In 1909, Edison made a decision to revitalize his rocky film company. Who better to enlist but his world-famous publicity magnate friend? Im thinking the idea may have been hatched over dinner. I think The Redding MT Library has Twain's guest book if anyone wants to check possible dates. Twain's advancing Heart Disease might have made trips to NY, where Edison's Studio was located, difficult. And the author at home was a desirable advertising (moving or still) scene. Both were consummate self-promoters. 

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On Sep 10, 2013, at 9:46 AM, Dave Davis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> This mystery of the man who brings the hat seems to be deepening! ;-)
> 
> I think the best guess is still the butler. Walking in a member of the film
> crew to a family scene seems unlikely to me.
> 
> Has anyone published about what was really going on in this staged media
> event? It was a big deal, even in 1909,  to have a film crew visit a
> celebrity at home and capture some moments-- it seems obvious to me that
> there was some 'stageing'.  "Stand in the doorway" and "Walk around the
> corner here" -- b/c films demand motion. "Have tea with your daughters."
> 
> So, who wanted/asked for the film to be created, and -- if it wasn't our
> boy's idea (I wouldn't rule that out)-- then who's idea was it, and what
> would SLC's motivation to cooperate be?
> 
> Bottom line: The film capture is a window into a moment. Fortunely, an
> apparently happy moment, a good day. But the window hides more than it
> tells, I think. Some deconstruction seems called for -- and I wonder if
> anyone has already attended to that task?
> 
> DDD