classic films | ARLISS ARCHIVES

Our New George Arliss Book

I’m happy to announce my new book, A Faustian Pact: George Arliss and his $4.8 Million Lawsuit. This is a courtroom drama that I had heard about, but I thought I’d never write it due to a lack of material. But lo and behold I came across a transcript of the 1917 trial online with the verbatim testimony of all the witnesses, including the defendant, director Herbert Brenon, plus the sparing between legal counsel, and an increasing lack of patience from the judge. A fun read with a very satisfying ending. Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback. If you belong to Kindle Unlimited you can read it for free.

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on July 21, 2023 at 10:24 AM Comments (2)
Tags: classic films, Court Trials, Film Directors, film stars, George Arliss, hollywood, theater stars

Gala Hollywood Premiere for THE HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD – March 14, 1934

Grauman’s Chinese Theater was the place to be on the night of March 14, 1934. The occasion was the Grand Premiere of THE HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD and the Hollywood celebrities of the day turned out. Studios moguls Darryl Zanuck, Louis B. Mayer, Sam Goldwyn, and even old Carl Laemmele of Universal Pictures were among those attending. Lots of movie stars too, some of whom I can’t quite identify but maybe you can. They are treated like royalty regardless.

Of course, the center of attention was the film’s star – George Arliss. Here is Mr. A being flanked by Darryl Zanuck on the left and Sid Grauman on the right. The color is by Moi:

rothschild-premiere_zanuck_grauman_final

The scenes you are about to see is “raw” footage and in some cases catch the same action from two different camera angles. There is no sound but you can clearly see attendees speaking into a microphone, strongly suggesting a live radio broadcast. The white-haired gentleman who seems to be the radio host is veteran actor Lawrence Grant, who was apparently “moonlighting” when he wasn’t making films. Mr. A gives him a big handshake. I have added captions to note various individuals that I could recognize. I added a music track starting with the opening music of the film itself.

arliss-sign

A conceit of your blogmeister: through the magic of Photoshop I am taking the place of Sid Grauman in the photo from above. A little bit of time travel:

hollywood-sign

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on November 1, 2016 at 9:46 PM Comments (1)
Tags: classic films, Darryl Zanuck, film, George Arliss, history, hollywood, movies, The House of Rothschild

ARLISS ALERT! Mr. A’s Academy Award Winner DISRAELI on TCM on Friday, Feb. 1st at 7:30 AM Eastern Time

George Arliss received the Best Actor Academy Award for his 1929 film, DISRAELI, where he portrayed the legendary British prime minister of the 1870s. An early talkie, this story is surprisingly topical in that it focuses on Disraeli’s quest to purchase the Suez Canal for Britain. Opposed by other politicians and sabotaged by spies from Russia, the wily prime minister contrives to buy the Canal only to discover he lacks the money to pay for it! How’s George Arliss going to get out of this one? Tune in and see!

“Disraeli (1929)“is playing on TCM on Fri, February 01, 2013 07:30 AM est.

Doris Lloyd plays the charming socialite Mrs. Travers, who is actually a Russian spy:
Arl Lloyd1_Final Final