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Adrian Johnson (screenwriter)
Adrian Johnson was a prolific screenwriter during the silent film era. Johnson wrote some of Fox Film's highest grossing films. More than a dozen starred Theda Bara. His screenplay for '' Cleopatra (1917 film)'' depicted Antony and Cleopatra's love affair from the perspective of Hamarachi. He copyrighted and sold an Adrian Johnson Photoplay System that brought "the fascinating profitable profession of screen writing to the very door of the person of average intelligence." The course included 20 lessons and a dictionary of terms. It promised to "make failire impossible." Filmography *''Romeo and Juliet'' (1916) *'' The Tiger Woman'' (1917) *''Madame DuBarry'' (1917) *''Cleopatra'' (1917) *'' Salomé'' (1918) *''The Soul of Buddha'' (1918) *''The Forbidden Path'' (1918) *'' Checkers'' (1919) *''When Men Desire'' (1919), adaptation of a J. Searle Dawley James Searle Dawley (October 4, 1877 – March 30, 1949) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, stage actor, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Screenwriter
A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. Terminology In the silent era, writers now considered screenwriters were denoted by terms such as photoplaywright, photoplay writer, photoplay dramatist and screen playwright.Steven Maras. ''Screenwriting: History, Theory and Practice.'' Wallflower Press, 2009. pp. 82–85. Screenwriting historian Steven Maras notes that these early writers were often understood as being the authors of the films as shown and argues that they cannot be precisely equated with present-day screenwriters because they were responsible for a technical product, a brief "scenario", "treatment", or "synopsis" that is a written synopsis of what is to be filmed. Profession Screenwriting is a freelance profession. No education is required to be a professional scree ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Silent Film Era
A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when necessary, be conveyed by the use of intertitle, title cards. The term "silent film" is something of a misnomer, as these films were almost always accompanied by live sounds. During the silent era that existed from the mid-1890s to the late 1920s, a piano, pianist, theatre organ, theater organist—or even, in large cities, a small orchestra—would often play music to accompany the films. Pianists and organists would play either from sheet music, or musical improvisation, improvisation. Sometimes a person would even narrate the inter-title cards for the audience. Though at the time the technology to synchronize sound with the film did not exist, music was seen as an essential part of the viewing experie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fox Film
The Fox Film Corporation (also known as Fox Studios) was an American Independent film production studio formed by William Fox (1879–1952) in 1915, by combining his earlier Greater New York Film Rental Company and Box Office Attractions Film Company (founded 1913). The company's first film studios were set up in Fort Lee, New Jersey, but in 1917, William Fox sent Sol M. Wurtzel to Hollywood, California to oversee the studio's new West Coast production facilities, where the climate was more hospitable for filmmaking. On July 23, 1926, the company bought the patents of the Movietone sound system for recording sound onto film. After the Wall Street crash of 1929, William Fox lost control of the company in 1930, during a hostile takeover. Under new president Sidney Kent, the new owners began conversations of a fusion with Twentieth Century Pictures, under founders Joseph M. Schenck and his friend Darryl Zanuck. Schenck, Zanuck, and Spyros Skouras merged the Fox Studios with Twen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Theda Bara
Theda Bara ( ; born Theodosia Burr Goodman; July 29, 1885 – April 7, 1955) was an American silent film and stage actress. Bara was one of the more popular actresses of the silent era and one of cinema's early sex symbols. Her femme fatale roles earned her the nickname "The Vamp" (short for ''vampire'', here meaning a seductive woman), later fueling the rising popularity in "vamp" roles based in exoticism and sexual domination. The studios promoted a fictitious persona for Bara as an Egyptian-born woman interested in the occult. Bara made more than 40 films between 1914 and 1926, but most are now lost, having perished in the 1937 Fox vault fire. After her marriage to Charles Brabin in 1921, she made two more feature films and then retired from acting in 1926; she never appeared in a sound film. Early life Bara was born Theodosia Burr Goodman on July 29, 1885 in the Avondale section of Cincinnati, Ohio. She was named after the daughter of US Vice President Aaron Burr. Her ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cleopatra (1917 Film)
''Cleopatra'' is a 1917 American silent historical drama film based on H. Rider Haggard's 1889 novel '' Cleopatra'', the 1890 play ''Cleopatre'' by Émile Moreau and Victorien Sardou, and the play '' Antony and Cleopatra'' by William Shakespeare. The film starred Theda Bara in the title role, Fritz Leiber Sr. as Julius Caesar, and Thurston Hall as Mark Antony. The film is now considered partially lost, as there is only parts of the film remaining. Plot ''Because the film has been lost, the following summary is reconstructed from a description in a contemporary film magazine.'' Cleopatra (Bara), the Siren of Egypt, by a clever ruse reaches Caesar (Leiber) and he falls victim to her charms. They plan to rule the world together, but then Caesar falls. Cleopatra's life is desired by the church, as the wanton woman's rule has become intolerable. Pharon (Roscoe), a high priest, is given a sacred dagger to take her life. He gives her his love instead and, when she is in need of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Romeo And Juliet (1916 Fox Film)
''Romeo and Juliet'' is a 1916 American silent romantic drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Theda Bara. The film was based on Shakespeare's ''Romeo and Juliet'' and was produced by the Fox Film Corporation. The film was shot at the Fox Studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and is now considered to be lost. (Wayback Machine) Competing versions of Shakespeare This film and other Shakespeare-oriented pictures were released in 1916, the 300th anniversary of 's death. This film went up against direct co ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Tiger Woman (1917 Film)
''The Tiger Woman'' was a 1917 American silent drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and George Bellamy and starring Theda Bara. The film is now considered lost. Plot Countess Irma (Theda Bara) is a Russian villainess who becomes the ruthless Princess Petrovich, who loves only her pearls. Her husband, the Prince (Edward Roseman), sells state secrets to a spy to pay her exorbitant bills, and her response is to report him to the secret police. Then she runs off to Monte Carlo with her lover, Count Zerstoff (Emil DeVarney), but she poisons him after he racks up a load of gambling losses. She goes to America followed by Stevan, a disgruntled servant (John Webb Dillion) and there she wreaks more havoc. The Princess' next victim is Edwin Harris ( Glen White). He dumps his fiancée (Florence Martin) for the vamp and steals money from his father ( Edward Holt). The shock kills the father and the Princess has Edwin sent off to jail. She next becomes involved with Edwin's brother, M ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Madame Du Barry (1917 Film)
''Madame Du Barry'' or ''Du Barry'' is a 1917 American silent historical drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Theda Bara. The film is based on the French novel ''Memoirs d’un médecin'' by Alexandre Dumas. Plot As described in a film magazine, Madame Jeanne Du Barry (Bara) becomes the reigning favorite of Louis XV (Clary) and enjoys this distinction until the sudden death of the king. The lavish mode of living by the king and Jeanne Du Barry arouse the wrath of the peasant class, and after the death of the king a revolution breaks out. Jeanne is made to suffer through the revolution and pays the ultimate price on the guillotine. Cast * Theda Bara as Madame Du Barry * Charles Clary as Louis XV * Fred Church as Cossé-Brissac * Herschel Mayall as Jean DuBarry * Genevieve Blinn as Duchess deGaumont * Willard Louis as Guillaume DuBarry * Hector Sarno as Lebel * Dorothy Drake as Henriette * Rosita Marstini as Mother Savord * Joe King Reception Like many America ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Salomé (1918 Film)
''Salomé'' is a 1918 American silent drama film produced by William Fox and starring actress Theda Bara. Plot As described in a film magazine, Salome uses her wiles in pursuit of King Herod, whose power she desires. She has disposed of Herod's chief rival, and causes his wife to be killed through her own treachery. John the Baptist, who has secured a hold on the people, denounces Herod and his court. Herod has John thrown in jail for fomenting sedition. There Salome meets him, and becomes crazed with passion, but when John rejects her she seeks revenge. With a sensuous dance she gains the approval of Herod, and demands John's head as her reward. This act brings her own punishment when she is crushed to death beneath the sharp spokes on the shields of the Roman legionnaires. Cast * Theda Bara as Salome * G. Raymond Nye as King Herod * Albert Roscoe as John the Baptist * Herbert Heyes as Sejanus (Heyes' final of five films with Bara) * Bertram Grassby as Prince David * Genev ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Soul Of Buddha
''The Soul of Buddha'' is a 1918 American silent romance film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Theda Bara, who also wrote the film's story. The film was produced by Fox Film Corporation and shot at the Fox Studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Plot As described in a film magazine, fascinated by the lure of white robes and dancing, Bava (Bara) enters the Temple of Buddha. She is soon disillusioned and, yielding to the entreaties of Major John Dare (Thompson) of the British army, she flees with him and becomes his wife, incurring the enmity of Ysora (Kennard), high priest from the temple. A child is born to the two but is later found dead with the Buddhist death mark on its forehead. This withers the soul of Bava, who leads her husband around the globe in search of happiness. Hardened by sorrow, she turns against Dare and bids him gone. At a Paris resort she meets a theatrical manager (Warwick) who is fascinated by her dancing. She accepts an offer to appear at his theater. At ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Forbidden Path
''The Forbidden Path'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Theda Bara. The film is now considered lost. Plot As described in a film magazine, while posing for Felix Benavente (Mason) for a painting for a church, Mary Lynde (Bara), a true Madonna type unaware of the wiles of men, meets Robert Sinclair (Thompson) and, believing him sincere, accepts his attentions. Her father (Law) casts her from his home, and Mary goes to live at Sinclair's mountain lodge. However, Sinclair betrays her and deserts her. The death of her child takes the last bit of ambition from her and she sinks to the lowest depths. Felix, in search of a model to represent the end of the path of sin, rescues her. The appearance of Sinclair and his fiancee Barbara Reynolds (Martin) at the studio brings a desire for revenge to Mary, and she forces Sinclair to establish her in an apartment and supply her with money. To do this, Sinclair is forced to steal, and with this evi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Checkers (1919 Film)
''Checkers'' is a 1919 American silent melodrama film, directed by Richard Stanton. There are no known archival holdings of the film, so it is presumably a lost film. The film is based on the screenplay with the same name by Henry Blossom. Mazie LaShelle Hunt and Marjorie Seely Blossom, the widows of Kirke La Shelle and Henry Blossom respectively, filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ... against Fox Film regarding the sale of the film. Cast list * Thomas Carrigan as Checkers * Jean Acker as Pert Barlow * Ellen Cassidy as Alva Romaine * Robert Elliott (actor, born 1879), Robert Elliott as Arthur Kendall * Tammany Young as Push Miller * Bertram Marburgh as Judge Barlow * Edward Sedgwick as Pete * Peggy Worth as Sadie Martin * Frank Be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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