Scene 9, The Final Shoot

Quiet on the set! It's time to do the final death scene. Places everyone! Roll 'em! Action!

Cut! That's it. Roll the credits!

You have been a great studio audience and this has been an incredible learning experience for me. It's time for me to close Collossal Blog Productions doors just like Essanay Studios closed their doors at the Niles location in 1916. Niles no longer played a part in California's movie industry after the studio's closure.

According to David Kiehn's book, "Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company", filming was done at Culver City near Los Angeles. In 1931 car dealer and new studio building owner, Ed Rose tried to reopen the Essanay studio property, but to no avail. The building was torn down in July 1933. However the barn that served as Essanay's first studio lasted until it too was torn down in the 1970's. The Essanay bungalo buildings are still in tact and you can walk by and view them on G Street. (Photos from David Keihn's book, Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company). 350 westerns were shot in Niles. Out of which approximately 140 Broncho Billy films were made in addition to 109 Snakeville comedies, starting in 1913 when the Niles Essanay studio opened. Film Credits:

Ben Turpin (left) and Charlie Chaplin (Photos courtesy of David Keihn)

For over 100 years these two comedians have had a major influence on this nation's entertainment industry. They were the pace setters and set the standards on slapastick and other forms of comedy throughout the years. They have also influenced many comedians that we know today. They also influenced the American public with their lampoons of famous and infamous people, but most of all.....they made us think.

There are many books, articles and even movies made about these two figures so it is not my intention to relist all of their accomplishments on this blog. Instead, I encourage you to continue my explorations and discover for yourselves the impact these two very special people had on the American psyche. It still continues today every time someone clicks a You-Tube button on their computer or sees their films on the big screen at a theater. The people of Niles are still very proud of the legacy these two men left this little township, so many years ago.

Max H. Aronsen, aka Gilbert M. Anderson, stage name, Broncho Billy

This man, along with partner George K. Spoor started The Essanay Film Company in Chicago, April 1907. He was not particularly good looking and could not even ride a horse, but in time Broncho Billy became the personification of the American cowboy on the silver screen. In 1909 he produced his first westerns and also became the Western Essanay Company's screen writer, director, and movie editor when he settled in Niles, April 1, 1912. Before Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and other better known western movie stars took the reins, he was the original cowboy.....at least in the movies!

Broncho Billy was not the first cowboy actor, but he was certainly the first cowboy movie star! Another notable fact is he later made movies starring Laurel and Hardy when he formed the Amalgamated Producing Company in 1921. (source; Niles Film museum archives www.nilesfilmuseum.org/anderson_page.htm) Broncho Billy was recognized with an honorary Academy Award for his accomplishments in 1958. Again, I encourage you to explore his life and contributions to the movie industry. It was he that originally put Niles on the map! Because of him and Charlie Chaplin, Niles continues to be a destination and interesting historical spot to visit today!

Again I wish to thank our sponsors that made this Collossal Production possible;

The Niles Essanay Film Museum and two very special people that helped me with this ongoing project.

Pictured at right is the author of "Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company", David Kiehn. On David's right is Dorothy Bradley, President and curator of the museum. Both of them continue to work tirelessly in their efforts to manage the operation of the museum and keep it going. David is also the projectionist on weekends and they both do the archiving and management of the exhibits too. I thank them both for their encouragement and support.

Ok! We need to bring back the writers and reshoot the final scene! We can't leave our audience on a sad note. Places everyone! For the last time....Lights! Action!! Camera!!!

That's better! A happy ending after all! Cut! Print! That's a wrap! Strike the set!

I'd like to say one last "Thank you" to Professor Linda Ivey, for this learning experience. So long for now! ***********************************************THE END*************************

Well..................not quite! Actually it's just the beginning........at least for you!

Epilogue:

In figuring out how to present information in this blog, I took on the personification of a studio producer/director presenting shows. It did not take me long to realize exploring Niles and delving into this topic was more than just a History class research project. Besides being a significant piece of local history, I gradually realized Niles represented much more than that.

After visiting Niles several times I started making friends during my discoveries here. What struck me was everyone's willingness and enthusiasm in having me tell "thier" Niles story in such a public way through a "published" blog. In order to accomplish this task and do it effectively I felt I had to invent, play, and then "live" the role of a movie executive, producer, of that era, thus "Collossal Blog Productions" became my vehicle to deliver information I uncovered for you, my audience.

The more time I spent exploring Niles history it became a part of me. My wish for you is if after reading my blog I have sparked an interest in this topic, and you will visit and explore Niles for yourself. Please discover how unique and fascinating Niles truly is, and the deep impact the movie industry and Essanay Studios still has here. Even though Essanay Studios, Charlie Chaplin and Broncho Billy are long gone, I hope its history and their "living" legacy in Niles will become a part of you too as it has for me. Now go there and enjoy!

Thank you,

Maurice Lieberman
Collossal Blog Productions (ret)