Norman Studios Update

[Metro Jacksonville]

Norman Studios Update



Norman Studios is the nation's only surviving silent film studio complex.  Today, it is being renovated into a silent film museum and community center.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/629

[Ocklawaha]

FAN-FRICKIN-TASTIC! But since I wasn't around for that era, where the heck is it??? I want to go see! Hope they can bring back the old Jax silent flicks to the City and maybe even offer them on DVD. A recent search came up with a rather grave answer, "All of the Jacksonville films are in the Smithsonian, no one knows their condition..." YIKES! Those old babys fall slap apart, so I hope we can get good reproductions done. If they play this right, in my book it beats MGM or Universal any day! Anyone ever seen "METROPOLIS"? Wow, talk about ahead of it's time.

Ocklawaha

[thelakelander]

Its located in Arlington, on Arlington Road, between Cesery Blvd and Rogero Road.

[Ocklawaha]

Thought y'all would enjoy this little photo thread on the Jacksonville Film Industry...BACK IN THE DAY! All of these were Norman Film Productions except for the last two, as noted... There were many more. As you can see, we were NOT the big JIM CROW town everyone has made us out to be. Did you know that many of our local Confederate volunteers were "Men of Color?" Some think as many as 1/2 of our Florida protectors! Our Railroad industry shattered the Race laws when forced to provide two trains, one white and one "colored", they did this decades before the Civil Rights Movement. While that ugliness was around and still is in some circles, we were WAY AHEAD of our Hollywood or New York equals in breaking down the color and race barriers in FILM! BRAVO JACKSONVILLE! BRAVO!
















Gaumont, Studios in Jacksonville


Kalem, Studios in Jacksonville (This was known as the Kalem house, wonder if it still stands?)

Hope you enjoyed the little tour. The race issue reminds me of a time in California, when someone broke into the hippie Pad (house) and stole our stereo, A California Sheriff asked Dom-De-Dom-Doug, "Did you see them? Were they Colored?" Dom-De-Dom, just rolled his eyes and said, "Oh yeah man, like I saw like ten of them, they all looked alike too, they WERE colored...WHITE!"

Ocklawaha

[thelakelander]

We ran a story on the Silent Film Industry and Norman Studios earlier this year:

Distinguish Jacksonville: The Silent Film Industry: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/356/120/

[Ocklawaha]

Thanks Lake, Hey, wonder if ANY of the other sets or studios are still around in any form? I know at least one was in a series of arched (metal?) roofed industrial looking buildings. Another in Arlington, looked like a large Spanish ranch. Like the streetcar lines, stuff might still be around if we just knew where to look.

I still think doing another, 10am-5pm, come in, see a few photos, and a camera, and go home type museum isn't what we need. We need to import a 1920's version of Universal Studios Tour, a chance to get involved, take home a period "DVD" and see the film set in action. Do the makeup, Did you know the lipstick in the B&W films was really a dark grease like paste? Allow the guests to experience being a 1920's star for a day...and for a price... Make this so damn real and unique, stunts, props and such that the REAL Hollywood of today would be regular visitors to see screenings and restorations, films and maybe even use the sets. This could be done, we just need a COJDD (City of Jacksonville Dream Department!). Getting this studio intact is almost as good as a UFO landing in downtown for a photo op, we just need to play it for all it's worth. A tiny nothing museum and local card and bingo hall isn't it Jacksonville! @*#^@#&$(*@!#)$&!@#!

Ocklawaha

[big ben]

what's the church-looking building in the photos?

Anyone ever seen "METROPOLIS"? Wow, talk about ahead of it's time.

i have it on dvd.  excellent movie. 

[thelakelander]

Today, its the Circle of Faith Ministries, but it used to house the film complex's stage.