Edna's Birthday Party in Niles!

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
October 17, 2010
Fremont, California
Click image for details

The Sea Gull at the Springfield Library

Following my The Rainbow Orchid post late last week, here is a little update on The Sea Gull "A Woman of the Sea" which is also at the Springfield Library. Here is Springfield's catalog librarian, Rita Eberle, with the current copy. Like The Rainbow Orchid books, it is available for interlibrary loan.

Rita Eberle with The Sea Gull book at the Springfield Public Library.

September has turned out as a good month for overseas sales for The Sea Gull, as the book continues to find new homes on bookshelves worldwide. Two books have gone to Australia, alone, in just one week.

Also, the Leonard Maltin review, along with the Josef von Sternberg DVD release, has created more interest from Josef von Sternberg fans.

Currently, if you live in the San Francisco bay area, and like to get a copy, the Niles Essanay Film Museum Gift Shop in Fremont, California has a stack of signed copies. (It is the only bookstore The Sea Gull is currently available. The books are available through the online shop at ednapurviance.com.)

Leading Ladies still have copies on hand, though the stock is getting low, as a new stock of books will be on order for the holiday season.

And just one more Sea Gull note, The Zaneville Museum of Art, in Ohio, is having a special Charlie Chaplin and American Culture exhibit from Oct. 4 through Dec. 4, 2010. It includes a special rare showing of reproduced images from Edna's personal photos from Leading Ladies. This includes a few images from The Sea Gull and from Edna's film 'Education de Prince' (1927) filmed in France.

This is a very rare showing, and could be the only one, so hope some of you may get a chance to see it. Again, many thanks for your continued support of The Sea Gull.

Note: This SG library copy of The Sea Gull (like The Rainbow Orchid and other library paperback books) have a special covering, that protects it from the heavy use of a library. It is quite clear and makes the cover a bit heavier.

The Rainbow Orchid Vol. 1 & 2 at the Springfield Library

Great thrill to finally see The Rainbow Orchid, by Garen Ewing, at the Springfield, Oregon Library. Here are Rita Eberle (left) and Youth Services Librarian, Carrie Schindele-Cupples (right), with the current two volumes in the Springfield collection. (Volume 3 will be added, when released.)

Rita wrote me later the same day, that both books were left as seen in this photo, and were both checked out the same day. I just checked the latest information on them, and both books are even checked out today. Just shows those eye catching dynamic covers, do grab peoples attention. Rita said, they plan to display them more often in the future, as the books have been checking out, to new found readers in the US.

Also good to note, all the paperbacks have a special clear covering, to protect them from the heavy wear and tear of library use. It is so well applied, you would never know it was there, but gives the cover a much thicker feel, without loosing any of the original colouring of the image.

If you live in the US, and like to see the books, you can visit the Springfield Library or ask your library for an interlibrary loan. (Better yet? Pick up some books of your own to enjoy. Link to The Rainbow Orchid Shop.) Thanks Rita and Carrie for the picture!

Link to the Springfield Library and Teens section.
(If you are new to Rainbow Orchid, you should know one of the lead characters, silent film star Lily Lawrence, is a friend of Edna Purviance, and there is a lovely drawing of them together in Volume One. We are very pleased Edna is part of this very delightful book!)

Jane Mercer Lecture with Kevin Brownlow

Jane Mercer Memorial Lecture "My Life in Archives" by Kevin Brownlow, produced by FOCAL International in association with Royal Television Society London Centre. Filmed and edited by Gerry Lewis Productions.

UPDATE September 19, 2010: And I was very kindly contacted by Gerry Lewis, with Gerry Lewis Productions, and he send us the link that goes directly to FOCAL International, the producers of this great program with Mr. Brownlow.

If you want to see at a higher quality and learn more about this production, please follow this Link to FOCAL International: www.focalint.org

Part One

Link: www.focalint.org

Part Two

Link: www.focalint.org

Part Three

Thanks to editor and filmmaker of this program, Gerry Lewis, for the updated information. You can learn more about FOCAL International at this link.

And also to the original twitter feed about this program from 'silentRobert'.

Charlie Chaplin festival planned for Ireland

Josephine Chaplin is working with the local businesses of Waterville, Ireland, to start a Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival in their town. According to the Irish Times, plans are to start the event in August 2011. The Irish town was a favorite with the family, so hopes are to make it an annual event, with international fans to travel too.

Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival

Planned for August 2011
Waterville, Co. Kerry, Ireland

"We are currently preparing format of Comedy Film competition and planning events for the five-day festival next August. We welcome ideas for the events and are also preparing design tender for competition the award trophies or ’Charlies’." - Chaplin film festival home site

Here is the website LINK for this new festival.

Here are a couple more links about this event.
Visit Waterville | Article from Irish Times

Birthday Events for Edna in October

Edna Purviance is being remembered this October on four fronts and more...

First: I am having my Edna Purviance October Surprise Event, for all our Edna online fans from around the world. See this LINK for details.

Second: Michael Bonham, in Niles, has been working on getting an Edna Purviance Birthday Event going at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, California. They will have a showing of three Edna films, Sunday afternoon, on October 17th. Check this LINK for coming events for more details.

Third: A special Nevada gathering is happening for a group of Edna fans in her home state. It is a quieter affair, for Edna's 115th birthday. Longtime Edna Purviance fan, David Toll, will be leading this event in Nevada, coming in October.

Fourth: Fifteen reproduced prints from Edna's own photos (Leading Ladies - Hill Family Memorabilia), were sent to be part of the Charlie Chaplin and American Culture exhibit, at the Zanesville Museum of Art. The show runs from October 2nd - December 4th. Also, a video presentation on Edna called 'Angel from Nevada.' This 60 minute program will be shown during the Charlie Chaplin International Conference. Check this LINK for more details. (More about the video is at this LINK)

And finally, Edna Purviance films are being shown at different locations, including ones as part of the Charlie Chaplin 35MM Tour. See this LINK for more on the films and locations.

So a lot going on for Edna Purviance, this October 2010!

Edna's Oct. Surprise! September Reminder!

Edna's October Surprise!
Edna Purviance October 2010
Birthday Event - Sept. Reminder!

What is one thing that makes Birthdays Fun? It's wondering what might be in that surprise gift!

With that in mind, I decided to do the same for Edna's birthday this year. I will not show you what you be winning, yet.

Instead, if you follow the rules and your name is drawn, and you reply to your email in time, you could be the winner of a real surprise!

And YOU will not find out what you have WON, until the day it arrives!

Once it does arrive, and you have confirmed seeing it, I will share with the world what you have won! (That is part of the rules for entry.)

Your gift will have your name, date and name of the event, either in or on the surprise gift given.

What it is? I will only say, it is something I never given away before.

Interested? All you have to do is to fill out this entry form with your guesses on the 8 DIFFERENCES IN PHOTO 2 on the official form. All correct answers will be entered into the drawing. (Note: Please study real carefully! Without giving away a hint, looking for 8 differences, so watch for any item that might mislead.)

Deadline to enter is Monday, NOON Pacific Time, October 18, 2010. The first name will be drawn shorty after NOON.

You will have 24 hours to response to your email notification. If you don't answer, a second name will be drawn and this will repeat every 24 hours, until we have a winner.

I hope to have a winner's name by October 21, 2010, Edna's Birthday.

I will publish the winners name and location on that day. Soon after, once the item is received, I will reveal to the world what was won!

So are you game for a real surprise? If you are, enter today! Open to all Edna fans, worldwide!

Part of our celebration, as ednapurviance.org starts heading into 10 years on the Web...

DEADLINE TO ENTER
OCTOBER 18, 2010
NOON PACIFIC TIME
CLICK ON '?' TO ENTER
Special page & entry form!


September 11, 2010 - Update - We have had entries from all around the globe (Japan, UK, France, Germany, to name just a few)! You can't have a chance to win, unless you enter.

Note to visitors

After taking sometime off from writing Edna Purviance family biography this summer, I am getting geared up into writing it again. So, while I will continue to work on posting updates on Edna Purviance's .org, .com, blog and fan page, etc. it may slow down sometimes over the coming months. Doesn't mean not to send a 'hello.' Just getting my mind wrapped into the work ahead.

Don't forget our Edna's October Surprise! See links on the side column for details. You can't have a chance to win, unless you enter. Also, a nice new stock of 'The Sea Gull' A Woman of the Sea' books in, if you haven't gotten one. Thanks for all your support over the years.

Betty White to receive Charlie Chaplin award

Entertainment Tonight reports, Betty White to receive the 'Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy'. LINK

Watching a Pea Plant Grow

After growing some peas this summer, here is a fascinating film on seeing a pea plant spout, grow and bloom, from the BFI youtube Archive collection. From the series 'Secrets of Nature'.



More at BFI yt: LINK

Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin - On Now!

Short preview film of 'Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin"
The musical play is on now through October 17th, 2010 - LINK

Edna Purviance films for the coming weeks...

Here is a list of coming showing of Edna's films in the coming weeks and months...

Los Angeles - The Cinefamily
Charlie Chaplin 35MM Tour
Check Cinefamily website for times - LINK
Sept. 8th - Pay Day
Sept. 15th - Sunnyside
Sept. 22nd - The Pilgrim
Sept. 29th - A Woman of Paris
Oct. 13th - The Kid and A Dog's Life

San Francisco - The Castro Theatre
Janus Films Presents Charlie Chaplin
Check the Castro Theatre website for times - LINK
Sept. 18th - The Idle Class and A Day's Pleasure
Sept. 19th - A Dog's Life and Sunnyside
Sept. 20th - Pay Day
Sept. 21th - The Kid
Sept. 22 - Shoulder Arms

Amherst, Massachusetts - Amherst Cinema
Charlie Chaplin 35MM Tour
October 17th - The Kid and The Idle Class

Durham, North Carolina - The Carolina Theatre
Charlie Chaplin 35MM Tour
Sept. 27-Oct. 7th - Check this site for times and dates

Minneapolis - The Trylon
Charlie Chaplin 35MM Tour
November 5 and 6 - Chaplin Shorts (check this link for films and times)
November 12, 13 and 14th - A Woman of Paris and Pay Day

Seeing this link for more updates on the Chaplin 35MM Tour

More showings
Fremont, Calif. - NILES - Edison Theater
Check Niles website for more details - LINK
Sept. 18th - A Night at the Show
October 17th - A Woman of Paris, A Night Out and A Jitney Elopement
(Birthday showing for Edna)

Kankakee, IL. - Paramount Theatre
Check schedule for more information - LINK
September 30th - The Immigrant (with Ben Model's new musical score)

Salem, Oregon - The Elsinore Theatre
Check the Elsinore Theatre - LINK
October 13th - Work and The Cure

Have TCM in the US? Edna & Charlie on TCM in November
Check your local listings
November 10th - The Immigrant
November 17th - The Kid and The The Pilgrim

There are lots of events scattered about the world, so check your listings for events. You maybe surprised and find one near you.

Charlie Chaplin at Keystone Region 2 DVDs

Thanks to an Edna fan for posting this link. Here is the first ad I have seen of the Chaplin Keystone Collection for Region 2 DVD players (includes most of Europe, UK and Japan). Release date stated as 6th of December 2010. LINK

Notice to 'Movie Poster' follower, JF. We are NOT interested in your movie posters of Chaplin! - WW, management...

Kevin Brownlow clips and interviews

Continuing with Kevin Brownlow, here are a selection of clips from interviews and his work showing the Hollywood series and Unknown Chaplin series.

Brownlow on silent film music



A few minutes from the Hollywood Series (from the silent comedies, with Chaplin)



Leonard Maltin preview of 'Unknown Chaplin'



Sample from the 'Unknown Chaplin' Series
(Note: Rollie actually started with Chaplin during the Mutuals, so was not working with Chaplin during the Essanay films.)



A few more minutes, including Edna and Charlie from 'Unknown Chaplin' series



More about Kevin Brownlow documentaries. LINK

Kevin Brownlow to receive Honorary Oscar!

Film historian, and preservationist, Kevin Brownlow, whose work with the late David Gill, nearly single-handedly, help save the history of silent films back in the 1970s and 80s, with their documentary series HOLLYWOOD, will be receiving an Honorary Oscar from The Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Brownlow is very well-known in silent film circles, but also with everyone who appreciate film history. He, and David Gill, created outstanding documentaries about Charlie Chaplin (Unknown Chaplin Series), Buster Keaton (A Hard Act to Follow), Harold Lloyd (The Third Genius), D.W. Griffith (Father of Film), Cinema Europe, and many more.

Brownlow also created his own film in the 1960s, about what if Germany did win during WWII and took over Britain, called 'It Happened Here', which took several years to create, with no budget to start with. (Available now on DVD.)

Many fine books to his credit, as well, including a groundbreaking book on the history of silent films 'The Parade's Gone By'. (Online preview of book.)

This is a great honor, for a man who has committed his life to saving not only silent films, but classic films, in general. A wholehearted congratulations!

LINK TO PRESS RELEASE | LINK TO BROWNLOW/GILL SILENT FILMS DOCUMENTARIES