By Mitch Hemann Just when the silent era was beginning to wind down, and “talkies” were about to become all the rage, William Wellman’s big budget war picture Wings (1927) flew into movie houses across the country, dazzling audiences wherever it landed. It is a stunning masterwork of cinema that is regarded even today as … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Harold Lloyd’s final silent film, Speedy (1928), is arguably some of his finest work. In this delightful comedy, Lloyd plays a hapless, bespectacled fellow who loves baseball almost as much as he loves his girlfriend, Jane (Ann Christy). Much to Jane’s dismay, his passion for the game prevents him from keeping a … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Jeff Gardner is an archaeologist living in Jacksonville’s historic Springfield neighborhood. Recently retired, he’s been able to pursue many passion projects. One such project is a book he’s preparing on a long forgotten star of the silent era who lived right here in Jacksonville. Jeff will be presenting his research along with … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès was born on December 8, 1861, in Paris France. His father, Jean-Louis-Stanislas Méliès, was a shoe maker, and by the time Georges came along he had a successful business and amassed a bit of wealth. From the start, Georges had a very active imagination and was quite creative. His father, … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann By the 1920s, Hollywood had seen many stars. Funny men like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton made us laugh, starlets like Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish drove men crazy, and debonair gentlemen like Douglas Fairbanks made women swoon. But nobody was prepared for Valentino. Born on May 6, 1895 in Castellaneta Italy, … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann Since the earliest days of motion pictures, producers have used animals for their innate ability to add humor, action, and a whole lot of heart to their stories. Among these fuzzy performers, dogs have been some of the most memorable stars and have entertained audiences for more than a century. Names like … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann “There can be no understanding between the hand and the brain unless the heart acts as mediator.” Arguably one of the most recognizable and beloved vamps of the silent era, Brigitte Helm’s life was complicated both on and off screen, and there’s no greater example of the complexities of this illusive and … [Read more…]
By Cher Davis As a Black actress in today’s entertainment industry, I have often felt duty-bound to pay homage to those individuals who have, throughout history, paved the way for ongoing generations of Black performers to be recognized for their talent, not for the color of their skin. One such individual is Egbert Austin Williams, … [Read more…]
By Mitch Hemann The story of the Ebony Film Corporation is one that was plagued with trouble throughout its short lifespan. Nevertheless, they produced a handful of films that even today are deemed important for their contribution to the discussion of race relations. Located in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood on the corner of California and … [Read more…]
By Barbara Wingo James Weldon Johnson, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, was one of the most exceptional and important figures of the first half of the twentieth century. As historian John Hope Franklin wrote: “It is difficult to imagine the Harlem Renaissance without James Weldon Johnson. It is impossible to understand the place of African … [Read more…]