Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Today's library report

I looked at a whole bunch of microfilm, which was waiting for me at the San Francisco Public Library. Of late, most all of my inter-library loan requests are geared toward Louise Brooks tour' with Denishawn, and the corresponding performances and reviews in newspapers across Canada and the United States. To date, I have been able to get ahold of material on about 90% of the nearly 200 performances Denishawn gave during Brooks tenure.

I looked at the Peterborough Examiner (Peterborough, Ontario, Canada), as well as Rochester Daily Bulletin and the Rochester Daily Post and Record (both from Rochester, Minnesota) and Kenosha Evening News (from Kenosha, Wisconsin). I also examined the Waterloo Evening Courier & Daily Reporter (from Waterloo, Iowa), Sedalia Democrat (from Sedalia, Missouri), Columbia Daily Tribune (from Columbia, Missouri) and The State (from Columbia, South Carolina). Each newspaper contained at least an article, review, or advertisement documenting a performance. Some of the papers contained multiple articles, and even a few interviews with Ruth St. Denis. Recently, I was also able peruse the Galveston Daily News, and acquire copies of articles from that elusive Texas newspaper.

Today, I also managed to dig a few film reviews and advertisements out of the Boise Capital News (from Boise, Idaho - the first reviews I've found from that Western state) and Winnipeg Free Press (from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada). Citations for all of these finds have been added to the LBS bibliographies.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

New DVD on the way!

I have heard from a couple of sources that a new DVD - most likely featuring Pandora's Box - will be issued in the United States sometime in the Fall. At last ! And what's more, this new release may be a double disc, or box set. I am awaiting confirmation . . . . and will let everyone know more when I find out something concrete.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Girls in Pearls

There is a new book coming out in September called Girls in Pearls. According to the publisher, "This book brings together a fascinating collection of paintings, drawings, prints and photographs of noble women, imperial princesses, society ladies and Hollywood divas wearing their finest pearl tiaras, necklaces, brooches and earrings. Engaging commentaries explain the context in which each image was created and provide glimpses into the life of the artist and his or her model."




I mention it because Louise Brooks appears on the cover, and there is a two page spread inside devoted to the actress. I had a chance to see a copy of the book recently at the bookseller's convention in Washington D.C. It may or may not be a German release, or a bilingual edition. I am not sure. The author is Claudia Lanfranconi, an art historian and author. The publisher is Merrell. 

Needless-to-say, the cover bears a strong resemblance to an earlier release on the same subject, People & Pearls, which was published in 2000. What's better than one book on pearls with Louise Brooks on the cover? Two books!

Sunday, May 28, 2006

The Street of Forgotten Men

While visiting the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., I took the oportunity to see The Street of Forgotten Men (1925), the first film in which Louise Brooks had a role. Wow - I really liked it. It is a fine film - and despite the fact that it is incomplete, it is worthy of commercial release. I didn't have any trouble following the story.

The LOC has six of seven reels. The second reel is apparently lost. Brooks single scene takes place in the seventh reel, somewhat near the end of the film. According to the LOC catalog, the library has a 35mm print of The Street of Forgotten Men, which was directed by Herbert Brenon. (Brenon, who the year before directed Peter Pan, would go on to oversee such well regarded silents as Beau GesteThe Great Gatsby, andLaugh, Clown, Laugh.) I was able to view a 16mm copy print. I took a bunch of notes.

Louise Brooks looked dishy in her broad-striped jacket, sleek bob and cloche hat adorned with a question mark pin. (Barry Paris describes it as a question mark feather.) And though she is only on screen for about five minutes, she certainly made an impression. She comes off as cunning, and quick. Brooks is first seen sitting and talking with her con artist companion, Bridgeport White-Eye, a professional beggar who pretends to be blind. They are conspiring to extort money from the character played by Neil Hamilton (the future Police Commissioner Gordon from the 1960's television series, Batman). Brooks and Bridgeport are approached by Easy Money Charlie (played by Percy Marmont), and a fight breaks out between Bridgeport and Charlie. The two slug it out while Brooks is jostled about in the crowd gathered around the two brawlers.

Brooks' role was slight  - she was even not listed in the credits. Nevertheless, her brief appearance was memorable and would draw the attention of at least one reviewer in 1925. The Los Angeles Times singled out the actress when it noted, "And there was a little rowdy, obviously attached to the 'blind' man, who did some vital work during her few short scenes. She was not listed." It would be her first film review. Eighty-one years later, that review and Brooks role still hold up.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Quick LOC research notes

While in Washington D.C., I spent about 25 hours looking through microfilm. I went through dozens of reels, and found numerous film reviews and advertisements (including many on Louise Brooks' films of the 1930's), some articles and reviews of Denishawn performances, a few vintage and a few contemporary articles on the actress, and a bunch of material on the 1925 Miss America beauty contest. I returned home with more than three inches of photocopies - I spent more than $100.00 on photocopies. It was all worth it.

The material I looked through included microfilm of newspapers such as the 
Wichita Eagle, Rochester Times Union and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (each important to Brooks' story), as well as the New York Morning TelegraphBrooklyn Daily Eagle, and Newark Star-Eagle. I also examined papers from Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany, New York. As well as the Indianapolis NewsMinneapolis JournalDuluth News TribuneBirmingham Age Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, Hartford Times, Boston Post and Baltimore News. And the Rocky Mountain News,Idaho Daily Statesman and Honolulu Star Bulletin. And Washington Star, Washington Times, and Washington Herald. And Montreal Daily Star (from Canada) and Neues Weiner Journal (from Vienna, Austria).

Friday, May 26, 2006

Louise Brooks: Looking for Lulu

On Monday, June 19th Turner Classic Movies will be showing Louise Brooks: Looking for Lulu (1998). "Exclusive interviews, rare footage and family photos trace Louise Brooks from Kansas farm girl to silent screen seductress to renowned film historian." Check your local listings for the exact time, which could be late.
Powered By Blogger