Hi Tony, Thanks for creating this fine documentary. When I was working in the vicinity of E. 14th St. and Locust Ave. in 1986-87, I remember that the Vitagraph Studios building was used to videotape soap operas.
My grandfather, Herman Specht, worked at the Vitagraph during its last days. He had various walk-on parts that I have photos of, dancing in Vanity Fair, draped over a cannon in the Battle of Waterloo, and as the district attorney in one of their last movies: The Black Ace.
Hello Tony . To someone who is studying this material this information is most informative . As we are finding out the early studios really did have a lot to offer. It is a matter of finding the films and watching them , although many have Dutch or other foreign titles. I know it was Vitagraphs policy to destroy all prints and negatives in the USA. Thankfully the People in Amsterdam thought differently about these films and thankfully preserved them
Tony, I attended the Yeshiva University High School for Boys, 1972-6. Long after U graduated did I learn that the building that housed the high school and several other empty structures had once been Vitagraph Studios. I played punchball directly beneath the smokestack without realizing what it was. Now I want to learn the connection between the building in which I attended school and the windowless building across the street, where the Cosby Show was taped. Which of the buildings were actually part of the studio, and which have been demolished. And how is it possible that the smokestack hasn't been landmarked. Sorry for all the questions, but I haven't been in Flatbush for quite a while.
Hi Tony. I thought you should know that the smokestack was not only saved, but also repaired and restored. In fact, the beautiful residential apartment building built on the site just completed, has been named - "The Vitagraph", paying homage to the property's original use. Here's the website so you can see for yourself www.thevitagraphbk.com/ Great job on the film!
Hi Tony. I just stumbled across this. I'm the great granddaughter of Albert E. Smith. This was really interesting. Thank you. Have you read Two Reels and a Crank? I'm betting yes. I'm going to show my Dad.
I also made a full documentary about Vitagraphs most famous comedian, John Bunny. It features more footage of your great grandfather. Here is the link: www.johnbunny.com
Hello Kimberly, I read your comment and seen that you said you are the Great Granddaughter of Albert E. Smith. I think you might find this interesting. I recently uncovered a cache of 100 year old Vitagraph lithographs in my fathers cellar apparently these lithographs haven't seen the light of day in over 40 years. There are dozens and I cant seem to find any information on them nor am I able to find any photos of them on the internet. They are gorgeous pieces of history. I have been looking for historians for the past week or so to see if they can tell me what I have. I have not been able to find one person to tell me exactly what I have. Those that have seen pictures tell me I have something special and may be worth lots of money more so because these types of lithographs from this studio and the time period are very very scarce one person even said "they are nearly impossible to find". If anything, I know these lithographs and movie posters have historical value but how historically valuable are they? Considering you are the Great GrandDaughter of Albert E. Smith I sure you might get a kick out of these. If your interested in seeing them I can email you pictures just shoot me the email and ill send them rite over. If I don't hear from you, thanks for reading my comment anyway. Take care.
Moe Howard of the Three Stooges, who grew up in Coney Island, worked for the Vitagraph Company as a kid as a messenger and errand boy and was supposed to have appeared in some films around 1910-1912 as an extra. It was his first work in movies, though as far as I know none of the films he worked in have been identified, which is to be expected since the films are likely lost or, if surviving, he was just part of the background crowd. I used to have a good Super 8 print of that version of "A Tale of Two Cities" which was very well done. I'd like to see it again because it's been many years since I saw it but I don't see a good copy (like your clip of it here) of it anywhere. The one copy of it on TH-cam is so bad it isn't worth watching.
Hello Tony I loved your video, I recently uncovered a cache of 100 year old Vitagraph lithographs in my fathers cellar apparently these lithographs haven't seen the light of day in over 40 years. There are dozens and I cant seem to find any information on them nor am I able to find any photos of them on the internet. I was wondering if its not to much trouble, if you would mind looking at them. They are gorgeous pieces of history and considering you where an advocate for saving the Vitagraph smoke stack I trust you will find these if the least bit, curious. I have been looking for historians for the past week to see if they can tell me what I have. I have not been able to find one person to tell me exactly what I have. Those that have seen pictures tell me I have something special and may be worth lots of money more so because these types of lithographs from this studio and the time period are very very scarce one person said "they are nearly impossible to find". If anything I know these lithographs and movie posters have historical value but how historically valuable are they? Thank you for Reading and if I don't hear from you Thank you for making this video. Take Care.
RE Anders Randolf - 1920's Silent Movie Star Made 50+movies My great great grandfather's father was Christian, Matias, Poul, or Niels Randrup from Rybjerggaard (Rybjerg Farm) in Denmark. My great great grandmother Inger KirstinePedersen worked on the farm and got pregnant. Her illegitimate son, my great grandfather Niels Peder Pedersen took back his rightful surname of Randrup in 1905 but we are not sure which of the four sons was his father. Matias Randrup's son Anders Randrup became Anders Randolf and did many silent movies in Hollywood. He worked for Vitagraph at one point. In 1854 when my gg grandmother (age 24) was pregnant, the ages of the boys were 22, 20, 18 and 16. I kind of ruled out Niels at 16 years, and Poul is 6 years younger than her, but.....I'm leaning towards Christian.. but...........
Not correct. The smokestack still stands in February of 2020. The developers of the new apartment complex called, "The Viatagraph" have reported they will save the smokestack from destruction and maintain the icon.
Love vitagraph!
Hi Tony, Thanks for creating this fine documentary. When I was working in the vicinity of E. 14th St. and Locust Ave. in 1986-87, I remember that the Vitagraph Studios building was used to videotape soap operas.
Wonderful history. Thank you so much !
My grandfather, Herman Specht, worked at the Vitagraph during its last days. He had various walk-on parts that I have photos of, dancing in Vanity Fair, draped over a cannon in the Battle of Waterloo, and as the district attorney in one of their last movies: The Black Ace.
A wonder full short film.
Well done! really enjoyed it, wealth of information.
Hello Tony . To someone who is studying this material this information is most informative . As we are finding out the early studios really did have a lot to offer. It is a matter of finding the films and watching them , although many have Dutch or other foreign titles. I know it was Vitagraphs policy to destroy all prints and negatives in the USA. Thankfully the People in Amsterdam thought differently about these films and thankfully preserved them
Thanks Bill. Appreciate your comments.
Very interesting and informative!
excellent work. i think the smoke stack will survive
Thanks so much
Tony, I attended the Yeshiva University High School for Boys, 1972-6. Long after U graduated did I learn that the building that housed the high school and several other empty structures had once been Vitagraph Studios. I played punchball directly beneath the smokestack without realizing what it was. Now I want to learn the connection between the building in which I attended school and the windowless building across the street, where the Cosby Show was taped. Which of the buildings were actually part of the studio, and which have been demolished. And how is it possible that the smokestack hasn't been landmarked. Sorry for all the questions, but I haven't been in Flatbush for quite a while.
A wonderful short film on Vitagraph ! I hope the smokestack will be saved !
Hi Tony. I thought you should know that the smokestack was not only saved, but also repaired and restored. In fact, the beautiful residential apartment building built on the site just completed, has been named - "The Vitagraph", paying homage to the property's original use. Here's the website so you can see for yourself www.thevitagraphbk.com/ Great job on the film!
That's such wonderful news.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Tony. I just stumbled across this. I'm the great granddaughter of Albert E. Smith. This was really interesting. Thank you. Have you read Two Reels and a Crank? I'm betting yes. I'm going to show my Dad.
Hi Kimberly, Nice to meet you! I know a couple of relatives of Smith including a Granddaughter. Wonder if you are related?
Tony Susnick my father is Clyde smith (Bill). His sisters are robin and Maggie. 😃
I also made a full documentary about Vitagraphs most famous comedian, John Bunny. It features more footage of your great grandfather. Here is the link: www.johnbunny.com
Tony Susnick can’t wait to watch!
Hello Kimberly, I read your comment and seen that you said you are the Great Granddaughter of Albert E. Smith. I think you might find this interesting. I recently uncovered a cache of 100 year old Vitagraph lithographs in my fathers cellar apparently these lithographs haven't seen the light of day in over 40 years. There are dozens and I cant seem to find any information on them nor am I able to find any photos of them on the internet. They are gorgeous pieces of history. I have been looking for historians for the past week or so to see if they can tell me what I have. I have not been able to find one person to tell me exactly what I have. Those that have seen pictures tell me I have something special and may be worth lots of money more so because these types of lithographs from this studio and the time period are very very scarce one person even said "they are nearly impossible to find". If anything, I know these lithographs and movie posters have historical value but how historically valuable are they? Considering you are the Great GrandDaughter of Albert E. Smith I sure you might get a kick out of these. If your interested in seeing them I can email you pictures just shoot me the email and ill send them rite over. If I don't hear from you, thanks for reading my comment anyway. Take care.
Moe Howard of the Three Stooges, who grew up in Coney Island, worked for the Vitagraph Company as a kid as a messenger and errand boy and was supposed to have appeared in some films around 1910-1912 as an extra. It was his first work in movies, though as far as I know none of the films he worked in have been identified, which is to be expected since the films are likely lost or, if surviving, he was just part of the background crowd. I used to have a good Super 8 print of that version of "A Tale of Two Cities" which was very well done. I'd like to see it again because it's been many years since I saw it but I don't see a good copy (like your clip of it here) of it anywhere. The one copy of it on TH-cam is so bad it isn't worth watching.
Hello Tony I loved your video, I recently uncovered a cache of 100 year old Vitagraph lithographs in my fathers cellar apparently these lithographs haven't seen the light of day in over 40 years. There are dozens and I cant seem to find any information on them nor am I able to find any photos of them on the internet. I was wondering if its not to much trouble, if you would mind looking at them. They are gorgeous pieces of history and considering you where an advocate for saving the Vitagraph smoke stack I trust you will find these if the least bit, curious. I have been looking for historians for the past week to see if they can tell me what I have. I have not been able to find one person to tell me exactly what I have. Those that have seen pictures tell me I have something special and may be worth lots of money more so because these types of lithographs from this studio and the time period are very very scarce one person said "they are nearly impossible to find". If anything I know these lithographs and movie posters have historical value but how historically valuable are they? Thank you for Reading and if I don't hear from you Thank you for making this video. Take Care.
admirable rigor histórico estadounidense...
My grat grat Grandfather worked there! :)
oops...should say "my great great grandfather was" or "my great grandfather's father was"
RE Anders Randolf - 1920's Silent Movie Star Made 50+movies
My great great grandfather's father was Christian, Matias, Poul, or Niels Randrup from Rybjerggaard (Rybjerg Farm) in Denmark. My great great grandmother Inger KirstinePedersen worked on the farm and got pregnant. Her illegitimate son, my great grandfather Niels Peder Pedersen took back his rightful surname of Randrup in 1905 but we are not sure which of the four sons was his father. Matias Randrup's son Anders Randrup became Anders Randolf and did many silent movies in Hollywood. He worked for Vitagraph at one point. In 1854 when my gg grandmother (age 24) was pregnant, the ages of the boys were 22, 20, 18 and 16. I kind of ruled out Niels at 16 years, and Poul is 6 years younger than her, but.....I'm leaning towards Christian.. but...........
The stack is gone.
Not correct. The smokestack still stands in February of 2020. The developers of the new apartment complex called, "The Viatagraph" have reported they will save the smokestack from destruction and maintain the icon.
The developers of the residential complex called, "Vitagraph" have restored the smokestack and it continues to stand proudly over Flatbush.