OCEAN LINERS co-organized by the Peabody Essex Museum and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum closes October 9, 2017. The exhibition opens at the Victoria & Albert in February and continues through June 10, 2018.
There’s still time to catch one of the best shows of the year before it sails to London! Forget the theme and be ready to be continually swept off your feet by a who’s who of 20th century art and design, history, and one of a kind surprises (spoiler alert photographs of the installation below). Ocean Liners at the Peabody Essex Museum is high art with loans from important collections worldwide, well curated, and supremely installed. Its genesis stems from collector Stephen Lash and curators from the Peabody Essex Museum and London’s Victoria and Albert.
I was reminded of great design shows at MoMa and influential Modernism fairs during the 1980s at the Armory.
NEWS FLASH – More than 1000 works of art from the collection of Stephen Lash, Peabody Essex Museum overseer, were gifted to the museum and announced this week through this exhibition.
If you only have time for one work, make it the Spencer.
STANLEY SPENCER Riveters from the epic cycle Shipbuilding on the Clyde, 1941, in the collection of the Imperial War Museums, London. I have never seen one of these Spencers in person–what a surprise to find it here!
The photo above illustrates the left corner of the Spencer mural: it’s so vast you need to use a video to capture its mind boggling composition and entirety.
Spencer’s studies included field sketches unfurled on toilet paper–useful, cheap, and lengthy matrix:
The exhibition spotlights the FINEST EXTANT TITANIC CARVING FRAGMENT (arch at the threshold of the recital lounge), ca.1911, from the collection of Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax Nova Scotia Museum.
Jan Matulka from Norfolk Southern collection | David and Susan Goode:
There are many standouts in this exhibition
photographs September 2017 (click to enlarge and see descriptions)
Photographs/short video clips from my visit September 2017. Gloucester’s Zach Gorrell is a participating musician for the LIVE pianist performances. Alex Olsen playing when I was there.
Breathtaking corner vignette, exhibition pause, includes *gasp* wow poster and Winsor McCay silent film sinking of Lusitania ” 25,000 drawings had to be made and photographed one at a time…” see film clips below
from the museum:
sponsors = “Fiduciary Trust Company is the lead sponsor and Eaton Vance Management is a major sponsor. The exhibition is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Carolyn and Peter S. Lynch and The Lynch Foundation provided generous support. The East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum provided additional support.”
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Scenes from last evening’s night at the auction. Great fun and success!
Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library annual art auction takes place every October. Pictures from the 2017 preview installation. The Art Advisory Committee and a big team of volunteers does a fantastic job fostering community, boosting artists and fundraising. The artists are generous. It’s a great month to join or renew your Sawyer Free membership. They’re currently ‘friend’raising. Sign up and join here. Oct. 15-21, 2017 is the 12th annual National Friends of Libraries Week
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This Columbus Day, discover a unique shopping experience. A large array of artisans converge on Annisquam’s historic Village Hall offering handcrafted, one-of-a-kind goods for sale. Perfect gift ideas for the holidays! What you’ll find: jewelry, paintings, textiles, glasswork, painted silk scarves, baby clothing, wooden toys, paper goods, ornaments, chocolates, and so much more!
Kid Friendly
Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8th, 2017
10:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
Annisquam Arts & Craft Show
Hosted by Annisquam Arts & Crafts Show
36 Leonard Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
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From our friend Walt Kolenda from Cape Ann Auctions:
I have a great auction coming up! It’s probably my best quality sale since I’ve been on the island!
So I’m hoping that you can post this article in GMG this week
For more info and last minute additions to this auction, go to
Jewelry,Coins & related incl: 18k gold Tiger’s Eye ring, 14k gold Peridot ring, 14k gold Lapis ring, 10k gold star sapphire ring other 10k gold rings, antique Sterling Silver Argent Dore lady’s watch with exquisite enamel work, beautiful quartz slice pendant w/ mountains over cacti, Turquoise Fish pin by Native American artist Lopacki, lots of costume jewelry incl; rhinestones, pins earrings etc, silver half dollars, sterling proofs, US, Israel & other mint sets, art nouveau era WWI bronze medals incl: Merci bronze medal by Pierre Alexander, 1920 Feriam Sidera plaque by Paul Marcel Dammann, Bronze GAR medal of Abe Lincoln, 1919 WWI Bronze Alsace Stork, many pieces of sterling silver incl heavy relief serving pcs, Wallace sea-shell bowl, Victorian era sterling baby rattle/whistle, early tongs, button hooks and much more, several old stamp albums & a lot of 200 + First Day Covers, lots of antique Gloucester MA & Cape Ann Postcards.
Unusual/Random –Rare Baseball Batter at Bat Weathervane purchased in the 1960s, but made when? Excellent Victorian box w/ intricate marquetry, beautiful hand-carved box w/ Peacock on cover, Boxed Models Lindberg, B-58 Plane, WWI Artillery kit, half-hull model of the Gloucester MA pinky Ardelle, large antique Asian bronze incense burner w/ figure mounted on Stag. Stag has jade eyes. (one horn damaged) lots of ephemera, pretty girl advertising blotters from 1920s, postcards of Boston/Fenway Park, tourist booklets, antique photo scrapbook, bronze sailboat art deco ashtray, 3 Graces brass lamp, Antique Fisherman brass doorstop, hand carved Turkish Meerschaum pipe, Man at the Wheel bookends, pair antique Perko boat lights (as found), antique surveyor’s transit, Pair of mid-century lamps 1962 Creative corp Quartite, 4×6 Native American rug, 2 Perthshire milifiori paperweights, 2 glass whale paperweights, unusual high quality custom Bird’s Eye Maple stand, Red oriental style coffee table, 5 Thoren’s Swiss Music boxes in working condition, beautifully painted folk art stool, Carved leather Native American mask, several cast iron toys, an awesome pair of Steampunk spectacles with cobalt lenses, 7.5” burl wood vase, pair of slate top end tables, 8 Day Seth Thomas Mantle Clock circa 1900 (working), Fisherman Bookends, Cool Chrome Robot Belt Buckle, Harley Davidson Buckle & others, Mini-Shakespeare leather-bound books, Several lots of antique/vintgage camerals ncl: editing camera w/Schneider-Kreuznach lenses, No.1 Kodak Jr box cameras, Bee Bee, Kodak A-22, Kodak no.2 Ansco Flash Clipper. Box lots, tray lots etc!
Art incl: Pair of Karl Sterrer repousse allegorical poly-chrome neo-classic sculptures 11×22 in gold gilt frames, 3 Excellent Eleanor Parsons Custis Photographs, George Wainright Harvey orig. watercolor painting, signed & dated 1886, 4 Edward Harvey Orig. watercolor paintings of Twin Lights Thatcher Island Rockport MA dated 1895, Sailboat in cove w/ lobster trap circa 1890s,Sailboat on sandbar w/ sails down, circa 19th century, w/c 10×18” boats by boathouse, 1940s framed Vargas Girl calendar prints, intricate hand done antique Asian needlepoint, Folly Cove placemat “Baked Bean Supper 1954, Southwestern Statue by Austin productions 36” tall, small Native American art/rug gulls over mountains, David Tava carved 15” stone sculpture” Meditation”, Native American sculpture signed Vera Fkagur Jemez, Native American Statue 14″ tall. 2Titled “Blue Rain” signed Neda, 28” stone sculpture of flowers, large abstract watercolor of Mermaids, hand painted cottage window w garden scene, 2 Alice M. Curtis signed, hand colored photographs, Unsigned 19th century w/c titled Mill River, Riverdale, Gloucester, MA, large portrait of Lady in Blue by Cape Ann Artist, David Pallock,
Breweriana, Signs & Related incl: Antique Keg Tap by A.J. Houghton, Vintage Iroquois beer tray w/ Indian head, rare enamel Dawes tray w horse, rare McEwan’s Pale India Ale tray, Utica Brewing co ,Krueger Beer & Ale, Brockert’s Brewing co. Worcester. MA of Willimansett Mass Man on Keg, Hamm’s Preferred Stock, Pabst Tray Brewery on face, Louis F Neuweiler’s & Son Allentown P.A., Hampden Brewery Who want’s the handsome waiter, Schmidt’s Beer circa 1930s lady pours, 20″x28″ Saunder’s Chanticleer Ice Cream Washington St. Gloucester MA 1940s metal sign, Holihan’s Beer vintage ad thermometer, 12×24” Nu-Icy antique Grapefruit Juice sign, 12.36” Jacob Rupert beer sign, 10×28” Diamond Spring Ale sign, Dawson’s Ale reverse painted on glass sign, Schlitz lighted beer sign circa 1960s, antique beer bottles w orig. labels incl: Pabst, Old Town, Ruppert & others.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS ONLY A PARTIAL LISTING – WE HAVE MUCH MORE COMING IN!
The Auctioneer is not responsible for errors & omissions.
There will be a snack bar on premises. Parking is available on the Church Common and on/around Church St.
MA Auction License lic#119
Terms of the sale:
Cash, Known Checks & Credit Cards Accepted. There will be a 15% buyer’s premium.
NO INTERNET BIDDING FOR THIS AUCTION!
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IN CELEBRATION
GLOUCESTER SELECTED BY “AMERICAN CRAFT” AMONG TOP TEN USA CITIES AND TOWNS FOR BEST ARTS (ARTISTS) AND CRAFTS (CRAFTERS)!
American Craft Week (AmericanCraftWeek.com) awarded Gloucester as one of the top ten US cities and towns for best arts and crafts. This prestigious award is the result of public voting. Additionally, Gloucester has been selected the past two years by “American Style” Magazine as one of the top ten destinations in the Country for arts!
In celebration of National American Craft Week (October 6-October 15), artists and crafters, as well as businesses who make and/or sell American-made arts and crafts, and who are located in Gloucester/ Cape Ann are planning wonderful public events all week!
In addition to the Cape Ann Artisans Studio Tour (Capeannartisans.com), which incorporates amazing demonstrations and sales by 22 artists and crafters in 19 locations during the weekend of October 7-9, many Gloucester businesses, studios and galleries will also be providing special events all week long!
Look for the signs in windows everywhere!!
Some of the events in Gloucester include, but are not limited to:
Good Linens (goodlinenstudio,com), 130 Main Street, will exhibit the work of eight artisans and provide a stone carving demonstration by Ann Conneman..
DIVA (Donna’s Infinite Variety of Adornments) (AdornmentDIVA.com), 161 Main Street, will have a week-long sale on all one-of-a-kind pieces made by more than 120 contemporary American jewelry artists.
Local Colors (www.local-colors.org), 121 Main St., is sponsoring a special exhibit entitled, “TINY ART,” in which 16 artists have been challenged to produce work in small sizes and in a variety of mediums. These creations will be on display, and a special reception (public and free) will be held on October 14th from 5-8pm.
Sadie Green’s Jewelry (saidegreens.com), 205 Main St., will be holding a special week-long, 30% off sale on all vintage reproduction jewelry made by American artists.
Calvo Studio (www.DavidCalvo.com) 235 East Main St., a multi-awarded wood carver will exhibit historic and custom work all week.
Art Haven (arthaven.org), 180 Main St, will have an open costume workshop for children on October 15th.
Gallery 53, (rockyneckartcolony.org/gallery-53-on-rocky-neck), 53 Rocky Neck Ave, will show the works of 32 local artists,and on October 7, from 6-8pm, will hold their Season’s End Party with a special exhibit and prizes made by the artists. A different artist will be available each day.
For additional information and updates, go to DicoverGloucester.com and CapeAnnChamber.com.
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October 7, 2017
Saturday at 6 PM – 9 PM
The Blynman School Restoration Project needs your help! Come join us for a fun party and Silent Auction Fundraising Event. Check out the progress we’ve made n the restoration! Donations OF QUALITY GOODS NEEDED, Gift Cards, Jewelry, etc. Be a sponsor, see our website at magnoliahistoricalsociety.com
Magnolia Historical Society Inc
46 Magnolia Ave, Magnolia Village, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
.
Quiet works invite worlds of contemplation in the street lit Jane Deering Gallery 19 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA. Thru September 30th.
Jane Deering Gallery 19 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA ‘Silver and Grey’
two person exhibition: Leslie Lewis Sigler small paintings and
Paul Cary Goldberg Here Still photograph series
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American artist Paul Manship (1885–1966) was internationally renowned since the 1920s. He maintained multiple homes and studios: two in the Unites States (New York and Gloucester, MA); Paris; London; and three in Italy. This very special purchase–the only one in the world of a Manship property– Starfield, in the Lanesville section of Gloucester, MA, was made possible by the incredible generosity of the Manship heirs, YOU- Gloucester and MA residents (City of Gloucester & the Commonwealth of MA monies were allocated to this initiative), foundations, businesses and private donations. Congratulations to Rebecca Reynolds and all involved. Early supporters included: the City of Gloucester; Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (MassDevelopment in collaboration with the Massachusetts Cultural Council); the Boston Foundation; Essex County Community Foundation; McDonagh Family Foundation; Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation; National Trust for Historic Preservation; Massachusetts Cultural Council; New England Biolabs Foundation; and Essex National Heritage.
There are more than 15,000 historic house museums across the county, and just a few that were artists’ home and studios. One of the most influential is the Pollock-Krasner house in East Hampton, Long Island, established in 1988. A welcome recent addition is the Winslow Homer property in Portland, ME. Here’s hoping the Manship estate is a member on this Historic Artists’ Homes & Studios (HAHS) map soon. Currently, the Massachusetts sites include Daniel Chester French’s Chesterwood in Stockbridge, and the Frelinghuysen Morris home in Lenox.
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Our INDOOR MARKET Series has begun! Our first market will be October 22! Featuring Cookies, Gifts, Art, Raffles, Homemade Beauty Products, Stone Design, Photography, Jewelry, Handknit hats and scarves, Quilts, Clothing, Produce and much much more!!! Brand names like Lularoe, PUREHaven Essentials, Thirty One Bags anf Gifts, Princess House, and more! Local artists and photographers, Marshalls Farm Stand and Classic Cooks, crafters and creators of all kinds! Join us for a day filled with commerce and community! Hope to see you all there. Thank you
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Here’s the list of Gloucester events at City Hall, Cape Ann Museum, Maritime Gloucester, Gloucester HarborWalk, Rocky Neck, Magnolia Library, Cape Pond Ice, and Pauline’s Gifts:
Cape Ann Plein Air sponsors, supporters, and participating artists were treated to a fabulous party Thursday evening. The event was hosted by the the lovely and generous Karen Hanson, By the Sea Sotheby’s owner, and proud sponsor of Cape Ann Plein Air, at the stunning home of Warren Waugh.
Warren’s home overlooks Eastern Point Lighthouse, Gloucester’s outer harbor, and the great Atlantic beyond. On the rocky outcroppings surrounding the home, participating Cape Ann Plein Air painters were perched with their easels, painting scenic vistas, which could be seen from every angle from this outstanding landscape. Guests at the party had a delightful time speaking with and observing the visiting artists.
To all the Artists, Collectors, Organizers, Sponsors and Visitors,
We are thrilled to inform you that we are already well into planning Cape Ann Plein Air (CAPA) – 2017! The overall timeframe and elements of the event will be similar to 2016, occurring the week of Columbus Day and featuring a Gala Art Celebration and Sale at Rockport Art Association and Museum, community Quick Draw event, and many other associated exhibits and cultural activities.
Here is a re-cap of CAPA-2106.
Just over a year ago, the idea of Cape Ann Plein Air had been just that, an idea, a great concept aspiring to bring renowned painters to this culturally historic and stunningly beautiful place. Plein Air events, where artists travel from all corners of North America to compete for significant prize money, occur dozens of times or more every year in the United States. Yet there has never been a national level event here in Cape Ann where some of the most famous artists in US history have painted en plein air. No single region is more famously recognized than Cape Ann, which provided the creative inspiration over the last two hundred years and hosted our history’s giants like Winslow Homer, Fitz Henry Lane, Edward Hopper, and N.C. Wyeth, just to name a few.
The crucial first step to launching a Plein Air Event requires raising significant prize money. Following a meeting with Applied Materials management back in January, the Applied Material Foundation agreed to provide the underwriting necessary to take Cape Ann Plein Air from a great concept to reality. Without the support of the Applied Materials Foundation, we would not be enjoying this incredible experience right now . . . and neither would you!
With that key financial backing in place early in the year, the small group of individuals informally organized as Cape Ann Plein Air 2016 (CAPA2016) went out into the community and raised funds allowing us to sponsor 25 more awards beyond the top three prizes. The additional funding provided by Stephen and Jill Bell, Linzee and Beth Coolidge, By-The-Sea Sotheby’s International Realty and the law firm of Glovsky and Glovsky, all have given CAPA 2016 national standing among all other Plein Air competitions.
Thanks to the help of local individuals and businesses, additional sponsors and Friends of CAPA 2016, we have been provided the resources to make CAPA 2016 more appealing to artists, collectors, visitors and local businesses, much more than we originally thought possible.
There are too many to name in this letter, so please read page four in the 2016 program book for the entire list of those for whose generosity we are incredibly grateful.
Finally, we would like to offer a special thanks for those who have met once and often twice a week for the last year, and spent hundreds of hours taking care of each and every part of the design and implementation of CAPA 2016. They include but are not limited to the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce (CACC), the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS), Rockport Art Association and Museum, North Shore Art Association, Essex Merchants Group, Rockport Cultural District, and Rocky Neck Art Colony.
We also would like to thank the City of Gloucester and the Towns of Essex, Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea for all of the logistical support required to manage such a broadreaching geographical event. Without having to ask, we were provided marketing and hospitality to reach out to a broader group of visitors from Discover Gloucester, the Manchester Historical Society and the Copley Society in Boston. Most importantly, we owe a big thanks to project leader Karen Ristuben who stayed on top of each and every detail along the way. And there have been many.
This undertaking represents a major collaboration among the arts, business and the community throughout Cape Ann, the first of its kind. As a result the Cape Ann Community Foundation is both excited and overwhelmed by the inspirational work so many have contributed. Thank you again for your participation on every level and tireless effort to make this the first of many future successful Cape Ann Plein Air events.
Sincerely,
Ken Riehl, CEO
Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
James Caviston, President, Society for the Encouragement of the Arts
(seARTS)
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COME JOIN US AT…The Essex Shipbuilding Museum…for the 4th Annual “Festival in the Shipyard”, and bring the whole family down for this fun and free event!
>>>THIS WILL BE A SPIRITED EVENT<<<
Including: An art show • live music • cookout • brick oven pizza • baked goods and beer and wine sales. There will also be a kids craft station, a raffle station and activities for all.
The event will showcase artists and makers and celebrate local creativity. The artwork will be for sale.
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Announcement from FOB Donna DIVA jewelry store on Main Street
CALL TO ACTION!
Crafters! Artists! Businesses selling arts and crafts made by American artists and crafters in America, celebrate American Arts and Crafts Week! Hi! I am Donna Soodalter-Toman, owner of DIVA (a jewelry store on Main St in Gloucester), and a jewelry maker. I am so excited to be a participant in American Arts & Crafts’ week in Gloucester (October 6-15, 2017), especially since Gloucester was prestigiously selected among the top ten US cities and town for Artists and Crafters!
To celebrate this week-long event (Americancraftweek.com), DIVA will profile all American crafters and artists who make their goods in America with a special sale. Just some of the jewelers include: Lori Bonn, Sally Craig, Sydney Lynch, Chris Ploof, Terry Logan, Laurie Leonard, Dawn Estrin, John Iversen, Mignon Faget, Robert Lee Morris, Amy Kahn Russell, Joyce Fitz, Deborah Armstrong, Elizabeth Garvin, Zoe Chimera, Eileen Sutton, all Native American jewelers, me, etc. etc.
NOTE!!
For businesses and individuals, throughout Cape Ann, selling American made arts and crafts and who want to participate in some event during this week, please send information to Me, Donna, with the name of your business, contact information and what you plan to do. For your participation you will receive a logo posting for your window/site noting that you are a participant in American Craft Week. I will also compile information for press releases, Facebook, your site links, etc., and promote accordingly
This is a great way to join the celebration, and market Gloucester and Other Cape Ann businesses in October and going forward. Please send information to Donna Soodalter at DIVA, via email (donnastoman@rcn.com) or phone (978-879-4119-leave message), or drop by (161 Main St.).
PLEASE, to afford time to compile and market, please submit all information ASAP and no later than Monday, 9/25.
If people have any questions, call or email Donna.
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This is a great venue, right inside the Marine Railway on Rocky Neck. The Marine Railway is the oldest in the country. So much fun. Want to thank all who helped put this great job together. For more information on the Phyllis A, please go to the link below.
It maybe foggy but the Marine Railway is always bright and fun. On Sunday come on down and see some great local art. Also there are great views from the dock at the Railway
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Salt Island, Good Harbor Beach and Brier Neck are naturally connected. The five acre Salt Island is about 1000 feet from Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts. A sandbar links the island and beach at low tide. I’ve culled a few milestones in its history. Scroll down to 2017 to find the links for the Cape Ann Beacon and today’s Boston Globe.
SALT ISLAND TIMELINE BITS
1860
History of the Town of Gloucester: Cape Ann, John Jame Babson’s published history includes a shipwreck of the vessel, Industry, at Little Good Harbor Beach near Salt Island in 1796
19th century
Joseph Parsons’ family operated a lobster business from Salt Island
pre 1919
silent movies were filmed on location
1919 Fox Film Co Bride Number 13
Parts of the Fox Film Corporation movie, Bride Number 13, were shot on location at Good Harbor Beach and Salt Island. The 15 part serial silent film –“the most costly pictures ever made…would consume expenditures of at least one million dollars.” It was conceived and written by Edward Sedgwick, directed by Richard Stanton aka “Salt Island’s Mighty Emperor”, and starred Marguerite Clayton, Jack O’Brien, and Ed Rossman. The script was inspired by Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
Here are a few fun excerpts from 1919 correspondence published in the book, “My father, a silent films pioneer,” by George E. Mcavoy:
“Again the picturesque Gloucester shores have been sought by a motion picture corporation for scenery and the noted Fox Film Company of New York, with its prominent director, Richard Stanton, has arrived at Hotel Harbor View, East Gloucester, to start immediately on the work of filming “Bride Number 13” at Salt Island off Brier Neck.
“It was decided that Salt Island in Gloucester, Mass., would be the setting of the silent film thriller, “Bride Number 13.” This island was an island at high tide and part of the mainland at low tide. Fox film Co. was building a wooden castle on the island, which was about one hundred feet high and hosted the actions of this silent film…”
“(This was five days before the real tornado blew the wooden castle out to sea.)”
Oct 24, 1919“Dear Mother: I left Mary and the babies in Gloucester. I am on my way through New Hampshire and Maine for a lumber camp location. I expect to be back in Gloucester Monday night…
the time for the blowing up of the castle on Salt Island and the rescue of the brides from the pirate band is rapidly approaching…
Billy Carr of Gloucester, Chief Gunner’s Mate on the Navy submarine R-1 that was assigned to the picture, was to play the hero who rescues one of the brides, slashes through the nest of cutthroats, leaps into the basket with her and off. It was now November 10th. A throng of 3,000 was at Good Harbor and all over Brier Neck to watch…On the fourth day Bill Carr was called away on duty and his place was taken by Tom Corbiey…”
“Mr. Sedgwick has achieved something heretofore unknown in moving picture production. He conceived the idea of the story, witnessed and helped direct the scenes, acted in them, had a hand in the grinding of the film, and in fact had a part in every process of the film production…”
“While all bid good-bye to Gloucester last night, there was a general expression of a desire to return and several of the company said that they intended to return here next summer for the vacation period if not in picture work.”
“The explosion was a heavy one and its shock was felt in all parts of the city. It shook the windows of houses on Mt. Vernon Street and vicinity, also at East Gloucester and as far as Rockport. It occurred at 4:20 o’clock and people who felt the shock readily attributed it to the blow-up of Salt Island.”
photo caption: Bride 13 star Marguerite Clayton and kids on vacation during filming of Bride 13. Background shows the stately castle film set on Salt Island
1923 The Silent Command
Then and now: filmmakers love Gloucester.
Fox Film Corporation returned to film the patriotic silent era Navy spy film, THE SILENT COMMAND on Good Harbor Beach, again on the Briar/Brier neck side.
1923 was a busy year for Gloucester, MA. In addition to the municipality managing the bustling tercentenary, Gloucester welcomed another major Fox movie production to shoot on location at Good Harbor Beach. The film was made in cooperation with the Navy. It was directed by J Gordon Edwards, and starred Edmund Lowe and Bela Lugosi in his first American film. It’s essentially a spy thriller with a honeypot formula: foreign power attempts to secure plans to the Panama Canal and blow it up. The villains are thwarted by the US Navy. The production required assistance from the city’s fire department and city electrician. The film crew stayed in Gloucester at the Harbor View Hotel and the Savoy. Local people were cast and spectators lined the beach to watch the thrilling production.
BEFORE CGI:
I love this excerpt from the Gloucester Daily Times describing the staged wreck and tremendous waves washing the crew (stuntmen and Gloucester locals) overboard:
“A crowd of several hundred thronged the (Good Harbor) beach for the picture taking and enjoyed the proceedings, which were interesting, and at times thrilling…The Good Harbor beach setting is a clever contrivance, and constructed to produce a natural rocking motion of a steamer in a heavy sea. The rocking is produced by four winches operated by a crew of 10 men…Storm scenes were filmed yesterday afternoon with local actors, Stuart Cooney, son of Marion J. Cooney, taking the part of the hero and making a thrilling climb into the rigging to the crow’s nest during the height of the storm. Fred Kolstee, a rigger, commanded the crew of the steamer. The crew were (locals) Alfred Marshall, Tony Amero, Tom Bess, Peter Rice, James Francis, James Whittle and William Byers. Rain was produced from lines of hose, and a most realistic effect was produced by two aeroplanes, the wind from the speeding propellors driving the water about, and rushing through the rattlings and rigging with all the vengeance of a real gale at sea. Three times the big tank of water was released and the thousands of gallons broke over the deck in a most thrilling manner. There was some concern among the movie men before the water was released that some of the men might get buffeted about and get hurt, and they were cautioned to hold on tight.
However, it was a mere trifle for Gloucestermen, veterans of many a gale on the banks.
It was best expressed by Alfred Marshall when he stepped toward the ladder to leave the craft after the picture taking was done. Alfred was quite vexed. “Blankety, blankety, blank___, is this the best you can do? Blank, I’ve bailed bigger seas than that out of a dory. And he sung it right out so all could hear, too.”
Stuart Cooney ensured that the movie was a success from a technical perspective and “purchased the outfit and (took) it over” after the filming finished. He was a Gloucester pioneer in the film industry that’s still going strong. Film Cape Ann facilitates bringing local productions here, like the award winning Manchester by the Sea. The Wikipedia page doesn’t have any mention of Gloucester, but it helped me with an illustration for The Silent Command lobby poster.
See for yourself; here’s a link to the complete movie. A few of the Gloucester scenes (not all) 1:03:44, 1:08:54, 1:09:54 (some coast), 1:10:21, 1:10:52 (dory lowered from navy ship), 1:11:12 (beach island)
AFI for TCM brief synopsis:“This is one of those ‘Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean’ pictures. Full of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ patriotic to the nth degree with the navy floating all over the screen. A real hero, a vamp, and a flock of thrills.” (from Var review.) Foreign agents, determined to destroy the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and the Panama Canal, after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain from Capt. Richard Decatur information regarding mine positions in the Canal Zone, hire adventuress Peg Williams to vamp Captain Decatur, thereby putting him at their mercy. Decatur, advised by the Chief of Naval Intelligence, plays along with the spies to gain their confidence. He leaves his wife and is dismissed from the Navy as a result of his association with Miss Williams. Finally, he goes to Panama, thwarts the saboteurs, saves the fleet and the canal, and gains honorable reinstatement and the gratitude of his country for his heroism.”
1940s
Guy Parsons used one of the old family fishing shacks as a summer place
1950s
By now the fishing shacks were no longer visible
1952
Parson family sold Salt Island
1959
James Kimball purchased Salt Island for $2000
1972
Yankee Magazine article about Bride Number 13 Lights! Camera! Disaster! by Joseph E. Garland
1979
Gloucester Daily Times article mentions that James Kimball “has no plans for the island, although in the past he has thought of building a summer home on the island. When I was young my family spent their summers on Brier Neck…So when the island became available I jumped at the chance.”
2000
One of the designated “Special places in Gloucester”
2005
“Special places in Gloucester” appendix list for the MA Heritage Landscape Inventory Program, MA Dept of Conservation and Recreation Essex National Heritage
“Where is this film? I’d love to know. All sources indicate that Bride 13 was either lost or destroyed, as happened with many silent films. The reference used for this post was the May 1972 Yankee Magazine article, Lights! Camera! Disaster!, authored by the late Joseph E. Garland of Gloucester.”
“If somebody buys it and builds, it’s because these guys didn’t step up to the plate and protect it the way my father did when I was a little girl, ” said Maslow, who pointed out that she and her siblings are not rich people with big summer houses. “I can’t help it if someone buys it and paints it purple and puts pigs on it.” – Karen Maslow
“…this island has been available for public use informally for generations thanks to the goodwill of that family. That point should not be lost.” — Chris LaPointe, Essex County Greenbelt
Good Morning Gloucester 