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kjcfilmlover · 4 months ago

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Hallam Cooley is a definitive head scratcher of mysteries when it comes to researching a person, and their history. He was actually born, Lindsley Hallam Burr - his first name from his paternal grandfather’s middle name, and his middle name his mother’s maiden name, while Burr was his father’s surname. The name Clifford, sometimes pops up in screen magazines and journals, but where it came from is a mystery. I can find it it in no historical or genealogy records. On various ancestry websites his first name has been misspelled as “Bendsley” which seems to be a typographical error. He was born on February 8, 1895, and not in 1888, as sometimes printed. This misinformation stems from his WWI Draft Card registration, in Brooklyn, New York, as well as, various wedding certificates. When it comes to his education, supposedly he attended Northwestern Military & Naval Academy, and the University of Southern California, other sources claim he graduated from the University of Minnesota. Yet no sources have validated, with any type of documentation.. He was supposedly a boxer, according to a few press releases, again nothing can be confirmed of this. As an actor, Hallam got his start in theatre, playing stock and legit plays like The Man From Mexico and Kingdom of Hearts Content prior to entering films, in 1913. Known for over 100 films, he worked for Selig, American, National and Universal, among others. He played opposite Mary Pickford in Daddy Long Legs, as well as, productions for Goldwyn and Paramount. Other film titles include One of the Finest, Girl From Outside, Happy Tho Married, Girl Dodger, The Monster, The Daughter of the Don, What Do Men Want? for Louis Weber, and Babes in the Jungle. . He made a dozen sound films, including Little Man, What Now? and Mary of Scotland with Katharine Hepburn, Fredric March, and Florence Eldridge, he left acting, and became an agent, representing several important actors and directors. According to an advertisement in “Billboard” from November 2, 1946, the Hallam Cooley Agency, was located at 9111 Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood. Under a banner headline, “Gotta Script to sell?” His name was listed among several other agents, of the day. He also dabbled in assorted real estate ventures.

Most folks find it difficult to manage one career, let alone two, and be a success at both. Yet, Hallam did just that, while as an actor or as an talent agent, his other career was in real estate. In an article dated, October 4, 1925, in the “Los Angeles Times,” Hal was not only building a slated 14 room - five bath, three car garage home for himself, on the NW corner of Bedford Drive and Lomitas Avenue, in Beverly Hills, at a reported cost of $40,000.00 which was expected to be completed by December 1st. Hallam was also a successful licensed broker who was also planning to build other homes. In a subsequent “Los Angeles Times” article dated June 4, 1933, we learn of such a development being constructed in the Three Arch Bay neighborhood of Laguna Niguel, in Southern California. “Hallam Cooley, Inc., will begin work on a demonstration home. It will be of French Normandy type of architecture and will contain six rooms. Structure to cost $3,500.00 and built on a seventy foot lot.”

When it comes to researching his real vs reel life, two film titles seemingly fit the bill as bookends - first as his character of ‘the mystery man,’ from The Brass Bullet, and subsequently his many romances, brings to mind his title character of The Devilish Romeo. His many marriages seemingly fit his ‘Romeo’ mode. His first marriage, at 15 years of age, was to Viola L Johanson on November 6, 1910, in Waukegan, Illinois ended in either a divorce, or annulment. No actual records for either can be found, except mention in a small notation on his second marriage license. Viola later married a George Milton Gardner, in 1913. She died in May 8, 1976, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hallam’s second marriage was to Edna Clara Dorr, on May 1, 1912, however ended in divorce, with him paying alimony, according to a newspaper article, in the “Los Angeles Herald,” dated October 17, 1916. His third marriage was to Elizabeth Bates, on December 24, 1918, (some sources state on Christmas Day) by the Reverend J. Myers. Who was the same clergyman that officiated the Charles Chaplin and Mildred Harris wedding ceremony, a few weeks earlier. In the same article from “Moving Picture World,” dated January 18, 1919, we find out that his real name is Hallam Burr. It seems his mother deserted her husband, when Hal was just a baby, and never told him his real name, or anything about his father.

Hallam had a son named Ronald, with Edna, born on October 11, 1917, and died at the young age of 41, on January 26, 1958. There were two more children, one named George Aaron Burr, according to a newspaper blurb in October of 1919. The other had no name mentioned, both children died young, neither more than ten years of age. According to brief notices, no names are attached, but the other Cooley children died on February 24, 1927, and August 8, 1929.

Hal had left the screen as an actor in November of 1933, with exception to occasional small bits, and began an association as a talent agent with Harry Weber and Son. In 1935, he was now partners with the George Ullman Agency. He married a fourth time, to a dancer and actress, named Doris MacMahon, on August 1, 1935, with actor Johnny Mack Brown serving as usher. The reception followed at the Beverly Hills home of George Ullman. In the late 1940s and 50’s he and his wife spent their time entertaining and attending social events in Hollywood and Palm Springs. Hal also liked a variety of clubs supporting and belonging to Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Masonic Lodge #233, the California Yacht Club and Hollywood Athletic Club and Masquers.

After the death of Doris on August 30, 1961, at the age of 51, in San Francisco, her remains were cremated. Hallam married for a fifth time, to a Charlotte Maxine (Mina-Minor) Missamore on October 1, 1962, in Maine. Hallam reportedly passed away on March 20, 1971, at the age of 76, in Tiburon, California. Charlotte Maxine (Mina-Mina-Missamore) Cooley died at the age of 76 years, in October, 1993. In trying to piece together their relationship, records for Maxine and Hallam are confusing, to say the least, making a complete telling of their bond next to impossible, with seemingly more questions than answers.

Notes: A different and interesting side note to his life, as noted in a blurb in a 1920s “Los Angeles Herald” newspaper article, stated that “Hallam was a collector of signatures and treasures of film companies.” I often wonder whatever became of these treasures, he collected, after his death.

#hallamcooley #silent film #actor #real estate agent #vintage collector #beverly hills #hollywood #lost films

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khaosgaming22 · 5 years ago

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Vertigo Ch/4

The two of them walked to the Legion locker rooms and Sora found a uniform that fit her which surprised Cody due to her size. Then they made their way to an open area outside the warehouse with ten tables set up about fifteen feet from the first target with the cardboard cutouts going all the way to almost a mile away. Sora grabbed a pistol that was almost completely destroyed but a mix of steel parts along with some zip ties and duct tape held it together.

“Jeez you weren’t kidding about not having any weapons lying around.” She said picking up the gun keeping the barrel down-range and Cody sighed.

“We make the best of what we have with what we can. Sometimes that doesn’t yield very pretty results but if it works, it works.” She nodded and put on a set of earmuffs before loading the magazine into the gun.

"Somewhat heavy for a 9mm pistol" she took aim at the target without hesitation shot at the neck area. "Accuracy could use some work though. You probably put a piece too much in it"

Cody looked at her a bit surprised on her knowledge of this. "The Japanese air force taught you that?"

She nodded as she tinkered a small object of of the pistol. Cody looked at what she was doing, not quite understand exactly what she was doing with the pistol.

"I can't concentrate if you keep staring you know" she mumbled.

"Sorry…" he looked away quickly.

After a few more seconds she replaced a few pieces together and she shot a few rounds on the target with ease, the bullet flying faster than earlier. "There… fixed the accuracy and the range of it" she gave him the gun.

"Heh, you're good with these kinds of stuff"

"Making one no, fixing I can do" she justified. "It's not bad tho" Cody nodded and took the gun, It felt more balanced in his hands then before.

“You’re a really good shot, that target is pretty far away and you hit it right on target.” He looked at the dents in the metal cutout about thirty feet away.

“Well I did join the army for three years, being good with a weapon is a requirement.” She smiled, took another gun and shot a couple rounds at a further target as Cody looked at her impressed. She gave the rifle to him.

“Your turn big guy.” He smirked and aimed the gun at the target firing ten bullets dead on and turned around triumphant, she smiled with her arms crossed and rolled her eyes.

“So you can fire a gun, time to learn how to build one.” He said setting down the firearm.

“Alright, where do we start?” She took her earmuffs off and set them on the table.

“First step. Junkyard.” She looked at him confused.

“Huh?”

“We need parts if we’re gonna make a gun from scratch, best place to look is in the Legion junkyard.” She shrugged and nodded.

“Guess that makes sense, so where is it?” She asked moving her hair trying to erase the imprint from the earmuffs.

“Junkyard.” He said with a grin. Sora looked at him with great confusion.

“I’m sorry what?” Cody started walking and she followed as he explained.

“If you wanna build or need parts to fix something you go here.” She followed his finger pointing a walking distance away at a fenced in area. She shrugged and figured that made sense, though still questioned how she would find the right parts. Cody stopped in front of the gate and entered a passcode to open the gate.

“Why protect a bunch of junk like this?” She asked trying to memorize the code that he didn’t bother to conceal.

“This junkyard is the heart of the Legion. Without it we wouldn’t be able to craft or fix HALF the stuff we have, so it stands to reason it should be protected.” She nodded and they walked in as the fence slid to the side. The junkyard wasn’t at all how she envisioned it to be. Instead of piles of random garbage and items strewn about all over, it was organized in rows and piles. Old storage bins were used to hold smaller items and the biggest stuff was stacked up about a story.

“Wow.... it’s.... not what I expected that’s for sure....” Cody put both arms out and spun around once showing off.

“Welcome to my kingdom.” He said laughing.

“If you can’t find what you need here, we don’t have it. So... what kind of weapon would ya like to make?” He picked up a few parts in a section labeled *Weapons and Weapon Accessories*. Sora thought for a minute then decided on one.

“How about a mid to long range rifle? Something for shooting at distances accurately.” He nodded and started opening drawers and bins to find pieces as she watched. He eventually found a good amount and placed them in a box to give to her.

“Alright then. That should be everything we need, I’ll show you to the garage.” She took the box of assorted parts, it was pretty light considering the item she was about to craft. She followed him out of the junkyard and toward a garage that looked more like a hangar based on its size.

“Is everything you have huge?” She asked setting down the box. Cody laughed.

“Not everything exactly, but the junkyard and garage? Yeah. It stores all the Legion’s vehicles.” He pointed over at the other half of the area with an assortment of trucks and cars and Sora's eyes lit up.

“Sora likey....” Cody smiled and shook his head.

“You’re gonna need a license for those.” She pouted and her eyes went to Dodger.

“What is that?” Cody shook his head rapidly.

“Nu uh. No way. No how. never. Dodger is MY personal car.” She ran over to it and he chased after her. Her eyes immediately went to the interior.

“Why.... doesn’t it have a seat?” She asked as Cody caught up.

“Couldn’t find one that’s comfortable enough and please don’t touch.” He said as she was reaching out to grip the steering wheel. She quickly retracted her hand and put it behind her back keeping her eyes on the vehicle.

“You made this from stuff in your junkyard?” She asked raising an eyebrow, he nodded. “That’s amazing... it looks brand new.”

“See what you can do with the stuff ya find? Hey, you wouldn’t happen to have a seat would you?” Her eyes widened and she quickly responded.

“No.” Cody was immediately suspicious.

“What about that seat in your plane? I bet we could salvage that.” She grabbed his collar and pulled his face to hers.

“Listen bud. I don’t know if you know this or not, but a pilot’s seat. Is THEIR seat. Not one they can just give to someone they just met. So no, OFF LIMITS.” She released and he looked at her much more frightened than he ever had before. She crossed her arms and changed the subject.

“So how about that rifle?” Cody snapped out of his fear and nodded.

Oh god I haven’t posted literally ANYTHING this week yeesh. Alright here’s some more Vertigo, hopefully this will suffice, I am definitely still working on this though!

#cody x sora #post apocalypse #post apocalyptic oc #post apocalyptic

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