On this night, on January 30, 1915, Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance lead the Grand March at the Celebrities Ball held at the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
"Lincoln Beachey, who is to be in the grand march with Miss Ellie Shoemaker, has surrendered the leadership to Charles Chaplin. - Jan. 29, 1915, The Call
"Chaplin is to lead the grand march at the Celebrities' Ball... Chaplin was playing in a comedy with Miss Edna Purviance, who is his latest partner in the strenuous photoplay life and who has consented to be his partner in tonight's grand march." - Jan. 30, 1915, The Call
This was Edna's second visit in just three weeks to the Civic Center Auditorium in San Francisco.
During her first visit, of January 9, 1915, she was just one of tens of thousands, who attended, and watched the Grand March, at the Grand Opening event of the building.
Edna had no idea she would go from someone watching, to center of attention, in this same building, in just three weeks.
Now, she would take the lead role in the Grand March, with her new partner, Charlie Chaplin, at the Celebrities Ball.
What a thrill it had to be for Edna. But while it changed her life, it didn't change her.
It would be the beginning of a love affair, that would heat up in the coming months, but cooled to a warm friendship, that lasted a lifetime.
The Keystones Restored Report. A special article and video report from CNN Screening Room with Bryony Dixon at the British Film Institute. LINK
Update: It has been announced by the Chaplin Conference that all the restored Charlie Chaplin Keystone films will be shown at the October event. Date and times to be arranged.
List of the Keystone films being restored Making a Living - Feb. 2 Directed by Henry Lehrman
First film at the theatres showing Chaplin's Tramp character Kid Auto Races at Venice - Feb. 7 Directed by Henry Lehrman
Mabel's Strange Predicament - Feb. 9 Directed by Henry Lehrman and Mack Sennett
Between Showers - Feb. 28 Directed by Henry Lehrman
A Johnnie Film - March 2 Directed by George Nichols
Tango Tangles - March 9 Directed by Mack Sennett
His Favorite Pastime - March 16 Directed by George Nichols
Cruel, Cruel Love - March 26 Directed by George Nichol
The Star Boarder - April 4 Directed by George Nichols
Mabel at the Wheel - April 18 Directed by Mabel Normand (?) and Mack Sennett
First Chaplin directed film Twenty Minutes of Love - April 20 Directed by Charles Chaplin
Caught in a Cabaret - April 27 Directed by Mabel Normand (?) and Charles Chaplin
Caught in the Rain - May 4 Directed by Charles Chaplin
A Busy Day - May 7 Directed by Charles Chaplin (?)
The Fatal Mallet - June 1 Directed by Mack Sennett
Her Friend the Bandit - June 4 Directed by (?)
The Knockout - June 11 Directed by Charles Avery
Mabel's Busy Day - June 13 Directed by Mabel Normand (?)
A Mabel's Married Life - June 20 Directed by Charles Chaplin
Laughing Gas - July 9 Directed by Charles Chaplin
The Property Man - Aug. 1 Directed by Charles Chaplin
The Face in the Directed by Charles Chaplin
Recreation - Aug. 18 Directed by Charles Chaplin
The Masquerader - Aug. 27 Directed by Charles Chaplin
His New Profession - Aug. 31 Directed by Charles Chaplin
The Rounders - Sept. 7 Directed by Charles Chaplin
The New Janitor - Sept. 24 Directed by Charles Chaplin
Those Love Pangs - Oct. 10 Directed by Charles Chaplin
Dough and Dynamite - Oct. 26 Directed by Charles Chaplin
Gentlemen of Nerve - Oct. 29 Directed by Charles Chaplin
His Musical Career - Nov. 7 Directed by Charles Chaplin
His Trysting Place - Nov. 9 Directed by Charles Chaplin
This film marked the beginning of even more fame for Chaplin Tillie's Punctured Romance - Nov. 14 Directed by Mack Sennett
Getting Acquainted - Dec. 5 Other English Titles: Directed by Charles Chaplin
His Prehistoric Past - Dec. 7 Directed by Charles Chaplin
On this date in 1915, (according to the San Francisco Call & Post), famous, early day aviator and chairman of The Celebrities Ball, Lincoln Beachey, visited Niles Studio. He hand delivered a personal invitation to Charlie Chaplin to be part of the Celebrities Ball.
While the Ball was open to the public, all the dancers in the Grand March were invited guest. Charlie Chaplin was selected to lead the Grand March.
During the week the local newspapers reported different ladies to dance with him, including Mabel Normand. But Charlie Chaplin had someone else in mind for this honor: his new leading lady, Edna Purviance.
Edna just attended the huge Civic Center Exhibition Auditorium event on January 9, 1915. She was a private citizen, who just happened to be photographed by the San Francisco Examiner. Her picture appeared in that newspaper on the Society page, January 17, 1915. (The Society page was right next to the theatre and movie listings.)
Charlie Chaplin just arrived in San Francisco bay area that same weekend of January 16th. He was in Chicago January 9, 1915, working on his film "His New Job" and just left the Essanay Chicago Studio a few days later to start work in Niles. He only had about three days in the bay area, to get his new picture started and look for a new leading lady.
By January 21, 1915, Edna was in Niles, reporting for her first day at the studio.
Now, just about one week later, she would be the leading lady in the Grand March at the Celebrities Ball with her new leading man, Charlie Chaplin. The Ball was scheduled for Saturday night, January 30, 1915.
All this week, in 1915, Edna worked with Chaplin and crew on "A Night Out" in Oakland and at the Niles Studio. Meanwhile, another Grand Dance was being planned in San Francisco.
Something for my 'other interest' column this morning. It has been on the web, but a good example on how the same word can have different meanings in the English language.
Can you read these right the first time?
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Picture Play Magazine - April 1919 More Movie Tricks by Emma-LinsaySquier Page 186 From my Edna Purviance Collection
"Charlie Chaplin came into the studio when making "A Dog's Life" and wanting some papier-mâché cream puffs made up. He wanted imitations pastry light enough to be popped into his mouth by twos or threes. The result was a tray load of delectable-looking cream puffs that were detection-proof three feet away. When they were placed on the vendor's wagon, and the comedian begun snatching them into his mouth, the camera man did not know they were faked until told by the director to "cut" so that Charlie could spit out the pasteboard."- Picture Play Magazine, April 1919
I don't usually do this, but this has been on youtube. Chaplin's films from 1918 'A Dog's Life' onward, are copyrighted with Roy Export. But this does show the film clip the magazine article talks about.
Silent film accompanist Ben Model has started his own video blog. You can catch his shows at Silent Film Music Blog. Also, follow his events at his website, Silent Film Music. You will find a list ofcoming events.
Niles, California - During this week of January 24, 1915, Edna Purviance was spending her first full week at Essanay Studios. Her first film was called "A Night Out" and was Chaplin's second film with Essanay. As part of her assignment, Edna watched the film being made.
Charlie was spending a great deal of time with all his players, especially Edna. He had to know his actors well, to direct them.
It was during this period Chaplin, and company, had a little party or get together, during one of the breaks in filming.
As everyone enjoyed their meals, Chaplin started making claims he could put anyone asleep. A bet was made and Edna took him right up on it.
Chaplin placed Edna in position for his trick. His made dramatic movements in front of Edna as he was "hypnotizing" her for the crowd. At one of the passes, he whispered to Edna to "fake" it.
Chaplin was taking a chance with his new leading lady, knowing full well she could have made a fool of him.
Edna had only seconds to think, but made her decision as smooth as silk sliding off a table.
She 'passed right out' in front of everyone, frighting the crowd.
Charlie quickly asked for assistance, as he grabbed her. As Edna was being revived, he had a smile to himself in being pleased with his new leading lady. She could have easily grabbed the money from the bet, but instead, played along for the joke.
Chaplin was very impressed and would learn more about his leading lady in the weeks to come.
"Mosolygo stars in the revival of Gordon Peirce Schmidt's "Flickers," a one-act ballet the GRBC artistic director created in 2003 for the company's Dancers' Theatre Series. Mosolygo, who was born in Budapest, Hungary, prepares not only by watching videos of his past performances in "Flickers," but also by watching Charlie Chaplin's films, too." - mlive.com
NEW Proof Book arrived this afternoon! Watch for re-launch in February!
Sorry for the poor picture. My digital cameras are on the blink.
My digital cameras are working poorly, I didn't have the best lighting, it is dark outside and my flashes are useless. But I at least wanted to show you, we did indeed get our new proof book today. We both have to say, we are very pleased with the printing and binding of this book. (Huge worry, but seeing this and the five sample books yesterday, not so much...)
If there is any real difference in this book and our old Sea Gull, it is the inside pages are not the same paper, as before. The new paper is bit more toothier, not as slick feel, giving the images a softer look. The pages are about the same weight, as before, with the cover slightly heavier in weight. The softer paper does give the images a softer and smoother look throughout, but with no signs of printing errors.
With the new personal service and contact we have now, this should work out to be a good relationship. Our new Sea Gull has a brand new and official ISBN number (our old Sea Gull had an ISBN, but because of the printer and many other issues, we couldn't used it, so it was officially canceled by Bowker last week).
The price for this book, may change a bit, but I don't know yet, until I get the final cost in for the first batch of books. I do know shipping cost have gone up, but I can't see this book being more expensive.
I will be ordering our first patch of stock first thing Monday. But, again, with this in mind, a great proof is only a great proof, until you have a box full of them. (Learned that from experience and a very good friend.)
But I am feeling better about this company and we will tell you who it is, once I have my first stock of books in house. It is very tough to find any printers out there who can do what we need, but I can say, it would be hard to find one any bigger in the business, than this one, at this type of printing.
The last printer never contacted us again and left our order unfinished. It looks like they were in the process of shedding people, instead of keeping them. They got over $6000 of Sea Gull orders, but they will not get a dime more.
Our new printer has a special agent assigned to us, with phone, fax and email, all ready to call, when needed. The quality checks is also most impressive, if this proof is an example. But I will be the only one selling the books from Edna' .com site and will wholesale to small bookshops, like our friends in Niles.
So for now, keep checking back for Edna's .com shopping cart to return with Sea Gull books to sale. Looking at the calendar, I am sure it will be in February when we will re-launch The Sea Gull.
P.S. - All you fine folks who bought The Sea Gull before November 2009, you do have a collector's item. This book is great, but not quite the same, but only because of the difference paper used. (Our old book had a slightly glossy paper feel, while the new book pages have a more mat paper feel and look.) But it is the nearest we will ever get to it, at this point.
Fun Facts: The files were sent to the printers Tuesday, Wednesday they were all set by the printers, Thursday they printed, Thursday night they shipped by UPS Next Day Air. Book arrived at our door (in the snow) about 3:30 PM Friday. Smiles on faces, 15 minutes later, after viewing every page! :-)
And Yes! It is still a full color printed book, available worldwide.
On this day in history: After becoming an official member of the Essanay team on Thursday, the 21st, 1915, Edna started to watch how silent films were made. Chaplin asked Edna to observe while work began on his second film with Essanay 'A Night Out.' Edna appearance happens about halfway through this film. For Edna, it was exciting times, as she started her new job...
Our proof book has been shipped! And, it was shipped Next Day Air, so, looks like it will be here, FRIDAY! Oh, MY! Less than 24 hours from now (if our local UPS doesn't have any problems.)
So far, I have been impressed with this company. We had personal contact through the whole process. And they have been very helpful in showing us how they do their work.
Today, we received over $100 in free sample books (five in all), from full color large format photography books to black and white illustrated story books, (paperback to hardbound). All the books were very impressive and well made.
Now the nervous time seeing our book. Of course, it is only the first proof. We took three proofs the last time we did this on such a major scale. So, until tomorrow...
