Jobyna Ralston 125 -- November 21, 2024

Picture Play, October, 1923

Jobyna Ralston was born 125 years ago today, on 21-November-1899. Her career progressed rapidly from supporting Paul Parrot (Charley Chase's brother) in Hal Roach one-reelers to supporting Harold Lloyd in features to starring in Wings. She was beautiful.

Photoplay, July, 1924

Lloyd Has Out Lloyded Himself -- November 3, 2024

New Britain Herald, 08-November-1924

Harold Lloyd has his arms full as he steps off of a streetcar. Note the live turkey under his arm. Hot Water is a very funny movie.

New Britain Herald, 08-November-1924

Harold looks disconcerted, despite having his beautiful bride, Jobyna Ralston, in his arms.

Omaha Bee, 23-November-1924

"An event all Omaha is Looking Forward to." Hot Water inspired some nice advertising graphics.

Omaha Bee, 30-November-1924

Hot Water inspired some nice tag lines. "Lloyd Has Out Lloyded Himself." "Get Your Laughing Clothes On!" "America's Joy Boy is in Town."

Perth Amboy Evening News, 26-November-1924

Harold and his scary mother-in-law. 

Richard Arlen 125 -- September 1, 2024

 

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Richard Arlen was born 125 years ago today, on 01-September-1899. An American, he volunteered to serve in the Royal Flying Corps during World War One.

Motion Picture Magazine, November, 1928

His most famous film was probably William Wellman's World War One epic, Wings. Arlen and Buddy Rogers starred with Clara Bow and Buddy Rogers.

I was able to introduce several people to silent movies in a great environment by taking them to the Friday night shows at San Francisco's Avenue Theater.  Several friends saw silent movies accompanied on the Mighty Wurlitzer by Bob Vaughn. Wings made a big hit with my high school friends.

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Island of Lost Souls is a fun movie. The "Panther Woman" was Kathleen Burke, who had won a contest to get the part. Charles Laughton bit off huge chunks of scenery.

During World War Two, Arlen was a US Army Air Force flight instructor.

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He was married to Jobyna Ralston from 1927 to 1945. 

Harold Lloyd -- Are You Girl Shy? -- July 5, 2024

Daily Kennebec Journal, 16-July-1924

We see Harold's determination as he dashes to save Jobyna in Girl Shy. 

Rawlins Republican, 03-July-1924

This ad echoes the stutter that makes the life of Harold's character different.

Rawlins Republican, 10-July-1924

Exhibitors Herald, 05-July-1924

A variety of promotional posters for Girl Shy.

Exhibitors Herald, 19-July-1924

"A sure-fire hot weather attraction -- the one picture that will bring them out in the seething heat." Before air conditioning became common, some theaters shut down during hot weather and others scrambled for attractions to bring in customers. 

Exhibitors Herald, 19-July-1924

Exhibitors Herald, 05-July-1924

Walter Lundin shot most of Harold's movies. 

Exhibitors Herald, 05-July-1924

"On humor he builds and houses he fills."

Exhibitors Herald, 19-July-1924

Albert R Neis of the Shadows Theater in Lodi, Wisconsin illustrates his methods for promoting Harold's thrill picture Safety Last. 

Exhibitors Herald, 19-July-1924

The bouncing balloons caught the attention of many passers-by. 

Photoplay, July, 1924

Harold hugs his grandmother

Photoplay, July, 1924

Harold without his glasses, but with his wife and former leading lady, Mildred Davis and their cute dog.

Photoplay, July, 1924

Mildred Davis's successor as Harold's leading lady, Jobyna Ralston, was famous for her "beautiful chestnut curls." In this gag shot, Harold stops a barber from bobbing her hair, which would have violated the contract Harold was holding. 

Photoplay, July, 1924

It seems silly to say this about a Hollywood actress, but "little Jobyna Ralston" sure was pretty.

Pictures and Picturegoer, July, 1924

Harold Lloyd -- He Studies and Fears Them! -- April 6, 2024

Motion Picture News, 19-April-1924

Girl Shy is a fun movie. I get a little uncomfortable with Harold's delusions and his book The Secret of Making Love, but you can't beat the race to the church.

Motion Picture News, 26-April-1924

I like the ladies in this ad and the one above it. I wonder who drew them.

Stockton Daily Evening Record

"...serves to introduce Harold Lloyd in an entirely new characterization for him."

Salt Lake Telegraph, 06-April-1924

The Salt Lake Telegraph devoted almost an entire page to Harold and Girl Shy.

San Antonio Light, 15-April-1924

I like Jobyna Ralston.

San Francisco Bulletin, 26-April-1924

San Francisco Bulletin, 25-April-1924

The Warfield still stands on San Francisco's Market Street. It is now a music venue.

Motion Picture News, 12-April-1924

Harold's next movie would be Hot Water. 

Jobyna Ralston --- October 6, 2023

Picture Play, October, 1923

Jobyna Raulston's career progressed rapidly from supporting Paul Parrot (Charley Chase's brother) in Hal Roach one-reelers to supporting Harold Lloyd in features to starring in Wings. She was beautiful. 

Harold Lloyd in a Revolutionary Riot -- September 7, 2023

Motion Picture News, 29-September-1923

Why Worry?, despite some racist elements, is one of Harold Lloyd's funniest films. It was his first film with new leading lady. Jobyna Ralston. Harold and Jobyna are supported by a giant, John Aasen.

Motion Picture News, 08-September-1923

"Different from anything Lloyd has ever done -- romantic, adventurous, sensational, screamingly funny, great."

Motion Picture News, 01-September-1923

Lloyd's First Serious Attempt at Straight Farce -- August 7, 2023

Motion Picture News, 11-August-1923

Why Worry?, despite some racist elements, is one of Harold Lloyd's funniest films. It was his first film with new leading lady. Jobyna Ralston. Harold and Jobyna are supported by a giant, John Aasen.

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923

"Why Worry? is Lloyd's first serious attempt at straight farce." "Serious"/"Farce"? Interesting combination. 

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923

Industry big shots saw Why Worry?  in a private screening and commended it.

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923

I have been searching through Sunday Chicago Tribunes from the summer of 1923 and I haven't found this "full page Sunday comic."

Motion Picture News, 25-August-1923

This article and the next one mention Lloyd's practice of previewing his films. 

Motion Picture News, 11-August-1923

Motion Picture News, 25-August-1923

Harold's movie, Girl Shy, would be his first production after his breakup with Hal Roach. 

Motion Picture News, 25-August-1923

Harold awarded his new leading lady, Jobyna Ralston, with a three-year contract.

Motion Picture News, 11-August-1923

Contrary to popular rumors, Harold did not plan to shift the distribution of his independent features from Pathé to United Artists. 

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923

Safety Last continued to do well in wide distribution. Exhibitors tried various gimmicks to promote the movie. An exhibitor in Charlotte used a streetcar decorated with banners and posters. An aviator made a stunt flight to promote the film. 

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923

Meanwhile Hal Roach and Pathé were redistributing Harold's one-reelers. I wonder if these include Lonesome Lukes and glass pictures, or just the latter. I like the image of Harold in an auto. 

Motion Picture News, 04-August-1923