Stop 'blog surfing' a few minutes, and enjoy a little silent film comic fun, from Oregon comic performer, Angel Ocasio.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Grand View Cemetery Lawsuit Settled
The Los Angeles County Superior Court has finally settled the Grand View lawsuit. The settlement is for $3.8 million dollars, which the law firm handling the case will receive $1.1 million dollars. The rest will be divided to the 2,500 to 3,000 claimants who filed suit.
"Paul Ayers, one of the plaintiff attorneys representing the families, will oversee the restoration efforts, to include obtaining original cemetery records, identifying and storing cremated remains in the mausoleum and installing an irrigation system for rehabilitated landscaping.
With the settlement complete, the long-awaited restoration efforts should begin soon, Ayers said.
“For most of the families, it’s not the compensation,” Ayers said. “They want to see the cemetery normalized.”" - Burbank Leader, March 10, 2010
As for Edna Purviance, and the fans who voiced here, they wanted Edna out of Grand View, Lita Hill (Edna's grand niece) was trying to remove Edna in the fall of 2007, to take to another cemetery. She was in the process of doing so, when the attorney involved decided against it, on the grounds of Edna being "a celebrity" and "cult" figure.
I will say, Lita was very serious in doing it and followed all the steps in doing so, but was told, afterwards, it could have lead to lawsuits toward her, from people (not related to Edna) not wanting Edna out of Grand View.
So for all the fans, who wanted Edna out of Grand View, Lita did try, she really did. Lita's wish was an memorial for herself, Edna and her father, Morgan (Lita's father). That didn't happen.
Hopefully, Grand View will be on the road to being restored, and a caring buyer will be found. That will be the next step. So this story is not over, just beginning a new chapter.
"Paul Ayers, one of the plaintiff attorneys representing the families, will oversee the restoration efforts, to include obtaining original cemetery records, identifying and storing cremated remains in the mausoleum and installing an irrigation system for rehabilitated landscaping.
With the settlement complete, the long-awaited restoration efforts should begin soon, Ayers said.
“For most of the families, it’s not the compensation,” Ayers said. “They want to see the cemetery normalized.”" - Burbank Leader, March 10, 2010
As for Edna Purviance, and the fans who voiced here, they wanted Edna out of Grand View, Lita Hill (Edna's grand niece) was trying to remove Edna in the fall of 2007, to take to another cemetery. She was in the process of doing so, when the attorney involved decided against it, on the grounds of Edna being "a celebrity" and "cult" figure.
I will say, Lita was very serious in doing it and followed all the steps in doing so, but was told, afterwards, it could have lead to lawsuits toward her, from people (not related to Edna) not wanting Edna out of Grand View.
So for all the fans, who wanted Edna out of Grand View, Lita did try, she really did. Lita's wish was an memorial for herself, Edna and her father, Morgan (Lita's father). That didn't happen.
Hopefully, Grand View will be on the road to being restored, and a caring buyer will be found. That will be the next step. So this story is not over, just beginning a new chapter.
Rte1's Kevin Brownlow interview about Killruddery Film Festival
March 10, 2010 - Latest radio interview with Kevin Brownlow about the Killruddery Film Festival in Ireland. Program starts at 16 minutes into the one hour recording.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile' sang on American Idol
My video pick for the day CBS interview with Neil Gaiman
CBS Sunday Morning interview with author Neil Gaiman, creator of the story Coraline. Interview by Sernea Altschul.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Kevin Brownlow at Killruddery Silent Film Festival
Kevin Brownlow will be making a return visit to the 2010 edition of the Killruddery Film Festival, held March 11-14, 2010. I posted about this many months ago, but here again, is the 2009 documentary to the Killruddery Silent Film Festival, with special three part interview with Kevin Brownlow. Also, an auto short interviewing Kevin about this years festival.
Introducing to the Festival
Part One of Interview with Kevin Brownlow
Part Two of Interview with Kevin Brownlow
Part Three of Interview with Kevin Brownlow
Also, a short auto interview with Kevin Brownlow on RTÉ Lyric FM about 2010 festival.
Introducing to the Festival
Part One of Interview with Kevin Brownlow
Part Two of Interview with Kevin Brownlow
Part Three of Interview with Kevin Brownlow
Also, a short auto interview with Kevin Brownlow on RTÉ Lyric FM about 2010 festival.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Max Linder "Le chapeau de Max" & 35mm Animation
The Unknown Cinema Channel on youtube has a variety of interesting silent film clips for fans to watch. Here are just a couple to enjoy.
Max Linder "Le chapeau de Max" - Pathé Baby
(shorten version from original 1913 film)
Max Linder was one of Charlie Chaplin's idols during his film and stage career. You can see why, in watching this film, Chaplin could have seen.
With all the chatter about today's animated films and 3D movies, always a good education to see the early animated films. Unknown Cinema have this colour clip of a 35 mm animated film made for a special production of toy projectors for children. (Follow-up: The images remind me a bit of Winsor McCay early animations.)
Visit the Unknown Cinema for more gems.
Max Linder "Le chapeau de Max" - Pathé Baby
(shorten version from original 1913 film)
Max Linder was one of Charlie Chaplin's idols during his film and stage career. You can see why, in watching this film, Chaplin could have seen.
With all the chatter about today's animated films and 3D movies, always a good education to see the early animated films. Unknown Cinema have this colour clip of a 35 mm animated film made for a special production of toy projectors for children. (Follow-up: The images remind me a bit of Winsor McCay early animations.)
Visit the Unknown Cinema for more gems.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Virtual Fun with Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Los Angeles Times has placed together a Virtual Hollywood Walk of Fame online. And for silent film fans, there is even a selection for silent film stars!
It has a list of different categories, pictures of each star and short details about that star. It also has a map to show you where that star is located on (or by) Hollywood Blvd.
Very nicely done and fun for fans to use, especially if you are planning a visit to Hollywood in the future. The Walk of Fame is celebrating it's 50th year, so if you are in the Los Angeles area, a good time to check it out. Link to virtual tour.
And for Edna Purviance fans, if you haven't done it yet, please do sign the Hollywood Walk of Fame petition for Edna's chance to be on the Walk of Fame.
It has a list of different categories, pictures of each star and short details about that star. It also has a map to show you where that star is located on (or by) Hollywood Blvd.Very nicely done and fun for fans to use, especially if you are planning a visit to Hollywood in the future. The Walk of Fame is celebrating it's 50th year, so if you are in the Los Angeles area, a good time to check it out. Link to virtual tour.
And for Edna Purviance fans, if you haven't done it yet, please do sign the Hollywood Walk of Fame petition for Edna's chance to be on the Walk of Fame.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Oops... A little crossed up with Will Shortz
Oops... I guess you could say for Will Shortz, the popular New York Times crossword puzzle expert, who appears on NPR each Sunday morning. During a recent interview, when asked what words are deleted and just not "crossword eligible" anymore, Will was quoted as saying:
"TC: I know you try to add words and new lingo, but are there also words you find you have to delete…just information that’s no longer “crossword eligible?”
WS: Absolutely, lots of answers for that. First of all there are names that used to be common in crosswords that are being phased out or eliminated all together.
Like “Charlie Chaplin’s daughter who married Eugene O’Neill,” her name is Oona, used to be very common in crosswords.
Now a days it’s a sign of desperation." - The Chronicle
Oops... Just got his 'words' and 'people' a bit crossed up, you could say. And for those who don't know, Oona was Eugene O'Neill's daughter and she married Charlie Chaplin. On the other hand, a bit sad, to think people just don't know that anymore.
For the full interview from The Chronicle, see this link. Will Shortz can be heard on NPR every Sunday morning with a special puzzle of the week.
"TC: I know you try to add words and new lingo, but are there also words you find you have to delete…just information that’s no longer “crossword eligible?”
WS: Absolutely, lots of answers for that. First of all there are names that used to be common in crosswords that are being phased out or eliminated all together.
Like “Charlie Chaplin’s daughter who married Eugene O’Neill,” her name is Oona, used to be very common in crosswords.
Now a days it’s a sign of desperation." - The Chronicle
Oops... Just got his 'words' and 'people' a bit crossed up, you could say. And for those who don't know, Oona was Eugene O'Neill's daughter and she married Charlie Chaplin. On the other hand, a bit sad, to think people just don't know that anymore.
For the full interview from The Chronicle, see this link. Will Shortz can be heard on NPR every Sunday morning with a special puzzle of the week.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Lon Davis's Silent Film Screenings
Ninth Annual
Willamette Oaks Silent Film Series
with Lon Davis
Eugene, Oregon
April 3, 2010 - "Love and Laughter"
1:30 PM - with three film shorts, including Felix the Cat
April 17, 2010
"The Family Secret"
1:30PM
with special guest Diana Serra Cary (Baby Peggy Montgomery)
Contact Willamette Oaks for more details.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Niles Essanay Programs for March 2010
Niles Essanay Films Events for March 2010
SaturdayMarch 6, 2010
7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Bruce Loeb (piano)
The Whistle (1921, William S. Hart) William S. Hart produced and stars in a change-of-pace for him, a contemporary story of a father and son working in a mill, with deadly consequences.
With shorts:
Alkali Ike’s Auto (1911, Essanay) Augustus Carney, Harry Todd, Margaret Joslin
Danger Ahead (1926, Weiss Brothers) Earl McCarthy is Hairbreadth Harry.
Saturday
March 13, 2010
7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Judy Rosenberg (piano)
Short Subject Night
The Bank (1915, Essanay) Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance
Number, Please (1920, Roach) Harold Lloyd
Neighbors (1920, Schenck) Buster Keaton
The Sleuth (1925, Joe Rock) Stan Laurel, Anita Garvin
Sunday March 14, 2010 - 4:00 PM
Suggested donation $5
LAUREL & HARDY TALKIE MATINEE
The MIDNIGHT PATROL Tent of the “Sons Of The Desert”, the International Laurel & Hardy vintage comedy film appreciation society, will once again be meeting at the Edison Theater at 3:00 pm prior to the films. The public is welcome to attend their friendly, informal and very informative meeting.
Men O’ War (1929) Laurel and Hardy, James Finlayson
Sailors Laurel and Hardy meet two girls at a lakeside park and try to treat them to a soda and disastrous boat ride.
Love Business (1930) Our Gang
Miss Crabtree comes to live at Jackie Cooper’s house, which gives him an opportunity to propose. Chubby Chaney cuts in on the action.
Me & My Pal (1933) Laurel and Hardy, James
Finlayson, Billy Bletcher, Charlie Hall
Ollie is about to get married when Stan gives him a jigsaw puzzle as a present.
Hearts Are Thumps (1937) Our Gang, with Rosita Lawrence as Miss Jones
It is Valentines Day and the gang forms the He-Man Woman-Haters Club, just as Darla sets her sights on Alfalfa.
Saturday March 20, 2010 - 7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Judy Rosenberg (piano)
CELEBRATING BRONCHO BILLY'S BIRTHDAY
The Son of a Gun (1918, Golden West) G. M. Anderson made an attempt at a comeback with a series of films for his Golden West Producing Company, The Son of a Gun being his second of three made in Glendale, California. If he’d made features of this quality in Niles he would have been assured of continuing success, and the productive days of the Niles Essanay studio might have been extended.
With shorts:
The Making of Broncho Billy (1913, Essanay) with G. M. Anderson, made in Niles.
Shootin’ Mad (1918, Golden West) G. M. Anderson
Sunday March 21, 2010 - 4:00 PM Matinee
$10 General / $8 Museum members
A film About Sex, Drugs and Transformation
May I Be Frank (2009) Frank is 54 years old, depressed and addicted. He stumbles into raw, organic and vegan restaurant in San Francisco, Cafe Gratitude.
When he is asked “What is one you want to do before you die?” Frank replies, want to fall in love one more time, but no one love me looking the way I do”. May I Be documents the transformation of Frank Ferrante’s life. A question and answer session with filmmakers follows the film. There will also be a dining experience at the ESSANAY CAFE at the conclusion of the film presentation. Reservations for the film and dinner are recommended.
SaturdayMarch 27, 2010
7:30 PM
Suggested donation $5
Bruce Loeb (piano)
Grandma’s Boy (1922, Hal Roach, 35mm) Harold Lloyd plays a timid young man who learns some lessons in life from his grandmother.
With shorts:
Post No Bills (1923, Roach) Paul Parrott
All Night Long (1924, Sennett) Harry Langdon
For full schedule and ticket information visit the Niles Essanay Film site.
Special thanks to Michael Bonham, News editor
Michael Douglas to receive Chaplin Award
May 24th, 2010 - Michael Douglas has been selected to receive the Chaplin Award at the 37th annual Film Society of Lincoln Center Chaplin Award gala. The award has been given to many, from Meryl Streep to Alfred Hitchcock. more about the award>
"Throughout his career, Michael has entertained audiences both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, and it will be an honor to showcase his diverse body of work," Film Society board chairman Ann Tenenbaum said.
The award is named after Charles Chaplin, its first recipient." - Hollywood Reporter
"The Film Society’s Annual Gala began in 1972 and honored Charles Chaplin – who returned to the US from exile to accept the commendation. Since then, the award has been renamed for Chaplin, and has honored many of the film industry’s most notable talents, including Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Laurence Olivier, Federico Fellini, Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, James Stewart, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep and most recently, Tom Hanks." - Lincoln Center
Also here is more from the Film Society of Lincoln Center about this event. more>
"Throughout his career, Michael has entertained audiences both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, and it will be an honor to showcase his diverse body of work," Film Society board chairman Ann Tenenbaum said.
The award is named after Charles Chaplin, its first recipient." - Hollywood Reporter
"The Film Society’s Annual Gala began in 1972 and honored Charles Chaplin – who returned to the US from exile to accept the commendation. Since then, the award has been renamed for Chaplin, and has honored many of the film industry’s most notable talents, including Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Laurence Olivier, Federico Fellini, Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, James Stewart, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep and most recently, Tom Hanks." - Lincoln Center
Also here is more from the Film Society of Lincoln Center about this event. more>
Monday, March 01, 2010
BBC 7 - Mark Steel Lecture on Charlie Chaplin
BBC 7 Radio
The Mark Steel Lecture
Part Three: Charlie Chaplin
available to listen to now until March 8th, 2010
More about The Mark Steel Lectures
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Graduate Student Award being Offered by Chaplin Conference
If you are a Graduate Student and a fan of Charlie Chaplin, the 2010 International Charlie Chaplin Conference is offering a $250 award to the winning presenter entry. If you are a student and interested, click this link for more details.
The Sea Gull new printing Experience
Update March 1, 2010 - Thanks for all the weekend orders! Check your emails for details.
In the past three years, The Sea Gull has been printed by at least three different printers. This is because the print-on-demand (POD) company used more than one printer to accommodate their high volume of print jobs.
Working this way presents a real challenge about quality control. This POD outfit is one of the largest operating, and there is a users forum where complaints were often aired. The simple fact is that anyone who markets and sells their POD books without visually checking the product could be due for a horror story.
In order to ensure that everyone who ordered the Sea Gull received a perfect copy, we did what we would suggest others to do, if selling like we are -- have the books sent to you before they are sent to the buyer. This is critical if your book is high quality, contains critical color and photography.
The POD company we were using simply let things go to hell. They had changed their business model to accommodate demands from re-sellers, and their quality control and especially their customer service fell completely apart. Our last order with them was badly printed, and we requested a reprint. They did not reply for over two weeks, then when they sent the reprint, those books were even worse looking than the original. When we contacted them again on the matter, they never replied.
Knowing this could happen at anytime, I had been researching possible printers as a fall back option. We even had a local printer try, but his price was not competitive and there were several aspects of production that had to be sent out of town. The local printer was happy to try, but he knew he couldn't bid competitively.
Now the printer we finally decided to try, after looking at many, has all the items we needed for a book like ours. We actually tried to use this printer before in 2007, but since we didn't have a tried and tested book, and were new to the process, we couldn't get in. The company is Lightning Source in Tennessee, and they are the largest POD printers in the world. Their standards for accounts that they will accept are strict, and we had to jump through a number of hoops before they gave us the green light.
Lightning Source (subsidiary of an Ingram Industries, Inc.) is used by small publishers like Leading Ladies, to the largest publishing companies in the business. So far, we have been treated very professionally, and that is all you ask for in a company. We explained our whole situation, and they were very aware of the problems and looked at our account with interest. We went from terrible customer service with the old POD to being assigned an account team to assist us when we needed. That's professionalism with a capital P!
Through the process of changing the book's digital files to match their POD system, to the proof book, and now with the printing of a quantity of new Third Edition books, everything has been A-OK.
As a side benefit, Leading Ladies now has the option to publish other peoples' projects. Something thought about in the office lately. But right now, getting The Sea Gull back in circulation is our priority.
This most noticeable change in The Sea Gull is the new ISBN bar code under Leading Ladies publishing. That bar code is how you know you have a REVISED THIRD edition. None of the First or Second editions have a bar code.
The inside pages are a bit different, as the paper weight is now 70#, instead of 80#, with not quite as smooth a finish. This does give the images a softer look. The cover paper stock on the new books is slightly heavier and the colors are closer to the first original books we printed in 2007 and early 2008. That pretty much sums up the changes in printing.
I had several people waiting to order books, including one who had ordered The Sea Gull First Edition in January 2008. Here are just two comments from a new fan and one longtime fan:
"I am very pleased with it and have to say I am very impressed with the presentation and the overall look of the book. Yourself and Wes have done fantastic work on this project. Also thanks again for the signatures. I will so treasure this book for years to come." - New fan from Europe
"The photographs of Seagull are great." - from Europe (they bought the first edition in January 2008)
Thanks to everyone's support and interest in this project. Special thanks to Leading Ladies for publishing The Sea Gull, and to Wesley Wada for his time and expertise in getting the new files updated. Our appreciation to Anna and the team at Lightning Source, for their reassuring presence in getting our new book re-launched.
The Sea Gull is published by Leading Ladies and still ordered direct exclusively through ednapurviance.com. We had our book at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum store last year, which they sold out all copies. If you are interested in selling in your bookshop, please contact us for more details.
Other notes: The Sea Gull have been added to the University of Nevada (in Reno), library. Comments from fans and reviewers who have the book.
Note Update: Also, if you think this book will show up on Amazon someday, at some cheap price with free shipping, you are mistaken. It is not easy to get a book like this on the market, one reason being publishers like mainstream stars. But even mainstream silent film stars don't always get their books published. So if you want that unique book for you collection, don't miss out. We have a better price again (at least back to original release price), but printing cost and shipping can change. And no, we have no plans to offer as an e-book. Again, thank to everyone who has ordered this latest edition. While the bio on Edna is still being researched, I have thoughts of doing another book, in between. See how it goes here...
And speaking of e-books, personally, I am not a fan. I love the idea of holding a real book, over holding a piece of plastic. There is something about 'turning the page' over ''rubbing a screen' I guess you could say, I like so much better. While I love working with a computer, I like a break from it, as well. Speaking of which, I read a great article covering this whole matter. By Murray Ewing, it covers many of the same thoughts I have on the whole e-book, ipad, matter.
In the past three years, The Sea Gull has been printed by at least three different printers. This is because the print-on-demand (POD) company used more than one printer to accommodate their high volume of print jobs.
Working this way presents a real challenge about quality control. This POD outfit is one of the largest operating, and there is a users forum where complaints were often aired. The simple fact is that anyone who markets and sells their POD books without visually checking the product could be due for a horror story.
In order to ensure that everyone who ordered the Sea Gull received a perfect copy, we did what we would suggest others to do, if selling like we are -- have the books sent to you before they are sent to the buyer. This is critical if your book is high quality, contains critical color and photography.
The POD company we were using simply let things go to hell. They had changed their business model to accommodate demands from re-sellers, and their quality control and especially their customer service fell completely apart. Our last order with them was badly printed, and we requested a reprint. They did not reply for over two weeks, then when they sent the reprint, those books were even worse looking than the original. When we contacted them again on the matter, they never replied.
Knowing this could happen at anytime, I had been researching possible printers as a fall back option. We even had a local printer try, but his price was not competitive and there were several aspects of production that had to be sent out of town. The local printer was happy to try, but he knew he couldn't bid competitively.
Now the printer we finally decided to try, after looking at many, has all the items we needed for a book like ours. We actually tried to use this printer before in 2007, but since we didn't have a tried and tested book, and were new to the process, we couldn't get in. The company is Lightning Source in Tennessee, and they are the largest POD printers in the world. Their standards for accounts that they will accept are strict, and we had to jump through a number of hoops before they gave us the green light.
Lightning Source (subsidiary of an Ingram Industries, Inc.) is used by small publishers like Leading Ladies, to the largest publishing companies in the business. So far, we have been treated very professionally, and that is all you ask for in a company. We explained our whole situation, and they were very aware of the problems and looked at our account with interest. We went from terrible customer service with the old POD to being assigned an account team to assist us when we needed. That's professionalism with a capital P!
Through the process of changing the book's digital files to match their POD system, to the proof book, and now with the printing of a quantity of new Third Edition books, everything has been A-OK.
As a side benefit, Leading Ladies now has the option to publish other peoples' projects. Something thought about in the office lately. But right now, getting The Sea Gull back in circulation is our priority.
This most noticeable change in The Sea Gull is the new ISBN bar code under Leading Ladies publishing. That bar code is how you know you have a REVISED THIRD edition. None of the First or Second editions have a bar code.
The inside pages are a bit different, as the paper weight is now 70#, instead of 80#, with not quite as smooth a finish. This does give the images a softer look. The cover paper stock on the new books is slightly heavier and the colors are closer to the first original books we printed in 2007 and early 2008. That pretty much sums up the changes in printing.
I had several people waiting to order books, including one who had ordered The Sea Gull First Edition in January 2008. Here are just two comments from a new fan and one longtime fan:
"I am very pleased with it and have to say I am very impressed with the presentation and the overall look of the book. Yourself and Wes have done fantastic work on this project. Also thanks again for the signatures. I will so treasure this book for years to come." - New fan from Europe
"The photographs of Seagull are great." - from Europe (they bought the first edition in January 2008)
Thanks to everyone's support and interest in this project. Special thanks to Leading Ladies for publishing The Sea Gull, and to Wesley Wada for his time and expertise in getting the new files updated. Our appreciation to Anna and the team at Lightning Source, for their reassuring presence in getting our new book re-launched.
The Sea Gull is published by Leading Ladies and still ordered direct exclusively through ednapurviance.com. We had our book at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum store last year, which they sold out all copies. If you are interested in selling in your bookshop, please contact us for more details.
Other notes: The Sea Gull have been added to the University of Nevada (in Reno), library. Comments from fans and reviewers who have the book.
Note Update: Also, if you think this book will show up on Amazon someday, at some cheap price with free shipping, you are mistaken. It is not easy to get a book like this on the market, one reason being publishers like mainstream stars. But even mainstream silent film stars don't always get their books published. So if you want that unique book for you collection, don't miss out. We have a better price again (at least back to original release price), but printing cost and shipping can change. And no, we have no plans to offer as an e-book. Again, thank to everyone who has ordered this latest edition. While the bio on Edna is still being researched, I have thoughts of doing another book, in between. See how it goes here...
And speaking of e-books, personally, I am not a fan. I love the idea of holding a real book, over holding a piece of plastic. There is something about 'turning the page' over ''rubbing a screen' I guess you could say, I like so much better. While I love working with a computer, I like a break from it, as well. Speaking of which, I read a great article covering this whole matter. By Murray Ewing, it covers many of the same thoughts I have on the whole e-book, ipad, matter.
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