SilentPhotoplay Blog
Motion Picture Story Magazine would mention again and again that, contrary to some naysayers, the photoplay was good for you and could help people make the right decision. It wasn’t merely entertainment; photoplay was there to make you think. Here’s a good example of this matter, from the January 1912 issue. A Moving Christmas SermonBy … Continue reading A Moving Christmas Sermon
A funny poem from January 1912, Motion Picture Store Magazine. Santa loves the photoshow! A Belated Santa ClausBy Lillian May ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all thru the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,But, alas! dear old Santa Claus never came there! Was … Continue reading A Belated Santa Claus
This is from Rhymes of Childhood (1924) by Edgar A. Guest. A Boy At Christmas is a rather wistful poem of times gone by. A Boy At ChristmasEdgar A. Guest If I could have my wish to-night it would not be for wealth or fame,It would not be for some delight that men who live … Continue reading A Boy At Christmas
This time The Magic of the Frost was written by E. Romney Wheeler. It’s a straightforward poem about elf people. Again, it was prompted by St. Nicholas Magazine in the November 1927 issue. The Magic of the FrostE. Romney Wheeler (Age 16)(Honor Member. Cash Award) Many fitting shadowsOf a chilly night,Tiny imps and brownies,Working till … Continue reading The Magic of the Frost – E. Romney Wheeler
Tommy’s Tummy is from John Martin’s Big Book for Little Folk, Number Three, (1919). The song is my reminder to you not to go crazy during the holiday season! Don’t get a tummy ache like Tommy from eating all those sweets!!!Louise Ayres Garnett – April 1, 1877-October 31, 1937. She was born in Indiana and … Continue reading Tommy’s Tummy
Here we have a “sweet” poem, again by Edgar A. Guest. It’s from Rhymes Of Childhood (1924). The Cookie-LadyEdgar A. Guest She is gentle, kind and fair,And there’s silver in her hair;She has known the touch of sorrow,But the smile of her is sweet;And sometimes it seems to meThat her mission is to beThe gracious … Continue reading The Cookie-Lady
This poem, about a santa-doubting little boy, is from Edgar A. Guest’s book Rhymes of Childhood. (1924) A Christmas StoryEdgar A. Guest Now, children, if you will gather about,I’ll tell you the story of little Tom Doubt.Just sit on the floor there and look up at me;Yes, yes, I’ll take two of you—one on each … Continue reading A Christmas Story
This is from Rhymes of Childhood (1924) by Edgar A. Guest. This is a really cute poem! The Approach of ChristmasEdgar A. Guest There’s a little chap at our house that is being mighty good—Keeps the front lawn looking tidy in the way we’ve said he should;Doesn’t leave his little wagon, when he’s finished with … Continue reading The Approach of Christmas
This short story, prompted by St. Nicholas Magazine and published in the December 1927 issue, is about Christmas at boarding school. It was written by Sallie Freeman, age 17. Christmas Adventure By Sallie Freeman (Age 17) (Silver Badge) Bee stirred restlessly in her bed. Why did her family choose Christmas to have the measles? How … Continue reading A Christmas Adventure – Sallie Freeman
This came out of John Martin’s Big Book for Little Folk, Number Three (1919). While not strictly Christmas, or even winter, for that matter, I thought the sweets theme was great for the holiday season. Doughnut DayDaisy Dillon Stephenson My Mother’s making dougnuts—oh,They smell so very goodI can’t keep out of doors at all—(Though mother … Continue reading Doughnut Day