This black & white silent film, one of an obscure series by L.M. Be Dell entitled “Life in Hollywood”, shows motion picture stars and studios. Copyright 1927 and released in April of that year, and shown in theaters before features as a short attraction. It features many stars of the silent film era including Grace Darmond (herself), Carmelita Geraghty (herself), Gaston Glass (himself), Lloyd Hamilton(himself), Ruth Hiatt (herself),Ben Lyon (himself), Colleen Moore (herself), Herbert Rawlinson (himself), George Siegmann (himself), Al St. John(himself), Maurice Tourneur(himself).
Opening titles: L.M. Be Dell presents Life in Hollywood, distributed by Goodwill Pictures Inc. (:08). Title card: This week we will visit the United Studios (:37). Parking outside of the United Studio (:45). Maurice Tourneaur forgot his pass and tried to get in anyway but security wouldn’t allow it (1:10). Another man speaks to security and takes Maurice in with him (1:56). The men share a drink (2:38). Colleen Moore, an actress, is a charming host to people at the studio (3:06). Actor Ben Lyon informs Colleen that it’s time to go to work, he grabs her by the hand (4:00). Actor/Director George Siegmann smokes a cigarette and then plays a board game of chess with actress Carmelita Geraghty (4:36). George distracts Carmelita so he can move game pieces around but is caught and grabbed by Carmelita (5:29). Actor/Producer Gaston Glass and actor Kenneth Harlan have at it with boxing gloves in front of some spectators (5:45). Two women rush in to break up the fracas (6:15). This results in the two women putting on the boxing gloves and having a go at it; boxing seems to get heated between the two women (6:28). Actor Herbert Rawlinson and actress Grace Darmond (7:24). Film comedian Lloyd Hamilton — in blackface — goes to Educational Studios and isn’t recognized; he starts to sweep acting as a janitor (8:15). Hamilton wanders the lot sweeping (8:53). Hamilton knocks on a door and starts reciting lines from a script but the man slams the door on him (9:43). Hamilton removes the disguise and is recognized after knocking on the same studio door (10:14). Actress Ruth Hyatt shakes hands with Hamilton (10:38). Two men bring in a heavy safe for another man but Al St. John, film comedian, lifts it with ease (10:58). End credit (12:03).
George A. Siegmann (1882 – 1928) was an American actor and film director in the silent film era. His work includes roles in notable productions such as The Birth of a Nation (1915), Intolerance (1916), The Three Musketeers (1921), Oliver Twist (1922), The Cat and the Canary (1927), and The Man Who Laughs (1928).
Lloyd Vernon Hamilton (1891 – 1935) was an American film comedian, best remembered for his work in the silent era.
Grace Darmond (1893 – 1963) was a Canadian-American actress.
Ben Lyon (1901 – 1979) was an American film actor and a studio executive at 20th Century Fox, who later acted in British radio, films and TV.
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