By Cassandra Geraghty @ayearofsilents It is nearly impossible to find information on actress Iris Hall except that she starred in two early “race films” – one of which has been lost. Born in Barbados in 1892, Iris and her family relocated to the United States when she was thirteen. She worked as a dancer, singer and … [Read more…]
Barbara Wingo, Vice President and Curator, Norman Studios Silent Film Museum, Inc. The work on our museum has begun! As our fans, friends and members know, the City of Jacksonville appropriated $1 million to the Parks Department to begin the process of making the production building (the main building) ready for a museum. Norman Studios Silent … [Read more…]
By Cassandra Geraghty @ayearofsilents I’ve done my fair share of research on silent film stars but I hadn’t stumbled upon Anita Dickson Thompson Reynolds until recently, when the above picture caught my eye. There wasn’t much on the internet to learn about Anita but fortunately she had written her memoirs and they offered some insight … [Read more…]
By Cassandra Geraghty @ayearofsilents Noble Johnson was born Mark Johnson in Marshall, MI in 1881. While still young his family moved to Colorado Springs where his father was a well known horse trainer. While attending school there, Noble met and became friends with Lon Chaney and the two remained closed although never working together. He … [Read more…]
By Cassandra Geraghty @ayearofsilents At first glance, Louise Brooks is better known for her bobbed hair, than for her contribution to Silent Film. However, although she had a moderately short career, her striking looks and natural acting ability made a lasting impression on fashion and film today. Louise Brooks was born Mary Louise Brooks in … [Read more…]
By Cassandra Geraghty @ayearofsilents “The First Lady of Screen” came from humble beginnings but her exuberant personality destined her for stardom. Evelyn Preer was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1896 and moved to Chicago at two after the death of her father. She first began acting in high school with the “Lady American Minstrels”. Not … [Read more…]
At a time when the necessity of addressing racism and racial injustice in our country has risen to our collective consciousness and consciences, Norman Studios Silent Film Museum, Inc. reaffirms its commitment to the values of equality and anti-racism. In the 1920s Norman Studios was an important link in the battle to break the age-old … [Read more…]
Each year, on a single day, Americans donate millions of dollars to worthy causes nationwide. Created in 2012, GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 3, 2019 and every day. This Giving Tuesday, we offer three reasons to consider donating to … [Read more…]
What a wonderful experience we had at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention in Gainesville, Florida! We thank the Cade Museum staff and volunteers for their hospitality and for the opportunity to educate so many people about Norman Studios. Nearly 9,000 people were able to view the exhibit. Four special events also took place: … [Read more…]
In March, Steve Arrington, retired JTA engineer, called to arrange a tour for one of his groups, the National Railroad Historical Society. He thought the members who help care for the locomotive on display at the Convention Center in Jacksonville, would enjoy seeing the 1916 machines that produced power for the silent film complex on … [Read more…]