Mabel Norman...in Her 90 H.P. Racing Car -- March 29, 2014

Mabel Normand (her name is spelled wrong in the caption) was a pioneering comic actress in movies.  When she was in her teens, Mabel Normand starting posing as a model for artists such as Charles Dana Gibson. She started acting in movies for several studios including Biograph, where she met Mack Sennett. When Sennett left Biograph to start Keystone in 1912, Mabel went along. She was engaged to Sennett for while, but they never married. People still debate the reasons. She became one of Sennett's most important comedians, but, like his other comedians, left Sennett for other studios and more money. Mabel starred in a series of popular features for Goldwyn, went back to Sennett, but then became tangled up in scandals, for things with which she was not involved. She died of tuberculosis at 37.  The image is from the 19-September-1914 Moving Picture World.  This is probably not just a publicity shot.  Mabel liked to drive fast cars. 

The Greatest Comedy Ever Seen -- December 18, 2012

This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the Keystone company.  Here is an ad for an early Keystone  release, a full reel of "Stolen Glory," from the 12-October-1912 Moving Picture World.Here is an example of the Keystone people taking advantage of an actual event, the GAR parade, to capture a big crowd scene. 

The Beating He Needed -- November 18, 2012

This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the Keystone company.  Here is an ad for an early Keystone  release, a split reel of "The Beating He Needed" and "Pedro's Dilemma," from the 05-October-1912 Moving Picture World. "The Beating He Needed" sounds very enlightening: "An amusing story of an effeminate college boy who was sent West to make a man of him.  The plan failed until his father gave him the beating he needed."  Notice the actor in sheepskin chaps.  This became an indicator of a greenhorn in a western film. 

A Keystone Every Monday -- October 17, 2012

This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the Keystone company.  Here is an ad for Keystone's first release, a split reel of "The Water Nymph" and "Cohen Collects a Debt," from the 28-September-1912 Moving Picture World.  Most 1912 film ads did not name the performers, but this one talks about "Four Famous Comedians," Mack Sennett, Mabel Normand, Fred Mace and Ford Sterling. That's a nice photo of Mabel. 

The Giants lost the second game to the Cardinals, after a 3.5 hour rain delay.  

Keystone 100 -- September 23, 2012

This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the Keystone company.  Here is an ad from the 1916 edition of the Motion Picture Studio Directory and Trade Annual.  It depicts director Eddie Cline and his team.  Cline later directed most of Buster Keaton's early short films and later directed many of WC Fields' best features, including The Bank Dick. Slim Summerville's family name is spelled "Somerville."  I think Bobby Dunn lost an eye doing a stunt at Keystone, but carried on using a glass eye.  I could swear the guy in the lower left is identified as "Clarry Lydon," but I assume it is Larry Lyndon.  I wonder if assistant director RB Kerr is the man listed in the IMDB as Robert P Kerr.  Peggy Pearce appeared in movies with both Charley and Syd Chaplin.  Vivian Edwards appeared with Charley.  Cameraman Kenneth MacLean has a few items listed in the IMDB.  What do you suppose the "MS" in the border between the Keystones means? The "MS" in the border between the Keystones stands for "Mack Sennett." 

Slapstick #8 -- April 19, 2011

"With Mr. Charles Chapin as Archibald Binks, the inebriate." Charlie Chaplin made his first visits to America as a member of Fred Karno's pantomime company. Alf Reeves later worked closely with Chaplin on his movies. "Ladies' Night in a London Club" sounds like a variation on "The Mumming Birds," in which Chaplin played a drunk who repeatedly interrupted a variety show.

The ad, from his second US tour, comes from the 14-June-1913 Washington Times. I wish the photo had scanned more clearly.

Later that year, Chaplin signed a contract with Mack Sennett's Keystone company to go into the movies. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Note that Sunday, an out-of-town baseball game will be presented on a board in the theater.

Slapstick #3 -- November 15, 2010

Roscoe Arbuckle, who did not like to be called "Fatty," was a skilled comedian who started his movie career with Selig and Universal before he came to Keystone in 1913. While there he made many movies with Mabel Normand. They were a good team. He also helped Charlie Chaplin learn the ropes of working in movies. Like many of Mack Sennett's stars, Arbuckle left to get a raise. He made a series of short films that gave Buster Keaton his start in movies. Arbuckle moved up to feature films before getting tarred in a scandal in San Francisco. Even though he was found not guilty, his career was ruined. He returned to directing and eventually made a series of short sound films before he died in 1933.

The cover of the April, 1916 Film Fun comes from AceCovers: http://www.magazine-covers.net/

Buster Posey was named National League Rookie of the Year. Good choice.

Slapstick #2 -- October 10, 2010

When she was in her teens, Mabel Normand starting posing as a model for artists such as Charles Dana Gibson. She started acting in movies for several studios including Biograph, where she met Mack Sennett. When Sennett left Biograph to start Keystone in 1912, Mabel went along. She was engaged to Sennett for while, but they never married. People still debate the reasons. She became one of Sennett's most important comedians, but, like his other comedians, left Sennett for other studios and more money. Mabel starred in a series of popular features for Goldwyn, went back to Sennett, but then became tangled up in scandals, for things with which she was not involved. She died of tuberculosis at 37.

The cover of the February, 1918 Picture Play comes from AceCovers: http://www.magazine-covers.net/

The Giants beat the Braves in Atlanta. Sanchez pitched beautifully and had a 1-0 lead for most of the game. The Braves went ahead 2-1 in the 8th, but the Giants won it 3-2 in the 9th.

Slapstick #1 -- September 27, 2010

Chester Conklin, sometimes called "Walrus" because of his moustache, had a long career in slapstick comedy. After playing in vaudeville, he joined Keystone and appeared as a Kop and supporting player. After working his way up to lead roles, Chet left Sennett in the usual contract dispute. He played in short comedies and supporting roles in features throughout the Twenties. He was teamed with WC Fields in a series of Paramount silents. He continued to work in small parts in the 1930s and 1940s. He died in 1971.

The cover of the September, 1916 Film Fun comes from AceCovers: http://www.magazine-covers.net/

New Chaplin Credit -- June 7, 2010

Paul E Gierucki of CineMuseum LLC discovered a previously unknown cameo by Charlie Chaplin in a Keystone comedy, "A Thief Catcher." Charlie appears as a Keystone Kop. The movie will be shown at this year's Slapsticon in Rosslyn, Virginia.

The cover of the August, 1915 Film Fun comes from AceCovers: http://www.magazine-covers.net/