Anniversary

I had thoughts of doing a special post today, as this is the 2nd anniversary of The Sea Gull launch, but more importantly, it is the day of Edna's passing on January 13, 1958. Not really in the frame of mind to do something special today, but thanks to all of you out there who do pass by.

For you who might be passing by, just letting you know, we are working on getting The Sea Gull set up with a new printer, but it takes a ton of time. You can get on the re-launch list by writing to us at Edna's .com or .org site. Meanwhile, give a little thought to Edna on this day...
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Update: Since this post earlier, had a good talk with the new printers. So far, so good. When we get further along, I will be more sure of a date for the re-launch of The Sea Gull. And special thanks for the recent 'new orders' which we are looking forward to filling.

Miep Gies has died

Miep Gies, the last surviving member of the group who helped hide Anne Frank and her family, from the Nazis during World War II, has died at the age of 100 in the Netherlands.

"Mrs Gies died in a nursing home after suffering a fall at Christmas.

Speaking last year as she celebrated her 100th birthday, Mrs Gies played down her role, saying others had done far more to protect Jews in the Netherlands.

She and her fellow employees kept Anne and the seven others supplied for two years, from 1942 to 1944."- BBC NEWS

You can check out interviews with Gies and more at the official Anne Frank Channel on Youtube.

New York, New York 1920s tour

Visit the city Edna and Charlie both seen during the booming 1920s. A Willoughbys film directed by Ray Foster, from the Ira Gallen collection. Charlie Chaplin first seen NYC in 1910 and Edna Purviance made her first visit in late 1917.

A short bit of Silent Acting

A little 'silent' animation that won a student 'Best Silent Acting' in an animation video for his graduation project.

Edna's Big Night in San Francisco, without Charlie

On this afternoon in San Francisco, on January 9, 1915, Edna Purviance was getting ready to attend the biggest event she ever attended. It was the grand opening of the Exhibition Auditorium at San Francisco Civic Center.

This event was a worldwide event, as over 20,000 people from all over the world came to attend on this one evening. It was the official re-opening of the Civic Center area, since the 1906 earthquake, which destroyed the original Civic Center. And Edna Purviance was one of guest to attend.

Exhibition Hall October 2009 - Photos by Linda Wada

At the time, Edna lived with her sister Myrtle Purviance Bell. They lived only a few blocks from the Civic Center. One can just picture Edna getting the final touches ready for the big evening.

During the event, Essanay Studios filmed the early arrivals to the event. By midnight, they returned with a special film to show the audience. Was Edna still there? She could have been, since midnight dances in Lovelock were a fairly common affair, with dances starting as late as 9PM.

This all happened before Edna Purviance ever met Charlie Chaplin.

Edna would go back to work the following Monday, not knowing her life would be changed forever in the coming two weeks.

And Charlie Chaplin? He was in Chicago on the night of January 9th, 1915. He was finishing up his first film and preparing to travel to California in the coming week. But he could have easily read about the opening, in the Chicago newspapers.


Exhibition Hall about the time of the opening

Could Edna be in this shot? Maybe... Inside the Hall on the night of Jan. 9th

Learn more at this link about Edna just before she met Chaplin.

Stephen Weissman interview on BBC Radio

BBC Radio Interview

with author Stephen Weissman
Chaplin: A Life

Click on image and on the webpage two links for part 1 and 2.

Update: The Sea Gull

Leading Ladies has been officially excepted by a new printer today. Still have along ways to go, but movement toward a new beginning. Stay tune! Also, if you like to be on our growing re-launch list, just write us here at this link. Thanks to everyone for your continued interest and support of The Sea Gull.

Charlie Chaplin animated in 3-D Colour!

Charlie Chaplin is to return in a new animated series complete in full colour and 3-D! Eleven and half million dollars is behind this joint adventure with DQ Entertainment, MK2 and Method Animation. Planned are 104 six-minute episodes, all with original content, and with no talking.

Countries involved included, France, Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Scandinavia, India and Australia. Nothing mentioned for the USA, so US fans will have to wait. Plans to hit the screens by 2011.

The eight-million-euro (11.5-million-dollar) project is a joint venture with French media groups Method Animation and MK2, the companies said at a news conference in Mumbai Friday.

A total of 104 six-minute episodes without dialogue will be made, inspired by sketches and gags culled from 70 short films made by Chaplin involving his iconic bowler-hatted vagabond character with a toothbrush moustache and cane.

But there will also be original content, Method president Aton Soumache told reporters.

DQ chairman and chief executive Tapaas Chakravarti said the project, for which the firms have been given approval from the Chaplin estate, would be "better than Mr Bean" -- British comic Rowan Atkinson's accident-prone buffoon.

"(Mr Bean) has delighted everyone for a number of years... It's very, very clear that to tickle people's funny bones you don't really have to talk all the time and silent movies can work. Chaplin did it for so many years," he added.

"We are absolutely sure that we have to get Chaplin back for 21st century kids and parents."

The animated shorts -- aimed at children aged six and above -- are set to hit screens from early next year, Chakravarti said. - AFP (more at this link)

From Variety:
"A 45-second clip played at the press meet showed an animated Chaplin performing one of his trademark pratfalls against a New York City backdrop. The mobile phone he uses is shaped like an old fashioned telephone in keeping with the companies’ ambition to blend early 20th century with the present day.

The companies plan to exploit the series across television, mobile, homevid and Internet platforms. The €8 million ($11.4 million) production cost has been raised from pre-sales. The series is expected to be ready by spring 2011." - Full Variety story here

Latest
January 10, 2010 - Guardian

Charlie Chaplin to be animated by DQ

DQ Entertainment has brought the rights from the Chaplin Family (and Method Animation and MK2) to created an animated Charlie Chaplin television series and movies. Business Standard says:

"An Indian animation and special effects company, DQ Entertainment, headquartered in Hyderabad, has acquired the animation remaking rights of Charlie Chaplin from the Chaplin family, in collaboration with two French companies, Method Animation and MK2.

The legendary comedy show will be produced by them in animated format, as a television series and as movies.

While a formal announcement is expected in this week, the production is already reported underway. Tapaas Chakravarti, the Chairman and CEO of DQ Entertainment was not available for comment.

Sources say DQ is also in talks with multiple channels internationally to telecast the animated series worldwide, including Europe, Japan, Australia, UK and China. The telecast rights in India are yet to sold." - Business Standard, January 7, 2010

We will watch to see how this one develops.

Sketching Charlie Chaplin

My video pick for the day is sketching Charlie Chaplin, in under 9 minutes. I'm not good at translating this and don't want to add the wrong name for the artist. Anyone who could help, please do. The video is from Portugal.



Link to large screen. (I don't know how long it really took, but the video was sped up some.)

Stolen Moments 'A Kiss for Mary Pickford'

Stolen Moments
A Kiss for Mary Pickford
Donna Hill interviews documentary filmmaker Hugh Munro Neely

If you missed it during the holiday season, you can catch it now.

January 2010 'Month of fun in Niles'

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, check out the silent film happenings in Niles! In Fremont, California, you usually can find something happening each weekend during the year. Check this LINK for the current showings. You can download a schedule and/or get on their mailing list.

Now while I did a little 'just for fun' video on my October trip, here is another video I found on web showing a bit more about Niles.

Charlie Chaplin: The Great Londoner Exhibition

Starting January 5, 2010

London, England
The London Film Museum
Permanent Exhibit

Charlie Chaplin: The Great Londoner

An exhibition devoted to Chaplin's history in cinema.
Watch for more from The London Film Museum

Update: Special Website page about the exhibit

"Chaplin biographer David Robinson, who collaborated on the project, said: "We thought it was really interesting to stress that Chaplin was a London boy. "The museum is bang in the middle of the territory where he grew up, with all the music halls where his parents came from and where he trained." - This is London, London Evening Standard

William S. Hart to Calvin & Hobbes on 2010 stamps

Silent film star William S. Hart and Tom Mix, join comic strip 'stars' Calvin and Hobbes, on the 2010 US Postal stamps. Movie star legend, Katharine Hepburn and cartoonist, Bill Mauldin are also included in the 2010 releases. Release dates vary, so check this link for more details and stamps planned for release.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2010!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Lovely and unique artworks for a donation

To start 2010 at Edna's, here is a lovely drawing by comic artist, Rachel Dukes. In addition to her normal work load, Rachel is currently doing individual commission works for a donations of $10 or more. (The donations helps her with on going medical cost.) To learn more and see more of her drawings, check out this link. Rachel will create an unique drawing, just for you. Lovely job, Rachel!

(Chaplin is a copyrighted image with Roy Export. Rachel's drawing is an 'one off,' not met for re-sale.)