When the Earth Trembled

 "April 18, 1906--San Francisco was wrecked by a Great Earthquake at 5:13 a.m., and then destroyed by the seventh Great Fire that burned for four days" (Museum of the City  of San Francisco).

Tivoli Opera House

 

In 1913, Lubin filmed what may be the first fictional movie account of the San Francisco earthquake-- "When the Earth Trembled."  It incorporated several scenes from their 1906 newsreel of the aftermath.

 

From Writing the Photoplay, Esenwein & Leeds, 1913, Theatre Talks collection

 "Construction of a scene in the Lubin studio which took twenty men one month to make
and was destroyed in two seconds when the camera was turned on for a San Francisco earthquake scene." 

 

"Showing destruction of stage properties
used to illustrate the earthquake scene. "

 

When the Earth Trembled

When the Earth Trembled

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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