Envisioning the Norman Studios Museum
Take a virtual tour of Jacksonville’s historic silent film studio complex with Norman Studios Vice President Barbara Wingo…
Author: wpnorman
Billy Slade: Comedy’s Right Hand Man
Billy Slade on right By Cassandra Geraghty @ayearofsilents William Sladen, better known as Billy Slade was a British Silent Film actor and Assistant Director who spent the majority of his film career making comedic short films at the Eagle Studios, later Norman Studios, in Jacksonville, FL. Billy was born in Manchester, U.K. in 1884 and, … [Read more…]
Rudolph Valentino- A Silent Film Idol’s “Stolen Moments” in Saint Augustine
By Cassandra Geraghty @ayearofsilents Imagine walking down St. George Street in Downtown Saint Augustine and bumping into matinee idol Rudolph Valentino. If you were lucky enough to catch him at the cusp of greatness, filming 1920s “Stolen Moments” you would have seen the up and coming star just months before he catapulted to celebrity status. … [Read more…]
Iris Hall- Micheaux’s Fair Lady
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…]
Planning the Norman Studios Silent Film Museum!
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…]
Anita Dickson Thompson Reynolds: The Most Interesting Person You’ve Never Heard Of
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…]
Noble Johnson: A Man Whose Body of Work is More Famous than His Name
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…]
Louise Brooks: The Headstrong Flapper with the Bobbed Hair
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…]
Evelyn Preer: The First Lady of Screen
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…]
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF NORMAN STUDIOS SILENT FILM MUSEUM, INC.
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…]