Buster & Laurel & Hardy
by Randy Haberkamp
President Hollywood Heritage, Inc.
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In its efforts to recognize the tradition of
excellence in American Filmmaking, the Society of CameraOperators
initiated a historical plaque program in association with Hollywood
Heritage, Inc.
The first plaque in the program was placed
in front of the Cottage Grove Hotel in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
To commerate
the location shooting of Buster Keaton's 1926 Silent Film Masterpiece,
"The General." Dedicated on August 3, 1991
as a part of the Cottage Grove Main Street celebration. The ceremony
was
attended by SOC
President Randall Robinson, SOC Charter Member Owen Marsh and
Hollywood Heritage President Randy Haberkamp. Cottage Grove Mayor
Jim Gilroy
and City Manager Jeff Towery hosted the ceremony and were particularly
helpful in facilitating the plaque placement.
Particularly gratifying was the honorary screening
of the film at the Village Twin Cinema to a packed house. Local
grade schooler's were overheard to say, "You know, this is really
good."
Eighty-two year old resident John Wilson offered
an unexpected treat to the Hollywood delegation. Wilson, who at
the tender age of sixteen, had been recruited as an extra for the
film. He proudly shuttled the visitors to the various locations
used in the film. His tour included the river where the most expensive
stunt in silent film history took place, the locomotive crossing
a collapsing bridge.
The second plaque honoring the comedic excellence
of Laurel & Hardy is to be placed at the 133 step stairway near
Sunset on Vendome in Silver Lake where they shot their Academy
Award winning short, "The Music Box," in 1932. SOC members
with experience in LA location shoots will, no doubt, not be
surprised
to learn that Los Angeles City clearances are a bit more complex
than that of an Oregon village. Therefore the placement of the
second plaque will be scheduled as soon as the proper permits
can be obtained.
The good news is that Silver Lake residents are
fully behind the plaque and that the third and subsequent plaques
should be much quicker in coming once the process is finally unraveled.
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