AFTER DARK: A HOMETOWN REUNION

Nightscape Manhattan, by Zheng Xu, AFTER DARK'S Official Photographer - Website: zxuphoto.com

IT'S MONDAY NIGHT, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR LINKEDIN AFTER DARK IS?

Opening Number: Crazy on You - Heart - THEN

Welcome to this week's AFTER DARK: A HOMETOWN REUNION! If you've tuned in these past few weeks you may have noticed that unlike the pre-reunion days, AFTER DARK: A HOMETOWN REUNION hasn't changed it's above-the-headline photo (nor do we intend to in the future). Yes, that's correct. We're sticking with "Celebrity Yearbook Photos Then and Now."

Do you have any Before and After photos that you'd like to share with our audience? If so, please contact Alan Geller through LinkedIn.

Speaking of photos let's give a warm welcome this week to the award winning photographer, Zheng Xu, the newest member of the After Dark team. Zheng's signed on to be the official photographer for AFTER DARK: A HOMETOWN REUNION. His mission is to bring his unique, yet wacky artistic vision (which believe you me sometimes needs to be reigned in) to the show. Zheng recently donated his recent masterpiece: Nightscape Manhattan (above) to the After Dark reunion team. It fits the shows theme quite nicely, don't you think?

Warning: You' never know where in the world Mr. Xu is going to pop up with his camera - or when. So if you're a scheduled guest on the show and you discover a man with a camera equipped with a high-powered lens in your closet, or if you feel that you're being followed on your way to and from the office - don't call the authorities! It's probably Zheng just doing what he does best. How do you spell S-T-A-L-K-E-R?

Of course, let's not forget the inimitable Loribeth Pierson pictured here with Fur-VP Chance Pierson, designer of the official LinkedIn After Dark logo who's been with us through thick and thin (not to mention that 5 AM accidental (OK you can stop throwing darts at my picture now, Loribeth) wake up call).

And now on with our Hometown Reunion show!

Do You Remember...

Timi Nadela

Life, at its best, is happening right in front of you. You might miss it

"Alan Geller is this your other project other than LinkedIn after Dark? I like it."

HYBRID CHRISTIAN ENTREPRENEUR, AUTHOR, SPEAKER, STARTUP SALES COACH, AND LIFE STRATEGIES BLOGGER

 Timi Nadela first learned how to interact with CEOs as a flight attendant. From there, she moved into selling financial services and quickly learned the crucial skills she would need to become a top business development expert for a Fortune 100 company. In Get To The Top, she gives step-by-step, practical instructions for small business owners to: 

■ identify their best markets 

■ build their websites and social media presence 

■ network effectively 

■ craft a sales pitch that will get you in the door 

■ prepare for a sales presentation 

■ and interact comfortably with everyone from gatekeepers to top tier executives. 

Through it all, she gives ideas and inspiration to overcome fear and believe in yourself as a business owner. It’s integrity, authenticity and the “heart sell,” not the hard sell that helps a business grow and make a positive difference in the world.

Website: Timinadelausa.com

From the Executive Office of Arizona Governor 

Timi, ​Thank you for supporting the State Employee Charitable Campaign. Your generosity will make a difference in people's lives. Your's Very Truly, Janet Napolitano, Governor 

if you're too busy bee. Live your life with a little bit of spice!” 

“Success doesn't happen overnight. It takes hard work, dedication and keep your eyes on the prize. Don't look back.” 

“ Avoid cheap clients. If a prospect client tries to lowball you for deep discounts, shut the door.”  - Timi Nadela, Get To The Top

Martin Wright

Looking to use my proven knowledge/expertise in Administration to the advantage of a Great Employer. Unfluencerᵀᴹ

"How about "Can you Read my mind" by Margot Kidder (it actually charted in the UK)"

Wallace Reid – A Star Who Shone Brightly

For those of you who have read my previous profiles of those silent actors whose lives and careers have become lost in the mists of time and consciousness may have noticed there was one name amongst the images of those actors who worked with both of these former stars. His name was Wallace Reid.

 But as I looked further into this young actor who worked with so many names, many of whom retained a level of fame even to this day – his name had almost disappeared. Yet when I looked further into this young actor’s life what emerged was even more remarkable than one could have thought possible.

This is because while Harrison Ford and Earle Fox both survived into the sound period, Harrison Ford returning to the stage and Earle Fox starting his military academy, Wallace Reid was not only to achieve greater fame then either of these two actors – he would actually become one of the THE biggest stars in Hollywood at that time– even being described “The King of Paramount” when Gloria Swanson was the undoubted Queen. His star would burn so brightly but he would die over 4 years before the revolution that was “The Jazz Singer” would help bring the silent era to its final curtain.

If you were to write a fictional book describing how someone became a star and used the real events which surrounded the emergence of Wallace Reid’s foray into movie making – you would be castigated for using too many clichés – but as Samuel Goldwyn once told a scriptwriter whilst castigating him about his script “What you need is some new clichés!” – As even clichés at one time were original and new.

 Wallace Reid was born into a theatrical family. His father was the actor/producer Hal Reid, and it was on 1911 while helping his father on the set of a film that he was persuaded to take a part in the film. Daniel Blum wrote of this in “A Pictorial; History of The Silent Screen”:-      

One Day the Director of the “Miss Turner’s Picture” was having trouble with a Pomeranian. Trimble appeared with Jean, his pet Collie, who performed like a trouper and was put on the payroll for $25 a week. Jean became the first dog star of films. Hal Reid, who had signed to write and act too, brought along his 19 year-old son with ambitions to be a cameraman. The casting man took one look at the son and put Wallace Reid in front of the camera……

 At that time his father was a still-handsome man in his 50’s but Wallace Reid was something different.

Wallace did not harbour any ambitions for acting in movies; he did wish to become a cameraman. But he also showed he had other talents for writing and directing as well. However the Casting Director also understood what the camera liked too.

 Wallace Reid was young, slim, well muscled and handsome, but his reticence to act also meant he conveyed a lack of arrogance and a height of 6’1” (although in “Hollywood The Glamour Years by Robin Langley Sommer his height was described as 6’3”). At this time film making was still largely centred around the East Coast districts of New York City and New Jersey.

In the following couple of years he found himself busy working on many productions. Films were still being made at a very fast rate and their running times were short by today’s standards and productions times would be in days, not months. He found himself being schooled and moulded by the great technicians and actors, including one of the first character actors to emerge in movies, John Bunny.

At the same time he was also being allowed to direct films as well. One of the people he directed was an actress called Dorothy Davenport whom he married in 1913 (she was 17 when they married). But 1913 also proved to be another standout year for him as well as he found himself under contract to Universal, where his popularity started to soar and he emerged as one of its biggest stars in 1914.

At this time Hollywood was starting to emerge as THE place to make films. Not only because film-makers would be free of the General Film Trust, who tried to extort fees from film makers for the right to run film through the cameras, but also because California had the widest range of locations within a few hours drive from Los Angeles coupled with the most reliable light; it generally being sunny for 320 days a year.

 This also proved to be the turning point for Wallace Reid as well. He had been learning his craft well but American Films were starting to look hackneyed and derivative in comparison with the productions coming through from Europe, which were starting to show a much more epic and polished look to their films – as well as showing some technical improvements such as Kinemacolour (a 2-colour colour process invented by William Friese-Greene). But Wallace Reid had heard that a director was undertaking a new production which would become the greatest film to date produced in America.

 Wallace Reid wanted to act in this film, and he agreed to take a pay cut and not be billed as the star. The film was “Birth of a Nation” directed by the then greatest director in American cinema – David Wark Griffith. DW Griffith’s tale of the South before, during and after the American Civil War was a landmark film on so many levels that it effectively invented the language of modern cinema by not only its landmark editing, plot, camerawork and story-telling. It also re-defined the running time of movies as this was the first film to run at about 3 hours (12 reels). (Many of the extras in the battle scenes were actually veterans of the Civil War). 

 1915 was also the year that led to him starting work on Carmen with Geraldine Farrar, directed by Cecil B DeMille. This film was produced by Jesse L Lasky’s Famous Players – which later became Paramount Pictures. Geraldine Farrar was an Opera Star and it was a film of the opera. This budget for this film was huge at the time with the Geraldine Farrar being paid £20,000 for 8 weeks work – as well as being given a house, servants, car, private railroad car and her groceries all paid for by the studio.

Wallace again also worked with Lillian Gish on the film Enoch Arden, which showed his youthful good looks developing into a more mature handsomeness. Wallace also worked on the next great film that DW Griffith decided to make, the epic, “Intolerance”.

He also worked again with Geraldine Farrar on the films “Maria Rosa” and “Joan the Woman” (about Joan of Arc). Both films directed by Cecil B DeMille. In “Joan the Woman” Wallace Reid’s maturity was starting to emerge. He also worked with Earle Fox in “The Love Mask”. Wallace was also starting to gain his own fan following at this time too and he was popular with many of the leading stars of the day.

 Wallace’s next foray with Geraldine Farrar was the story set in South America at the time of the Conquistadors “The Woman God Forgot” (1917). He also filmed the action film, “Big Timber”. 

When America declared War on Germany Wallace Reid wanted to enlist. He was only 25, he was strong and also a crack shot. However he found he had to stay working for Jesse Lasky. However he joined the Home Guard and he also opened his home up to many soldiers and helped them wherever he could. He frequently gave Benefit Performances to help boost morale and raise funds to help fight the war. 

 However, even though Wallace was emerging as one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and he was also constantly working. His spending was also on an enormous scale. Not only was he supporting his wife, but he was also supporting several other members of his family, including his father. On top of that he liked to drink – a lot. He frequently used to attend the Vernon Country Club whereby a lot of the famous used to really let their hair down. Tom Mix once drove his car into the Club and ordered drinks for everyone. Even though he was earning enormous sums, he had to work constantly. 

Wallace was also emerging as an Action Star at this time too. Many of his popular films revolved around him driving at breakneck speed in many car and racing films. Even then, just as now, high speed car action was thoroughly enjoyed.

However 1918 also produced a reason for him to celebrate as well with the birth of his son, Wallace Reid junior. Also that was the Year Paramount acquired the contract of Wallace Reid and this is what catapulted him to stardom. At this time he was described as “The King of Paramount” but it was generally felt at that time he would not have taken that nomenclature too seriously.

 In 1919 Wallace starred in one of his most famous motoring action films “The Roaring Road”. He also worked with Harrison Ford in “The Lottery Man” (I do hope you are still not making THAT assumption).

However it was also in 1919 while filming “The Valley of the Giants” he was involved in a train crash. His injuries should have prevented him from finishing the film. However, the studio, unwilling to stop the film, sent the company doctor up to Oregon with a supply of morphine so that he would continue working and not feel the pain of his injury. 

 His lifestyle and extreme spending, along with the number of people he was the sole support for meant he was unable to properly rest up and recuperate after completing the film so he had to continue working, and the studio continued to ensure he was able to function free of pain by ensuring he was supplied with Morphine. 

While today we might be shocked at this, this was not so unusual at that time. Studio Doctors were employed primarily to ensure the stars were fit enough to work on their films, and so any treatment was regimented on ensuring this was possible – or if it was not possible, that any productions being closed down were done so for as short a time as possible. These doctors also had to take care of actresses who had abortions, venereal disease and other potentially damaging maladies were dealt with.

 Wallace continued to work, as well as still performing benefits for veterans. But his dependence on Morphine as well as alcohol was starting to emerge as a problem for the studio and the rumours were certainly getting around the community about his difficulties. Paramount’s publicist at the time, Jimmy Fidler, later stated that:-

 “Reid was a nice guy who couldn’t say no to do an invitation to do anything. He played scores of benefits …… He was on the go so many hours that he broke his health down, and in order to do his job well in pictures he went the Judy Garland routine, pills to keep him up and then onto the stronger stuff.” (The quote is from “Hollywood The Glamour Years by Robin Langley Sommer). 

 The studio did try and get him off his dependencies – sending him off to retreats and for treatment but drug dependency then – as now – has often proved to be a most difficult affliction to deal with. It was also around this time that his father died (May 1920)

When you look at the stills for his pictures at the time, even though he was in good shape physically you could still see some of the spark had gone. He had aged very quickly between 1919 and 1921 and even in those stills taken in 1922 you could that even the heavy make-up they used then could not hide something was seriously wrong with him.

In January 1923 he went to a Sanatorium to try and get off the drugs. He told Cecil B DeMille “Either I'll come out cured, or I won't come out.” While in the Sanatorium he caught Influenza. He died in his wife’s arms. He died on the 18th January 1923, a few months shy of his 32nd birthday. (The still is the last picture taken of him when he was alive)

His death caused reverberations around Hollywood. His death was the third scandal for that studio in a short time. This led to events in Hollywood which would have ramifications right up until the 1960’s. The clamour by the public and the desire for the studios to show they had a moral heart led to the drawing up of the Hays Code – which later morphed into the Production Code, which guided cinema censorship for the next 45 years in the USA – and effectively led to such censorship being prevalent in other countries as well.

In 1923, Wallace’s widow Dorothy Davenport, used her married name when acting in her biggest film – “Human Wreckage” co-starring Bessie Love, which was a film about the dangers of drug addiction.  A role which was greatly supported by the Hays Office. She did not act much after that and faded into obscurity.

 Wallace Reid Junior did make some films up until he reached his mid 20’s, the biggest of which was the Technicolor adventure “North West Mounted Police” (1940), which starred Gary Cooper, Paulette Goddard and Robert Preston. This film was directed by Cecil B DeMille and produced by Paramount.

 It is hard to surmise what his effect on Hollywood would have been if he had survived. Early in his career he took a break from acting and indeed became a cameraman for a while, as well as an accredited writer and director. It is likely that, if the emergence of sound would have ended his acting career – he could well have become a great director. This is not as unlikely as it sounds. One of the actors he worked with on “Birth of a Nation”, eventually found real fame as a director – Raoul Walsh. 

 This talented man had emerged so quickly as a star and had burned so brightly. 

 He was a star before Charlie Chaplin had even appeared in front of the camera. He was a Heart-throb before Rudolph Valentino brought on the slightest swoon. He was an action man before Douglas Fairbanks had even leapt to the rescue. He made over 140 films in 12 years – most of which have been forgotten – but a few have remained as classics and are still being shown.

No, it's not Can You Read My Mind by Margot Kidder. But IT IS one of Martin's other requests: MacArthur Park by Richard Harris

Paul Ranson

"Alan Geller I am going to make a playlist of these today. Great post."

"Proven Innovation Techniques for Less Than the Price of a Pint of Beer"

Professional training organizations sometimes mistake their packaging for the content. They charge extortionate rates for people to attend conferences with a free lunch and then simply to hand over a few snippets of information.

Quality information shouldn't be expensive and need not include free lunch. What you need (and what Paul provides) is a variety of detailed strategies distilled down into chunks that can be read in a lunch hour: Each one is designed to help you solve a specific innovative business obstacle.

Paul writes his books for a variety of innovative entrepreneurs: digital agencies, games companies, and designers. What separates him from other digital publishers is his ability to explain complex topics in a down to earth, straightforward manner. He doesn't promise the world. But always delivers step-by-step strategies you can immediately implement.

In his spare time, Paul likes to walk his dog, cook, read, and talk about himself in the third person.

About Paul Ranson (The Entrepreneur)

Hi there! My name is Paul Ranson—the voice behind the podcast.

“Proven Innovation Techniques for delivered over a virtual lunch”

I think that training organizations sometime mistake their packaging for the content. They charge extortionate rates for people to attend conferences with a free lunch and then simply to hand over a few snippets of information.

Quality information shouldn’t be expensive and need not include free lunch. What you need and what I hope I supply is a variety of detailed strategies distilled down into chunks that can be read in a lunch hour: Each one is designed to help you solve a specific innovative business obstacle and *smash the thinking* that sometimes holds back would be entrepreneurs.

I have trialled a number of different strategies in my professional career. Some have been wildly successful and others spectacular failures. I subscribe to the notion that it is better to have an interesting failure than a boring success… well as I say that the interesting successes are obviously best!

Over the years I have run a variety of video game companies selling two in trade sales. the first in the heady days of the 1990’s.

I have written blogs and taught Gamification at Coventry University’s Serious Games Institute.

These days I write coach and consult with investors and entrepreneurs alike. I am passionate about innovations and innovative strategies.

About Paul (The Person)

I was born in the North of England an area synonymous with wet weather and a a creative Manchester scene. I am not university educated, but like to think of myself as a student of the world.

My day to day life is fairly routine. I work, walk my dog and enjoy a variety of hobbies. Mostly I like to spend time chatting with my partner, family and friends either at home or the local pub.

I am passionate about the countryside of south and west Wales and I spend as many weekends as I can immersed in the country and culture. I am lucky enough to have a house that overlooks the delirious gorgeous gower peninsular.

Website: www.smashthinking.com

That's all for this week's reunion. See you all next week. Isn't it great to be reunited?

Closing Number: Crazy on You - Heart- NOW