Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – December 7:

Honoring all who served and died for our freedom.

Elizabeth Hardwick, on reading:

 

The greatest gift is a passion of reading.

It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites,
it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind.

It is a moral illumination.

- Elizabeth Hardwick.

Recommended reading - Alice Guy Blache: Lost Visionary of the Cinema

 

Alice Guy Blache: Lost Visionary of the Cinema

by Alison McMahan.
 
Filmed as Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018), documentary directed by Pamela B. Green.
 
Published by Continuum Intl Pub Group.
Published 2002.
Hardcover.

ISBN-10: 0826451586
ISBN-13: 978-0826451583
 
Description:
 

The time has arrived, so it would seem, when woman must take her place beside man in the majority of arts and professions in the business world. In women of the caliber of Madame Alice Blaché it has also been demonstrated that there is a possibility of their doing so without being shorn of that most desirable of womanly qualities, femininity. – The Moving Picture News, 1912.

 

It has long been a source of wonder to me that many women have not seized upon the wonderful opportunities offered to them by the motion-picture art to make their way to fame and fortune as producers of photodramas. Of all the arts there is probably none in which they can make such a splendid use of talents so much more natural to a woman than to a man and so necessary to its perfection. – Alice Guy Blaché, 1914.

 

Over a hundred years after she started making films (which was considerably earlier than D.W. Griffith, Mabel Normand, and Lillian Gish began their careers), the life and work of Alice Guy Blaché is still shrouded in myth and controversy.

 

Only a fraction (111) of the approximately one thousand films that she directed still exist, and almost half of these have been found very recently. The films are spread out in archives all over the world. Not all of them are available for viewing, even to scholars, and many of them are in desperate need of conservation and preservation.

 

It is widely agreed that she was the first woman filmmaker but there is considerable debate as to whether she made the first ever fiction film. She played a key role in early sound film production, and yet this part of her career is almost always ignored. She is, to this day, the only woman ever to have owned and run her own film studio. And yet she made her final film in 1920, at the age of 47, and died in New Jersey in 1968, unacknowledged, unheralded, almost totally forgotten.

 

Ten years of painstaking research has enabled Alison McMahan to piece together the career of this extraordinary woman. What results is the first full-length treatment of Alice Guy Blaché’s work, the debunking of several long-standing myths about her and, ultimately, the emergence of a feminist figurehead of the filmmaking industry.

 

"McMahan s book is an obsessively detailed history of a true motion-picture pioneer." – American Cinematographer, July 2002.
 
"The author provides intriguing information about Guy s life, the early days of film production, and Guy s independent film company (Solax)." – Choice, November 2002.
 
"A fascinating book that will interest scholars and general readers alike." – Richard Abel, Drake University.
 
"Monumental...a daunting achievement." – Los Angeles Times, August 15, 2002.

Born on this day – Clementine Plessner:

Clementine Plessner

Actress

Singer

December 7, 1855 – February 27, 1943

Credits:

Bar el Manach (1920); Bara en danserska (1926); Bigamie (1922); Das Geheimnis der vier Tage (1921); Das Hexenlied (1919); Das Medaillon der Lady Sington (1920); Das Recht zu leben (1927); Das Tagebuch einer Verlorenen (1918); Das weisse Paradies (1929); Der Bankkrach unter den Linden (1926); Der Fleck auf der Ehr' (1930); Der Glücksschmid (1919); Der hauptmann von Köpenick (1926); Der krasse Fuchs (1926); Der Monte Christo von Prag (1929); Der Schatten der Gaby Leed (1921); Der Todesreigen (1922); Der verliebte Blasekopp (1932); Der Weg, der zur Verdammnis führt, 1.Teil - Das Schicksal der Aenne Wolter (1918); Der Weg, der zur Verdammnis führt, 2.Teil - Hyänen der Lust (1919); Der Wilddieb (1930); Die Benefiz-Vorstellung der vier Teufel (1920); Die eiserne Braut (1925); Die entfesselte Menschheit (1920); Die Frau mit den zehn Masken, 2. Begebenheit - Der Schatten des Gehenkten (1922); Die graue Macht (1923); Die schwarze Paula (1922); Die Stimme des Herzens (1924); Die Tragödie der Entehrten (1924); Die Tragödie eines Großen (1920); Die verschwundene Frau (1929); Die weiße Sonate (1928); Die Zirkusprinzessin (1925); Different from the Others (1919); Eine weisse unter Kannibalen (1921); Eleven Who Were Loyal (1926); Fräulein Josette - Meine Frau (1926); Giovannis Rache (1917); Gobseck (1924); Großstadtmädels, 2. Teil - Erlebnisse aus Berlin (1921); Hallig Hooge (1923); Henriette Jacoby (1918); Hingabe (1929); Im Zeichen der Schuld (1918); Jettchen Gebert's Story (1918); Journey into the Night (1921); Kaiserjäger (1928); Kaliber fünf Komma zwei (1920); Klatsch (1921); Kord Kamphues, der Richter von Coesfeld (1919); Lady Hamilton (1921); Lo, die Kokette (1920); Lucrezia Borgia (1922); Mädchen, die man nicht heiratet (1923); Manolescus Memoiren (1920); Nocturno der Liebe (1919); O alte Burschenherrlichkeit (1925); Povara (1928); Ratten der Großstadt. 1. Die geheimnisvolle Nacht (1921); Seelenverkäufer (1919); Sklaven der Liebe (1924); Spitzenhöschen und Schusterpech (1928); Steuerlos (1924); Störtebeker (1919); Stürmisch die Nacht (1931); Superfluous People (1926); Taras Bulba (1924); The Story of Dida Ibsen (1918); Theodor Körner (1932); Vagabund (1930); Wie bleibe ich jung und schön – Ehegeheimnisse (1926); Zwei Kinder (1924).

 

Born on this day – Fay Bainter:

Fay Bainter

Actress

December 7, 1893 – April 16, 1968

Credits:

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1965); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1964); Dr. Kildare (1963); The Donna Reed Show (1962); The Children's Hour (1961); Thriller (1960); Adventures in Paradise (1960); Studio One (1953–1957); Matinee Theatre (1956); Kraft Theatre (1956); Damon Runyon Theater (1955); Armstrong Circle Theatre (1953–1955); Robert Montgomery Presents (1952–1955); Lux Video Theatre (1950–1955); The Elgin Hour (1954); Goodyear Playhouse (1954); The Web (1954); The Ford Television Theatre (1954); The Story of Ruth (1954); The President's Lady (1953); Eye Witness (1953); Suspense (1953); Schlitz Playhouse (1951–1953); Close to My Heart (1951); Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (1951); Danger (1950); The Ford Theatre Hour (1948–1949); The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre (1949); June Bride (1948); Give My Regards to Broadway (1948); The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947); Deep Valley (1947); The Virginian (1946); The Kid from Brooklyn (1946); State Fair (1945); Three Is a Family (1944); Dark Waters (1944); The Heavenly Body (1944); Cry 'Havoc' (1943); Salute to the Marines (1943); Presenting Lily Mars (1943); The Human Comedy (1943); Journey for Margaret (1942); Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1942); The War Against Mrs. Hadley (1942); Mister Gardenia Jones (1942); Woman of the Year (1942); Babes on Broadway (1941); Maryland (1940); A Bill of Divorcement (1940); Our Town (1940); Young Tom Edison (1940); Our Neighbors - The Carters (1939); Daughters Courageous (1939); The Lady and the Mob (1939); Yes, My Darling Daughter (1939); The Shining Hour (1938); The Arkansas Traveler (1938); Mother Carey's Chickens (1938); Jezebel (1938); White Banners (1938); Make Way for Tomorrow (1937); The Soldier and the Lady (1937); Quality Street (1937); This Side of Heaven (1934).

Born on this day – Marcella Albani:

Marcella Albani

Actress

Writer

December 7, 1899 – May 11, 1959

Born on this day – Claire Rommer:

Claire Rommer

Actress

December 7, 1904 – August 19, 1996

Born on this day – Arch Oboler:

Arch Oboler

Writer

Producer

Director

December 7, 1909 – March 19, 1987

Credits:

Retro Static Radio (2023); Twelve Chimes It's Midnight Podcast (2018); Christmas Eve (1986); Domo Arigato (1990); Lights Out (1972); The Bubble (1966); One Plus One (1961); The Bell Telephone Hour (1960); Play of the Week (1959); Hi, Grandma! (1958); Eye on New York (1956); The Twonky (1953); Bwana Devil (1952); Chevron Theatre (1952); Lights Out (1951); Five (1951); Fireside Theatre (1950); Oboler Comedy Theatre (1949); On Our Merry Way (1948); Christmas Eve (1947); The Arnelo Affair (1947); Bewitched (1945); Strange Holiday (1945); Gangway for Tomorrow (1943); Rise and Shine (1941); Escape (1940).

Born on this day – Eli Wallach:

Eli Wallach

Actor

December 7, 1915 – June 24, 2014

Born on this day – Frances Gifford:

Frances Gifford

Actress

December 7, 1920 – January 22, 1994

Credits:

American Empire (1942); Beyond the Blue Horizon (1942); Border Vigilantes (1941); Bringing Up Baby (1938); Cry 'Havoc' (1943); Fireside Theatre (1953); Forty Little Mothers (1940); General Electric Theater (1953); Gruen Guild Theater (1952); Having Wonderful Time (1938); Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour (1943); Hold That Woman! (1940); Jungle Girl (1941); Little Mister Jim (1946); Living on Love (1937); Louisiana Purchase (1941); Luxury Liner (1948); Maid's Night Out (1938); Marriage Is a Private Affair (1944); Mercy Plane (1939); Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939); My Heart Belongs to Daddy (1942); New Faces of 1937 (1937); Night Spot (1938); Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945); Riding High (1950); She Went to the Races (1945); Sky Commando (1953); Sky Giant (1938); Stage Door (1937); Star Spangled Rhythm (1942); Tarzan Triumphs (1943); The Arnelo Affair (1947); The Big Shot (1937); The Glass Key (1942); The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (1954); The Reluctant Dragon (1941); The Remarkable Andrew (1942); There Goes the Groom (1937); Thrill of a Romance (1945); Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die (1942); Twenty Years After (1944); West Point Widow (1941).

Born on this day – Jack Couffer:

Jack Couffer

Cinematographer

Director

Writer

December 7, 1924 – July 30, 2021

Born on this day – Tracy Wright:

Tracy Wright

Actress

December 7, 1959 – June 22, 2010

Credits:

All Hat (2007); Apartment Hunting (2000); Blind Spot (1997); Blindness (2008); Blue (1992); Book of Knives (1995); Bubbles Galore (1996); Childstar (2004); Dangerous Offender: The Marlene Moore Story (1996); Dice (2001); Dog Park (1998); Eclipse (1994); Elimination Dance (1998); Good Stuff (2001); Green Door (2008); Highway 61 (1991); It's Me Gerald (2005); Joe's So Mean to Josephine (1996); Last Night (1998); Liberty Street (1995); Manson, My Name Is Evil (2009); Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005); Midwest of Eden (2005); Monkey Warfare (2006); My Addiction (1994); My Summer Vacation (1996); Northern Town (2006); Permission (1997); Picture Claire (2001); Slings and Arrows (2005); Superstar (1999); The 2000 Canadian Comedy Awards (2000); The fires of Joanna (1998); The Five Senses (1999); The Kids in the Hall (1991); This Movie Is Broken (2010); Trigger (2010); Twitch City (1998–2000); Wake Up, Jerk Off (1993); Wasaga (1995); When Night Is Falling (1995); You Are Here (2010); Yo-Yo Ma Inspired by Bach (1997).

On this day in movie history - The Rookie (1990)

The Rookie

directed by Clint Eastwood,

written by Scott Spiegel and Boaz Yakin,

was released in the United States on December 7, 1990.

Music by Lennie Niehaus.

Cast:

Clint Eastwood, Charlie Sheen, Raul Julia, Sônia Braga, Tom Skerritt, Lara Flynn Boyle, Pepe Serna, Marco Rodríguez, Pete Randall, Donna Mitchell, Xander Berkeley, Tony Plana, David Sherrill, Hal Williams, Lloyd Nelson, Pat DuVal, Mara Corday, Jerry Schumacher, Matt McKenzie, Joel Polis, Rodger LaRue, Robert Dubac, Anthony Charnota, Jordan Lund, Paul Ben-Victor, Jeanne Mori, Anthony Alexander, Paul Butler, Seth Allen, Coleby Lombardo, Roberta Vasquez, Joe Farago, Robert Harvey, Nick Ballo, Jay Boryea, Marylou Kenworthy, George Orrison, James W. Gavin, Thomas H. Friedkin, Craig Hosking, Joe Casino, Kyle Eastwood, Nick Fenske, Caron Strong.

On this day in movie history - Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018)

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché

a documentary directed by Pamela B. Green,

written by Pamela B. Green and Joan Simon,

based on the book by Alison McMahan,

was released in the United States on December 7, 2018.

Music by Peter G. Adams.

Narrated by Jodie Foster.

On this day in movie history - Cast Away (2000)

Cast Away

directed by Robert Zemeckis,

written by William Broyles Jr.,

was released in the United States on December 7, 2000.

Music by Alan Silvestri.

Cast:

Tom Hanks, Wilson the Volleyball, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez, Lari White, Nick Searcy, Jenifer Lewis, Geoffrey Blake, Chris Noth, Garret Davis, Vince Martin, Nan Martin, Joe Conley, Timothy Stack, Elden Henson, Steve Monroe, Valerie Wildman, Jay Acovone, Dennis Letts, Michael Forest, Viveka Davis, Jennifer Choe.