Need ideas and leads for films with Ramon Icarez
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 6:28 pm
You may have seen me post here before, researching the work of Ray Bourbon. Bourbon got his start during the silent era in show business with some minor background and walk-on parts in films with Valentino, William Boyd, Gloria Swanson and others. He went on to have a notable career on stage, working with Mae West. I have a website about my research at:
https://raebourbon.com
I’ve had quite a bit of new leads opening up with online indexing of local newspapers in recent years and with the Latern database. I’ve found a few items there and was wondering if someone might have some ideas on digging a little more here.
I found several references to Ray working under the name “Ramon Icarez” when he first came to Hollywood. In Scenario Magazine, February 1923, I found a synopsis of a comedy short he wrote called “Movie Mad” and, in the September issue, a little profile of Icarez with a photo - it’s definitely our man Ray Bourbon. The alias is also listed in Ray’s FBI file.
Ray said years later that he appeared in a dreadful series of comedy shorts. I finally found evidence of the series and have put the info below. My questions are:
-Does anyone know what the Court Studio was? Was this actually a small indie studio or some facility in Hollywood? I’ve done some web searching and not really coming up with anything.
-I’ve checked the AFI database, Library of Congress, and UCLA for listings of the titles mentioned below and references to “Ramon Icarez”, but haven’t come up with anything. Any other ideas on where I might check for either confirmation that these films were made and distributed or if any might possibly survive?
-Are the name Lucile de Bois or H.W. Hughes familiar to anyone?
Here’s what I found about them in the Lantern database:
Camera, Feb 3, 1923, p 10, Boiled Down and Served Up column
“The Ramon Icarez productions finished “Movie Mad,” the first of a series of six pictures last Saturday. They will start on their second feature at the Court Studio immediately. It is a burlesque on “Broadway Rose,” entitled “Broadway Mose,” featuring Ramon Icarez supported by Lucile de Bois. H.W. Hughes is the director. The series be released through State Rights.”
Film Daily, Feb 19, 1923, p 6
“First Finished
(Special to the Film Daily)
Hollywood - The Ramon Icarez Prods have finished “Movie Mad,” the first of a series of six productions at the Court Studio. The second is a burlesque on “Broadway Rose,” called, “Broadway Mose.”
https://raebourbon.com
I’ve had quite a bit of new leads opening up with online indexing of local newspapers in recent years and with the Latern database. I’ve found a few items there and was wondering if someone might have some ideas on digging a little more here.
I found several references to Ray working under the name “Ramon Icarez” when he first came to Hollywood. In Scenario Magazine, February 1923, I found a synopsis of a comedy short he wrote called “Movie Mad” and, in the September issue, a little profile of Icarez with a photo - it’s definitely our man Ray Bourbon. The alias is also listed in Ray’s FBI file.
Ray said years later that he appeared in a dreadful series of comedy shorts. I finally found evidence of the series and have put the info below. My questions are:
-Does anyone know what the Court Studio was? Was this actually a small indie studio or some facility in Hollywood? I’ve done some web searching and not really coming up with anything.
-I’ve checked the AFI database, Library of Congress, and UCLA for listings of the titles mentioned below and references to “Ramon Icarez”, but haven’t come up with anything. Any other ideas on where I might check for either confirmation that these films were made and distributed or if any might possibly survive?
-Are the name Lucile de Bois or H.W. Hughes familiar to anyone?
Here’s what I found about them in the Lantern database:
Camera, Feb 3, 1923, p 10, Boiled Down and Served Up column
“The Ramon Icarez productions finished “Movie Mad,” the first of a series of six pictures last Saturday. They will start on their second feature at the Court Studio immediately. It is a burlesque on “Broadway Rose,” entitled “Broadway Mose,” featuring Ramon Icarez supported by Lucile de Bois. H.W. Hughes is the director. The series be released through State Rights.”
Film Daily, Feb 19, 1923, p 6
“First Finished
(Special to the Film Daily)
Hollywood - The Ramon Icarez Prods have finished “Movie Mad,” the first of a series of six productions at the Court Studio. The second is a burlesque on “Broadway Rose,” called, “Broadway Mose.”