by Bailey White
Staff Writer
The City is just a week away from closing on the purchase of some property that is part of Jacksonville’s film making past.
The Norman Film Studios on Arlington Road was the site for numerous films when Jacksonville was known as The World’s Winter Film Capital. City Council members and Arlington residents are working to turn the complex into a community center or museum in an attempt to preserve its heritage.
“I think it will be great for a community center, to enrich our history in the community,” said Council member Lake Ray, who represents the district where the studios are located. “I would have wanted them preserved even if they weren’t in my district, but it’s great that they’re a part of Arlington’s history.”
Ann Burt, who presides over Old Arlington, Inc., a non-profit group dedicated to the historic preservation of the community, has been particularly vocal about preserving the buildings.
The site saw its heyday as Eagle Studios, which opened in 1916 and consisted of five buildings: a film developing and processing center, a soundstage, an outdoor pool, an actors’ changing house and a shed to store airplanes and Model-T cars that were used in filming. It was a time when Jacksonville attracted stars such as Oliver Hardy and movies were shot all over the city.
Richard E. Norman purchased the bankrupt Eagle Studios in 1922 and renamed it Norman Film Studios. Norman produced short films and features, among them a series of feature films starring black actors and actresses showing them in roles other than the unflattering stereotypical ones that were standard of the time. Norman produced at least eight of these films, making the studios significant not only for their part in America’s film history, but also for expanding the roles of African-Americans in the movie industry.
“Norman would bring in one famous actor and use extras from the community,” said Burt. The grandparents of Alton Yates, husband of Council member Gwen Yates, appeared in some of the films.
The City is buying the primary buildings for $260,000 from Hugh Smith, who acquired the complex from the Norman family in the 1970s after Richard Norman Sr. died. Smith ran an electric company, Hugh Electric, and a telephone answering service out of the building.
One building, which is owned by Circle of Faith Ministries Church, was not purchased by the City. However, Burt believes the church isn’t planning to make a permanent home at the site, which could make it possible for the City to acquire the property at a future date.
At first glance, the buildings seem dilapidated and someone with less vision than Burt may think restoring the complex is a waste of time. Behind boarded windows, a portion of the second floor has been damaged by water. Raccoons and vandals have each left their mark on the interior of the building.
But Ray and Burt agree the buildings are stronger than they look.
“They’re made of old heart pine wood and are a lot more solid than it appears,” said Ray.
Burt said she has been reassured by people in the renovation business that the buildings are salvageable.
“Everyone who has done this kind of work is telling me not to worry,” said Burt.
Two of the best preserved features of the production building are the dark room and the screening room, or rush room.
The dark room is outfitted with lightboxes on the walls, a single red bulb and a door that slides from top to bottom to serve as a light trap.
Burt is hoping to use the old screening room, complete with a director’s window and wooden-framed screen, for its original purpose
“I can just see a Halloween film series for children,” she said. “But we wouldn’t show really scary movies.”
And at least one of the films originally shot at Norman Studios has been reproduced. “The Flying Ace,” which was filmed in 1926 and shows shots of old Arlington Road, was featured in a PBS documentary and Burt hopes it will be shown again in its place of origin.
To get the building as close to its original look as possible, Norman’s son, Richard, will lend his memory.
“I’ll be a part of the process to restore the film studios to their original appearance. I’m so glad this has come about. It’s a legend to my father,” said Norman, who is a retired U.S. Air Force captain and lives in Tallahassee.
Once the City has closed on the property, Burt will continue to seek funding for the renovations from state funded grants or private sources.
“I don’t want the City to have to do this. The goal is that it will be economically sustainable on its own,” she said.
“I think people will come from all over. It’s such a fascinating story,” said Burt.
Ray agrees.
“A lot of people will want to visit,” he said.