News of the Week December 18, 1915 -- December 18, 2015

The 18-December-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Seeking pearls in slime of White River, Arkansas.  Copyright, 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  People harvested pearls from freshwater mussels.  Production reached its peak in the 1920s.

"Results of the terrific tornado at Great Bend, Kansas.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Great Bend, Kansas was hit by a huge tornado on 10-November-1915.

"Immense shell used on U. S. Warship.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  I think the Navy's biggest guns were 14-inch/50 caliber guns on the New Mexico class.

"Immense casting for world's largest telescope hauled to Carnegie Observatory, Mount Wilson, Calif.   Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I assume this is part of the Hooker telescope at the  Mount Wilson Observatory, which had the largest aperture of any telescope.

"Ships ply at last on the Buffalo-Troy Canal after sixteen year's work and immense expenditure.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I guess this could be part of the New York State Barge Canal. 

"Earl Cooper wins Exposition auto race.  Copyrighted, 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  On 26-November-1915, Earl Cooper won a 100-mile dirt track race at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.  Barney Oldfield got passed in the 98th lap and finished second. 

News of the Week December 11, 1915 -- December 11, 2015

The 11-December-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Launching combination auto boat at San Francisco, Calif.  Copyright 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Delia The Motor Duck was designed and built by Michael de Cosmo in San Francisco.

"Dr. H. J. Haiselden, who refused to save the life of a mentally defective baby.   Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  On 12-November-1915, Harry John Haiselde, chief of surgery at the German-American Hospital, refused to perform surgery that could have saved the life of a newborn with birth defects.  This sparked a big debate, and he played himself in a 1917 movie.

"Troops of Winnipeg, Canada, just before leaving for the scenes of war.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Canada provided an important part of the British Empire's forces in the war.

"Mimic hotel burned as part of harvest festival at Atlanta, Ga.  Copyright 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Suffragettes marched for the vote at the 1915 Atlanta Harvest Festival.

"Largest engine in the world put into service.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  This does not look like the Virginian's triplex 2-8-8-8-4 locomotive.

"Liberty Bell leaves San Francisco for Philadelphia.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Liberty came to San Francisco for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

Thanhouser Advocates Nude in Films -- November 29, 2015

Moving Picture World, 13-November-1915

On 04-December-2015 we will mark the 100th anniversary of the closing of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.  It seemed appropriate to mention the short but lively film career of Audrey Munson, who was called the "Panama-Pacific Girl" because she modeled for an important statue by Alexander S Calder, "The Star Maiden."  There were many copies of the Star Maiden and she posed for other statues around the PPIE. 

In 1915, Edwin Thanhouser starred her in Inspiration, which is supposed to be the first American movie with a nude scene. 

Motography, 06-November-1915

Edwin Thanhouser "promises that in 'Insipiratin'' ... he will give the pro-and-con-ers of motion pictures somwthing to talk about. 

Motography, 13-November-1915

"In the photographs which have been given out for publication she appears a number of times not in various stages of dishabille, but altogether in the nude."

Motography, 20-November-1915

"The posing before the Thanhouser cameras was just a job with her and so considered by all who participated in the picture." 

Audrey Munson appeared in a few more movies and then was not needed again.  Perhaps she was not much of an actress. 

She tried to commit suicide in 1922, was committed to an insane asylum in 1931, and died there in 1996.  Sad story. 

News of the Week November 13, 1915 -- November 13, 2015

The 13-November -1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Luther Burbank, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford meet at San Francisco Exposition.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  Inventor Edison met botanist Burbank for the first time in October.  Henry Ford often vacationed with Edison.  Here they pose at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. 

"Great quantities of opium are destroyed in San Francisco, California.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Smugglers found a good market for opium smuggled from China. 

"C. A. Youngren, inventor of a new life saving garment.  Copyright 1915 by Mutual Weekly."  I can't find anything about him.  An O. A. Youngren received a patent for a "life preserver" in 1921.  It may be the same person. 

"Mexican Bandits wreck train at Olnite, Texas.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  A Saint Louis, Brownsville and Mexico got derailed by Mexican bandits and looted on 18-October-1915.  The engineer died in the crash and the fireman was scalded.  One rider was shot and killed while the bandits robbed the passengers.  

"A scene from the Hearst-Selig News Pictorial showing conspirators who plotted to destroy U. S. ships carrying arms to Allies.  Copyright 1915, International Film Service Inc."  German agents tried to plant explosives on ships carrying war materials. 

"A scene from Hearst-Selig News Pictorial showing the U. S. S. "Nevada" making its first trip.  Copyright 1915, International Film Service Inc."  USS Nevada (BB-36) went to Ireland to protect convoys during World War One.  She was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked in 1941.  She was damaged, but was repaired.  She was at Iwo Jima and D-Day and again protected Atlantic convoys.

Iconic City Hall -- Mabel and Fatty Viewing the World's Fair -- October 22, 2015

The San Francisco Arts Commission sponsors the Art on Market Street Program, which has local artists put up a series of works on bus shelters on Market Street.  Iconic City Hall is a series by Kelli Inouye which depicts movies that have used San Francisco's beautiful City Hall. 

Roscoe Arbuckle and Mabel Normand visited San Francisco during the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.  Mayor Sunny Jim Rolph gave them a tour of City Hall, which was under construction. 

Rolph and Mabel look fine.  I think Roscoe lacks too much detail. 

I wrote about "Mabel and Fatty Viewing the World’s Fair at San Francisco" for a blogathon:
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2015/05/mabel-and-fatty-viewing-worlds-fair-at.html

News of the Week September 18, 1915 -- September 18, 2015

The 18-September-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Yacht race at Panama-Pacific Fair for cup given by England's king.  Copyright 1915, by Mutual Weekly."  This is the first appearance in News of the Week As Shown in Films of the Mutual Weekly.  Yacht races were held around August 25-29 at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.  If the is the six meter race on August 29, Nordug IV, defeated by King Christian of Denmark, defeated its only opponent, Lady Betty, which was built for the race because of the war inspired lack of entrants. 

"The Atlantic fleet arrives at Boston to be inspected.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  The Atlantic fleet was reviewed in Boston on 27-August-1915. 

"Torpedo boat destroyer Porter launched at Philadelphia.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  USS Porter (DD-59) was launched from the yard of William Cramp and Sons on 26-August-1915.  When the US entered the war, she served in a squadron that went to Europe to patrol the Western Approaches.  She attacked and damaged U-108.  In 1924, she was transferred to the Coast Guard to perform Prohibition patrols.  She was scrapped in 1934. 

"Business men wading to their offices in Galveston, Texas after flood.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  Galveston, Texas had been nearly destroyed by a 1900 hurricane.  Thousands died.  A powerful hurricane in 1915 did not cause as much damage because of a new sea wall.  Only 53 died. 

"Ruins of sea wall at Galveston, Texas.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  See the previous item. 

"Texas rangers capture Mexican bandits at Norie, Texas.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Tension was building up along the border with Mexico.  I haven't found anything about this particular event in newspapers. 

News of the Week September 11, 1915 -- September 11, 2015

The 11-September-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Great sea wall saves Galveston in recent storm.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Galveston, Texas had been nearly destroyed by a 1900 hurricane.  Thousands died.  A powerful hurricane in 1915 did not cause as much damage because of a new sea wall.  Only 53 died. 

"Only zebra born in captivity at Central Park, New York.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The baby zebra may have been the first born in the United States. 

"Oil tank of the Indiana Pipe Line Company struck by lightning at Whiting, Ind.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I haven't found anything about this fire. 

"Soldiers of ships of Atlantic fleet given strenuous practice.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The Atlantic Fleet was preparing for a presidential review. 

"Armored motor train, first to cross the country, reaches Universal City.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  This appears to be the Davidson-Cadillac armored car, designed by Royal Page Davidson.  Davidson led a fleet of eight Cadillac military vehicles from Chicago to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. 

"General Hugh L. Scott conferring with Villa in Mexico.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  General Hugh L Scott, the Chief of Staff of the Army.  Pancho Villa led the  División del Norte.  Pressure had been growing between the US and Mexican revolutionaries. 

News of the Week August 21, 1915 -- August 21, 2015

The 21-August-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Annual exhibit at Monmouth country track, Long Branch, N. J.   Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Monmouth County Horse Show is still held today. 

"This German shell fell in French tranches near Verdun and failed to explode.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  A dud.  A big dud. 

"Measuring the length of the girl's bathing suits, at Atlantic City, N. J.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  Lots of photos like this turned up during the summer.  

"Park Commissioner Ingersoll viewing products raised on Chicago playgrounds.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   A predecessor of the victory garden, I guess. 

"Wreckage caused by floods at Erie, Pa.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   Floods hit Erie around August 6. 

"Liberty Bell at San Francisco Fair.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  San Francisco school children raised money and persuaded Philadelphia to allow the Liberty Bell to travel to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

News of the Week August 7, 1915 -- August 7, 2015

The 07-August-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Harry K. Thaw cheered by crowds on day he is freed.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Harry Kendall Thaw was the son of a rich industrialist.  Harry had mental problems.  On 25-June-1906 he murdered architect Stanford White, who had been involved with Evelyn Nesbit, Thaw's wife, who had been a chorus girl and a model.  Thaw's attorney had him declared legally insane, which was not a stretch.  The caption may contain a typo, or this was after Thaw's mother wanted to go with temporary insanity so the family would not be stigmatized.  We saw the Pathe version last week. 

"The rescued passengers leaving the ill-fated Eastland which sunk in Chicago river.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   SS Eastland was a tour boat in Chicago which rolled over while docked on 24-July-1915.  At least 844 passengers and crew died. 

"Paying tribute to Lieutenant Warneford, daring aviator.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Reginald Warneford was a Royal Naval Air Service flier who brought down Zeppelin LZ 37 on 07-June-1915.  He died after a crash during a test flight on 17-June-1915.  He was buried in London on 21-June-1915. 

"Cunard Line steamer Orduna which was attacked by a German submarine.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  SS Orduna became a troop transport during the war.  While sailing to New York, she was attached by a U Boat. 

"Automobiles used to take native sons of Pennsylvania through Pittsburg.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I can't find anything about an organization called the Native Sons of Pennsylvania. 

"Scenes of devastation caused by cyclone at Cincinnati, Ohio.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  A big storm on June 24 caused damage throughout the Midwest.  We saw the same version last week. 

News of the Week July 24, 1915 -- July 24, 2015

The 24-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Liberty Bell starts for the Panama Fair.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   This caption is with the wrong photo.  It belongs with the one in the lower right-hand corner.  San Francisco school children raised money and persuaded Philadelphia to allow the Liberty Bell to travel to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. 

"U. S. S. Wyoming passing under Brooklyn Bridge.   Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Dreadnought battleship USS Wyoming (BB-32) later served with the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet.  She trained many gunners who served during the Second World War. 

"Cornell beats Leland Stanford University in rowing championship race.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Cornell crew defeated Stanford at Poughkeepsie on 04-July-1915. 

"Firearms taken from prisoners in Chicago police stations thrown into the lake.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   I hope this doesn't cause people to go diving. 

"Heavy storm leaves toll of death in Cincinnati.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   A big storm on June 24 caused damage throughout the Midwest. 

"Observation train at Cornell race.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  This caption belongs with the photo in the upper left-hand corner.  Rowing fans watch the race at Poughkeepsie from stands built on railroad cars. 

News of the Week July 17, 1915 -- July 17, 2015

The 17-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Italian recruits rally to colors in Rome, Italy.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Italy entered the war on 23-May-1915. 

"Yale wins great victory over Harvard in regatta.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Yale defeated Harvard at New London, Connecticut on 25-June-1915. Last week we saw the Hearst-Selig News Pictorial version. 

"Tremendous ovations given to the ambassador by Italians in London, Eng.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The Italians must be celebrating their entry into the war.

"Working to save flood swept railroad in Kansas.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The The Topeka State Journal on June 19 reported "All Rivers in Kansas Full and Still Are Rising" and "State's Railroads Awash." 

"Sculptor John Flanagan designing the medal of award for the Panama-Pacific Exposition.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  This is a repeat of an item from last week, where we also saw an example of the medal. 

"Preparing to raise an automobile truck, which recently slipped over a bridge in Chicago.   Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   This is also a repeat of an item from last week. 

News of the Week July 10, 1915 -- July 10, 2015

The 10-July-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Preparing to raise an automobile truck, which recently slipped over a bridge in Chicago.   Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."   I couldn't find anything about this incident. 

"Official welcome to first train in the underground railway at Brooklyn, N. Y.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  On 22-June-1915, the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company opened its first subway line, which still operates as the Fourth Avenue Line of the BMT Division. 

"Yale wins from Harvard in the annual regatta at New London.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Yale defeated Harvard at New London, Connecticut on 25-June-1915. We saw them practising last week, also in a Hearst-Selig News Pictorial. 

"Tremendous enthusiasm marks the opening of Chicago's new Speedway track.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The board racetrack in Maywood, Illinois opened on 11-June-1915 with a 300-mile race won by Dario Resta. 

"Sculptor John Flanagan designing the medal of award for the Panama-Pacific Exposition.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  John Flanagan created the official medal of award of the fair in San Francisco.    See an example of the medal below. 

"Scions of men who fought at Bunker Hill celebrate the 140th anniversary of the battle.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Bunker Hill Day is celebrated on June 17.