A wreck of possibilities, a volatility of stars

[sovay]

I wish merely to register my pleasure that when I went looking for the uncredited actor playing the dean of the law school in the early scenes of Winterset (1936), I found that Murray Kinnell had the kind of Wikipedia biographer who includes short reviews with their subject's stage and screen resume. "An unusual role for Kinnell as a derelict one-time gentleman; the film opened in July 1931." "'No man is a hero to his valet', as Kinnell's character in this murder mystery could testify." "Kinnell as yet another butler, though this time with an unexpected flourish." I am much more used to finding this kind of partisanship on social media: with no prior attachment to an actor whom I did not notice previously in a handful of pre-Codes, just its enthusiasm makes me want to see these lovingly noted small parts even when a non-zero quantity of Charlie Chan seems to be involved. I hope Kinnell would have appreciated his future, however microscopic fandom.

Comments

[regshoe]

What an excellent bit of Wikipedia editing!

[sovay]

What an excellent bit of Wikipedia editing!

It made my night!

[lauradi7dw]

Busy imagining the whole film crew for a Charlie Chan movie going to Hawaii instead of a backlot in Hollywood. There are beaches in California, too. Now I want to know the backstory of the Hawaiian film industry. I remember the claims that "Waterworld" (1995) extremely overran its original budget because while filming in Hawaii they were being price-gouged. I thought it looked good, anyway
https://youtu.be/NpKbULrB9Z8?feature=shared

[sovay]

Busy imagining the whole film crew for a Charlie Chan movie going to Hawaii instead of a backlot in Hollywood. There are beaches in California, too. Now I want to know the backstory of the Hawaiian film industry.

I know it was a big deal that Hell's Half Acre (1954), which I have needed to see for two years because it stars Wendell Corey and Evelyn Keyes, was shot entirely on location in Hawaii rather than a Californian beach: I've read articles by Hawaiian residents about it. Four Frightened People (1934) is supposed to have done some shooting in Hawaii to stand in for Malaya, but the general style of that picture makes it hard for me to tell.

[asakiyume]

That's lovely. Way to do, Wikipedia biographer!

[sovay]

That's lovely. Way to do, Wikipedia biographer!

I love that so much care went into it that it becomes contagious.

[lokifan]

Yes! The best kind of internet/research thing :)

[gullyfoyle]

I hope my eventual Wikipedia entry has at least 146 footnotes, too!

[asakiyume]

A worthy goal!

[thisbluespirit]

Aw, yes, someone was truly dedicated there! What a nice find. <3

[sovay]

Aw, yes, someone was truly dedicated there! What a nice find.

I'd had no idea it was possible to create a fansite with Wikipedia edits!

[gwynnega]

Excellent! (I'm unfamiliar with Kinnell, so when I saw the phrase "yet another butler," I wondered if this was my favorite butler-actor, but that was Edgar Norton.)

[sovay]

Excellent! (I'm unfamiliar with Kinnell, so when I saw the phrase "yet another butler," I wondered if this was my favorite butler-actor, but that was Edgar Norton.)

I love that you have a favorite butler-actor.

[nineweaving]

Goodness! Are you sure you didn't create this fellow in one of your dreams? "Kinnell habitually wore a monocle in private life, and once told an interviewer 'I became an actor because I didn't know any better.'"

Nine

[sovay]

Goodness! Are you sure you didn't create this fellow in one of your dreams? "Kinnell habitually wore a monocle in private life, and once told an interviewer 'I became an actor because I didn't know any better.'"

I think if anyone, his Wikipedia editor retroactively invented him! I dreamed of being given a finger-length sea dragon in a wooden bucket at a pier-end fair.

[nineweaving]

I dreamed of being given a finger-length sea dragon in a wooden bucket at a pier-end fair.

How lovely! A book might begin this way.

Nine

[sovay]

How lovely! A book might begin this way.

I had to climb down a sea-cliff and shoulder through crowds to bring it more seawater. It nudged against my fingers.

[nineweaving]

Oh my!

Nine

[theseatheseatheopensea]

the kind of Wikipedia biographer who includes short reviews with their subject's stage and screen resume.

I love that kind of Wikipedia article!

Also, thank you for reminding me of Neko Case's upcoming album! Coincidentally, I've been listening to The Virginian this past week. I always look forward to see what she does next! <3

[sovay]

I love that kind of Wikipedia article!

Now I feel I don't see enough of them!

Also, thank you for reminding me of Neko Case's upcoming album! Coincidentally, I've been listening to The Virginian this past week. I always look forward to see what she does next!

You're welcome! WERS has been playing a lot of her.