Lois Wilson in The Lost Romance (1921) (still photo + detail)
A week after posting about the Cahuenga Library's possible starring role in a silent movie (The Lost Romance, 1921) and the surprise co-star of the film (actress Mayme Kelso, younger sister of Los Angeles City Librarian Tessa Kelso), I found a definite match. And the film was available on Kanopy, free with your library card!
Louis Calhern and Claire Windsor at the circulation desk of the Cahuenga Library in The Blot (1921)
Directed by actress/screenwriter/director Lois Weber, the 1921 silent film The Blot, stars the interior of the Cahuenga branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. The film’s human star, Claire Windsor, works in the library where she is courted by co-star Louis Calhern. Her father is a poorly paid college professor, who is seen teaching at the nearby Los Angeles City College campus (when it was the Southern Branch of the University of California aka UCLA). Although the exteriors of the library were shot elsewhere, the interiors are definitely from the Cahuenga Library.
Lois Weber Productions logo appearing on The Blot (1921)
Ms. Weber was known for filming on location instead of on a set. From 1918 until 1925 Lois Weber's movie studio was located at 4634 Santa Monica Blvd, less than two blocks from the library. Note the similarities between the Lois Weber Productions logo that appears on the credits of The Blot and the Cahuenga Library "light of learning" plaque over the Santa Monica Blvd entrance.....
Cahuenga Library, Santa Monica Blvd entrance doorway (detail). Photo by Tiffney Sanford
