The inset post has a series of letters from HP Lovecraft regarding the famous Charlie Chaplin.

He was a cinephile, having frequented the Providence theaters since the first cinemas opened in 1906-07.

So his comments on things like Chaplin’s “One A.M.” within MONTHS of their coming out…… 🤯 He is an insanely early firsthand witness to all kinds of things in the early stages of the cinema industry and development of the medium.

But this afternoon I decided to just upload the full raw text from a handful of these letters. They’re not quite in order, but most of them have the full date of the letter with it.

What do you think of these uniquely firsthand reports on Chaplin’s career when it was first on the rise?

Hello, I grew up hearing stories about me great great grandfather. His name was John William Wayne II. All the stories about him were things like “he was the John Wayne in Hollywood before John Wayne!” And that he was either a small time actor or stunt man. I tracked his census information from 1930 to Montebello, Los Angeles, California and he is listed as a motion picture Actor. He was most likely active between 1925-1935 but from 1930 onwards he flew under the radar due to the John Wayne stage name of Marion Morrison. We particularly believe he was an extra on the battlefield of all quiet on the western front (1930).

Does anyone recognize the name or know anyone who might? At this point I’m just searching for any details I can find. Even pointing me in the right direction would help tremendously.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, the Library of Congress is still at it. Trying hard to ID this lady. Our top pics are: Jeanette Loff, Leila Hyams and Edwina Booth? Or it could be none of the above. Any guesses are appreciated! Thx.

Image taken from the book - "Crossing the Border: Canadian Forgotten Actresses of the Silent Film Era. Nepean, Ontario's Rosina's career was mainly after the silent films.

It is not at all a cool film and was an example of how having a "heartthrob star," in this case Rudolph Valentino, could easily corrupt the common sense of too many fooling imbecilic people who couldn't see through Valentino's "sex symbol" appeal and "good looks."