things-and-other-stuff recently had a visit from one of our more interesting customers.  This gentleman is working on a couple of books that I'd love to be able to read one day, so I offered my help in the only way I knew how: by volunteering your help!  Here's what our new friend requested in an e-mail:

"I am looking for personal information concerning about 200 actors/actresses who had lengthy careers as character actors, bit players or even as extras.  Most of these people had careers that spanned both the silent and sound eras. 

"I am also looking for like information about women who appeared in silent comedies (1910-1929).  I have about 350 names on this list.  I am not interested in someone who appeared in only one or two films, but rather someone who appeared in at least 20 silent comedies. 

"I am also very interested in cast lists from these comedies, as well as cast lists from short films of the silent era.  Some of the early studios which interest me are Kalem, Selig, Essanay, Edison, Vitagraph, Lubin, Fox, Christie, Educational, etc."

Please send an e-mail to things@things-and-other-stuff.com with the subject line "Research Project" if you think you may have some helpful information.  If it sounds interesting I'll forward it along to the ambitious gentleman working on this very interesting project.  Thank you!