Jacksonville film studio

Jacksonville, Florida, was the rather surprising place to make films, once upon a time - and by "once upon a time", I mean, "a century ago". In 1916, more than thirty companies shot films in Jacksonville, with some of the hottest stars of the time. Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and Lionel Barrymore were among them, as well as a pre-Laurel Oliver Hardy.

The top studio in the Arlington section of town was entrepreneur Richard Norman's studio, appropriately named Norman Studios. Norman purchased the studio in 1920, and it was one of the first to make movies with an all-black cast. In addition to this surprising fact, Norman Studios may well be the only surviving silent film studio in the country. The rest have been demolished.

Political leaders Lake Ray and Glorious Johnson, intent on saving the studio, are trying to get local residents involved in the cause; the struggle to preserve this precious piece of film heritage has been going on for years. Ray, who served on the City Council in 2002, convinced the city to buy property on which the studio stands.

The idea is to turn the former studio into a silent film museum and film school, but there is a drawback - the cost will be close to three million dollars.

Only six features were shot at Norman Studios between 1920 and 1928, but they broke ground by featuring black actors in positive, non-stereotypical roles; the crew members were also black.

Norman's son, Richard E. Norman, supports the movement to save the studio; he states that his father (who was white) felt that making black-oriented movies was morally right, as well as good business sense.

For more information, go to www.normanstudios.org. They're in bad need of funds for this endeavor!