Bridgeport Film Industry (cont'd) Director Edward Jose and The Light that Failed

To:  National Film Preservation Foundation;

Thank you for the extensive and detailed information.  Some of the "Light that Failed" was filmed here in Bridgeport, CT.  If a copy of the film can be found
and preserved, I would be interested in showing the film at a local old time, landmark theatre here in Bridgeport.



Elaine M. George

On Fri, Jun 29, 2012 at 11:00 PM, -------------- wrote:


Dear Ms. George,

Thank you for your inquiry. We were unable to find any information about The Last Light, though Edward José did direct a 1916 film titled The Light That Failed, which seems to be lost.  A filmography for José can be found here: http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/SearchResult.aspx?s=1&retailCheck=&Type=PN&CatID=DATABIN_DIRECTOR&ID=44732&AN_ID=&searchedFor=Edward_Jos%C3%A9_

Regarding Astra films, the 7 minute exhibitors reel for the Astra serial Hands Up can be found on the DVD set More Treasures From American Film Archives. For a list of the company’s surviving films, please consult the list reproduced below. The curator for More Treasures is currently on vacation, but when he returns I can ask him if he knows of any reference sources for the company.
Best Wishes,


Programs Assistant
National Film Preservation Foundation
870 Market Street, Suite 1113
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-392-7291 x302





FI:           WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF PIP, SQUEAK AND WILFRED, THE (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           WILFRED'S WONDERFUL ADVENTURES (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           WILFRED'S NIGHTMARE (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           WHAT HAPPENED TO SQUEAK? (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           WAIFS (US, Albert Parker, 1918)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Hulette, Gladys; Hale, Creighton; Gilmore (Gilmour), John H.; Hiers, Walter
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           UPS AND DOWNS (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           TROUBLE IN THE NURSERY (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           TREASURE HUNTERS, THE (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           [TIGER'S TRAIL. UNIDENTIFIED EPISODE, THE] (US, Paul C. Hurst, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Larkin, George; Roland, Ruth
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           TIGER'S TRAIL, EPISODE 03. THE HUMAN CHAIN, THE (US, Robert Ellis, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           [THIRD EYE. UNIDENTIFIED CHAPTER, THE] (US, James Wesley Horne, 1920)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; Percy, Eileen
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           SIX-ARMED IMAGE, THE (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           [SHIELDING SHADOW. UNIDENTIFIED CHAPTER, THE] (US, Louis J. Gasnier & Donald MacKenzie, 1916)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Darmond, Grace; Kellard, Ralph
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 14, THE TOWER OF DEATH, THE (US, Donald Mackenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Hale, Creighton; Bary, Léon
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 12, BURIED ALIVE, THE (US, Donald MacKenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Hale, Creighton; King, Mollie; Buckley, Floyd; Barry, Leon; Sell, Henry G.; Dunn, John J.
AR:         National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 11, GEMS OF JEOPARDY, THE (US, Donald Mackenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Hale, Creighton; Bary, Léon
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 08, THE MAN TRAP, THE (US, Donald MacKenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Hale, Creighton; King, Mollie; Buckley, Floyd; Barry, Leon; Sell, Henry G.; Dunn, John J.
AR:         National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 07, THE FALSE PEARL, THE (US, Donald Mackenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Hale, Creighton; Bary, Léon
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 04, AMID THE CLOUDS, THE (US, Donald MacKenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Hale, Creighton; King, Mollie; Buckley, Floyd; Barry, Leon; Sell, Henry G.; Dunn, John J.
AR:         National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 03, THE AIR PERIL, THE (US, Donald MacKenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Hale, Creighton; King, Mollie; Buckley, Floyd; Barry, Leon; Sell, Henry G.; Dunn, John J.
AR:         National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           SEVEN PEARLS. CHAPTER 01, THE SULTAN'S NECKLACE, THE (US, Donald Mackenzie, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Hale, Creighton; Bary, Léon
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           ROMANCE OF OLD BAGHDAD, A (UK, Kenelm Foss, 1922)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           RECOIL, THE (US, George Fitzmaurice, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Courtenay, William; Greuze, Lillian; Belcher, Frank; Adams, Dora Mills; Raymond, William
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; Museum of Modern Art (New York) [USM]

FI:           POPSKI'S EARLY LIFE (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           PIP AND WILFRED DETECTIVES (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           PER ARDUA AD ASTRA (UK, 1929)
PC:         British Screen Productions
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 15, THE COLONEL'S ORDERLY (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Kellard, Ralph; White, Pearl; Wayne, Marie; Friebus, Theodore; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd
AR:         Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 14, THE FLAG DESPOILER (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Kellard, Ralph; White, Pearl; Wayne, Marie; Friebus, Theodore; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 13, MODERN BUCCANEERS (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Kellard, Ralph; White, Pearl; Wayne, Marie; Friebus, Theodore; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd
AR:         National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 12, THE FOREIGN ALLIANCE (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Friebus, Theodore; White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Wayne, Marie; Buckley, Floyd; Carleton, William T.
AR:         Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 11, A MILLION VOLUNTEERS (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Friebus, Theodore; White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Wayne, Marie; Buckley, Floyd; Carleton, William T.
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 10, THE SILENT ARMY (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Friebus, Theodore; Wayne, Marie; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd; Cuny, Joe
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 09, THE MONROE DOCTRINE (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Friebus, Theodore; Wayne, Marie; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd; Cuny, Joe
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 08, INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Friebus, Theodore; Wayne, Marie; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd; Cuny, Joe
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 07, FOR THE STARS AND STRIPES (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Friebus, Theodore; Wayne, Marie; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd; Cuny, Joe
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 06, MAJOR BRENT'S PERFIDY (US, Edward José, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Wayne, Marie; Buckley, Floyd; Friebus, Theodore; Carleton, William T.
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 05, SOMEWHERE IN GRENADA (US, Edward José, 1916)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Wayne, Marie; Buckley, Floyd; Friebus, Theodore; Carleton, William T.
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 04, WAR CLOUDS (US, Edward José, 1916)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Friebus, Theodore; Wayne, Marie; Carleton, William T.; Buckley, Floyd; Cuny, Joe
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 03, THE SILENT MENACE (US, Edward José, 1916)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Wayne, Marie; Buckley, Floyd; Friebus, Theodore; Carleton, William T.
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 02, FOUND GUILTY (US, Edward José, 1916)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Wayne, Marie; Buckley, Floyd; Friebus, Theodore; Carleton, William T.
AR:         Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]; George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]

FI:           PEARL OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER 01, THE TRAITOR (US, Edward José, 1916)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Friebus, Theodore; White, Pearl; Kellard, Ralph; Wayne, Marie; Buckley, Floyd; Carleton, William T.
AR:         George Eastman House (Rochester) [USR]; National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; Cinémathèque Française (Paris) [FRC]

FI:           OVER THE EDGE OF THE WORLD (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           ON-THE-SQUARE GIRL, THE (US, George Fitzmaurice, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Lytton, L. Rogers; Dalmores, Aimee; Hall, Donald; Lawford, Ernest; Tucker, Richard
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           NO. 5 JOHN STREET (UK, Kenelm Foss, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           NEARING HOME (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           [MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. UNIDENTIFIED CHAPTERS] (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
AR:         Academy Film Archive (Beverly Hills) [USF]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 15, THE DOUBLE CROSS (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 14, THE HIDDEN BRAND (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 13, THE FACE OF THE STRANGER (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 12, THE RIDDLE OF THE CROSS (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 11, LOVE'S SACRIFICE (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 10, THE HOLE-IN-THE-WALL (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 09, WHEN JAILBIRDS FLY (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 08, THE STRANGER DISPOSES (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 07, INTO THIN AIR (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 06, THE DEAD COME TO LIFE (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 05, THE LIFE CURRENT (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 04, KIDNAPPED (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 03, AN HOUR TO LIVE (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 02, THE MASKED STRANGER (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry; Stuart, Ralph
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           MYSTERY OF THE DOUBLE CROSS. CHAPTER 01, THE LADY IN NUMBER 7 (US, William Parke, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         King, Mollie; Bary, Léon; Stuart, Ralph; James, Gladden; Friebus, Theodore; Fraser, Harry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           [LIGHTNING RAIDER. UNIDENTIFIED CHAPTERS, THE] (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]; Academy Film Archive (Beverly Hills) [USF]

FI:           LIGHTNING RAIDER. CHAPTER 14, CLEARED OF GUILT, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry; Redman, Frank
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           LIGHTNING RAIDER. CHAPTER 13, THE WHITE ROSES, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry; Redman, Frank
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           LIGHTNING RAIDER. CHAPTER 11, THE BARS OF DEATH, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry; Redman, Frank
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           LIGHTNING RAIDER. CHAPTER 08, CAVE OF DREAD, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           LIGHTNING RAIDER. CHAPTER 06, THE MYSTIC BOX, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry; Redman, Frank
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]; UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           LIGHTNING RAIDER. CHAPTER 03, UNDERWORLD TERRORS, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry; Redman, Frank
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           LIGHTNING RAIDER. CHAPTER 02, THE COUNTERPLOT, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1919)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Oland, Warner; White, Pearl; Gsell, Henry; Redman, Frank
AR:         Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           HUNTING OF THE HAWK, THE (US, George Fitzmaurice, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Courtenay, William; Snow, Marguerite; Clugston, Robert
AR:         National Archives of Canada (Ottawa) [CAO]; Library of Congress (Washington) [USW]

FI:           HOUSE OF PERIL, THE (UK, Kenelm Foss, 1922)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           HOUSE OF HATE. EPISODE 02, THE TIGER'S EYE, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1918)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Moreno, Antonio; Gilmore (Gilmour), John H.; Shanor, Peggy; Clerget, Paul; Dillon, John Webb; Buckley, Floyd; Hoffman, Ruby; Wolheim, Louis; Cuny, Joe; Panzer, Paul W.
AR:         Gosfilmofond of Russia (Moscow) [RUR]

FI:           HOUSE OF HATE. EPISODE 01, THE HOODED TERROR, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1918)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         White, Pearl; Moreno, Antonio; Gilmore (Gilmour), John H.; Shanor, Peggy; Clerget, Paul; Dillon, John Webb; Buckley, Floyd; Hoffman, Ruby; Wolheim, Louis; Cuny, Joe; Panzer, Paul W.
AR:         Gosfilmofond of Russia (Moscow) [RUR]

FI:           HANDS UP (PROMO REEL FOR EXHIBITORS) (US, 1918)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Chesebro, George; Roland, Ruth
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           HANDS UP (US, James Wesley Horne, 1918)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.; Pathé Exchange, Inc.
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           GIRL FROM BOHEMIA, THE (US, Lawrence McGill, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
AR:         Arhiva Nationala de Filme (Bucuresti) [ROB]; Archives du Film du CNC (Bois d'Arcy) [FRB]

FI:           FIRST LAW, THE (US, Lawrence McGill, 1918)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           FEMME DE L'EMBUSQUÉ, LA (US, 1918)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Hulette, Gladys; Hale, Creighton
AR:         Archives du Film du CNC (Bois d'Arcy) [FRB]

FI:           [FATAL RING. UNIDENTIFIED CHAPTER, THE] (US, George B. Seitz, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
CA:         Foxe, Earle; White, Pearl; Oland, Warner; Buckley, Floyd; Gravina, Cesare; Hoffman, Ruby; Sell, Henry G.; Ferguson, Mattie
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           FATAL RING, THE (US, George B. Seitz, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
AR:         UCLA Film and Television Archive (Los Angeles) [USL]

FI:           CATCHING THE SEASIDE TRAIN (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           CASTAWAYS, THE (UK, Lancelot Speed, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           BREED OF THE TRESHAMS, THE (UK, Kenelm Foss, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           ANGEL FACTORY, THE (US, Lawrence McGill, 1917)
PC:         Astra Film Corp.
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]

FI:           ALL ROADS LEAD TO CALVARY (UK, Kenelm Foss, 1921)
PC:         Astra Films
CA:         Grey, Minna; Burleigh, Bertram
AR:         bfi/National Film and Television Archive (London) [GBB]


From: Elaine George [mailto:egeorge@caa.columbia.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 9:18 AM
To: info@filmpreservation.org
Subject: Silent Film: The Last Light, Director: Edward Jose, Year: 1916


A) I would like to find a copy of this film, if possible?



Have you any suggestions?







B) Edward Jose, the Director, worked with Astra Films and Astra Film Corporation.



What would be the best reference source to research historical information about Astra Films?







Elaine M. George











 Reply

 Forward

Bridgeport Film Industry (cont'd)

Considering the silent film from 1916 "The Last Light" was probably the first official movie where Bridgeport, CT was used as a filming location, I began leafing through the Library of Congress Archives for films by the director Edward Jose.  Evidently, "The Last Light" was not among the small number of films archived for Mr. Jose.  He directed many films between 1914 and 1930 (he died in 1930 or 1931 in Nice, France) including the well known silent era "Perils of Pauline".  According to available data sources, approximately 90-95% of the films he directed cannot be found:

http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/companies/A/astraFilmCorp.html

So, my next stop was the National Library of France.  Edward Jose worked in conjunction with Pathe Exchange to release and distribute his films in New York City and elsewhere.  Pathe Exchange was a French film distibution company with offices in New York City and France. 
 
The was also some film distribution via Hal Roach Studio, Culver City, CA.  The name Astra Film Studios is also associated with Edward Jose.  There is also an obscure reference to a Skania film distribution company.

The idea occurred that if  copy of the film could be found, a film festival at the Bijou Theatre in downtown Bridgeport would be a great place to feature the film!

Fayerweather Lighthouse

http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/blackrk.htm
Much of the lighthouse history has been documented: 


http://lighthouse.cc/fayerweather/history.html

If you scroll through the above link, there is a photo of the old wooden
lighthousekeepers house.  In the 1960's and early 1970's an elderly man and
his elderly wife lived in the old house.  No one seems to know their identity.
The last official lighthouskeeper was in the 1930's.

I used to see the elderly couple working around the outside of the old house during the
summers while taking walks on the breakers to go out to the lighthouse in grammar school and
high school.  The identity of this elderly couple is a missing piece of Bridgeport history.

Bridgeport Film Industry

Many notable movies have been filmed in Bridgeport.  The first movie which is listed as being filmed in Bridgeport is a 1916 silent film by director Edward Jose:  The Light that Failed.  The film is based on Rudyard Kipling's first novel published in 1890.  Story of a painter losing eye sight and the intra and interpersonal struggles that ensue.  Apparently, this 1916 gem has been lost. Scenes were documented as being filmed at Fayerweather Lighthouse at Seaside Park.

There was a remake in 1940, however, Bridgeport was not a film site.

Pequonnock River Algae Survey-Smithsonian Institute

Issac Holden was a Bridgeport, CT resident from 1878 to 1903.  He was an officer of the Walker and Wheeler Company during those years.  Holden also was a famous algologist and worked closely with Francis Drouet a world famous algologist who started the National Herbarium which is part of the Smithsonian.  Holden studied the algae of the Pequonnock River between the 1880's and 1903.  He took algae samples and sent them to Francis Drouet.  Many of these algae are summarized in my slide show which follows:


http://www.slideshow.com/users/egeorge/pequonnock-river-algae-years-1889-1899-1316885835

Some of the algae can be referenced in the virtual herbarium library at the University of  Connecticut.
Also, the National Herbarium in Washington D. C. has an archive search to view information about various types of algae:  http://collections.mnh.si.edu/search/botany/?ti=3

Issac Holden's obituary is posted:  http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/pba/pba_holden.html
Unfortunately, Holden died in 1903 and apparently was not able to complete any additional work along the Pequonnock River.  Holden was the President of the Bridgeport Scientific Society for 8 years. 

The Bridgeport Post - Notable Editor

September 28, 2011

TO:  LIBRARIANS

       BRIDGEPORT Historical Center

       Bridgeport, CT

RE:  John Shaw Billings-Editor Time-Life Magazine

While researching historic letters of General Lafayette, I found this in the Billings family archives:

University of South Carolina Rare Library Collection:

20. Manuscript volume bound, June-July 1920.

     - Clippings from Bridgeport Telegram

          (Bridgeport, Conn.) "My first newspaper endeavours."

Apparently, he was once an editor for the Telegram.  His father (same name) was the first librarian of the New York Public Library and a surgeon who was instrumental in organizing the National Library of Medicine in the 1800’s.

Sincerely

Elaine M. George

Bridgeport, CT and Santa Fe, NM

Knights' Antiquities

Postscript:  In this mid 2000 years, I did contact the American Legion Museum in Washington, DC.  The librarian to whom I spoke by telephone indicated that no antiquities of this type had ever been catalogued into the museum archives.

Knights’ Antiquities in the American Legion Hall

At the age of 6 and 7 years old in 1963 and 1964, I was enrolled in a girl’s ballet and tap dance school at the American Legion Hall, Post 111.  The old building was on Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, CT across from City Hall and located between the Eisenhower Center and the Methodist Church on the corner.  The ballet lessons were held in the basement of the hall on Saturday mornings.  The ballerina was a young Russian woman.  She instructed students visually by demonstration of ballet techniques.  I do not ever recall the ballerina speaking to the class and students.  The Comer sisters ran the dance school and one of them played piano during the classes.

My youthful and ultimately lifelong passion was sports not ballet.  However, while enrolled in the ballet and tap program, I was fascinated by the glass cases full of knight’s antiquities which were in the front lobby or entryway of the building.  These antiquities preoccupied me during that time.  The swords , shields, and helmets entreated my young warrior girl personality.  There were many other knights’ accoutrements in the collection.  A full coat of armor and helmet stood in the lobby entry, also.  I had not yet read Mark Twain’s novel Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.  (I read the book later on in 8^th grade English class at Blackham School.  Mrs. Tripoli, the teacher assigned more than one Mark Twain book to read.)

After approximately one year of lessons and a formal ballet recital at the Klein Memorial auditorium, I stopped taking ballet and tap lessons.  Grew-up and went away to college, lived and worked out of town and State.  On one Thankgiving weekend holiday many years ago, I was in Bridgeport for the holiday weekend.

Decided to go down to the old American Legion Hall that Saturday night of the holiday weekend.  Honestly, for many years of my subsequent youth, teenage, and young adult life, I had forgotten about the hall and antiquities.  As an adult, I recognized the original collection had to very valuable, i. e., all museum-quality.  This did not occur to me as a child.  Yet, what was equally important to me as I stood in front of the boarded-up American Legion Hall in the evening darkness was how did the antiquities get into the hall in the first place and what happened to the antiquities?  This was November 1996.  The hall building was dilapidated, boarded-up, and obviously there would be no valuable antiquities in the now vacant building.  This building reflected the typical state of downtown Bridgeport, CT.

I left town again for academic and professional reasons and returned again 3 years later.  I started my inquiry with the Connecticut State American Legion Hall office in Rocky Hill, CT.  They gave me the name of the name of the old post commander, Robert Larsen (son) of Trumbull, CT.  I found a telephone number in the phone book and called him with the introduction that I had obtained his name from the State office.  He told me he had been the primary post official during those years 1960’s ….and mentioned that only himself and one other post veteran were still alive.  Everyone else from the post had died.  He also mentioned that he had been the permittee for the post and original building on Golden Hill Street.  I explained that I had taken ballet and tap lessons at the hall as a young girl.  He acknowledged that he remembered the dance school and that his wife had taken dance lessons, also. I openly asked him if he knew what happened to the knights’ antiquities from the front lobby.  He seemed to expect the question. 

He answered that the antiquities disappeared through the years while the old building was operational.  To paraphrase Mr. Larsen “oh, some of the things may have been stolen” ….(Read through the line- “all not some”)  I did not ask him how the antiquities happened to be in the original building since some of this is self-evident.  The conversation was fairly brief and I thanked him for his time.  He never asked me why I was looking for the antiquities.  (year 2005 or 2006).

Prior to the telephone conversation with Mr. Larsen I called the American Legion Museum in Washington and spoke with one of their librarians.  I told the person  about the antiquities and asked if they had any records of the items in their library and museum?  The librarian stated that there was nothing like that in their records and that nothing like that had ever been catalogued in their museum.

The current Post 111 meeting site was at that time (2005-2006) was a small building in Trumbull, CT which was a meeting spot for the Elk’s Club. The Connecticut State office had given me this information, also.  I drove over there one afternoon and looked in the window of the building.  Certainly, there were no antiquities in this one room building.  There was nothing but card tables.  There was an enclosed storage area underneath the building, but I could not see into this area.

So, the extensive collection of extreme value disappeared.  My impetus in locating these antiquities is to return them to the countries from where they originated.  Hence, my friends Percival and Guenivere I will continue the search….

Elaine M. George

Bridgeport, CT