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!
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