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
This all-too-true poem is just as relevant for many people today as it was way back in 1912. This was in the January 1912 issue of Motion Picture Story Magazine. The Tyranny of ChristmasHarvey Peake Tho, as my uncle’s wealthy heir,My chances are quite slim,I’ll try to turn his wealth my way,By Christmas gifts of … Continue reading The Tyranny of Christmas
Today’s Chat features Charles M. Seay. He was born Charles Morgan Seay on May 22nd, 1867, and died November 12, 1944. He was married to Grace Ballou Seay. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54639087/charles-morgan-seay I think he looks just like Ed Harris, particularly in the photo on the bottom right. In the IMDB trivia section, it states “According to New … Continue reading Charles M. Seay
Francis X. Bushman was chatted in the February 1912 edition of Motion Picture Story Magazine. This very popular actor was born on January 10th, 1883 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was commonly called King of the Movies, as it is printed on his epitaph. His career spanned decades, starting in the legitimate theater, through the height … Continue reading Francis Xavier Bushman
Howard Missimer was born on November 17, 1867 and died November 19, 1917, just five years after this interview was published. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Motion Picture Studio Directory and Trade Annual describes Howard Missimer as being 5′ 10″ and weighing 140 pounds, having gray hair and blue eyes. Howard … Continue reading Howard Missimer
This was printed in the December 1912 Motion Picture Story Magazine. Can you name all the photoplayers featured? I thought this was pretty awesome. Some of them have names under the pictures, but others don’t. I’d have to consult the Gallery of Players section and compare faces to be able to name them all! As … Continue reading Silent Photoplayer Christmas Tree
John E. Halliday was chatted in the December 1911 issue of Motion Picture Story Magazine. Multiple sources have different birth years, but all say September 14. Wikipedia says 1869, but that has to be way off, since he fought with the British Army in the Boer War, and it seems this would make him too … Continue reading John E. Halliday
Edwin August was born (let me take a deep breath before saying this) Edwin August Philip Von der Butz on November 10, 1883 in St. Louis Missouri, and died on March 4th, 1964. His mother was Sarah Mykins, and his father’s name was August Butz. Edwin August was one of the players of the legitimate stage … Continue reading Edwin August
Way back in the distant past of August 2016, we talked about the Popular Players Contest that was conducted by The Motion Picture Story Magazine in 1912. You can find my post about it here. At the end, I stated that it was a mystery what was finally given as a prize. It must not have been … Continue reading Echoes From the Popular Players Contest
Behold! A lovely picture of Vedah Bertram from the June 1912 issue of Motion Picture Story Magazine. Note the misspelling of her name from Vedah to Veda. 🙂 Continue reading ‘Veda’ Bertram Photo