Tag Archives: essanay

Silent Chicago: The Little Colonel Meets Poe: Henry B. Walthall at Essanay: The Chicago Silent Era (Part 5)

  The Little Colonel Meets Poe: Henry B. Walthall at Essanay Henry B. Walthall is widely remembered today for his performance as The Little Colonel in D.W. Griffith’s controversial “The Birth of a Nation,” and for his work under Griffith … Continue reading

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Silent Chicago: S & A and the Windy City: The Chicago Silent Era (Part 4)

  S & A and the Windy City Though not the first film studio to be built and based in Chicago, Essanay grew to be one of the largest and most popular of the Chicago-based studios. The sheer number of … Continue reading

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Silent Chicago: A Star is Born – Gloria Swanson at Essanay

  A Star is Born – Gloria Swanson at Essanay “You ought to screen wonderfully, if you don’t screen terribly,” the director challenged the young woman touring the studio. The petite young girl was not intimidated. “Try me,” she fired … Continue reading

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Silent Chicago: Charlie Chaplin at Essanay

Charlie Chaplin at Essanay A celebratory dance and a hefty paycheck signaled the start of Charlie Chaplin’s stay with the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, but his year-and-a-half stay with the studio produced more than that. It was the start of … Continue reading

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