Recording a milestone

This isn't a big deal to most readers, but for my personal interest in marking the date online, I am posting here for future reference.

July 13, 2009, ednapurviance.org site recorded over 75,000+ pages read, so far, for the month of July 2009. The last record holding month was January 2008 with 72,200+ pages read (that was for the whole month of January 2008 when SG was launched.)

I am personally not excited about the new record, since it was on a sad note it happened, but I do thank all the thousands of people who visited from around the world this last week. I know why many of you came and visited, so for that, I thank you.

Silent Film Organist Bob Mitchell passing

Bob Mitchell, said to be the last surviving organ accompanist from the silent era, died on July 4, 2009. Local Santa Clarita public TV station has this memorial edition interview called The Robert Mitchell Story with host Philip Scorza (about 40 minutes). LINK

"On Christmas Day 1924, Mitchell was practicing carols on the organ at the Strand Theater in Pasadena when the lights went down and a movie about the Yukon went up. The 12-year-old kept playing, improvising a soundtrack. Soon he was accompanying matinee shows five times a week. He played for films such as the romantic wartime drama "What Price Glory," the action-adventure "Beau Geste" and the Fritz Lang futuristic fantasy "Metropolis." With the arrival of talkies and Al Jolson in the 1927 film "The Jazz Singer," Mitchell's first silent-movie career ended when he was 16." - Los Angeles Times

In the video, Mitchell has some interesting comments about Charlie Chaplin and also, what it was like for black boy singers during his day running a boys choir.

When Michael Jackson and Oona Chaplin met

There has been people wondering if Michael Jackson and Charlie Chaplin ever met. They did not. Michael was a famous child and teenage singing star with the Jackson 5, as well as some solo work during Chaplin's later years. Michael was a huge fan of Chaplin's and the song 'Smile' was his favorite song. Jackson did say he always wanted to meet Oona Chaplin, which he did in the 1980s.

According to Jane Scovell book - 'Oona: Living in the Shadows'
"Oona's old friend Sophia Loren, "something of a Jackson groupie," had been attending Jackson's concerts, and when the singer came to Switzerland the Italian actress did arrange for them to meet. He (Michael Jackson) went to the Manoir and was given a tour of the estate by Oona. At one point she told him that he and Charlie "had a lot in common: you were born poor and had to strive to achieve all that you have." - 'Oona: Living in the Shadows' by Jane Scovell

Chaplin's home? Here is a tour of the Manior in Switzerland by Chaplin fan Rainer Mann. LINK

Jermaine Jackson's tribute to Michael

Jermaine Jackson sings Michael's favorite song 'Smile' at an emotional filled memorial today. Video from AP. (Michael and Janet in the 70's.)

Many authors to sign books at SF Silent Film Fest

San Francisco Silent Film Festival - July 10-12, 2009

Nearly dozen authors scheduled for book signings during this 2009 event. Press Release from the San Francisco Silent Film Festival:

Friday, July 10 - before and after The Gaucho Jeffrey Vance and Tony Maietta will sign copies of “Douglas Fairbanks” (University of California Press) in the Castro lobby. Jeffrey Vance is a film historian, producer, and lecturer as well as the author of an acclaimed trilogy of books on the great triumvirate of silent-film comedy: “Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema,” “Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian,” and “Buster Keaton Remembered.”

Saturday, July 11 - after Amazing Tales from the Archives Christel Schmidt will sign copies of “Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture” (Little, Brown and Company) on the Castro mezzanine.

Christel Schmidt is involved with silent film through her work at the Library of Congress. She contributed to “Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture.”

Shawna Kelly will sign copies of “Aviators in Early Hollywood” (Arcadia) on the Castro mezzanine. Shawna Kelly is the great granddaughter of Daredevil DeLay, innovator of several aerial firsts for motion pictures and one of the aviators who gave his life for the entertainment world.

Saturday, July 11 - after Bardelys the Magnificent David Shepard will sign copies of “Bardelys the Magnificent” (Flicker Alley) and other DVDs on the Castro mezzanine. David Shepard is an archivist, author, consultant and legendary film preservationist whose Film Preservation Associates is responsible for numerous high quality video versions of silent films. His work has been honored by the National Society of Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and the San Francisco International Film Festival. Trina Robbins will sign copies of “The Brinkley Girls” (Fantagraphics) on the Castro mezzanine. Retired cartoonist and current comics historian Trina Robbins has been writing graphic novels, comics, and books for over 30 years. Her earlier works include “Nell Brinkley and the New Woman in the Early 20th Century” (McFarland).

Saturday, July 11 - after Wild Rose Richard Meyer and Qin Yi will sign copies of “Jin Yan: The Rudolph Valentino of Shanghai” on the Castro mezzanine. Richard Meyer is a film historian, scholar and the author of “Ruan Ling-yu: The Goddess of Shanghai” and other works. Qin Yi is the widow of the Chinese film star Jin Yan.

Saturday, July 11 - after Underworld Eddie Muller will sign copies of “Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir” (St. Martin’s) and “Art of Noir” (Overlook) on the Castro mezzanine. Eddie Muller is a recognized authority on film noir. He is a film historian, journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and producer – as well as the author of a number of books. Mick LaSalle will sign copies of “Joan Crawford: The Enduring Star” (Rizzoli) and “Complicated Women” (St. Martin’s) on the Castro mezzanine. Mick Lasalle is the author of two indispensible books on pre-code film, “Complicated Women” and “Dangerous Men.” He is also well known to local film buffs as the film critic for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Sunday, July 12 - after Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Leonard Maltin will sign copies of “Of Mice and Magic” (Plume ) and “Leonard Maltin’s Movie Crazy” (Dark Horse Comics) on the Castro mezzanine. Leonard Maltin is one of the country’s leading film critics and historians. He has written a number of books, appeared on television’s “Entertainment Tonight” for more than 20 years, and teaches at the University of Southern California. His annual movie guide is a regular
bestseller.

Leslie Iwerks will sign copies of “Hand Behind the Mouse” (Disney Editions) on the Castro mezzanine. Leslie Iwerks is an Academy Award-nominated producer/director who heads Leslie Iwerks Productions. Her works include “The Pixar Story” and “The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story.” The last of these documents the life of her grandfather.

Sunday, July 12 - after Erotikon Glen David Gold will sign copies of “Sunnyside” (Knopf) on the Castro mezzanine. Glen David Gold is a novelist and the author of the best seller “Carter Beats the Devil.” His new novel centers on the life of Charlie Chaplin. Sunday, July 12 - after So’s Your Old Man

Terry Zwigoff & Dan Clowes will sign copies of “Ghost World: the Special Edition” (Fantagraphics) on the Castro mezzanine. Terry Zwigoff is an American filmmaker well-known for two popular films arising out of the world of alternative comics: the documentary “Crumb” (1994), and the feature “Ghost World” (2001).The later was adapted from a story in Dan Clowes’s comic of the same name. For their work on “Ghost World,” Clowes and Zwigoff received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay. Five years later, they teamed up on Art School Confidential.

Visit SF Silent Film site for more details.

Karl Malden has died at 97

Well, sitting here doing work and listening to Michael's music and read another one I watched in the past has gone. Karl Malden has died at the age of 97. Nice long life, though. I used to watch him and Michael Douglas on The Streets of San Francisco back in the 70s. Didn't see his movie work until much later, thanks to TCM. That's four stars in just over a week... (TCM will surely do a tribute this month.)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

John Squire, best known as Jack to his family and friends, is slated to have segments of his personal films from his piloting days with Pan Am Airlines as part of a national television broadcast documentary about World War II. Full post to come.

(Jack was Edna's husband from 1938 until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1945.)

New dates added for Grand View

July-October, 2009 - City of Glendale has listed the latest dates for Grand View Cemetery to be open. "Whether the Cemetery will open on a regular basis... is unknown."- City of Glendale

Michael

Michael Jackson
1958-2009
May the music always live on...

Since I am the same age as Michael, I got to watch his career grow from the start. I remember seeing him with his brothers on the Dick Clark show (Bandstand) and on several variety programs of the late 1960s/early 1970s.

In junior high in the early 70s, we had a morning assembly every Tuesday and would always have a sing-along. The early Jackson Five hits, like ABC, were part of that sing-along. (The only African-American created music I remember singing in that school.)

By the time of his solo album Off the Wall, I remember purchasing it during my first year in college. I still remember the shop and pulling it off the rank in my little farm town.

And by the 1980s, I remember watching Thriller on MTV with my husband. It was huge, and I always would stop to watch it whenever it came on. (That is when MTV showed nothing but music videos 24/7. But more important, Jackson broke down the wall, allowing African-Americans to be shown on MTV. Before Michael, only white artist were shown on MTV. It wasn't easy, as it was a fight to get his video shown.)

Our very first music CD was Bad, which we purchased in Oakland, California. It was the same trip we got our first CD player.

And that was the last Michael Jackson album we purchased. But it wasn't the last time I listened to them, as I still have all those albums. The great thing about music, it always lives on, as long as people remember it.

I never saw him in person, only heard him on TV, records and countless times on the radio (like most people). And like so many other musical artists I grew up loving to listen too, I am always going to remember growing up with Michael's music and dancing.

He was so young when he started, he didn't choose his life, he was just having fun singing in the beginning and naturally good. It is just sad Michael never had the chance to 'grow up' to know a life outside his fame.

Three Video breakthrough favorites during peak:
Thriller | Billie Jean | Beat It

Update: Michael Jackson's recording of SMILE
(Apparently the video originally on MJ's site before, but placed up here by someone over a year ago, so don't know if it will stay, but includes Edna, Charlie, Jackie with Michael's version of SMILE.)

Update: Early moonwalk? In this tribute video called I Want You Back it shows early video clips from the Jackson Five television performances. If you watch closely at the end, you will see a very brief piece at what looks likes a very early moonwalk try by Michael at a much younger age.

Charlie Chaplin related fact: On January 28, 1985, "We are the World" which was co-written by Michael Jackson, was recorded on the Charlie Chaplin Studio lot, when the studio was A&M Studios.

Best Picture Oscar goes from 5 to 10

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have decided to return to ten films to be up for Best Picture Oscar instead of just five. The last time when more than five pictures were allowed to be nominated were between the years 1932-1943. During those years, eight to twelve films were allowed, on certain years. Click on the link to learn more about the change: LINK - Los Angeles Times

The Sea Gull reviewed by Examiner writer Thomas Gladysz

"Had you not known it was self-published, any reader would assume this book the product of a major concern. It’s beautifully printed. The layout is attractive, and the text is informative. And what’s more, it’s the only book on an interesting and worthwhile subject." - Thomas Gladysz, Examiner (San Francisco).

On Friday, just before shutting down and leaving on a weekend get-a-way, we had a wonderful online surprise with a review of The Sea Gull "A Woman of the Sea" by Thomas Gladysz from San Francisco, writing for the Examiner. It's our first online 'newspaper' review, which is seen nationwide.

The article isn't only about The Sea Gull, but also about the state of publishing for silent film books these days, as traditional publishing houses are turning away from printing such subject matter. It is one of the reasons we self-published our book.

"These days, books on silent film are largely being published by mid-size, specialty, and university presses. McFarland continues its steady issuance of largely worthwhile books, and recently they have been joined in the field by BearManor." - Thomas Gladysz, Examiner

It is not everyday you see your project listed under Google News.

You can follow more of Thomas Gladysz's reports and reviews on silent films at the Examiner. We thank Mr. Gladysz, and all our readers, who have enjoyed our book, and of course, all our supporters who helped in creating The Sea Gull. We are getting a nice 'flood' of new orders from all over, which is cutting handsomely into our new second edition stock.

Also, to answer a few questions about our Lita Hill interview on DVD, we still plan to release about the same time as Edna's second book, which I am still researching. Currently, I have been doing more research on Edna's husband Jack. I am finding this most interesting, lately, as new items are starting to appear. And something is brewing in the background that I think would have made Edna and Jack very excited.

Granville Redmond's 'Silver and Gold' painting

If you know your Charlie Chaplin history, you know Granville Redmond was the deaf painter Charlie Chaplin took in during the late 1910s, after Chaplin created his new studio. Redmond played a role as the bar owner in 'A Dog's Life' who Edna is fired by, and he played an artist in 'The Kid' with Carl Miller.

Redmond was still working for Chaplin when Morgan Hill met him in the late 1920s. They became friends during this time, especially during the making of 'City Lights.' Redmond presented Morgan with a painting as a gift to Morgan.

I saw the painting Morgan got when I first met Lita in 2005. A lovely seascape. But today's article about Redmond's paintings are not about seascapes, but a landscape called 'Silver and Gold.' It was created the same year as 'A Dog's Life', starring Edna Purviance and Charlie Chaplin.

It was one of 18 paintings recently sold by the Orange County Museum.

"The star painting in the transaction is probably Granville Redmond's 1918 "Silver and Gold" (above), a rolling coastal landscape that Laguna Art Museum director Bolton Colburn described to The Times as “an A-plus, a perfect Redmond, one of the five best paintings he ever did.” The artist painted it the same year he appeared in his first Charlie Chaplin movie, "A Dog's Life." - Los Angeles Times

You can read more at this link about this special sale.
Update: More about this controversial private sale.

First Edition The Sea Gull books are now RETIRED

I had a surprise today, as the Second Revised Edition of The Sea Gull books arrived today! (Originally told by Wednesday next week, but we'll take it.) All the new stock checked out just fine!

So, as of today, June 12, 2009, all The Sea Gull books sold and shipped will be Revised Second Edition. I have officially retired the First Edition.

For our library visitors, The Sea Gull is listed on WorldCat.

JUNE 19, 2009 - (SAN FRANCISCO) EXAMINER REVIEW OF THE SEA GULL

Second Editions now on sale! Thanks for the first second edition book sold! More Second Editions in stock and ready to ship!

Charlie Chaplin Keystone DVDs

I received word that the Charlie Chaplin Keystone DVD collection is again on delay until 2010. Just have to wait longer, folks, but it's coming. Just takes time for these things.

UPDATE: The Second Edition of The Sea Gull is now on sale. (The First Edition has been retired.)

Thanks to our 450+ Garen Ewing interview listeners!

I want to send a special thanks to the 450+ listeners to Garen Ewing's interview this last week. Being Garen's first audio recording and my first podcast, I was very pleased to see the response and really appreciated hearing back from some of you, as well. It makes all the effort in presenting this even more special.

According to stats (and it varies each day), we had listeners from around the world, with Europe and the UK with about 55-60% of the listening audience, most of the time. But the United States came in with nearly 40% to 45% or more, during the week (depending on the day). Canada came in next with about 20% tops for the week, and Japan and scattering of other countries worldwide, sharing about 5-15% of our listening audience.

Yes, it is (1:14) not by design but by chance, with the main focus on Garen Ewing creating his book and how he went from being a self-publisher to being picked up by a publishing company, Egmont UK. If you are interested in publishing yourself one day, something you should enjoy listening to and learn from. And from the response so far, the audiences are enjoying listening.

Garen's The Rainbow Orchid being picked up and published by Egmont UK didn't happen overnight, but after years of determination and frankly, just plain hard work.

For you silent film fans, Garen even reveals a project he had thoughts of creating before going heavily into Rainbow Orchid, but you will just have to listen to find out what it is.

So if you are thinking about publishing, or someone who likes to listen to a good chat about creating, grab a cup of tea and have a listen to a fine gentleman, who I have had the pleasant in learning about his work over the years and have the pleasure to present to you now. Link to: Garen Ewing Interview

Thank you, everyone...

UPDATE June 18th: For Window users, I've placed up a new page with the audio file on Real Player.

Happy Birthday, Garen!

Garen Ewing has asked his friends and Rainbow Orchid followers to help celebrate his 40th birthday today, by 'spreading the word' about his upcoming book The Rainbow Orchid (Volume One) being released in August 2009.

Now while I just posted Garen's audio recording (which you can learn more about his love for silent films and how it is a part of his work), I just want to point out to our silent film fans, The Rainbow Orchid would make a great gift for that person on your list who you would like to introduce to silent films. With two of Garen's leading characters in the silent film field, it would be a fun and unique way to do it.

So help a dear and special friend of ours celebrate his 40th Birthday, by spending sometime at The Rainbow Orchid. Have a Very Happy Birthday, Garen! And thanks everyone!

UPDATE June 18th: For Window users, I've placed up a new page with the audio file on Real Player.

Garen Ewing, podcast interview about The Rainbow Orchid

Garen Ewing, the comic artist and creator of The Rainbow Orchid - the Adventures of Julius Chancer, graciously agreed to an audio interview with me (Linda Wada, researcher and founder of ednapurviance.org). I wholeheartedly thank Garen for a most enjoyable chat about his long awaited publication of The Rainbow Orchid.

"Imagination to Print"
Interview with Garen Ewing
Creator of The Rainbow Orchid
podcast host, Linda Wada

I first met Garen in the spring of 2001 and soon learned about the creation of The Rainbow Orchid.

Set in the 1920s, The Rainbow Orchid features adventurous Julius Chancer and silent film star, Lily Lawrence, along with a strong supporting cast of characters including: the devious Evelyn Crow, historical researcher Sir Alfred Catesby-Grey, Lily's publicity agent Nathanial Crumpole, mysterious Urkaz Grope and leading gossip columnist and stirrer of trouble, William Pickle. All of them are involved on an adventure to find the mythical flower last mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher and botanist, Theophrastus. Julius agrees to help find it to save the estate of Lily's father, Sir Lawrence.

Drawn in the Franco-Belgian school of bande dessinée (a clear line style), the comic has great characters, a complex story and quality artwork. Garen's comic quickly became my favorite and I have been following the development of the story and project ever since.

You never know for sure, but I always had faith it would be picked up by a publisher one day, and that day has finally arrived.

In our interview called Imagination to Print, we start with Garen's childhood background, learning to draw, and the influences that led him to The Rainbow Orchid. We talked about the creation of the comic, development of characters, and the publication history that culminated in publication by Egmont UK.

Garen gives his personal insight on drawing and the world of publishing, (with surprises intermixed). Garen's love of silent films does play a role in the creation of his comic, as you will learn (even Edna Purviance is mentioned).

We hope you will enjoy listening to his story, and maybe gain some valuable insights through his experience in creating his comic and entering the publishing world.

This current file is the audio version of our interview. I am working toward a second version, which will be a visual addition to this audio to be ready later this summer (planning for August 3, night before the book officially releases).

The Rainbow Orchid will be released from Egmont UK August 4th, 2009, starting with Volume 1. Volumes 2 and 3 will follow starting in 2010. It is available in the UK now, but can be bought directly from Garen starting August 4th, or via online booksellers and UK bookshops.

So, settle back with a nice cup of tea, and enjoy my conversation with Rainbow Orchid creator Garen Ewing. LINK On the podcast page is a link for information of the order and topics covered.

UPDATE June 18th: For Window users, I've placed up a new page with the audio file on Real Player.

(Self-portrait drawing by Garen Ewing)

Comments:
"...it was a great interview, nice to have such a long one instead of 20 minutes, allowed for a bit more range." - Joe Gordon, Forbidden Planet International, UK

"I am very impressed at this new way of spreading the word on silent films... Keep up the great work!" - Lon Davis, classic and silent film author, USA

"It was a quality interview, you did a really good job! And it's great that someone who knows so much about the Rainbow Orchid could ask the questions." - Sarah McIntyre, Children book Illustrator, DFC Artist - UK

Latest Online chats, interviews and reviews of RO
July 1, 2009 - Now Read This by Win Wiacek
July 2, 2009 - Phantom Zone Talking 'The Rainbow Orchid' by JE Towey