The Year of the Snake -- January 29, 2025

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Today is the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake.

Glamorous Dominican actress Maria Montez appeared in a series of campy Technicolor adventure films including The Cobra Woman. I need a couch like this.

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A Study in Scarlet -- December 28, 2014

Moving Picture World, 19-December-1914

There were two adaptions of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novel A Study in Scarlet made in 1914.  The British feature version, directed by George Pearson, is lost and anxiously sought.  James Bragington played Holmes. 

I have not heard of anyone looking for the American Gold Seal two-reeler released by Universal.  Francis Ford directed and played Sherlock Holmes.  Some sources claim that his brother John, who later became a famous director, played Doctor Watson.  I would like to see more evidence. 

News of the Week 05-December-1914 -- December 5, 2014

The 05-December-1914 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Indian troops en route to camp at Lyndhurst, England.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Indian cavalry did not have many opportunities to operate in Europe.  Later they served in the Middle East.  Lyndhurst, Hampshire is a town in the New Forest. 

"Some of the Canadian troops snapped in England.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Canada had several regiments of Highlanders. 

"Germans massing troops at Brussels.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The Germans trampled Belgium on their way to invade France. 

"German wounded being taken from Ostend to Brussels.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  I'm not sure why the wounded are riding in the tender of a steam locomotive.  I can't tell if they are prisoners, but I don't think so. 

"Belgium's bicycle corps which has distinguished itself.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Belgians did everything they could to resist the German invaders.  The British and German armies also had bicycle infantry. 

"One of the Turk mobilization camps near Constantinople.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Ottoman Empire entered the war in 1915. 

News of the Week 28-November-1914 -- November 28, 2014

The 21-November-1914 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"British troops gathering at St. Albans, England to resist possible invasion.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Animated Weekly."  There was fear of an invasion early in the war, but the great strength of the Royal Navy made anything more than raids unlikely. 

"The Kronprinzessin Cecilie held in Boston harbor to escape capture by British.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie sailed for North German Lloyd between Bremen and New York.  She was on her way to Germany from the United States when the war started.  She turned back to America.  After the US entered the war, the government commandeered her to use as a troop ship and renamed her Mount Vernon. 

"Celebrating Trafalgar Day in England.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Trafalgar Day, October 21, celebrates Admiral Horatio Nelson's 1805 victory over the French and Spanish fleets. 

"Salvation Army, in Boston, making bandages for Europe's wounded.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  During the war, making bandages was an important act. 

"Belgian troops advancing to the Yser to meet Germans.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The Belgians did what they could to resist the German invasion. 

News of the Week 21-November-1914 - November 21, 2014

The 21-November-1914 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels. 

"U.S. Battleship New York passing under Brooklyn Bridge after making speed trial.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Film Mfg. Co."  USS New York (BB-34) served in both World Wars. 

"Loading J. D. Rockefeller's chartered steamer for Belgians' relief.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  After the German invasion, the people of occupied Belgium were starving.  Many Americans tried to provide relief. 

"French troops going to the front.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  You can't see it in the photo, but their trousers would have been bright red and their coats would have been blue. 

News of the Week 14-November-1914 - November 14, 2014

The 14-November-1914 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels. 

"The Belgian retreat from Antwerp.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial." The war began when the Germans violated the neutrality of Belgium by invading that country on their way to invade France.

"Belgians in armored auto returning with war trophies.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Film Mfg. Co." The Italians had used armored cars in the 1911-1912 war with the Turks, but the Belgians were the first to use them during World War One. This may be one of their improvised Minerva Armored Cars.

"Fifty lives lost in mine disaster at Royalton, Ill.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Fifty-one miners died when Franklin Coal and Coke's North Mine exploded. 

"England's prisoners of war at Detention Camp, near Aldershot.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."Aldershot, a major center of the British Army, housed German POWs during the war. 

"Buying horses in New York for the Allies' armies.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The British, French and Russians purchased many horses in America.  Armies in World War One depended on horses for pulling wagons and artillery.

"Arrival of English wounded at West Ham Hospital.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  West Ham was a borough of London.