tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post9120302487280922602..comments2023-06-05T05:14:02.139-04:00Comments on = VITAPHONE VARIETIES =: Magic CasementsJeff Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13397346655785197799noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-35060094408494242402010-08-21T08:40:59.309-04:002010-08-21T08:40:59.309-04:00Thanks for all the info... I was doing some resear...Thanks for all the info... I was doing some research on Consuelo Flowerton (who starred in 1921 next to Rudolph Valentino in 'Camille'). In 1923 she married Dutch composer Dirk Fock (or Foch as he was called in New York, where he conducted several orchestra's). They had one daughter: Nina Foch, actress and drama teacher (1924 -2008).<br />It's a small world...DutchResearchernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-61562547657764057902007-02-20T14:26:00.000-05:002007-02-20T14:26:00.000-05:00Bearden: Another head-spinner of a compliment, for...Bearden: Another head-spinner of a compliment, for which I thank you. <BR/><BR/>Especially pleasing to know that image and music combined in precisely the way I hoped they would: to create a sense of time and place.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy the knowledge that my modern-day ancestors were present and accounted for in 1908 New York City, although it's unlikely they would have been venturing much above 14th Street at that point in time!<BR/><BR/>The realm of men and women in domestic service in NYC circa 1900 is one that hasn't been properly explored, but certainly ought to be. If you'd care to write me, I'd much enjoy hearing any recollections you may care to share of the NYC equivalent to 165 Eaton Place.<BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397346655785197799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-47524445450257346342007-02-20T10:23:00.000-05:002007-02-20T10:23:00.000-05:00You know Jeff, I can usually read other people's b...You know Jeff, I can usually read other people's blogs in a few minutes and though I enjoy them, I forget them fairly fast. However I find I need a considerable amount of time to read and listen and look at all the treasures you manage to pull out so regularly - and what I read sticks with me! <BR/><BR/>I loved them all this week - but especially the Turn of the Century New York medley, played while looking at that wonderful sharp picture of a time that seems so far away - even though I once knew people who were alive then and walking those very streets (even though they were the servants!)alexa757https://www.blogger.com/profile/01994334161836184246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-77552111957395663232007-02-20T00:45:00.000-05:002007-02-20T00:45:00.000-05:00Jeff,Thank you for solving much of a mystery I too...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for solving much of a mystery I too have been wondering about since I first saw Hollywood Revue on TV in 1970.<BR/><BR/>When I, nine years old at the time, saw MGM's all-star extravaganza, I was captivated by the tune "Low Down Rhythm" and the personality of the woman performing it.<BR/><BR/>When IMDB arrived, I decided to look up the film to see if I could find some info about her, only to discover there was little, if any.<BR/><BR/>Alas, we may never know the fate of June Purcell, but now, thanks to you, we know a great deal more about her.<BR/><BR/>Kudos, sir.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-64846672659199398422007-02-19T11:31:00.000-05:002007-02-19T11:31:00.000-05:00urbanyeti said it all.Mr. Cohen, Get Thee to a Pub...urbanyeti said it all.<BR/><BR/>Mr. Cohen, Get Thee to a Publisher!<BR/><BR/>Trolling Agents and Publishers, What are you waiting for?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-7310361711920093822007-02-19T11:27:00.000-05:002007-02-19T11:27:00.000-05:00UrbanYeti: For anyone who writes, yours was quite ...UrbanYeti: For anyone who writes, yours was quite the highest of all possible compliments. Thank You!<BR/><BR/>Ricardo Cortez may seem forgotten, but I know countless other film buffs share a special fondness for him and his work --- always solid, always memorable. A blog post exploring Cortez and another favorite of mine, Warren William, has been on the back burner for a while --- so stay tuned!<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, and rest those eyes!<BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397346655785197799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-74624220647080312882007-02-19T02:07:00.000-05:002007-02-19T02:07:00.000-05:00Jeepers! Discovered this blog hours ago, and am gl...Jeepers! Discovered this blog hours ago, and am glad it's a holiday tomorrow so I can read till I'm bleary in the eyes. An amazing site--<BR/>I have always been fascinated by a particular actor of these times, Ricardo Cortez. I know bits and pieces, an Austrian "Latin" that left Hollywood to make it big on Wall Street. You mentioned The Big Shakedown in your last post, and I was wondering if you've come across an biographical/anecdotal info on this forgotten star. . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-4297933973492409962007-02-18T10:40:00.000-05:002007-02-18T10:40:00.000-05:00Joe: I'll only add that Hanshaw's version remains ...Joe: I'll only add that Hanshaw's version remains definitive by default, as Lola Lane's performance in the film will likely never be seen nor heard again. <BR/><BR/>Ben: You're most welcome. There's hard work --- and then there's hard work. Writing these entries is as exhilerating as it is personally satisfying, but learning that others enjoy reading it? Skyrockets of gladness!<BR/><BR/>Jeff<BR/><BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397346655785197799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-64257710642885013532007-02-18T09:29:00.000-05:002007-02-18T09:29:00.000-05:00Great stories! Thanks for your obvious hard work a...Great stories! Thanks for your obvious hard work and dedication to this (not) forgotten era.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-15631114581455104592007-02-17T23:43:00.000-05:002007-02-17T23:43:00.000-05:00Joe said...Jeff: Another fine story. I enjoyed the...<B><I>Joe said...</B><BR/>Jeff: Another fine story. I enjoyed the Naval aviation angle. I should point out that the two radio stations you mentioned are KNX and KWFB, both still on the air. </I><BR/><BR/>A typo there...I'm sure he meant <I>KFWB,</I> which I believe was founded by the Warner Bros. studio while still in its silent days (hence the "WB" in the call letters). Baby boomers in Southern California will recall that KFWB was a leading Top 40 station from 1958 to '68. It's now an all-news station (as is KNX) and the flagship for Los Angeles Dodgers baseball.<BR/><BR/>Also interesting to hear "Big City Blues," although to my ears Annette Hanshaw still has the definitive version.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-6914115679584161932007-02-17T23:33:00.000-05:002007-02-17T23:33:00.000-05:00Joe - Early radio lingo --- in fact, any radio lin...Joe - Early radio lingo --- in fact, any radio lingo at all, invariably muddles me, although your simple rule is certainly worth remembering as it's so gosh darned easy. I'll try my best, any rate!<BR/><BR/>Anonymous - I first encountered this recording on a "do it yourself" sort of Internet radio station so I remain unsure as to the performers, but if I had to venture a guess --- judging by the painstaking authenticity alone --- that it might be the work of the magnificent Paragaon Ragtime Orchestra. While neither here nor there, I've long felt this stunning assembly of musicians virtually screams out to be utitilized in recording score for silent era DVD releases, but current tastes seem to prefer "ingenuinty" (horribly unsuitable monstrosities passing themselves off as silent film scores) over authenticity and genuine talent. This will pass... or at least that's what I keep telling myself.<BR/><BR/>Music for silent films does NOT have to adjust itself to suit our preferences or tastes. Rather, it's quite the other way around... or at least should be.<BR/><BR/>In the same way the text of a 1917 novel would never be altered to reflect our current usage of language, neither should the 1917 music that originally acoompanied a film. Simple logic that seems to have been tossed by the wayside these days.<BR/><BR/>End of Rant --- Thanks for writing!!<BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397346655785197799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-14057859610849270152007-02-17T23:21:00.000-05:002007-02-17T23:21:00.000-05:00Dankj: Although I didn't mention it, the precise s...Dankj: Although I didn't mention it, the precise same orchestration also turns up on one side of a Victor 12" 78rpm circa 1928 or so titled "Songs Of Other Days," indicating the arrangement was as serviceable then as it is now. Am eager to hear the Edison version now --- yes, banjo and all! <BR/><BR/>Thanks for writing in,<BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397346655785197799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-87743787503149675502007-02-17T22:45:00.000-05:002007-02-17T22:45:00.000-05:00Jeff: Another fine story. I enjoyed the Naval av...Jeff: Another fine story. I enjoyed the Naval aviation angle. I should point out that the two radio stations you mentioned are KNX and KWFB, both still on the air. The general rule is "W" East of the Mississippi and "K" West of the Mississippi. <BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/>Joe Thompson ;0)Joe Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18432403721377989684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-76892529606282597832007-02-17T21:53:00.000-05:002007-02-17T21:53:00.000-05:00Excellent article as always. It was like a good bo...Excellent article as always. It was like a good book that you couldn't put down until you finished it! <BR/><BR/>Please tell us who made the delightful "Turn of the Century New York City Medley"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9980139.post-11314418297510655422007-02-17T20:41:00.000-05:002007-02-17T20:41:00.000-05:00That "Turn of the Century" medley used the same ar...That "Turn of the Century" medley used the same arrangement as the "Old Timers Waltz", recorded by Jaudas' Society Orchestra on Edison 50480 (recorded Jan 8, 1918) !<BR/><BR/>Jaudas fit in a banjo, though . <BR/><BR/>As always, another fascinating and wonder-filled page! THANK YOU!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com