Historic silent film studio in Arlington

Norman Studios

The light reflecting off the white wooden building is blinding and the ground around it is dry as dust. Yet it's satisfying to see the transformation from a derelict dance studio to a dream factory.  Soon, it will regain its place in history as the last surviving movie studio from Jacksonville's glory days in silent filmmaking.

One hundred years ago, as the fledgling motion picture industry began migrating out of the confines of New York warehouses to perfect their craft on location, Florida quickly became the choice of new directors and producers. While the films may have been silent, the action was non-stop and Florida's lush scenery was the perfect backdrop. Richard E. Norman, a native son, began making "race" films in Jacksonville after buying the bankrupt Eagle Studios complex at 6337 Arlington Road, producing his first black feature "Green Eyed Monster" in 1919. His biggest commercial success was filmed mostly in the studio now being renovated. Released in 1926, "The Flying Ace" stayed on the movie theater marquees for almost ten years, earning Norman the respectable sum of $20,000. A year later, Norman produced his last all-black film "Black Gold". Soon after, the rising costs of sound equipment necessary for creating commercially-viable films proved to be too much.

The studio complex was moth-balled and the largest of the buildings was converted into a dance academy where Norman's wife Gloria, taught during the forties and fifties. Richard Norman died in 1960 at the age of 79, his remaining productive years squandered on the occasional industrial film. Norman Laboratories fell into disuse for almost 40 years. Gloria Norman sold the property shortly after her husband's death. A private sector group known as Old Arlington, Inc. spearheaded the drive to rescue the studios from oblivion. Yielding to pressure from the community, the majority owner Hugh Smith, sold five of the original buildings and the land to the City of Jacksonville in 2004. It would take another four years to raise the funds necessary to begin renovation. Coupled with grants from the state and the National Park Service, the Norman Studios Silent Film Museum, Inc. has pushed the project to near completion.

Somewhere on the property is a large pool that was once used to film water scenes. At some point it was filled in, but still lies waiting to be rediscovered. The original darkroom, screening room and the 1905 electric generator are intact in one of the production facilities. A walk-in safe used to protect film stock and completed projects stands empty. Like the sets and props once stored onsite, Norman's films have all but disappeared. A few items were donated to film schools and historical societies, such as Indiana University's Black Film Archive. Others are in the safekeeping of the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History. The only known copy of his masterpiece "The Flying Ace" is in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Examiner article on Preserving our silent films

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