested in Edna, thought I listed a few of the countries that have entered so far. There are many entries from all over the USA, but here is a sampling of the countries of other fans who have entered from around the world: Germany, United Kingdom, Peru, Czech Republic, Sweden, Canada, Belgium, Croatia, Austria, Deutschland, Brazil and Philippines.

There are more, but like to thank everyone interest in the project. Lots more to come, so stay tune... Update May 23, 2007 - Final manuscript will be back this holiday weekend, so final work on the book will continue very soon!

Sridevi creation of Charlie Chaplin

In our Edna Purviance 'Angel from Nevada' interview with Lita Hill, Lita talks about Edna doing little skits re-creating some of Charlie Chaplin's acts during her childhood. A glimpse of that spirit is seen in the newly discovered films showing Edna's personal life.

In the future, fans will have a chance to see Edna in those films, but for now, a bit from the past from a Bollywood actress who re-created Chaplin.

India actress, Sridevi, is noted for her impersonation of Charlie Chaplin in the 1987 Bollywood film 'Mr. India'. Her performance:

"won her rave reviews and gave her the name Miss Hawa Hawai while the Charlie Chaplin act in the film remains an unforgettable performance. " (about her from wikipedia)

Recently her performance has been added to the youtube collection. It is not silent, but she does a very nice job capturing Chaplin's spirit.

Edna Site UPDATE - NEW Film Festival page

I decided to create a new home for the Silent Film Festival page I created here in January. While the Edna's Place page will stay up, all my new updates will be on this brand new page on Edna's site.

More links to come on this special page, but here is the preview of the new Silent Film Festivals and Events page at Edna's! more>

Thanks for visiting the Edna's Place page! The January page created here will stay, but not updated with new events.

APRIL 26TH - I am still updating links and added a few more today. Special thanks to LH for some editing help this week. Thanks for visiting!

Lee Miller photos at the V&A - included Chaplin

September 15, 2007 - January 6, 2008
The Art of Lee Miller - Victoria & Albert Museum - London

"The Art of Lee Miller will feature some works that have never been exhibited before, as well as her celebrated portraits of Charlie Chaplin and Picasso." - from This is London

The first retrospective of renowned photographer Lee Miller will be on exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum September 15, 2007 through January 6, 2008. This exhibit plans to included images of Charlie Chaplin, Man Ray and Picasso.

The V&A is free to enter, but special exhibits like Miller's, do charge a fee. If you have not visited the V&A, do plan a full morning or long afternoon to see the many exhibits.

Carl Davis interview with CBSO

In October 2006, Carl Davis started his 70th birthday celebration with a series of silent film concerts including one with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (posted here last year). The concert featured films of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, all with live music conducted by Carl Davis.

Born in New York City, Davis has built a career with his musical work in Britain, which includes television, film and his special work with silent film. Most noted for Chaplin fans with his work with Kevin Brownlow and David Gill with the UNKNOWN CHAPLIN series.

In September 2006, Mr. Davis recorded a twenty-eight minute interview for CBSO about his career and work. It is available in a full version under September 2006 Podcast Extras or a *shorten version under the October 2006 Podcast. (*The shorten version is the second interview in a series of interviews.)

Full Version | Shorter Version (second interview)

CBSO occasionally show silent films with Mr. Davis. Also, check Carl Davis's web site for his latest performances. (Currently, Mr. Davis is doing his October 2006-2007 70th Birthday Season tour. See his site for current events.)