Essanay Studios: Silent Film Innovators, the ‘Handsomest Man in the World,’ and the San Diego Tie

Still from 1915 Charlie Chaplin comedy produced by Essanay, showing studio logo via Wikimedia Essanay Studios, via Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. https://img.chime.me/image/fs/chimeblog/20241124/16/original_f55bcb66-bd42-4ac2-8d82-c6f5691339c5.jpgBefore Hollywood rose to fame as the heart of moviemaking, the American film industry was taking shape in unexpected places like Chicago. One of the most influential studios of the silent era was Essanay Studios, founded in 1907 by George K. Spoor and Gilbert M. Anderson. Its name, derived from the phonetic pronunciation of “S and A,” became synonymous with innovation and creativity, producing films that laid the groundwork for modern cinema.Essanay’s stars in 1915: (From left to right) Francis X. Bushman, Charlie Chaplin, and studio co-owner and actor Billy Anderson. Photo via https://img.chime.me/image/fs/chimeblog/20241124/16/original_d4b58d9d-00be-4c8e-bbad-e0b2aab85734.jpg. Public Domain.Essanay’s Beginnings and InfluenceEssanay Studios was headquartered in Chicago, with a secondary studio in Niles, CA (now Fremont). It became a powerhouse in early filmmaking, known for producing Westerns, comedies, and dramas. Its influence extended far beyond Chicago and Niles, reaching places like San Diego, where it’s said that some of Essanay’s stars participated in events and garnered widespread recognition.Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 15, 2013 Essanay Film Studio Marker, West Coast via https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=63811San Diego played a unique role in the early film industry, with its picturesque landscapes and cultural landmarks serving as backdrops for some productions. During the 1915 Panama-California Exposition held in San Diego’s Balboa Park, silent film star Francis X. Bushman was reportedly crowned the “King of the Movies.” While this claim lacks direct documentation, Bushman’s overwhelming popularity supports the story’s plausibility.Embed from Getty ImagesBroncho Billy: The First Cowboy StarAnderson, one of Essanay’s co-founders, gained fame as “Broncho Billy,” the first major cowboy hero of the silver screen. His Broncho Billy series, the first Western franchise to gain mass appeal, established the genre as an American classic. These films showcased Anderson’s charisma and Essanay’s ability to captivate audiences with thrilling, action-packed stories.Embed from Getty ImagesChaplin at EssanayIn 1915, Essanay made history by signing Charlie Chaplin, then a rising star in silent comedy. During his brief tenure at the studio, Chaplin created 15 films that solidified his reputation as a comedic genius. Classics such as The Tramp and The Bank demonstrated a blend of humor and emotional depth that elevated the art of silent film. Although Chaplin left Essanay for Mutual Film Co. in 1916, his time there left an indelible mark on the studio’s legacy.Charlie Chaplin walking dejectedly down the road, in the last scene of his famous silent movie, The Tramp filmed in Niles, CA in 1915 via https://img.chime.me/image/fs/chimeblog/20241124/16/original_1acec0ac-ddbc-48c6-99ab-ffba17b9a3cb.jpg.Public Domain. The Stardom of Francis X. BushmanBushman, one of Essanay’s leading stars, became a cultural icon of the silent era. Dubbed “the handsomest man in the world,” Bushman captured the hearts of audiences with his striking looks and commanding screen presence. His performances in films like Romeo and Juliet (1916) and Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) showcased his versatility and dramatic depth.Bushman’s role as Messala in Ben-Hur is particularly memorable, with the actor later recalling the grueling preparation for the film’s legendary chariot race sequence. His dedication to his craft earned him a lasting legacy as one of the silent screen’s most celebrated stars.Video via YouTubeEssanay’s Decline and Enduring LegacyDespite its groundbreaking achievements, Essanay Studios closed its doors in 1918, unable to compete with the rising power of centralized Hollywood studios like Paramount and MGM. However, the studio’s contributions to early cinema remain significant. Its role in establishing the Western genre, fostering stars like Anderson and Bushman, and elevating silent comedy with Chaplin’s films helped shape the industry’s future.Francis X. Bushman in the American drama film Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925). Wid’s Weekly, via Wikimedia Commons. https://img.chime.me/image/fs/chimeblog/20241124/16/original_df168f9b-c2ca-492f-88ea-ae6d125fd40b.jpg. Public Domain.San Diego’s Connection to Silent FilmWhile Essanay’s primary operations were in Chicago and Niles, San Diego’s contribution to the burgeoning film industry cannot be overlooked. Its scenic beauty and events like the 1915 Panama-California Exposition highlighted the city as a cultural hub. Silent film icons like Bushman further cemented San Diego’s place in the history of early cinema.Video via YouTubeThrough stars such as Chaplin and Bushman, Essanay Studios helped define the silent era of film. Its pioneering work influenced the industry nationwide, bridging cities like Chicago, Niles, and San Diego, and setting the stage for Hollywood’s rise.Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is located in Freemont, CA. Photo via https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/?clh=5734806981181440&tv=5734806981181440&to=4892717213024256Today, Essanay’s legacy lives on through the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont. The museum preserves the studio’s history, showcasing films, artifacts, and memorabilia from its golden years.SourcesSan Diego History Center: 1915 Panama-California ExpositionBritannica: Essanay Film Manufacturing CompanyPopMatters: Francis X. Bushman’s Legacy in Silent CinemaNiles Essanay Silent Film Museum: History of Essanay StudiosCharlie Chaplin Archive: The Tramp and Essanay Studios

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‘Sandcastle Man’ to Build Sand Sculpture in Honor of ‘Moana 2’ Film

One of Bill Pavlacka’s artworks. He’s known as “The Sandcastle Man.” Photo credit: www.thesandcastleman.com/In honor of the upcoming release of Disney’s “Moana 2,” Bill Pavlacka or “The Sandcastle Man,” is building a three-dimensional sculpture out of sand on Mission Beach.He will start the project at 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, and anticipates it will be completed at noon.From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., visitors can receive free promotional items from the film – screening Wednesday – and view Pavlacka’s masterpiece.Go on an epic adventure with #Moana2, only in theaters November 27! #CheeHoo🪝 pic.twitter.com/EDHHsIaQnQ— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 8, 2024 Pavlacka, an award-winning artist, started his own business building sandcastles after work in the construction industry grew scarce, according to his website. Now he builds the sculptures for weddings, engagements, parties and other events.After being raised in New Jersey, the artist made his way to California where he spent time playing on San Diego beaches with his family and developed a skill for sand sculpting.It typically takes him two to three hours to complete a commission. He begins by finding a good spot of sand where there is no seaweed or obstructions, he said. He wets the sand and begins to build up, compacting it every 2-3 inches.He then starts at the top and carves a little at a time making his way to the bottom. He uses plastering tools during the process, but like any kid at the beach, he also digs and shapes with plastic forks and spoons and rakes and shovels.Pavlacka said he improvises a lot as he’s sculpting. For the Moana sculpture, he said there are certain details he needs to include so he has a rough sketch for reference. The more time he has to work, the more detail he’ll add, he said.He doesn’t typically build in honor of films, so this is a unique circumstance, but he has created works inspired by “Green Lantern” and “The Wizard of Oz.”Most of the time, he sculpts for fun. He’ll often go to the beach and shape random structures that say “happy birthday” or “happy anniversary,” so that people walking by who happen to be celebrating a big day can take pictures with it.“That makes me happy,” he said. He said his goal and hope for his art is to bring joy.A tip on spotting his work: He often sculpts in front of Hotel Del Coronado, his favorite place, he said.

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Blues Chanteuse ZZ Ward Brings ‘Dirty Sun’ Tour to Belly Up in Solana Beach

ZZ Ward. Photo by Charlie WardThe past few years have been a whirlwind of change for ZZ Ward, the powerhouse singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for her smoky voice and bluesy swagger. In that time, she became a mother twice over; parted ways with her longtime label, Hollywood Records; launched her own independent label, Dirty Shine Records; and, just last month, released new material, a six-song EP called Mother under exclusive license to the storied Sun Records.As you might imagine, the mini-album’s title is reflective of Ward’s introduction to parenting, and the challenging 24/7 commitment it presents.“When I first became a mom, I was totally overwhelmed,” she shares by phone, as her tour bus rolls toward Missoula, Montana. “I was like, ‘Whoa! This is crazy! The life I knew before having my son was gone.”Ward, who brings her Dirty Sun tour to the Belly Up in Solana Beach on Nov. 22, is quick to add that the journey has also been transformative. “I love being a mom. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life without question. But, when we’re talking about the blues, that’s that safe space where I get to talk about the struggle that I’m feeling.”The 38-year-old LA-based artist found herself at a crossroads in 2021, when she split with Hollywood Records after a decade, during which she released two studio albums and three EPs.“It was a pivotal time for me where it was like, ‘How do I keep my music going?’ I really felt like that safety net of having a major label wasn’t there anymore, and I was scared,” she reflects. “I was like, ‘I love music and want to keep going, but I don’t know how to do this.’”With her husband and longtime collaborator, GRAMMY-winning producer Evan Kidd Bogart, by her side, Ward took a leap of faith. “We’re just going to go for it,” she says, recalling when they decided to launch their own label. “We’re going to put out music that we’ve always wanted to put out, I’m going to go on the road, and I’m going to make these music videos to go alongside the songs. It became an empowering part of my career.”In late 2023, Ward released her first full-length on Dirty Shine Records, a 14-song album aptly named Dirty Shine. Critically acclaimed, the album deftly blended blues-rock and hip-hop, and featured collaborations with Aloe Blacc, Vic Mensa, and Jean Deaux. Ward also worked with talented guitarist Ryan Spraker to co-write the catchy song “Friends Like These.”“When I talked to him in the studio during that session, I realized he has a very deep knowledge of the blues and soul music,” Ward says of Spraker. “I never forgot that. So, I told him I really feel like you’re the person who can help me create this new album, and we started writing the songs and recording (Mother).”The new Spraker-produced EP, a return to Ward’s bluesy roots, begins with the raw honesty of “Mother,” in which she sings, If you think you might break/Then you can relate to the brand new mother in me. She also puts a new spin on two of her beloved songs — “Put the Gun Down” and “Lil Darlin,” both from her 2012 debut Til the Casket Drops — and pays homage to three of her favorite Sun Records hits, including Elvis Presley’s “My Baby Left Me.”Ward shares that the partnership with Sun Records felt serendipitous. “I grew up going to thrift stores with my dad and him showing me the Sun label on vinyls and telling me all about Sun Records. So, (when they called to express interest), it was a no-brainer.”The second leg of Ward’s Dirty Sun tour will continue until April 2025, but that’s not the big news she unveils on our call. “I’m putting out an album next year,” she reveals. “I’m really excited. I’m just in love with this new album. I’m so proud of it and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”Acknowledging that this is the first time she has talked about this with media, Ward adds that it will be a blues and soul album slated for release in March, and that she’ll play a couple of new tunes to appear on the forthcoming album at her live shows.“I love the music I’m making right now,” she says. “It just feels like home for me. I finally have the freedom to create the music that I really love and want to make.”Donovan Roche, a San Diego-based writer and editor, has covered the music, entertainment and arts scene for more than 30 years. Send your story ideas to droche617@gmail.com.

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