Since we have a bit of an international community here, I'm wondering if anyone has been to old movie stores and has seen these?
I'm looking for films from the 1910-1912 area (yes, silent). Directed by Lawrence (Larry) Trimble and all starred his dog, Jean (a,k,a, The Vitagraph Dog). I've been unable to locate anything here, even on the internet but south Florida is very lacking in "vintage" stores.
Jean was the very first canine movie star (sorry Rin Tin Tin and Lassie, even Larry's second dog, Strongheart has you beat). IMO Larry quickly got involved with a very young industry (motion pictures) and was the pioneer with "dog star" movies. Sadly, when Larry died his entire movie catalog "disappeared" but one movie has turned up - "A Solder's Sacrifice" (turned up in Italy decades ago).
I haven't started to look for Strongheart movies yet but I'm sure these will be easier to find (I hope). Strongheart was the very first "Canine hero" star. ou can rest assured that Rinty and Lassie might not have existed if it wasn't for these two.
Larry was also a pioneer in another area - service dogs. When he retired in 1925 he trained guide dogs for the blind. Since the first seeing eye dog was given to a blind person in the mid 1930's it is a safe assumption that Larry had something to do with it.
If any of you find yourselves in a vintage store (I think a few people here frequent record stores?) please be on the lookout for these films. They're from a company called "Vitagraph" but it might be under Warner Brothers since they purchased the Vitagraph company back in 1926 (yes, I have contacted Warner Brothers). If you see any, please let me know (including the store's information). Within the USA would be preferable but Larry did travel to England to start his own company (which folded due to the start of "the Great War" (World War I).
I'm looking for films from the 1910-1912 area (yes, silent). Directed by Lawrence (Larry) Trimble and all starred his dog, Jean (a,k,a, The Vitagraph Dog). I've been unable to locate anything here, even on the internet but south Florida is very lacking in "vintage" stores.
Jean was the very first canine movie star (sorry Rin Tin Tin and Lassie, even Larry's second dog, Strongheart has you beat). IMO Larry quickly got involved with a very young industry (motion pictures) and was the pioneer with "dog star" movies. Sadly, when Larry died his entire movie catalog "disappeared" but one movie has turned up - "A Solder's Sacrifice" (turned up in Italy decades ago).
I haven't started to look for Strongheart movies yet but I'm sure these will be easier to find (I hope). Strongheart was the very first "Canine hero" star. ou can rest assured that Rinty and Lassie might not have existed if it wasn't for these two.
Larry was also a pioneer in another area - service dogs. When he retired in 1925 he trained guide dogs for the blind. Since the first seeing eye dog was given to a blind person in the mid 1930's it is a safe assumption that Larry had something to do with it.
If any of you find yourselves in a vintage store (I think a few people here frequent record stores?) please be on the lookout for these films. They're from a company called "Vitagraph" but it might be under Warner Brothers since they purchased the Vitagraph company back in 1926 (yes, I have contacted Warner Brothers). If you see any, please let me know (including the store's information). Within the USA would be preferable but Larry did travel to England to start his own company (which folded due to the start of "the Great War" (World War I).
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