Anna May Wong - March 2010 UK Screenings

Anna May Wong

Frosted Yellow Willows: Her Life and LegendTwo Screenings in the UK in March

March 21, 2010
Glasgow Film Theatre


March 24, 2010
Bradford International Film Festival

Elaine Mae Woo will be present at the screenings.
Check the links above for times and locations.

The Rainbow Orchid Two coming in July

Really looking forward to the release of The Rainbow Orchid Part 2 coming this July...

Update: Mar. 6th: Interview is now over 5500! Thanks for listening!

(Note: Having a re-think on what to do with the Chaplin Birthday at the moment.)

From BFI Films First Version of Alice and Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland from 1903 - restored with colour tints.

"The colours were based on what survives in the original print, and what we know about the chemical recipes used at the time for tinting film. This is certainly one of the oldest tinted films in British film history, possibly even the oldest." - Bryony Dixon, BFI

More information at BFI.



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In March the latest version, in 3D, will be opening in theaters. Here is the latest trailer from Disney Studios UK.

Update: London Premiere and Review of Alice in Wonderland

Updated Trailer for FDR Secret Air Force

Here is the updated trailer for John Schwally's "FDR Secret Air Force." Edna Purviance's husband, Jack Squire, has some of his personal film footage as part of the documentary. (Jack's clip is not in this trailer.) The narrator for the program is David Hartman (former Good Morning America host).

University of Miami new home for Charlie Chaplin & Keystone Cops films

The University of Miami has obtained a $32 million collection of nearly 3,500 high-quality films. These films include the early work of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Mack Sennett's Keystone Cops and early cartoons, like Felix the Cat. More at this link.

"I have always felt that this collection could be very beneficial to a film school or an academic department specializing in film and communications,” said Herrick. “I am thrilled to know that it is in good hands at UM and that a multitude of new generations of film and communications students can access and study it.”

These films and programs, together with a previously donated collection known as the Raymond J. Regis Motion Picture Archives, will allow the School of Communication to offer a rich archive of material to students and scholars. With a total of more than 7,000 titles, the School of Communication will be among a very elite group of schools to provide its students and faculty with such a resource.

“This is a cinematic treasure trove,” said Sam L Grogg, Dean of the UM School of Communication, a producer and executive producer of numerous theatrical and television films. “The Herrick donation will support our motion picture faculty in their dedicated effort to build a vibrant cinema culture on campus. We look forward to the scholarly and creative work that will be inspired by the collection.”

The Norton Herrick collection includes approximately 3,500 high-quality films in the form of 16 mm. and ¾-inch video masters from the golden age of moving pictures spanning the 1930s though the 1970s.Some of the rare films include early silent films featuring Hollywood stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Mack Sennett’s The Keystone Cops. Among the animated features, there are early Betty Boop, Felix The Cat and Bosko cartoons. The Golden Age of television is also represented in the collection including programs such as This is Your Life, The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show." - University of Miami, news release

Arizona's Little Hollywood by Joe McNeill

Arizona's Little Hollywood

By Joe McNeill

Release at the annual
Sedona International
Film Festival
Available nationwide soon




Sedona, Arizona was a favorite film location, especially for westerns during the early silent film era, to John Ford's Stagecoach, and into the 1970s. This new book covers it all. Over 175 photos, covering over 60 films. Learn more about the book and watch an interview with author at this link.

Events this week for our UK & Mid-West fans

For everyone - BBC 2 Radio
David Puttnam's Century of Cinema Episode 6
Available online for the next 6 days only. Covers today's movies, digital films and their thoughts on the future of 3D.
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If you love organ music,
catch Nigel Ogden's weekly
The Organist Entertains
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February 27-28, 2010

London, England
The Cinema Museum
Weekend Fundraising
Film and Movie Memorabilia Bazaar
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Kansas Silent Film Festival
14th Annual Festival
February 26-27, 2010

Special Guest: Melissa Talmadge Cox
(Grand-daughter of Buster Keaton and Natalie Talmadge)

Link to Program

Illegal

If you seen this DVD set (image) on Amazon, you should know it is an illegal DVD set. Don't buy!

UPDATE: This collection appears to be removed from the Amazon US listings.










COPYRIGHTS ON CHAPLIN FILMS
There are always fans who don't seem to know this, so a reminder on the Chaplin list of copyrighted films.

All Charlie Chaplin Films made from 1918 onward, are copyrighted by Roy Export. Starting with Chaplin's First National contract, he had full control and copyright of his films. These films are:

FIRST NATIONAL
A Dog's Life (1918)
Shoulder Arms (1918)
Sunnyside (1919)
A Day's Pleasure (1919)
The Kid (1921)
The Idle Class (1921)
Pay Day (1922)
The Pilgrim (1923)

UNITED ARTIST
A Woman of Paris (1923)
The Gold Rush (1925)
The Circus (1928)
City Lights (1931)
Modern Times (1936)
The Great Dictator (1940)
Monsieur Verdoux (1947)
Limelight (1952)

British Productions
A King in New York (1957)
A Countess From Hong Kong (1967)

These are NOT in the public domain, but during Chaplin's days in Hollywood, a few of these films were pirated from Chaplin, and today, show up in a few unofficial sets. Today, as in Chaplin's time, pirated collections are removed, like this pirated set pictured. Currently, the official Chaplin collection will be released again in the future. In the meantime, do not spend your money on pirated copies.

Films Chaplin didn't own the copyright
The other Charlie Chaplin films from Keystone, Essanay and Mutual era, were not under Chaplin's copyright control and fell into many hands over the decades. Copyrights vary, so beware. These films not under Chaplin's personal copyright included:

All of Chaplin's 35 Keystone films made in 1914

Essanay
1915
His New Job
A Night Out
The Champion
In the Park
A Jitney Elopment
The Tramp
By the Sea
Work
A Woman
The Bank
Shanghaied
A Night Out in the Show

Released in 1916
Carmen
Police

Mutual - 1916
The Floorwalker
The Fireman
The Vagabond
One A.M.
The Count
The Pawnshop
Behind the Screen
The Rink

1917 releases
Easy Street
The Cure
The Immigrant
The Adventurer

After The Adventurer, Chaplin signed with First National and built his own studio, which he made all this films from 1918 until 1952. All the films made at his studio were copyrighted by Chaplin.

The best of the Essanay and Mutuals collections are with IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT or with BFI if you live in the UK. There is no best for the Chaplin Keystones on DVD, yet, until the newly restored collection is released. Learned more about the Keystones at this link.

Follow-up: A buyer of this set reported today, the casing fell apart, above opening. A picture was left on the site to see.

My video pick for the day, "Wondermilk"

My animated video pick for the day is called "Wondermilk" by Ivan Ramadan. It is a narrative story about water, fireflies, colorful cows, and the people who didn't understand their world. You can see more videos at this link.

Charlie Chaplin 2010 Conference ONLINE Registration

October 28-30, 2010

Charlie Chaplin in the Heartland
International Conference
Ohio University - Zanesville, Ohio
Online Registration for the event is now open

Update February 2010
Currently scheduled presenters and events:
Much more to come!

Ben Model will be the accompanist for all the Chaplin short films.

Additional information:
March 2007 - WEBO-AM interview with Ben Model



October 24, 2010
"City Lights" with Timothy Brock conducting OU orchestra

Additional information:
A sampling of Timothy Brock's score for Steamboat Bill (1/3 parts)



Scheduled Presenters: More to come

Keynote Speaker and Honoree
Charles J. Maland - author of "Chaplin and American Culture: The Evolution of a Star Image"

David Robinson - author of "Chaplin: His Life and Art"

Additional information: From the Underworld Projector - David Robinson talking about Monsieur Verdoux




David Shepard - Film Preservationist, to show the newly restored "Tillie's Punctured Romance"

Additional information:
June 1998 - BBC WORLD REPORT - "The Silent Clowns Film Series" with Ben Model and and David Shepard.



Kate Guyonvarch - Director of Roy Export and Association Chaplin, Paris

Cecilia Cenciarelli - Archivist and Head of Progetto Chaplin, Cineteca di Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Dr. Alan Parkinson - author of "Charlie Chaplin's South London"

Peter Wyeth - Documentary program called "Charlie Goes to School"


Special showings of many Chaplin films
Including: The Kid, One A.M., The Immigrant, The Pawnshop, The Idle Class, and maybe even A Dog's Life. Possible showings of a few newly restored Chaplin Keystone Films.

Check the official website link. Also, become a fan on Facebook.

Nobunari Oda Free Skate to 'Charlie Chaplin'

Vancouver, British Columbia - Olympics 2010 - Men's Free Skate (Long Program) - Japanese skater, Nobunari Oda, skates to the music of Charlie Chaplin. He had a bit of an issue during the program, but was a real trooper. This link shows the full program (short and long), with no comments.

Music included themes from Limelight, The Kid, and A Countess from Hong Kong.

Little Charlie Chaplin music on 78

I don't know about you, but I remember my parents 78 collection. I actually still have a few 78s left, but my parents didn't collected any Charlie Chaplin. But, some people did, as these two videos from youtube show.

The first one is "The Spring Song" from A King in New York. (There are more 78 recordings of other stars at this link.)




The second one to enjoy is the theme Limelight played on an original 1920s portable Gramphone. What is fun about this one, is the fact Edna Purviance owned a portable player she took with her on long trips to the east coast and abroad. Enjoy a taste of the past, at 78 speed!

The Sea Gull book is ready to order!

The Sea Gull is BACK!
And ready to order NOW!

The Sea Gull is only available through Edna Purviance .com
This is our Third Revised Edition
and back to our original 2008 release price,
thanks to our new printers.

Update: Live in the San Francisco Bay Area? We now have books at the Niles Essanay Gift shop.

Thomas Gladysz - Writer/Reviewer - San Francisco Examiner
"Had you not known it was self-published, any reader would assume this book the product of a major concern. It’s beautifully printed. The layout is attractive, and the text is informative. And what’s more, it’s the only book on an interesting and worthwhile subject... Obviously a labor of love, this fine book is an appealing look into the past." - Examiner, syndicated nationally, USA

Kevin Brownlow - Silent Film Historian - London, England
"THE SEA GULL is an important contribution to film history, and worth buying for the stills alone. The look of the film, revealed in these marvellous photographs, makes it all the more tragic that it was destroyed. This book provides the nearest experience we will have to seeing it. Thank you for all the hard work. It is much appreciated."

John Baxter - author - Paris, France
"Thanks for sending THE SEA GULL so promptly. It's a fascinating piece of research - particularly since von Sternberg has been almost a lifelong interest. My most sincere congratulations."

More comments and reviews
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Some The SEA GULL Information from the current research
Here is what I found about the titling of this film:

1) The original working title of this film was THE SEA GULL (no 's' on the end). This was used during production (January until mid-June, 1926).

2) On June 19, 1926, The Los Angeles Times reported about an interview with Josef von Sternberg on his new film. It was called "A WOMAN WHO ONCE LOVED." It was being made at the Chaplin Studio.

3) Written in the official FILM WORKING SCHEDULE: Four days after this report was printed, it was noticed in the SCHEDULE the titles were changed.

The film that previewed was called "A WOMAN OF THE SEA."

As the research goes on, learn more now from this nearly forgotten film production of Charlie Chaplin, directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Edna Purviance.

UPDATE: Thanks very much for the orders, to date. All processed orders will be placed in the post today. Check your emails for details. Thanks ever so much for supporting this project.

Update Feb. 17th - Many thanks, again, as more orders have appeared today! Check your emails to confirm addresses, etc. Nice to see all these overseas orders, as well! Again, thanks for everyone support, worldwide!

Update (follow-up on Feb. 17th) - We have all our current orders in the mail. Thanks to everyone in the UK, Europe and USA for your orders. Check your emails for details on your order.

Update March 7th - Here is another updated article about The Sea Gull.

Published by Leading Ladies, author Linda Wada. Re-released 3rd edition February 15, 2010. All design and layout by Wesley Wada.

The Sea Gull book is now launched! Thanks for the overnight orders. Now for a bit of "Magic Fun" in Tenerife (Canery Islands, off the coast of Africa), with Charlie Chaplin look alike. And I say, he is quite good!

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February 17, 2010 - Wanting to keep The Sea Gull info on top for a bit longer, I will place this update here.

BBC 2 Radio re-broadcast of David Puttnam's Century of Cinema Episode 5, is now available to listen too for the next six days. To mark this event, when I was listening, I did this little drawing during the broadcast. This weeks program covers British film making. Episode 6 will be on next Tuesday, February 23nd. LINK

Feb. 17th - The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom Release

Release - February 17, 2010
The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom

I posted about this earlier, but if you are a video game player, own XBox, and love silent films, you should love this new game based on silent films and one hungry, pie eating chap name P.B. Winterbottom. In reading the reviews, this game will actually exercise players minds to think, instead of using their fingers to just react and shoot everything in sight.

Review about it below. Click on image to see a test play of the game, and link to preview and trailer and interview with creators. Home site for the game. Happy eating!

"Do not doubt that The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom is one of the most difficult games that you will have ever played.

Unlike pure platformers, where most frustration is born out of not hitting the jump button at the exact right moment, in this game you have to contend with the spatial and timing difficulties only once you have actually figured out how to actually get to all the necessary pies in each level. It’s a bit like playing Sonic the Hedgehog inside an M.C. Escher drawing.

But that puzzle-solving element is what keeps the game from getting too frustrating—or at least prevents the specific brand of controller-throwing anger that other platformer games can cause. It’s not necessarily your thumbs that are letting you down, but rather your brain.

Despite the insane difficulty of some of the puzzles contained within The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, I can’t do anything other than wholly recommend its purchase, which has a price tag of 800 Microsoft Points (or about $10). Smart games should be championed, not feared, and the mental challenges contained within this game are only more impressive once you solve them. Upon completing them, I felt as if I had truly conquered something." - Review from teamxbox

Update February 16 - Latest interview with co-founder of the game, Paul Bellezza

Update February 17 - Let the pie eating begin! If you have Xbox 360, and a chuck of change (don't know the exact price), you can order P.B. Winterbottom, starting today!