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I recently made my very first visit to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. Michael Bonham very kindly gave me a tour of the museum and surrounding area at Niles (in Fremont, California). Niles is where Edna Purviance made her first five films with Charlie Chaplin in the winter and early spring of 1915, before moving with the company to Los Angeles. This is a short, just for fun, video of my visit, which includes author, Shawna Kelly. (I am not in the film.) |
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Catching up on the latest on Edna's site. Currently, there is a special drawing for a free poster on Edna's Birthday, October 21, 2009. See this link for details! Enter today! As for The Sea Gull, the book has been 'flying out' recently, as more fans are adding it to their collections. I have a good stock available and send our thanks all the new owners! See this link if you like to add to your collection! Update on the FDR Secret Air Force Project: The documentary is making the rounds and getting very good reviews! Even an UK distributor is very interested in the project. More as the project develops. Special thanks to all the visitors to Garen Ewing's podcast interview about The Rainbow Orchid. At the moment we are nearing 2500 listeners. The numbers have been steady all summer and continue to have new visitors daily. Again, we continue to wish Garen all the very best with his book and look forward to Volume 2 in spring 2010 and Volume 3 later in the year. Edna.org is getting ready to donate Volume One of Garen's book to a library very soon. Details and location soon. Something fun on Edna's site, as a surprise showing will happen on Edna's birthday, but you will just have to visit Edna's sites to see what! Edna's biography: Work continues on the bio, as I have been doing more research into Edna's husband Jack. The more I learn, the more I want to learn, as Edna and Jack had a pretty amazing life. (Edna's best and happiest years.) No date yet, but work continues. Keep an eye on the Edna's site to learn more. (Also, I have something fun I plan to post very soon. Visit Edna's Place to see what!) Visit Edna.org, Edna.com or Edna' Place Blog for the latest. Thanks for visiting! |
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Just passing on for USA readers that Garen Ewing's The Rainbow Orchid has shown up from UK sellers on Amazon USA site in the used book section. The books currently listed are NEW. All books are shipped from the UK. Few more details at this link. Official book release August 4, 2009. |
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PBS producer John Schwally has contacted us to be part of a new documentary about World War II called FDR's Secret Air Force. John 'Jack' Squire's films will be part of this documentary. Jack was Edna Purviance's husband from 1938 until his sudden death in 1945 in San Francisco. Learn more about this coming film and see the preview trailer at Edna's Place Blog. "Edna was with Jack during World War II, and they lived in South America. During the war, Jack and other pilots for Pan Am and other airlines functioned as a secret air force for United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Schwally’s documentary is about history quietly created by these commercial pilots in wartime." - Edna's Place, Linda Wada |
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Thomas Gladysz, writer and reviewer with the San Francisco Examiner, recently reviewed The Sea Gull "A Woman of the Sea" by Linda Wada (published by Leading Ladies). The book is about Charles Chaplin lost film production, directed by Josef von Sternberg, starring Edna Purviance.
Thomas wrote: "The Sea Gull “A Woman of the Sea” is a 132-page, full color, soft cover book which features over 100 photographs – most never before seen. Had you not known it was self-published, any reader would assume this book the product of a major concern. It’s beautifully printed. The layout is attractive, and the text is informative. And what’s more, it’s the only book on an interesting and worthwhile subject. You won’t find it on the shelves of your local bookstore. And, you won’t find it on amazon.com. Obviously a labor of love, this fine book is an appealing look into the past."
We now have second edition revised copies in stock. (The first edition of The Sea Gull has been retired.) Learn more at ednapurviance.com. Interesting note about the Examiner: It is fitting our first 'newspaper' review is with the Examiner. The San Francisco Examiner is the first newspaper to publish a picture of Edna Purviance on January 17, 1915, just before she met Charlie Chaplin and started her film career. |
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Garen Ewing, the creator of the comic book The Rainbow Orchid, is my first guest for my very first podcast interview. Garen inspired me to start ednapurviance.org in November 2001, so fitting for Garen to be my first guest. (This is also Garen's first auto interview.) Garen gives his personal insight on drawing and the world of publishing, as well, as his love of silent films, which does play a role in the creation of his comic. The Rainbow Orchid features silent film star, Lily Lawrence, and while not in the story, it does included Edna (a friend of Lily's). The Rainbow Orchid is schedule for release from Egmont UK August 4, 2009. So, settle back with a nice cup of tea, and enjoy my conversation with Rainbow Orchid creator Garen Ewing. LINK |
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If you like First Edition books, it is time to order The Sea Gull, as I am working toward retiring the First Edition of The Sea Gull. I have a good supply in stock, but once sold out, that will be it on the First Edition. Link to The Sea Gull. |
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A question I do get asked is how Edna Purviance pronounced her last name. In my research of Edna, I surprisingly heard it said many different ways over the years. Chaplin had problems saying it in the beginning and wanted to change it to something simple, but Edna wouldn't have any of that. I finally decided to record a short piece about this topic. You can learn more at this link at Edna's Place. |
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Charlie Chaplin Birthday - Edna's Crossword Puzzle Challenge Win a signed copy of The Sea Gull with 8x10 cover photo (Over $50 value, including shipping) Contest open Worldwide. Win a copy of The Sea Gull, by getting all the answers correct on this specially made Edna crossword puzzle. The questions are centered around Edna and the answers are on ednapurviance.org site or in Edna's films. You can use the download workout sheet with crossword puzzle and questions to help find the answers. See this link for more details. Once you have the answers, fill in the official entry form and email to us with all requested information. All information is required. If your answers are correct, your name will be entered in the the drawing for a copy of The Sea Gull. Deadline April 16th, 2009: 12 noon West Coast Time In case we do not have a winner on April 16th, the contest will continue until we do. Do read this link page for full details. |
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The Sea Gull is now available at Edna's new site ednapurviance.com. Special thanks to the following: |
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“The Sea Gull” tells the story of the only “lost” film ever produced by Charlie Chaplin’s studio. Also known as “A Woman of the Sea,” the film starred Edna Purviance, Chaplin's leading lady for over 30 films in eight years. The unreleased 1926 silent film was written and directed by Josef von Sternberg, who later became famous for “The Blue Angel.” A gallery displays over 50 newly-discovered production still photos from the film, accompanied by the title captions used in the story. These photos are from Edna's personal memorabilia, handed down through her family. “The Sea Gull” also features extensive new information about Edna, with never-before-seen family photos. Features over 100 previously unpublished images in B&W and color. The book is researched and written by Linda Wada, with the full support of Edna Purviance’s family descendants, in particular, Lita and Ellie Hill, Edna’s grandnieces. The Sea Gull was released January 13, 2008 and is available and in stock only at ednapurviance.com. Visit Edna's Place blog for more information. |
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The Sea Gull "A Woman of the Sea" Published by Leading Ladies by Linda Wada Layout and design by Wesley Wada with over 50 production stills from the Hill Family Collection - Lita and Ellie Hill, Edna's grand nieces (From Edna's personal photos) First book to feature Edna Purviance and about Charlie Chaplin's lost film production. Starring Edna Purviance and directed by Josef von Sternberg. Early Reviews Last fall, Leading Ladies (publishers of The Sea Gull) mailed out a few copies for review from known Chaplin and silent film experts like Kevin Brownlow to longtime Edna fan and Nevada writer David Toll. Here is a peek at the comments sent back about The Sea Gull: _________________________ "THE SEA GULL is an important contribution to film history, and worth buying for the stills alone. The look of the film, revealed in these marvellous photographs, makes it all the more tragic that it was destroyed. This book provides the nearest experience we will have to seeing it. Thank you for all the hard work. It is much appreciated." Kevin Brownlow - Silent Film Historian - London, England _________________________ "It is beautiful, informative and edifying all at once. All your hard work has resulted in a marvelous achievement. It's a great work and beautifully presented." David W. Toll - Nevada Writer - Nevada _________________________ I congratulate you on a very interesting and attractive book... I really hope it may lead to the discovery of other material about The Seagull." Kate Guyonvarch - Association Chaplin - Paris, France _________________________ "Let me first congratulate you on the fruition of your years of research and dedication to Chaplin's leading lady Edna Purviance. I'm sure that Chaplin and Edna fans alike appreciate your efforts and commitments. This ground breaking work has greatly enriched our understanding of Edna's life and works, and uncovered much of the mystery around "A Woman of the Sea," Chaplin's lost film. Not for your dedication and perseverance, we might never even have a glimpse of the film. I like the design of the book in particular. It looks very clean and classy. The stills from "The Sea Gull - A Woman of the Sea" with the reconstructed story line are no doubt the brightest spots of the book. They not only help us better understand the film but also offer us an opportunity to appreciate the photography, the set, the decoration, the costume and of course the actors. So "The Sea Gull - A Woman of the Sea" is not completely lost after all. The book makes pleasant reading, with so many eye-catching still photos and a well-balanced story of Edna's private and professional life. I hope you'll give us a fuller account of Edna's life and career before and after "The Sea Gull - A Woman of the Sea" in future editions." Ted Lu - Discover Chaplin - Montreal, Canada _________________________ Some Comments from Fans since the release "Almost Speechless! ...the book is PHENOMENAL! ... is even "You have done a really magnificent job! The book is beautiful and the photos are so crisp & clear. I have read almost all of it already and am sure I will be re-looking and re-reading for some time to come - at least until the bio comes out!" - MC "It looks great!" - DF "I received the book today, very well packaged, and have just been through it. It is really wonderful to be able to see the photos, along with your reconstruction of the story. The book is very nicely designed overall, and your love of Edna shines through it all. Thanks very much for this contribution." - JB "I have been reading the seagull book, it is beautifully produced. The photos are wonderful. What a terrific loss! the movie, that is. I hope you are greatly appreciated for bringing it to the attention of our generation." - JMc "My wife was thrilled and I must say, the book is beautifully done. You can be very proud of this outstanding and long-overdue achievement!" - KB "It's beautifully produced, the page quality and picture clarity are exceptionally good, the 8X10 (the front cover still) of Edna was a fine choice, and nicely protected. All of your careful personal touches - the handwritten card, especially - were thoughtful, and appreciated. The scholarship in it also was important, just the basic outline you provided in it on Edna's personal history alone was more than most of us have been able to learn about her before this." - HM ______________ The Sea Gull is available to order at: at ednapurviance.com. Check Edna's .org and Edna's Place Blog for more. Released January 13th, 2008. |
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Horrible to look at. Just don't have the money to move. But I don't plan to buy anything these ads sell. |
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Dutch artist, Alex van den Heuvel, has donated a special Charlie Chaplin painting to the Lucai Foundation in the Netherlands for their fund raiser to help ill children and their families. There is more at this link. |
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Special note about a NEW Charlie Chaplin book called "Charlie Chaplin's South London" by Dr. Alan F. Parkinson (November 2008). "It tells the story of south London's most famous citizen's childhood. In doing so it looks at work, leisure, educational and religious aspects of late Victorian life and is a must-read not only for Chaplin fans but also for those interested in the social history of London." |
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Due to increases in cost for printing and shipping, the cost of producing a single copy of The Sea Gull has gone up nearly $10 per COPY! The cover price will be going up in January 2009. More details at this link > |
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If you have not gotten a copy of The Sea Gull, Leading Ladies will be having an Edna birthday celebration by giving away one copy of The Sea Gull. See this link for details. Recent comment on The Sea Gull "A Woman of the Sea" "...really is a remarkable production, engagingly written and beautifully designed. It does more than give self-publishing a good name - it makes it something imperative for anyone with the knowledge, vision and ability to write. It's a real contribution to film history." - Luke McKernan |
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From now until January 2009, the BFI Southbank in London will be having Chaplin Events, including showing of the newly restored Keystone films. Link for more> |
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Leading Ladies sends our thanks to Il Cinema Ritrovato 2008 in Bologna, Italy, with a special thanks to Cecilia Cenciarelli for making our Sea Gull project as part of their festival this year. See this link to Charlie Chaplin Archive about the Chaplin related events held this year, including a section on The Sea Gull. |
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Special slide show tour of Charlie Chaplin's home area in Switzerland. Photos by Rainer Mann. Link> |
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