12.05.2009

Miss Bluebeard - Sunday February, 15 1925

Again quite warm.

This is a red letter day for me. I heard Reva laugh twice today1.

Girls went to S.S.

Bill went to S.S. + church

Went to Orpheum - Bebe Daniels in "Miss Bluebeard"2 Funny, walked around town and looked in store windows3.

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1. Not sure what this means, but as I read thru these I get the impression that either Reva is a moody teenager, or is she maybe suffering from depression as I am thinking her mother may be?
2. "Miss Bluebeard" a romantic comedy starring Bebe Daniels (1901-1971). Here is a modern-day review of this film being shown in a revival theater in New York in 2002, a little harsh, and it was probably a fine movie in it's day!
Bebe Daniels is talented and gorgeous, but this movie, is, largely, a series of of title cards... about the equivalent of reading a tersely-written play with a lot of photos from the New York production, which opened and closed in one night. However, when Raymond Griffith walks in, everything busts loose. The men are staring moony-eyed at the talented Miss Daniels -- we know she is talented, because we've seen her shine in Harold Lloyd comedies and in 42ND STREET -- as Raymond Griffith tries, unsuccessfully, to take a nap. He tries to get to bed -- only to find Bebe Daniels in bed with him, whereupon everyone rushes in to find her hiding under the bed and him cowering under the blankets. He wanders about in pajamas and a top hat. He collapses under the weight of fainting fiancées. Raymond Griffith is alive in this movie, while everyone else is, at best, posing. He is the one pleasure in this cardboard cutout of a movie and makes it worth seeing. If you are fanatic about seeing everything surviving with Mr. Griffith in in -- and his performance here, as in the handful of his starring Paramount vehicles that survive have made me anxious to -- then you'll want to see this, at least once. The rest of the movie, however, will stop you from seeing it again.
3. Since it sounds like they walked around town in the vicinity of the theater I am supposing the Orpheum is in downtown Akron, but I have yet to find any info on the place. But it sounds like she had a lovely day out...still not sure why she does not attend Church with the rest of the family. Is she staying at home to care for the mother-in-law?

12.03.2009

A Beautiful Sinner - Saturday February, 14 1925

Quite warm today.

Went to Ravenna1 with Bill this P.M.

Stopped in Ravenna on way home

and had dinner - Steak etc, good

went to P.S. - " A Beautiful Sinner"2 so so
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1. The town of Ravenna is located approximately 20 miles northeast of Akron. Quite a distance for a days drive in the 1920's.

2. Movie is actually titled "The Beautiful Sinner" released in 1924 starring Williams Fairbanks and Eva Novak. Eva is best known as western star Tom Mix's love interest in 10 of his movies. Tom taught Eva to do all her own stunts in the daring western adventures. With the advent of talking pictures her career faded.

12.01.2009

Basketball Game - Friday February, 13 1925

Quite Warm.

Went to Basket Ball Game at Armory1

North + South. North ahead until

last quarter - 29 - 24 Some Game.

Came home played 500 until 1:00

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1. The old Akron Armory was condemned in the early 1980s. Often used for musical performances and athletics, the Akron Armory is best remembered for wrestling matches that were held here for decades.


11.30.2009

So this is Marriage- Thursday February, 12 1925

Harriet's Birthday today

D. had pictures taken at Eichelberger's 4 roses.

Went to Falls Theatre-

" So this is Marriage?"1 so so

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1. So This is Marriage?, 1925 starring Eleanor Boardman and Conrad Nagel. Conrad Nagel (16 March 1897–24 February 1970) was an American screen actor and matinee idol of the silent film era and beyond. He was also a well known television actor and radio performer.(1897-03-16)Conrad Nagel

11.19.2009

Esquino Club - Wednesday February, 11 1925

Warm today
Bert went to Esquino Club1 dinner at Miller

brot a rubber rose home also a water bottle

Oneil's - Victrola2 acc't $10.00

Oneil's - Sweeper3 Acc't $6.20

Oneil's4 - Reg acc't $10.00

Polsky's5- Reg Acc't $15.00

Dinah for Dues $2.00

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1. The tranaslation for Esquino is Eskimo. Rubber Rose would be a plastic rose by todays terminology, which must have been a great amusement since rubber or celluloids were used sparingly in the 1920s.

2. Victrola - The Victor Talking Machine Company was founded by Eldridge Johnson in 1901, The term Victrola thus applies ONLY to internal horn phonographs made by the Victor Talking Machine Company, and is not a generic term for all old phonographs. In November, 1925, Victor introduced the "Orthophonic" Victrola, which could be what the family had purchased.

3. Sweeper, or vacuum cleaner

4. O'Neil's was a regional department store chain based in Akron Ohio. Founded in 1877, the store grew to several locations throughout northeastern Ohio. In 1989, the chain was merged with May Company Ohio.

5. Polsky's Founded in 1885 and also based in Akron Ohio, the Polsky reputation for fashion leadership goes back to 1890 when this store pioneered in the distribution of ready-made apparel.


1925 Victor Orthophonic

9.27.2009

Pattern + Valentines - Tuesday February, 10 1925

Warm but a trifle cooler than yesterday.

Harriet went to town + Reva.

Gas $9.48
Light $5.85

Goods for H's dress
3 yds @ $1.39 - $4.17
Thread $.10
Pattern
Valentines1

Rec'd from B. $75.00
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1. Beginning in Europe in the 17th century, lovers would exchange small tokens of affection for Valentines Day. By the mid 18th century it was common for people of all classes to exchange handwritten greetings to friends and lovers, and by the end of the century commercial Valentine notes were being mass produced.
1920s Valentine Card



9.26.2009

Honor Bead - Monday February 9, 1925

Still very warm, but trying very hard to rain. Showers.
Cleaned cellar today, washed stockings.1

Went with Bill this P.M. to Ravenna.2

Ret'd at 6:00, Reva was getting dinner. Wanted to earn an honor bead.3 Girls also washed dishes.

Bill went to P. School. Ret'd 12:10.

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1. With the shorted length dresses of the 1920s, stocking became more fashionable, often being designed to match the color of the dress or adorned with patterns.
2. Ravenna Ohio. - approximately 15 miles from the Akron Ohio area.
3. Honor Beads are given out in the Camp Fire Girls program, similar to earning badges in Girl Scouts.

1920's era Camp Fire Girls