Author Topic: Distinguish Jacksonville: The Silent Film Industry  (Read 3332 times)

Metro Jacksonville

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Distinguish Jacksonville: The Silent Film Industry
« on: February 27, 2007, 12:00:00 AM »
Distinguish Jacksonville: The Silent Film Industry



For nearly 20 years, Jacksonville was the perfect film location for the movie industry.  Several production companies, including Kalem, Selig, Edison, Lubin, Vim, King Bee, Encore, and Eagle operated studios locally. Local politics forced the industry to relocate out west, turning a sleepy town called Hollywood into the new modern film capital of the United States. Today we pay homage to another unique and often forgotten part of Jacksonville’s history: The Silent Film Industry.

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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/356

Told You So

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Your tax dollars at work
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2007, 05:55:49 PM »
Looks  like a good investment for the taxpayers......If I owned it I would try to unload it to the COJ too. The restriction on it being a historic structure make it cost prohibitive to repair.

avonjax

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In Response
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2007, 11:41:41 PM »
That is why most of our historic structures are gone forever.

Douglas F. Cox Jr.

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Jacksonville's history
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2007, 09:40:43 PM »
I was born and raised in Jacksonville and have done alot of traveling since. I really love this town and most of all find the history of Jacksonville amazing. I often find myself spending hours on end reasarching and learning about our past. Thanks for all of the resarch you have provided and hope to contribute in the future.

flbech

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City & Norman Studio, brings Hollowood back!
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2008, 04:12:36 AM »

I have lived in J-Ville now for over twenty.  Originally from Louisiana.  I travel to L.A. Cali. every other year to the Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo.  I have known of Norman Studio's Company now for over ten years, and proud of our city and its  restoration project.  I have met a couple of the family members of the Normans, and what a blast that was for me.  Not only significant is the structure, but what actually took place there.  All African American cast and crews?  There are stories that Richard Normans son ( who played on the lot as his father filmed; if I'm remembering correctly now) could tell you of local men and women that actually work in some of the moving pictures as extras, and other character support.  Oh; Jacksonville; we not only have the physical structure to utillize in a positive & productive manner for the great city that we are blessed to be a part of, but also the history of what that particular setting; propoerty; treasure had offered to the art; and film industry.  There is much more to say on this, than I have time for right now. 
I would like to see the project completed.  I would support the plans of the city to use this facillity as an education, and enlightment center.  I beleave it could also be the stage for attractions of the industry too.  Jacksonville could also make this a cultural arts center for young and aspairing production people, with some of the current big name African American stars to come by and support, by invitation lectures for students and industry guest.  I know persons in Hollywood that would  lend an ear in support.  I know a few actors personnally, they all ride horses, and all know of Bill Picket ( and are cerimonial guest of the Bill Picket Rodeos), and most only heard some one say that Bill Picket was in  moving pictures; but don;t know the fact of the matter.  They do not know of Norman Studio's, or that it's still here even more; the restoration effort of this famous history capturing facility.  We have a national Historic treasure here, with a grand future if we seize the moment in time now, by assembling all the grandure of reconition this property holds.  Lets start an effort to let Hollywood know of our treasure and lets extend invitations A.S.A.P.  I 'm also a student now at FCCJ video production.   flbech@comcast.net
GO JAGS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TheCat

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Re: Distinguish Jacksonville: The Silent Film Industry
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2013, 12:10:05 PM »
Came across this image today:



"Oliver Norvell Hardy was born in Harlem, Georgia, in 1892. He began his career in movies as a projectionist at a theatre in Milledgeville, Georgia, where he spent much of childhood. Oliver "Babe" Hardy moved to Jacksonville in 1913 and made 50 short one-reeler films for Lubin Studios. After moving to New York he returned to Jacksonville around 1915 and appeared in more than 60 comedies for the Vim Comedy Company and the King Bee studios where he worked with Charlie Chaplin imitator Billy West and comedic actress Ethel Burton Palmer. Hardy followed the King Bee studio to New Jersey and then to Hollywood, where he would first begin his celebrated partnership with Stan Laurel in 1921."
http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/144866

videojon

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Re: Distinguish Jacksonville: The Silent Film Industry
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2014, 08:55:28 AM »
I don't know if this has been commented on but this silent film was made in Jax in 1916. Perhaps a shrewd eye could recognize some locations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8_kR2WegVk#t=33

(the 12 minute full legth is at http://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/232392)
« Last Edit: February 17, 2014, 09:02:33 AM by videojon »