Editor’s note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders of all ages who are making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at cbenanti@siadvance.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Seasoned author Sean Crose has penned a brand new book that explores the life of silent film actress, Mabel Normand, a native Staten Islander who spent her formative years in the North Shore community of New Brighton.
Crose calls his latest work “Catholic Girl: The Life and Times of Mabel Normand.”
In describing his subject, Crose called Normand a veritable Hollywood pioneer, who was truly unlike anyone else.
“A self-taught performer who redefined screen comedy, Mabel Normand rose from a humble background to become one of the most popular and wealthy entertainers on earth,” said the author.
A favorite leading lady of Charlie Chaplin, the author described her as a woman who did her own stunts, directed, and mentored Charlie Chaplin (who was older than she), associated with royalty, and who ran her own studio before the age of 30. “And all at a time when women weren’t allowed to vote,” he added.
In chatting about his latest work, the author explains the book does more than just focus on Staten Island’s own groundbreaking comedienne, director and producer. Rather it “views her story through the prism of her time and place, which makes her legacy all the more remarkable.”
Interestingly, the author confided it was his original intention to write about Charlie Chaplin.
However, as time moved on during his extensive research, he became more interested in Normand than Chaplin.
But when he reached out to Normand’s estate for information, her nephew Stephen (who operates the estate) put the idea in his head to write a biography of his aunt focusing on her Catholicism, which isn’t brought up too frequently.
“When one considers the fact that Normand wasn’t only a powerful woman, but from a humble background, as well, the context surrounding the scandals and unfair accusations which plagued her become all the clearer,” said Crose who found her life to be profoundly interesting.
A LITTLE ABOUT NORMAND AND HER STATEN ISLAND CONNECTIONS
Normand was born Mabel Ethelreid Normand and most known for a dozen roles opposite Charlie Chaplin.
She hailed from a working class family, her mom was of Irish heritage, and her dad, Claude Normand, who was French-Canadian was a cabinet maker and stage carpenter at the Sailors’ Snug Harbor home for retired seamen, today the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Livingston.
According to historyshomes.com, information that was incorporated into an Advance report several years back, Normand was born on Nov. 9, 1892, at 91 Tysens St., a three-story home at the corner of Fillmore Street that was built by her father and not that far from Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.
The family later lived on Sands Street and Normand attended the former PS 17 on Prospect Avenue.
Before she entered films at age 16 in 1909, the screen star made a living as an artist’s model, which included posing for postcards illustrated by Charles Dana Gibson, creator of the Gibson Girl image. She also modeled for Butterick’s clothing pattern manufacturers in Lower Manhattan.
For a short time, she worked for Vitagraph Studios in Manhattan for $25 a week.
However, her lead performance while directed by D. W. Griffith in the 1911 short film “Her Awakening” drew attention and she met director Mack Sennett while at Griffith’s Biograph Company, and would become involved in relationship with him. In time Sennett would bring her to California when he founded Keystone Studios in 1912. She married actor Lew Cody in 1926.
During the 1920s, Normand’s name was linked with widely publicized scandals, including the 1922 murder of William Desmond Taylor and the 1924 shooting of Courtland S. Dines, who was winged by Normand’s chauffeur using her pistol. She was not a suspect in either crime.
The career of the film pioneer would eventually decline, mainly because of the scandals and a recurrence of tuberculosis in 1923.
Normand passed away on Feb. 23, 1930, in Monrovia, Calif., at the age of 37.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aside from being the author of “Catholic Girl: The Life and Times of Mabel Normand,” Crose is part of the English Department at Post University and the senior writer for “Boxing Insider.” His work has appeared in a number of publications and has been discussed by such outlets as the BBC and “The Nonprofit Quarterly.”
In speaking of Normand, Crose noted she led a fascinating life, even by Hollywood standards.
The author opines that Normand never got the credit and fair treatment that she should have gotten.
“Here was a true pioneer, one who should be far more recognized for her numerous achievements and huge impact,” he stated.
“Catholic Girl: The Life and Times of Mabel Normand” has been published by Bear Manor Media, and available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.com
‘UP LATE WITH JOHNNY POTENZA’
Johnny Potenza, the well-known host on Community Media of Staten Island Television — formerly CTV — will tape the next episode of his show, “Up Late with Johnny Potenza,” on Thursday, Aug. 1.
The show will feature artist, actor and director Federico Castelluccio /k/a Furio Giunta co-star on the HBO hit series “The Sopranos.”
Heart & Soul Dog Rescue Jacky & Meghan, actor, musician, screenwriter Victor Colicchio and country rock band “American Nomads”.
As host, producer and editor of his show since 2008, Potenza developed the former “Late Night with Johnny P” and now the current “Up Late with Johnny Potenza” and continues to tape new shows.
To be part of the free studio audience e-mail: uplatejp+audience@gmail.com, you must be on the list to get in the show. 7:30 pm seating 8 p.m. showtime at CMSI 100 Cable Way, Suit 2 Staten Island, NY 10303.
CELEBRATIONS – JULY 21 TO JULY 27
JULY 21
Sunday is birthday time for Albert Papraniku, Debbie DiClerico, Marie Garcia, Joseph Falcone who turns 31, Kim Goins and Joseph Charlemagne.
JULY 22
Heading the birthday list Monday is Dr. Mark Sherman, an orthopedic surgeon, Jim Waggoner, Tyler Jordan Roschfska, who turns 23, Anne Marie Briguglio, Lillian Bilotti, John Buonocore, Louis Esposito, Natasha Papousek Welsh, Saverio Costa, Courtney Hughes Noone, Ashley Holt, Anne Padula of Dongan Hills, John Crowley Sr., Frank Giovinazzo, David Grynsztajn, Maureen Sohmer and Vincent Cinquemani.
Happy wedding anniversary Monday to Kimberly and Vincent Buono, who celebrate their 35th.
JULY 23
Tuesday is birthday time for twins Brian Edward and Lauren Elizabeth Collard and Michael Brinskelle.
JULY 24
The happiest of birthdays Wednesday to Toni Anne Ciraulo Steiner, Kristyn Andreu, Melissa Kraker, Daniel Delcroix, Charles Curreri, Ed Johnson, Nicholas Procida and Josephine Serieaux.
Happy wedding anniversary Wednesday to Cathy and Al Driscoll.
JULY 25
Birthday greetings Thursday go to Joe Lamberti Jr., Scott Barcia, Frank Chiacchio, Athena Byrne McGowan, Lucille Cione, Paul Miller and Lauren Claire Brady.
Happy wedding anniversary Thursday to Ruby and Joseph Quaranta.
JULY 26
Happy birthday Friday to Katherine (Kathy) Connors, an Advance Woman of Achievement in the Class of 2019, Debbie Buttermark, Tony Venturella, Joseph Fennell, Steve Schwab, Anthony Jannazzo, Courtlin Gregoriades, Megan Marie Waldhelm, Joy Overton, Gregg Pannetta, Amanda Theresa Villanueva, and Carmelo Mazza. ¶
Happy wedding anniversary Friday to and Geri and Anthony DeMaio.
JULY 27
Birthday best to John Sollazzo, who has been dubbed Mr. Democrat, Jerry Amerosi of Gerald Peters Jewelers fame, Christina Marie Somma, Leroy Green, Mae Stabile, Christa Golden and twins Megan and Bryan Mullvaney.
