Charlie Chaplin Events Coming

I thought I place a few Chaplin film events coming up.

Live Music Events
• November 12th - Leeds Town Hall (UK) - Live Music Event with Carl Davis conducting Opera North Orchestra. Films: The Immigrant & The Adventurer
• November 22th, 24th & 25th - San Francisco Symphony - City Lights with David Robertson conducting
• December 29th & 30th - Saint Louis Symphony - The Kid & The Idle Class with David Robertson conducting (check their website)
• More worldwide events

TCM - Check this Chaplin film listing

New Brief Glimpse

La Naissance De Charlot - 17th issue about Keystone

Thierry Mathieu's La Naissance De Charlot (October 2006 - issue 17), is now available. This issue about Keystone films includes Gentlemen of Nerve and His Musical Career. Check out: www.chaplin-at-keystone.com for more information.

HELP CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S LEADING LADY EDNA PURVIANCE

It was Edna's birthday Saturday, October 21th. It would be a nice time to send a little 'gift' to Edna by helping Edna get her star on the Walk of Fame.

We like to thank everyone who has signed so far, but if you have not, it would be a nice time to do it.

Deadline for signatures is May 31, 2007. Thanks for your time!


Sign | More Information | Walk of Fame Blog

Hollywood and Cinecon Report coming soon!

Watch this November for our special Hollywood and Cinecon Report about our visit and premiere of 'The Angel from Nevada', the first documentary on Edna Purviance.

NOVEMBER 9th, 2006 - CINECON 42 REPORT IS LAUNCHED

Happy Birthday Edna!!!

Thanks for visiting on Edna's Birthday! The special event is now over...

Visit next year on Edna's Birthday for another special one day event!

Charlie Chaplin Doll update and more...

UPDATE Oct 15th: CHAPLIN DANCING DOLL
An another owner of the same doll! SEE POST LINK UPDATE
UPDATE Oct 14th: New Brief Glimpse

Other Links of interest:
BBC Chaplin Memorabilia | Documents
Includes images of Chaplin Toys and music sheets

The Chaplin Society

A pleasant memory from the past came in the form of an article about one of The Chaplin Society festival events in London.

The Chaplin Society was created by Stephen Burstin, Kevin Brownlow and David Robinson. It lasted between 1999 to 2002. The Society held festivals in London and even one in America. I joined The Chaplin Society in 2000 and went to my first and only Chaplin Society event in London the spring of 2001.

The Society also had a wonderful magazine called The Chaplin Courier. (Photo is first copy in fall 1999.) I am sure if you were a member you kept your copies. I luckily got all the copies released before they ran out of issues. It was like a bit of Christmas when the latest issue arrived. I would spend the evening reading every word and always enjoyed doing the puzzles.

Stephen was planning another Society event in Hollywood, which I was planning to attend, but the event didn't materialize. The Society ended in the summer of 2002. I always thought Stephen did a great job, along with his family, and they greeted us (everyone) warmly at the London events.

Reading the article reminded me I was still placing together my little website about Edna Purviance in the fall of 2001. At the time, it was not ednapurviance.org and not even launched yet. Link to the original site. I sent a private link to an enthusiastic Chaplin fan and the response I received back energized me a great deal, and by November 2001 ednapurviance.org was born. And, well...

Charlie Chaplin Question...

When I started last year, I had "Question of the Day". It changed to question of the week and slowly went away. Today I like to do another Question and maybe you have an answer to a question I have.

A few years ago, I was watching a classic 1930's movie with music and dancing. I can't remember the name of the movie, but I remember a song in it. In the film, it seems like the characters were not Broadway stars themselves, but were helping the producer create the show. During the end of the film the cast was putting on a 'Broadway' show, if I remember rightly. One of the ladies sang a song that included a reference to Charlie Chaplin during his Karno days. I clearly remember her mentioning 'A Night in a English Music Hall', when singing about Chaplin. I remember writing the name of the movie down, but lost the note.

I don't know if any of you ever seen this film. I have tried to find it again, but no luck. I can picture the singer in my mind, but not the name. So do you happen to recall a film like this and know the name?

As for the "Question of the Day": 'Can you remember other movies that had references to Charlie Chaplin in them?'

Since I can't remember the name of this film, with the Karno reference, I will start with one answer most of you should know: "An American in Paris". Gene Kelly does a Chaplin 'walk' in a dance routine for the song which I remember called 'Who could ask for Anything More', with the children saying, Charlie Chaplin, CHARLOT in the background. Comment or email your response...

Edna's Place, one year today

Edna's Place has been on the web for one year now. When I started, I didn't know how this would go, but with a hearty thanks to all of you, we are starting our second year. I plan to be reporting more on Edna's first book 'The Sea Gull' in a few weeks and also have a Cinecon report in the works, so more on those later.

Since I started my first Edna's Place posting on picture palaces and organs, I will start this first 201 posting on a small piece about Chaplin's idea to start a music hall film in 1925.

After Chaplin finished a picture, he would have either no ideas or several ideas in mind for his next one. He had several ideas in the case after 'The Gold Rush'. One of his ideas was a story based on the London music hall life, a life he knew well.

Chaplin's Next Will be London Music Hall Film
"Charlie Chaplin next production will not be a screen version of a story called "Dandy". When Chaplin returned from New York he had other ideas in mind than making 'Dandy', so then got to work on two different stories. He finally decided to make one of London music hall life, with a blending of theme and ideas of 'Suicide Club' in it. Work on this picture will start about December 10th. Chaplin, of course, will direct and, as in all his pictures, Henry Bergman will be in the cast. Georgia Hale may also play the lead in her second picture for him." From Variety November 24, 1925...

He didn't do it this time, he made "The Circus" instead, and his leading lady was Merna Kennedy. But in the early 1950s, he would create his last US film 'Limelight' which was about the London music hall days of his youth.

STOLEN MOMENTS - Podcast by Donna Hill

Donna Hill, Rudolph Valentino and silent film fan, has started what I believe is the first SILENT FILM PODCASTS in the US called STOLEN MOMENTS.

I have a list of shows below, with the latest, listed last.

While she currently has several shows about Valentino, she has started a few shows that included interviews with Kevin Brownlow and Patrick Stanbury with Photoplay Productions. Mr. Brownlow does talk about the Hollywood Series DVD collection in this interview and mentions it is copyright issues that have been a problem. Listen to the podcast to hear what Kevin has to say about it and more.

Also Podcast interviews with classic film festivals, like the Buster Keaton Convention and with David Kiehn with the Niles Bronco Billy Film Festival. (Check the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum for their latest events. Fans would also know David from his book 'Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company'.)

The programs are on iTunes and available with free subscription. Follow this link to a page of programs (download the PDF schedule) and this link to the blog about the shows. I know I will be a regular listener. (see green bold link below for latest update.)

UPDATE MARCH 31, 2007 - Links to more about Kevin Brownlow.

UPDATE JANUARY 17, 2007: Stolen Moments have posted there preview for 2007 programs. She mentions a possible interview with Kevin Brownlow. Check Stolen Moments for more.

UPDATE JANUARY 28, 2007: As fans know, The Hollywood Series was produced by THAMES PRODUCTION COMPANY. More about THAMES

UPDATE FEBRUARY 5, 2007 - Donna's February 5th show is ready to listen too! Features recordings from Luther H. Mahoney, who worked for Rudolph Valentino and chat with Denise Morrison, from the Kansas Silent Film Festival.

UPDATE MARCH 12, 2007 - Donna's has her latest program about Rudolph Valentino.

UPDATE AUGUST 18, 2007 - Donna had from recording problems this summer, but a new show will be coming soon! More>

UPDATE OCTOBER 15, 2007 - Donna Hill's interview about her coming book about Valentino. More>

UPDATE OCTOBER 20, 2007 - Donna has her current podcast up with information about upcoming shows. Including a future interview with Kevin Brownlow about Louise Brooks. More>

UPDATE APRIL 9, 2008 - Donna Hill is back with her current podcast! She speaks with founders Rob Farr and Richard Roberts from Slapsticon. MORE>

UPDATE JUNE 9, 2008 - Donna Hill interview with Stephen Salmons, San Francisco Silent Film Festival

Charlie Chaplin Library - LATEST

Dominique and I have updated the Chaplin Library Latest Page with the current additions in Dominique's Charlie Chaplin Book Collection. Nearing 500 books, look to see books on Chaplin from the 1910's to 2006.


Two of the newest publications included on the Latest page: 'Silent Traces' by John Bengston under the English section and 'Un Comico Vede IL Mondo' by Lisa Stein under the Italian section. (Lisa is well-known for her great site thelittlefellow.org and Discover Chaplin newsletter.) You can read about Lisa's book at her site, plus, she was involved with 'Silent Traces'.

I personally have seen 'Silent Traces' and find it should be of interest to any person interested in films and the old Los Angeles/Hollywood area. Chuck full of images with well researched film locations from Chaplin's films.

Library Notes: Except for books noted as 'in the current library', the books on the LATEST page are not listed on any other section of the library at this time. All books in the library are listed by country. Authors names are listed in order under each country. If a book has no author, the book is listed at the last page of each section.

Because we are reaching over 500 entries, I will be making some changes to the library in the future to handle the new additions. Enjoy your visit!

Charlie Chaplin lost production 'The Sea Gull'

THE SEA GULL "A Woman of the Sea"
By Linda Wada
Charlie Chaplin's lost film production.
(PUBLISHED BY LEADING LADIES)
BOOKS IN STOCK!
Purchase now ONLY at ednapurviance.com.
Comments about the book

"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."

Kevin Brownlow - Silent Film Historian - London, England


If you were at Cinecon or saw Edna's home page, you would have seen our announcement about our first Edna book called THE SEA GULL - 'A Woman of the Sea'. Edna Purviance starred in the film which was directed by Josef von Sternberg, but Chaplin never released it.

While little has been known about this film, Edna personally kept a collection of images from the film. A few stills from this same collection are now in the BFI collection, which I reported on a couple of times on Edna's site. (Edna Purviance Collection and Edna Purviance Collection: Re-visited) But the ones for this book are from Edna's own collection and never seen before.

The SECOND book we are working on is Edna's biography. We do not have a name for that book yet, but we will have more on it in the coming months.

Update April 12, 2008 - We have just learned about a major Josef von Sternberg program planned for Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, Italy, June 28-July 5, 2008. Click this link for more information.

Have you seen this Charlie Chaplin Doll?

We are looking for anyone who may have seen this Charlie Chaplin doll. Charlie is dancing with a lady that could be one of his leading ladies, but with the dark hair under her hat, might represent Georgia Hale. This doll could have been a one of a kind, as the owner has checked many different sources and has come up empty. This Chaplin doll is made out of cloth and with 'straw and sawdust' like stuffing. It is about 16" high with a string attached to the two figures.

You can contact us here or on Edna's site if you can help with information. Thank you...

OCTOBER 15TH UPDATE: We have learned of another owner of the same Chaplin Dancing Doll! This time with a doll in the original box with tag! The new information is the doll was made by the DEAN'S DOLLS and TOYS COMPANY of London. (They are known for making Teddy Bears.) The label on the box says the doll is named: 'Charlie and auntie'. The tag on the dolls says: 'Dancing Drolls'. The patent number is: 33891. We like to send our special thanks to this owner for the new information! If you know of more information about this company or the dolls we would appreciate it. Thank you!

Update: The Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture at the University of Exeter in South West England, has a Chaplin doll that appears to be the same Charlie, but without the girl he is dancing with. The Centre's records on this doll. (This doll pictured on Douglas Centre site)

Update: Couple more Chaplin dolls

February 2, 2007 - The Charlie Chaplin Action Figure Doll is the latest doll on the market.

March 12th, 2007 - Here is Bernd Kunze's collection of Chaplin figures and toys.

UPDATE: March 10, 2009 - Here is our latest Charlie Chaplin doll we are researching.

The Rink & Modern Times, Live Music Birmingham UK

Birmingham event and more....
Birmingham, UK - October 14th, 2006 - Birmingham Symphony Hall will present Modern Times and The Rink with live music conducted by Carl Davis. Link for MORE information. Check this link for more live events.

Other events:
• St. Louis - thru October 15th - Don't miss the Webster University Chaplin Film Series which runs thru October 15th.
• San Francisco - Thanksgiving Weekend - San Francisco Symphony will show Charlie Chaplin's City Lights with David Robertson as conductor (Robertson is with the Saint Louis Symphony). Dates: November 22, 24 and 25 (Thanksgiving Weekend).
• CHARLIE & EDNA ON TCM in October & November - Schedule
• Auction Note: Edna's friend, Mabel Normand, is having an auction of personal items with Hertiage Auction Galleries. No Edna, but photos of Mabel, Chaplin and personal letters once belonging to Miss Normand.

Watch for on Edna:
• Our Cinecon/Hollywood Report
• Chaplin Library Update (Sept. 20th - Currently being updated)
• Current news about our first book about Edna Purviance's lost film: 'The Seagull'.
• See our latest story on Edna 'Chance and Speculation: Charlie Discovers Edna Purviance'.
• Coming: something for Edna's birthday October 21th.
• New Brief Glimpse

• Also don't forget to sign the Edna Purviance Walk of Fame Petition.