Mary Pickford at the Oscars

Mary Pickford won one of the first Oscars for 'Best Actress' in 1929 for Coquette, her first talkie (a genre she was good at yet could never find her groove with). The award ceremony was broadcast on the radio, that being the year television was still in such an experimental state that a doll of Felix the cat was about all it broadcast (oh and a short speech by D.W. Griffith.)

The Academy is frankly in my opinion overrated. Sure Mary founded it, and her husband Douglas Fairbanks was its first president. But like every other facet of film the Academy has a very short and hazy memory...Doug himself would not receive an honorary Oscar until he died, and Griffith wouldn't receive one until he was washed up and drunk. Gloria Swanson was always nominated, but never won (and for two of her finest performances: Sunset Blvd and Sadie Thompson!) Charlie Chaplin won one for The Circus in 1928, but after apparently using it as a doorstop (and that whole commie thing) the Academy wouldn't recognize him until the 1970s. In fact it was his clip that stumbled me on this post.

The Official Academy Youtube Page has Charlie's acceptance speech clip, along with many other 'as far as we can remember' people. I hopefully wondered if they had posted Mary's infamous clip. See Mary won an honorary Oscar too in 1976, 3 years before she died. Some time in the mid 1960s Mary had decided she had enough 'honorary Queen of Hollywood' role playing and retired to her bedroom, becoming an alcoholic recluse. Many people have told their stories of trying to see her in her final 15 years. Even when they were invited to Pickfair most would end up in the living room, on a tour with Buddy Rogers, and never getting to see Mary herself. Even Kevin Brownlow was given the snub (though he snuck his way to Spain where he met her at her niece Gwynne Rupp's home).

Silent films had been forgotten for about 40 years at this point. Sure the fractured flickers (badly edited and frantically sped up silents played to zany music) played on TV every now and then but a really solid silent film screening did not start until about this time. Many silent people were still around, touting their stories and being praised as legends. Gloria Swanson was interviewed next to Janis Joplin, Lillian Gish received a slew of awards (including an Oscar), and the 3 great comedians all of a sudden meant something once more. But not Mary.

When she did die people had to be reminded who she was, and why they should care. Her films had been shown in limited screenings but it just seems she never put the push behind it in life, stating several times she feared modern audiences would wrongly laugh at her old films. She never made the talk show circuit, she never guest starred on the Beverly Hillbillies, and she didn't even leave Pickfair for her honorary Oscar.

The way people tell it you'd think it was a real life "Baby Jane" appearance when Mary accepted her Oscar. Indeed she was 84, and wearing a wig and big false eyelashes. But the way people talked then, and the way they talk now, you'd imagine its horrifically bad. I'd seen the pictures and assumed the same, but just today...in a small 5 second clip, I seen else wise.

I'm sure once (if ever) the greedy Academy realizes this clip is on youtube they'll make it be pulled...and I doubt they'll ever put up the full thing. What's a Mary Pickford for after all? After seeing the clip (and its ironic as I just finished a Lillian Gish biography last night) Im quite certain she looked just fine for her age, and there was nothing inappropriate about it. The saddest thing is unlike the others Mary's legend had been forgotten, and people just did not seem to know what to do with her. They assumed she had been an eery sort of burlesque Shirley Temple (in fact she wasnt, and her films are pretty much all around delightful and not sugary sweet...maybe Pollyanna excluded though its still a good film)...and not having seen her films who were they to know else wise? Why did they have to honor this woman anyways? The fact her clip isnt even on their official page just speaks volumes about it. Anyways enjoy for now, all of her Oscar apperance is in the very first seconds of the clip:



Mary was a gifted actress, not only good with drama but also a great comedienne who could Chaplin her way through a film when she felt like it. She had control of every aspect of her films...from costumes to crew to distribution (UA after all). What perhaps is most confounding these days is be it 1976 or 2009 I dont think anyone really ''gets'' just how famous she was. There was no radio in the 1910s, there was no TV, and no internet. You had your movies and your magazines...and Mary DOMINATED them. When radio came she did that too. She was the most famous woman (and for that matter PERSON) in the world for over 15 years...imagine Michael Jackson Thriller (or even his death a few weeks ago) at a continual pace for 15 years...no slumps, no solid rivals. And yet...even the Academy she helped found didnt know what to make of her.

This post brought to you by...

You guys might have noticed in the Rudolph Valentino Film Festival Store how we have a ton of gorgeous colorized photos of Rudy and some other silent film stars. They were done Claroscureaux and frankly I've already ordered a ton of them...my Mary Pickford shirt came yesterday and its just STUNNING. Well now he has his very own store, chocked full of his beautiful colorized photos including some of Mabel Normand, Buster Keaton, Jean Harlow, and the divine Louise Brooks. Click below to visit:


make custom gifts at Zazzle

Silent Ebay Watch: The Ultimate in Kookiness

I havent done a silent ebay watch in a long time, mainly because it took too long to compile. However I feel this listing is so glorious in its sadness that it might possibly outdo the "Own the Spirit of Rudolph Valentino" post of long ago (btw I dont believe poor Rudy's spirit ever found a buyer...hmm). This kiddies is the kind of thing that makes me laugh and horribly sad at the same time. This is why The Rudolph Valentino Society was so very sorely needed.

Words fail me so lets just do a repost of the extant EBay listing shall we (*note original listing had several cemetery and ghoul graphics*)? Update: this piece of crap sold for $164.85!

Item: THE SERVANT OF RUDOLPH VALENTINO LORD DJINN AL MOHAMED!
DO NOT DOUBT THE POWER IT CALLS YOU! LISTEN AND BECOME$

*Professor Richmond's Legacy*

If you are new to our auctions, please check our 100% positive feedback. Practically all of our customers are repeat customers. Take a minute and read what they say about our Haunted and Spellcast Vessels.

THIS IS THE NEWS: This incredible, priceless vessel was found stashed away in a newly located safe behind my Father's book shelf. My father has an extensive library and after he died and the discoveries began, we searched his entire library, including behind the bookshelf. This safe is a complete mystery! I don't know how we could have missed it (I'm actually quite certain we couldn't have missed it!) which leads me to believe it was somehow "cloaked" until this present time. As I said, I am still reeling from this discovery.

***LORD AL MOHAMED SERVANT TO RUDOLPH VALENTINO, MY FATHER, & MANY, MANY OTHERS!!!***

Hello Friends! This is ONE INCREDIBLE AUCTION!
I can't quite describe the feeling I have when I look at this ring and imagine its history! It came into my father's possession though an Arabic Street Trader, who was himself a mystery as my father reported that the bearded man appeared strangely before him and after the transaction mysteriously vanished!

This ring is Vessel to the GREAT LORD AL MOHAMED. This Genie is one of the ORIGINAL GENIE'S and his power and presence is OVER 15,000 years old. He comes long before man, and has witnessed more than we could ever imagine! Yet he is willing and humble enough to be Mastered again. My father was the last lucky soul allowed to engage Lord Al Mohamed as his Personal Djinn. Before that, LORD AL MOHAMED was personal Genie to Rudolph Valentino. Valentino achieved his stardom and success through the Power and Guidance and Magickal Road Plow that Lord Al Mohamed is! Rudolph Valentino is a legend, and he led a life of wonder and excitement. He passed away young as his own decision was to be One Of Power on the other-side. He was an actor, a movie star, he wrote books, he was a sex symbol. He was RICH AS RICH AS A MAN CAN BE!!! Are you beginning to understand the power of LORD AL MOHAMED?

As the New Age approaches, his powers become even stronger. This Djinn is for one person of SUPERIOR DISTINCTION and will not be allowed to go to anyone but this true Intended One. This is a DESTINY PIECE, meaning there is one true owner out there, and this intended one will feel the calling. Lord Al Mohamed's Knowledge and understanding of the WAY OF THE DJINN is unparalleled! You're looking at the SOURCE!! We are unclear of his entire history, but HE has vowed to reveal all to his New Master. One thing we do know, is that LORD AL MOHAMED has power over other Djinn. He has an entire work force of Djinn Entities below him, working on his command. WORKING FOR YOU. You won't get MORE POWER THAN THIS!

He has been Vesseled in various ways over his life-time, but this Gorgeous Ring, has been his vessel of choice for the last hundred years or more. This actual ring belonged to my father, and before that, Valentino. You MUST bid and see if you are destined for this HONOR. The ring has been safely cleaned for you. It was very tarnished and rustic before. Now it is ready and revitalized and charged to MAXIMUM. There is Arabic carving on the stone, which I think may be Carnelian. It's very intricately designed, and fits a size 9. The Vessel may be worn on a chain also.

ORD AL MOHMED is coveted by many, but he will only obey YOU. No one else. He will grant all your wishes, and intuitively design for you the life you have dreamed of. The life of Movie Stars, the Rich and Famous! WEALTH, POWER, SUCCESS, TALENTS, LOVE, ADULATION, SUPREME WISDOM, MAGNETIC CHARISMA, ULTIMATE ENLIGHTENMENT, PURE UNADULTERATED JOY!!!! HE IS THE source OF GENIE POWER. He will not let his Master live an inconspicuous, unimportant life of poverty! No, no, no! Expect GREATNESS, GLORY, OPULENCE. The best that money can buy, and all the money you could ever want to buy it with! He can Shape-Shift at will, so you may witness him in familiar terms such a a cloud of smoke, or he may visit you as an animal, a thought, a feeling, or even a person who appears unexpectedly to you (Just how the Merchant who brought him to my Father, appeared and mysteriously disappeared!! Hmmmm) This is TRUE EXCITING MAGICK OF THE HIGHEST REALM. DO NOT LET THIS OPPORTUNITY SLIP BY. You are a seeker, that's why you are here. Bid now and see if you are THE CHOSEN ONE for the GREAT DJINN LORD AL MOHAMED.

f

***********************

Wow. "How did you obtain your personal destiny and great fortune?" "Ebay my good man!" In fairness I'm not sure if this ring actually belonged to Rudy or not...probably not (the seller offers up no proof as such). Saddest part: 2 bids and its already over $50! People...scare me sometimes.

FTT Honor Project:: Save the Motion Picture Home!

Our honor projects have been going splendidly. The Valentino Fest is going strong, and from it spawned the Rudy Society. The Griffith site is being cleaned up and shall launch shortly. There are 2 big Miriam Cooper things in the works; though I cant share yet it should be known soon. Perhaps the hardest of all is our 'honor' honor project: Saving the Motion Picture Home.

You can read all about it here. But in short: douchebaggy Hollywood inbred types who own movie studios, billions, and like to sit on charity boards for fun declared that the Motion Picture fund and home were $10 mil in debt...and 'we cant do anything so lets boot out the old people and shut it down!' Yeah that makes sense.

Ever since the announcement there has been much outrage, and nothing has happened. Spielberg just donated a Torah...to a secular retirement home. Glad he could invest money instead. Though it might not help much may I point your way to the newly launched petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/keeptheMPTFhomeopen ? Though petitions may be a hard sell it does show support, and it takes like 2 seconds of your time. So please sign. And please don't forget these people. They are people after all...and they deserve to live out their days in peace after working so hard and contributing a percentage of their paycheck towards such care.

Live Again Bob Mitchell...

Bob Mitchell was a doll. I never talked to him, because I couldn't think of anything to say. But I worshipped him...I probably owe a good chunk of my silent film love to him. Don't know the name? Bob Mitchell was the organist at the Silent Movie Theatre. A sort of legend he was 96 years old...and had played with original silent films in the 1920s (specifically 1924-1928).

Silent films suffer badly with poor crappy scores. Seriously buy the Mary Pickford Collection and go INSANE trying to watch the death scene with the carnival casio loop. There are many renowned silent film composers...but most aren't older than 50...they never played with original silents. Bob was born in 1912, he lived through it all despite his mother's wishes (she was very religious and found flickers distasteful).

For a 96 year old his accompaniments had a level of pep and vigour I have NEVER heard with any silent film accompanist...not even a full out orchestra. Bob would usually play the piano for shorts, then the organ for the feature. He was in huge demand...there was not a respectable silent film event that didn't court his services. Frankly I was praying that he'd live just one more year at the least...The Rudolph Valentino Film Festival needed him.

I started going to the Silent Movie Theatre in March 2008 (yup I'm that green). Bob was there from Day 1 onward. At 95 he blew me away, and I felt privileged just to watch him play. After attending many silent events, some without him playing, I've come to realize just what a treasure he was. The Eagle was one of the first movies I ever seen of Valentino's...yet when Bob played it a year later I sat blown away...his score just made you want to jump out of your seat and cheer. He said it was the same score he used in 1925...something that just blew my mind. Pandora's Box was one of the Bob's last performances, and it also moved me deeply despite the broken projector (meaning we had to wait 5 mins between reels). When I seen it July 2nd it was not the same...Bob was supposed to play but he was ill so someone else stepped in. Despite being at the gorgeous Orpheum on an authentically wonderful organ...it just didn't have that pep. Bob had been ill for a few months...I started fearing what we were about to lose.

Bob died on July 4th...2 days after he was scheduled for Pandora's Box. According to the obituaries he took ill sometime in April with pneumonia, and it weakened him. It was very noticeable as Bob had been the same the entire time I'd been there...but in April he was much weaker and needed a wheel chair. We began to whisper that it didn't look good...we hoped very much so he would get better and live forever.

I hate shorts (ironic I know) so the last time I made my weekly screening was in May which was the Louise Brook's month. Bob didn't play for Beggars of Life (the last film of the month) and we all worried...but the staff assured us he just had another gig. So the last time I seen him to my memory was accompanying was right before my birthday to "Its the Old Army Game". Of course I might be wrong and it might have been the week before, with "Diary of a Lost Girl". Either way I loved it. I don't know if he played through June, but I doubt it. According to his friends he tried to leave the hospital a few times, he just wanted to play one more gig. I dont know why I never did it in life, but when I heard the news I decided I'd clean up his wikipedia. You can read that here.

Bob never played a tune that hadn't been written at the time of the film. He knew everything by heart and never used a prewritten score. He'd play a little roar for the MGM lion (always to much laughter), the choo choo of the train, and explained the story behind what we'd call the 'Indian Rhythm' (he had met the man who created it). He loved Westerns particularly Tom Mix and William S. Hart...last May they did a whole month of Westerns just for him. He played at the death festival of Valentino every year, and when they screened The Sheiks he sang every Rudy song he knew.

He was a funny man too. After Pandora's Box had finished he said, "Well that was a happy little picture wasn't it?" Towards the end when he was so frail they got him up on the bench and people began to fret over him. Bob had a coughing fit and said, "Shows over!" (it hadn't begun yet) then laughed and said no way...he was playing tonight (and he did!) He grew up in a religious Victorian family and told stories about how certain movies and actresses embarrassed him...how his mother found them too naughty. He was a living legend and the acclaim he got for it was well deserved...in fact maybe it wasn't enough. Every silent tinged documentary interviewed him, all sorts of publications did articles on him, and every night after he played the hell out of that organ he'd get a standing ovation usually several minutes long. He always looked like he loved it.

I know they taped many of his performances...what they (or who they were for that matter) did with them I don't know. I know they taped The Eagle and I'd kill for a copy. Any upstanding composer or DVD distributor should consult these tapes before doing a score for ANYTHING...Bob was it. Bob was a legend...and sadly he was the last of his kind.

Bob's funeral is on Friday at 9:30 at at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles. He will be buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery where he performed every year. I'm not much a fan of funerals (particularly Christian-y funerals) but I will never forget Bob. I don't think I've explained this before but the phrase 'Live Again' stems from a song by Alex Band by that name. Alex is one of my favorite musicians and there's all sorts of interesting interpretations to his music. When Anita Page died that song was playing...and it seemed apt particularly as I like the belief of reincarnation. Ever since its seemed fitting to play in so and sos honor. Bob lived this life to the fullest, and whatever is beyond I'm sure he'll live it to the fullest one more time.

The Rudolph Valentino Society...has launched!

Dear God if there was ever a project that made me pull my hair out it would be this one...mostly over unbearable suspense. Ironically I ended up doing the site myself...something that has rendered me an insomniac.

As you all better know by now FTT is behind The Rudolph Valentino Film Festival which will be taking place May 2010 here in Los Angeles. I wish I could give you dates, and a location, but lets just say we're choosing between 2 offers right now and they are both glorious. I don't think anyone will be disappointed. I'm quite certain by mid August we'll be able to announce those details. The line up (strictly on literally lining up the films) will come a little later but if it goes anything as planned it will be mind blowing. Lets just say some amazing stuff is already confirmed. I know I'm being vague...ya'll will either have to become volunteers or just wait! The brand new much more gorgeous site is http://therudolphvalentinofilmfestival.com . Don't forget to check out the store http://zazzle.com/rudyfest . Seriously the artists who donated their services did just an amazing job. Kate Gabrielle of Silents and Talkies did both logos and Kevin Scrantz of Claroscureaux did all the colorizations (such as the amazing Young Rajah photo above)!

All profits from merchandise go to help fund the festival. And just for the record I've already ordered a ton...its all sorts of amazing and high quality. Something most silent film stores cant say!

The whole point of The Rudolph Valentino Film Festival was to honor his life and his art over his death and his Sheiky-ness. It dawned on me last month that maybe a Society ala the wonderful Buster Keaton or Louise Brook's ones was in order. I cant believe I hadn't thought of it before! So I'm quite proud to announce the formation of The Rudolph Valentino Society...something way too long overdue for my dear Rudy. The Society will focus on the same goals as the festival, only it will be year round and expand to other projects as well. Please note this particular site is still being pieced together but all the good bits (such as membership and mission statement) are there: http://rudolphvalentino.org . In the next 2 weeks much more content will be added. There is also a top secret store for members. And it has some gorgeous stuff in it...the good stuff!!!

So please do spread the word. And check back for more updates! One Honor project down...3 to go (and all 3 have major updates coming soon too!)

The Demi Widow

When Mary Pickford 'kinda sorta' retired from acting in 1933 she took to writing...or more specifically religious screeching. She wrote several essays which turned into the books "Why not try God?" and "My Rendezvous with Life". At the time Christian Science was what Scientology now is in Hollywood, and Mary was a devout member. Her books were a mix of Jesus loving and a Lillian Gish styled biography (every story fictionalized and painting Mary in a good light).

I think by far my favorite is her 1935 essay "Why Die?" strictly for the title. I guess its impossible to ever know how much a celebrity relies on a ghostwriter but most of these books and essays have the same style and tone...if Mary didn't write them then her helped had to be the same over the years. Personally I think she had a good hand in them, as 20 years later her autobiography "Sunshine and Shadows" also takes the same tone.

Lord knows why but Mary decided being an author was a solid enough career (this writer notes its quite a dull career and does not advocate it at all). In 1935 she published her one and only official work of fiction "The Demi Widow". It sold well enough especially considering the depression but it must not have been satisfying enough for Mary: it was the only novel she ever published.

A lot of authors refer to it as a cutely written celebrity go at writing. I'm not literary critic...it is in fact literally one of the first pieces of fiction I've read in years (I prefer non fiction). However I do love it: the prose is good, the twists are interesting, and she literally had me laughing out loud at points.

In fact I enjoyed the book so much I'm still about 100 pages away from the ending...though I think I can see where its going. What is of particular interest about The Demi Widow is that its like an unmade Pickford film...a Pickford film I would have given my left hand to see made in say...1925. Of course it would have made a good talkie with all its witty banter and singing plot line. However there is one catch: Rudolph Valentino needed to be alive.

Mary had an interesting and cute relationship with Rudy. In the mid teens when he was a nobody and she a superstar he happened upon her and her mother in a cafe in New York. Too shy to introduce himself to her he politely introduced himself to Ma Pickford instead. He asked how to get into movies and Ma Pickford gave him advice. However she never introduced Rudy to Mary, which did not give Mary the chance to politely speak. Rudy left, and Mary was furious at her mother for not introducing her to 'the most handsome man she had ever seen.'

Years later when he was a new sensation and Mary was now part of the first celeb couple with Douglas Fairbanks, Rudy came to Pickfair. Doug had a serious jealous streak to begin with, and quite obviously the Latin lover seemed a threat to him. As Mary put it she had never seen Douglas be so rude to anyone...literally kicking Rudy out. Of course the men eventually became friends, went to each other's premieres, and Rudy joined UA. But Doug was always jealous: its believed he wouldn't even let Mary dance with other men (and thus missing out on one of the greatest chances ever!)

Rudy visited Mary on set, which distracted her so badly she couldn't get back into character. I believe it was for the remake of Tess of Storm County in 1922. When his one man strike from Famous Players-Lasky was underway in 1923 there were many rumors that so and so wanted Rudy to play Romeo in an adaption of Romeo and Juliet. In fact several people were said to be making that film, though none of them did. Depending who you ask his Juliet would have been Norma Talmadge or Mary Pickford. Imagine that!

Mary never did get her chance to act with Valentino...and surely it would have been impossible what with Doug's jealousy...at least until the 30s. However judging by The Demi Widow maybe it was something she always regretted.

The plot is typical Pickford fashion (obviously spoilers ahead, quit reading now if you do not wish to know the plot!!!). There's a aristocratic Californian girl who was raised in France named Coralee. She literally resembles Mary in every way only she has blue/violet eyes (Mary had brown). Her parents died and she had an arranged marriage that produced a child. However her husband died and wiped out his fortune before that. Now in extreme poverty Coralee lives in the slums with her nanna (nanny) and her toddler son named Toni. Coralee's evil rich sister in law wants custody of Toni, as he is the last of the family bloodline. Coralee is desperate for money...so she tries out for what is essentially a Ziegfeld style revue. She sings good but faints causing her to lose out on the audition. However one of the managers takes pity on her and she wins the spot anyways.

Preparing for her second audition she puts grease on her face and does her hair up. Upset over the ultimatum from her sister in law she takes her son and sings him to sleep. Down in the alley a rich Argentine playboy named Camilo hears her singing and is smitten. He buys a basket of groceries for an excuse to go meet the angel behind the voice. However when Coralee answers the door in her state of affairs he runs for the hills accidentally leaving some portraits of himself behind. Coralee is smitten, but eventually she figures out why he was there and why he ran and she gets the Pickford spitfire in her and vows to make him pay for it someday.

As said she wins her spot, the revue men deciding to make her the star of the show. But they must transform her into something more interesting then this timid little peasant girl. So they tell everyone she moved to America and lock her up in a mansion for weeks. They give her a makeover and practice her to death, renaming her Coco after her son's favorite word. Annoyed they cant bring the spitfire out in her one of the men spot the picture of Camilo and use it as a publicity angle saying she had an affair with the man. Coralee is annoyed, but she becomes hysterical when they tell her his plane crashed in the jungle, which will bring much press to her as a grieving ex...a 'Demi Widow'. Eventually Coralee agrees to go along, mostly for her son as he has nice things and cant be taken away now.

She becomes a major star going all Olive Thomas, a new guy on her arm and tons of jewels every day. But then Camilo is found alive and he confronts her about the story. His fiancee was not pleased to hear it and refuses to marry him unless Coralee tells the truth. This particular scene goes extremely Valentino by having Camilo threatening to rape her if she wont recant, though eventually they go into some sort of stare off instead. Camilo leaves and is intrigued, but hes not done with her yet.

Meanwhile evil sister in law has spotted Toni and Nanna in the park, causing Coralee great worry. That very day Camilo happens upon Toni who he takes an instant liking to, see he wants very badly to be a father and husband (also like Valentino). Toni likes him too but as he leaves Nanna freaks saying someone is after them, and Camilo whisks them away in his car. Nana says she cant take Toni out anymore but Camilo offers to drive them to the park everyday and protect them. Hes intrigued by the story about the poor hard working mother...not realizing he is Coralee's son.

Meanwhile still out for revenge he buys up every breakfast, lunch, and dinner date he can with Coralee under assumed names, and catches her in public so she cant confront him about it. He vows to not leave her alone and keep pushing her buttons until she tells the truth. She refuses because secretly she doesn't want him to be with his fiancee, she's still crazy about him.

END SPOILERS!

That's as far as I am in the book now...though I think its safe to assume there's some sort of happy non dead baby ending here. You can snag copies on ebay and amazon pretty cheaply, though one with a gorgeous dust jacket is much harder to find. I'd highly recommend it as it is a good story. However I still find it a shame that Mary never made it into a film...because it would have been an amazing one. Much better than Kiki.