From the Archives

European Documentary Filmmakers Set Sites On Fort Lee Film History

Making movies in Fort Lee in 1912.

Fort Lee for those of us who live here is sometimes just home, and it is hard to fathom the interest the outside world shows in our little borough perched atop the bluffs of the Palisades. This column has covered much of Fort Lee’s history, including our role as the birthplace of the American film industry, but this week we add an international flavor via the year 1912. This year, 2012, as noted in previous archive pieces, we celebrate some of the most important centennials in American and world cinema history, all of which occurred on the streets of Fort Lee.  Madame Alice Guy Blache built and opened her Solax Studio on Lemoine Avenue (present days site of the A&P) here in Fort Lee in 1912. She produced, wrote and directed hundreds of …

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From the Archives

Barrymore Way to Keystone Studio: All Roads Lead to Fort Lee High School

Fort Lee Film history along Main Street, and North to Coytesville, lead to Fort Lee High School this weekend.

The Fort Lee Film Commission has been at work feverishly since last year on plans for this weekend’s production of the Jerry Herman musical "Mack & Mabel." The musical is the “Keystone” of sorts in our centennial tribute to the founding of Keystone Studio in Fort Lee in 1912 by Mack Sennett with the aid of his leading lady, the lovely screen comedienne Miss Mabel Normand. The first order of business was to meet with Fort Lee High School Drama Department teacher Jodi Etra and get her on board to direct. Ms. Etra agreed, and work commenced on the plan and structure of the play, as well as the funding. The Fort Lee Film Commission applied for grants and raised funds in excess of  $10,000 to take this idea from conception to reality. Some of …

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High School Actors, Film Commission Prepare for Unique Musical

The long-awaited “Mack & Mabel,” incorporating rare film footage shot in Fort Lee 100 years ago and live performances by student actors, is set for three performances this weekend.

The Fort Lee Film Commission-produced musical “Mack & Mabel” celebrates the centennial of the founding of Keystone Studio in Fort Lee in 1912. With three performances starting this Friday, the production will incorporate film projection with live stage performances by student actors from Fort Lee High School under the direction of Drama teacher Jodi Etra. Executive director Tom Meyers of the Fort Lee Film Commission said the diversity of the student actors, as well as the use of extremely rare archival film footage, make the production unique and exciting. “Our high school students are from many diverse backgrounds, and this diversity is such a positive force in Fort Lee,” Meyers said. “To have this cast of young people tell a story about …

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From the Archives

Mack Meets Mabel on Main Street

Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand in Fort Lee, NJ, as they start Keystone Studio in 1912.

Redevelopment Area 5 is the talk of the town, and rightly so. The development of the 40-plus year vacant tract of land off Main Street is a long time coming. But to look ahead to the future, we also need to take a look at the past - about 100 years ago.  On Main Street, right across the street from Redevelopment Area 5, stands the Bank of America. This same building, pre-exterior job, was Fort Lee’s proud First National Bank. For many of us growing up in Fort Lee, especially lower Main Street, the image of the large clock on the exterior of the building is burned into our memories. I mention that very bank because on the Main Street side of the bank in 1911 DW Griffith shot one of his many Fort Lee-based Biograph films – this one starred …

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