Monday, May 18, 2009

A double general alarm, indeed

Having trouble waking-up? What you need is a double general alarm - in the form of Louise Brooks!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wings takes flight - my take

I just posted an article on Wings (1927), which will be shown Saturday May 16th at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, California. The film was directed by William Wellman, and so of course, I worked in a mention of Beggars of Life (1928), the Louise Brooks film Wellman made shortly after the WWI epic, which starred Clara Bow.

My article can be found at http://www.examiner.com/x-7605-SF-Silent-Film-Examiner~y2009m5d13-Wings-takes-flight-in-Fremont--dont-miss-it

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

For fun: "Sunnyside" by Glen David Gold

Tonight, I heading over to Books Inc in San Francisco's Civic Center to see and hear Glen David Gold read from his new novel, Sunnyside. In it, the bestselling author of Carter Beat the Devil turns his literary attention to a brief period in the life of silent film star Charlie Chaplin. No mention of Louise Brooks, unfortunately, as the author focuses on the mid to late teens.



Gold’s connection to Chaplin is personal. According to the author, Gold’s great aunt - a journalist, was Chaplin’s neighbor in Switzerland. And family legend has it that the silent film star dictated parts of his 1964 autobiography to the author's relation.

Booklovers will have the chance to hear Gold read from Sunnyside at one of a number of upcoming events around the Bay Area. The author will be at Books Inc in San Francisco on May 12th at 7 pm, Rakestraw Books in Danville on May 21st at 7 pm, Keplers in Menlo Park on June 3rd at 7:30 pm, M is for Mystery in San Mateo on June 4th at 7 pm, and Book Passage in Corte Madera on June 9th at 7 pm. Each of the links embedded here contains further details on each event.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

A remarkable 1932 reference to Louise Brooks


Just tonight, I came across this remarkable 1932 newspaper clipping from Billings, Montana. (Only part of the article is shown here.) As you will notice, Louise Brooks is mentioned in the top paragraph in the right hand column! 

Friday, May 8, 2009

Louise Brooks via a new Chaplin biography

There is a new book on Charlie Chaplin called Chaplin: A Life (Arcade). The book is by Stephen Weissman, M.D. What sets it apart from the many other Chaplin books is that this new work is a psychoanalytical study of the Little Tramp. And as with all new books on silent film subjects, the first thing I check is whether or not Louise Brooks is included. I think of it as a "Lulu-litmus test."



Chaplin: A Life passed the test. Some two or three paragraphs are given over to the Summer long affair Chaplin and Brooks had in 1925. And of course, Weissman recounts the iodine penis painting incident, something also detailed in the Barry Paris biography. [ The incident, and mention of Louise Brooks, are also referenced on an archived radio interview with Weissman on the Diane Rehm show, which can be heard atwamu.org/programs/dr/09/01/12.php#24475. That show originally aired on January 12, 2009. ]

Well, anyways, its a book worth checking out. I wrote a piece about it and the author's upcoming appearance in San Francisco for examiner.com. My article can be found at www.examiner.com/x-7605-SF-Silent-Film-Examiner~y2009m5d8-Chaplin-biographer-to-speak-in-San-Francisco  Please give it a read as well. 

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Seattle street art

I just came across this image on Flickr. It depicts street art in Seattle, Washington (I believe), and is part of an image set depicting other works posted around town. I think it is pretty cool. 

Monday, May 4, 2009

Douglas Messerli article

Publisher and editor Douglas Messerli has posted an article on the nthposition.com website on two films by G.W. Pabst, Pandora's Box and The Threepenny Opera. His piece is a kind of meditation on the films. It is interesting, and provocative. It's a piece that is well worth reading. Check it out here.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Louise Brooks stars in Los Angeles series

My illustrated article on Louise Brooks and the upcoming film series devoted to her is now online. 

Los Angeles has long had a love affair with Louise Brooks. That relationship continues with a series of Wednesday night screenings at the Silent Movie Theatre on North Fairfax Avenue. Throughout May, the quirky cinema showcase will screen four films featuring the legendary silent film star.
 
Check it my article at http://www.examiner.com/x-7605-SF-Silent-Film-Examiner~y2009m5d3-Louise-Brooks-stars-in-Los-Angeles-series

Friday, May 1, 2009

Prix de beaute on TV

At this very moment, I am watching the closing scene of  Prix de Beaute on the ARTS channel. How thrilling it is to see Louise Brooks on television. Feelings of discovery, wonder, happiness. . . Are others watching?

[In the United States, the ARTS Channel shows musical clips from old movies intermixed with classical music video.]
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