| Visiting the New Selznick Studio
Another article from Motion Picture magazine, May, 1918. Titled, "Chatter Culled on the Spot, or, Visiting the New Selznick Studio," the article follows the exploits of the author as she tries to get to the Bronx and interview a celebrity. Instead, she has nice chat with the doorman, who fills her in on all the latest studio gossip. Not really, but that's the set-up. Interesting for many reasons: The article features some information on Rita Jolivet, the stage and film actress and Lusitania survivor. The studio in question, as well, is the studio of Lewis J. Selznick, father of David O. Selznick, legendary Hollywood producer (i.e. "Gone With the Wind," "Rebecca," and a few others). The studio would eventually move to California in 1920, where Selznick Senior would go bankrupt by 1923.
Adele De Garde
When I first posted the Kromo Gravure photos into the Photo Album, I had no idea who she was — and, frankly, didn't care. Probably another star who burned brightly and then flamed out, I figured; it's such an old story as to be a cliche. But then when I posted another photo of her in the "Vitagraph Players" postcard series, I started to wonder, who is this person?, particularly as she looked so young. Serendipity, again: Not long ago I was going through some books in my (personal) library and moved a stack of old fan magazines. Curious, (it had been a while since I'd looked through them, and I'm always looking for items for the site), to my surprise, there it was: an article on Adele De Garde! I've reprinted it, along with a (sadly very) brief biography.
Christie Comedies presents: Paper Dolls!
Another eBay purchase (I should create a macro for this). This is a set of not really paper dolls, but stand-up figures of some of the more popular Christie Comedies stock actors: Neal Burns, Bobby Vernon, Jimmie Adams, Frances Lee, and Billy Dooley (he of the ever-present sailor suit). Not knowing much about them (other than knowing they were quite popular during the silent era), I did a little research and wrote up a small article to accompany the "dolls." I'll probably amend as time allows me to do a little extra research. In the meantime, enjoy!
Calendar Girls of 1918
Another eBay purchase. This is a calendar put out by Haines & Thompson, clearly an early car dealership. The calendar was published as a sales tool to help promote the Hudson Super-Six, which was, of course, sold only by H&T. Click on the thumbnails for a larger version of the image, or, wait until 2013 and print each one out and use the calendars, when the dates match up.
Cooking With the Stars!
I bought this on eBay long ago; it fascinated me then and it fascinates me now: A cookbook of 100 stars of 1933, and their favorite recipes. Their allegedly favorite recipes. Chances are, Cook made something other than Toasted Cheese Sandwich (Maureen O'Sullivan), but you never know…
Nosferatu
I wrote this quite some time ago for our local theatre's Halloween showing of Nosferatu. I wish I had cited my sources better, but I like to say I've grown as a writer since. Regardless, enjoy this brief history of Nosferatu, vampires, and "Dracula."
Portraits of the Silent Stars
Photos of male and female stars of the era from movie magazines found at an estate sale.
Louise Brooks Dances
From Motion Picture Classic February, 1928 comes lovely Louise Brooks, illustrating the song "Less Than the Dust."
The Scenarist: Lillian J. Sweetser
Near my hometown of Akron, Ohio lived a woman who was once very big in pictures...and no one ever knew. Her name was Lillian J. Sweetser, and she was a scenario writer during the very early days of "moving pictures." Although she died in 1974, this article is a look back at a woman who was but a footnote in film -- and local -- history.
Interestingly, Lillian wrote a scenario for filmmaker Romaine Fielding, and in the course of his research director David Lindblom of Santa Fe, NM interviewed Sweetser's daughter. The brief article is here.
Anita King
From William M. Drew, author of The Speeding Sweethearts, comes a new article on another queen of the automobile: Anita King
Movie Theatres of Mountain View
My friend David Downey wrote an article on the early downtown movie theatres of his hometown of Mountain View, California. An interesting bit of local history, one that reflects the fates and fortunes of many of the early nickelodeons and theatres across the country.
Close-ups in Celluloid
An article on Harold Lloyd
Clara Bow
Clara Bow Becomes Bride of Rex Bell
Lantern Slides
Spreading the Magic with Slides and Lantern
Kathlyn Williams
A Luminous Star: Kathlyn Williams
The Audience Speaks its Mind
A movie magazine Q&A and letters to the editor
February, 2000
Eat and Keep Well with Marguerite Clark
January, 2000
Beauty and the Bean: A 1922 Interview with Norma Talmadge
November, 1999
Mary Pickford: My Own Story
March, 1999
To the Query Editor: Questions and answers on your favorite stars from Picture Progress magazine, November, 1916
January, 1999
More Than Just A Pretty Face: Actresses Behind the Camera by William Drew
December, 1998
Lillian Gish and her "hometown" of Massillon, Ohio
September, 1998
Q&A With the Silent Film Society of Atlanta
May, 1998
A virtual tour or, Home Sweet Home
December, 1997
Take a walk down the "Boulevard of the Stars".... the great Hollywood Walk of of Fame.
October, 1997
Erich von Stroheim's masterpiece Greed
On December 5, 1999, TCM aired a "reconstructed" Greed. Read all about the project, as well as articles and reviews.
September, 1997
The Speeding Sweethearts. William Drew, author of At the Center of the Frame: Leading Ladies of the Twenties and Thirties and Speaking of Silents: First Ladies of the Screen writes this wonderful account of how .
August, 1997
Of Silent Stars and Castles: Colleen Moore's Dollhouse
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