THE SHADOW WORLD

Southland Times, Issue 19102, 21 November 1923, Page 11

THE SHADOW WORLD

Latest Real News of Reel Folk.

Miss Bradley King, chief of the Ince scenario staff, is going to New York, following the completion of “Anna Christie,” to prepare her play of “A Man of Action” for a Broadway showing. Mies King is now revamping her play in anticipation of the New York showing. Alice Brady and her supporting cast were located at a fur trading post in Northern Canada, where they were making scenes for her next Paramount picture "The Snow Bride.” Louise Fazenda, who recently signed a long term contract with Warner Brothers, has been “fanned out” to Hal Roach to appear in the feature Fred Jackman is making for Mr Roach. Miss Fazenda is right at home in the comedy atmosphere around the Roach lot. Jackman is making a very unusual picture in which he is featuring a wild stallion in a manner similar to which he handled “The Call of the Wild.” Leah Baird comes to the Albion Theatre to-night in her newest Associated Exhibitors feature, “When Husbands Deceive.” It is another one of Miss Baird’s own dramatic stories, relating how one woman was deceived into marriage, and deceived during marriage, but found freedom through truth. Miss Baird is supported by a strong cast. Wallace Woraley directed. “The Dangerous Age,” the biggest, boldest thing John W. Stohl ever made comes to the Albion to-night. It is all this and more, because it isn’t afraid to be honest, it makes thousands who see it honest in their tears and smiles. After a year in New York, the magnetic Bebe is returning to the Lasky lot to play one of the featured roles in the second Zane Grey feature to be produced for Paramount, “The Call of the Canyon.” Richard Dix and Lois Wilson are to be featured with Miss Daniels in this production. Maurice Costello, who was one of the most popular stars of his day, is returning to the screen after five years in “The Glimpses of the Moon,” an Allan Dwan production for Paramount. Evelyn Brent celebrated her first year in America, following her English movie career, with a dinner and dance at her home in Hollywood. It was attended by many of the filmdom’s most popular players. One of the few features to be shown “Spanish Jade,” disclosed Miss Brent in one of the leading roles and attracted the attention of American producers. Since her appearance in Hollywood, Miss Brent’s services have been in demand among producers. Among her most recent films made are “Loving Lies” and “Held to Answer.” To be shown at the Albion Theatre is the Warner Brothers picturisation of Charles Blaney’s famous stage play, “The Little Church Around the Corner.” Briefly, the theme of the story deals with the fact that' there’s a litle church in every man's heart. One of the many highlights in the classic is declared to be realistic coal-mine scenes which were constructed at the Warner studios in Los Angeles. In the cast are Claire Windsor, Kenneth Harlan, Walter Long, Hobart Bosworth, Alec Francis, Pauline Stark, George Cooper, Margaret Seddon and Cyril Chadwick. The picture was directed by William A. Seiter. Tlie Coogan agents in New York are negotiating with Mry Roberts Rinehart for an original screen story for Jackie as one of his series on his Metro contract. “Long Live the King,” the novelist’s “pet” story, has just served Jackie as his first vehicle for Metro. Louisa De La Rame’s (Quids) childhood classic, “A Dog of Flanders,” is also being seriously considered as a vehicle for Jackie. Dorothy Phillips is again to star for Associated First National. This time Louis B. Mayer will sponsor her in a film production of Avery Hopwood’s well-known play, “Why Men Leave Home.” John M. Stahl has been assigned to direct her. Dorothy Phillips’s previous First National starring vehicles have been “The White Frontier,” or “Slander the Woman,” “Hurrican’s Gal” and “Man, Woman, Marriage.” These were all produced and directed by Allen Holubar. The principal man to leave home will be Lewis Stone, who likewise has just been signed as Miss Phillips’s leading man. The firm of Warner Bros., have concluded a series of pictures, of which they are justly proud. They have called them “screen classics” because they have been made from standard novels, and are clean interesting pictures. The best known screen players and directors have been engaged to interpret these works, for thousands of people have read them, and thousands will want to see them on the screen. Tliree of these “screen classics” to be shown in New Zealand soon, are “Main Street,” “The Little Church Around the Comer,” and “Brass.” One of the most recent Continental arrivals in Holywood is Jetta Goudal a French actress of luring accent, red lips, oblique eyes, and a slim silhouette of fluid grace. In short, a delicate siren. But she believes in prohibition and looks with disdain upon the flirtations of this flapper age. Nothing was known of this lady of mystery until she triumphed over the screen in her first role, Pilar de Lima, in “The Bright Shawl,” also featuring Richard Barthelmess. It is booked for the Albion. “To The Last Man,” the Zane Grey production for Paramount, has been completed. Richard Dix, Lois Wilson, Noah Beery, Robert Edeson and Frank Campeau are the featured players in this stirring story of pioneer days. “Lilies of the Field,” a screen version of the stage play of the same title, is to be Corinne Griffith’s initial First National starring vehicle, following her completion of the role of Madame Zattiany in the Frank Lloyd production of “Black Oxen.” The picture will be made at the United studios. Movie fans all over the country have been just dying to see the famous Pola Negri on the screen. Their wish will be gratified soon, for Paramount has decided to release "Bella Donna” in New Zealand shortly. "Bella Donna” will be one of the season’s most wonderful attractions. It is said to be a faithful interpretation of Robert Kitchen’s novel, and Pola Negri has never had such a role as Bella Donna, the woman who was loved and lost by many men. A newspaper critic reviewing "Main Street,” the film version of the well known novel, declares: —“Main Street” is palatable and entertaining. The acidity was retained, but diluted. The satire was evident, and it seemed as if the film literally enveloped the story much as a capsule encloses quinine, eliminating the objectionable irritation. Here and there the plot was weakened to suit public taste, but even so, there were far fewer changes than is customary in the adaptation of a story to the screen.” Another critic states, “As a picture, ‘Main Street,’ up to the last five or six minutes of its length, is one of the most significant character studies that the screen has had for months. There is engrossing drama in ‘Main Street’ and it is enacted with laudable perception. Florence Vidor, Monte Blue, Harry Myers, Robert Gordon, Noah Beery and Louis Fazenda are among the sterling contributors.” “Main Street,” has been booked for the Albion

Edwin Carewe has just completed “The Bad Man,” with Holbrook Blinn in the featured role, and announces that he is to produce and direct another picture for First National. He is now wading through hundreds of recently-published books and plays, looking for suitable material. Arthur Edmund Carew, whose work as Svengali in ‘Trilby” stands out as one of the headlights of that picture, has been engaged to portray a character role in Norma Talmadge’s newest vehicle, “Dust of Desire.” The old saying “Curiosity killed the cat” is proved true in “Hunting Big Game in j Africa.” The leopard came out of the jungle to ger a closer look at a Ford car, but a well-aimed shot settled him. His hand was as steady as his eye and and his eye as clear as his heart. And he sacrificed his all for the love of the one woman in the world whose light shone to him in a love that never waned. Such is Kit Carew of George Goodchild’s story, “Bucking the Barrier,” which stars Dustin Farnum, the Fox star, at the Albion Theatre on Saturday. “Pay Day” will come. It’s due next Saturday at the Albion Theatre for thousands of motion picture followers who have been waiting for a good laugh. “Pay Day” is a First National attraction, being the title of the latest Charles Chaplin comedy and the first one that the superlative star of fur has given the screen in many months. A trio of feminine players will appear in support of William S. Hart in his new Paramount picture, “Wild Bill Hickok,” according to announcements just made by the star and Jesse L. Lasky. Ethel Gray Terry will play the historical role of Calamity Jane, famous in the period of pioneer history in which the action of the story takes place. Kathleen O’Connor has been cast in the character of Elaine Hamilton and Naida Carle will play Fancy Pet. ‘The Go-Getter,” one of Paramount's latest releases, is purely American in type. It tells the story of a returned soldier who went out after it, and by dint of effort got what he wanted. The picture is one that carries a note of moral to the faint-hearted young men of to-day. Two American-made motion pictures, both from the Goldwyn studios, have won highest awards, the “grand gold medal” and a gold medal at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turin, International Exhibition of Optical and Cinematographical Photography, according to word received at the Goldwyn offices from the general secretary of the grand jury in charge of the awards. The letter from the secretary follows: “I am instructed by . the grand jury to communicate the jury’s decision at the Film Congress to assign in the international competition first prize, grand gold medal to the film “Lost and Found”; second prize, gold medal, for the film, “The Christian”; further the diploma for collaborators is conferred on Cedric Gibbons, art director; Clyde de Yinnia, technical director; Charles Van Enger, technical director.” An interesting disclosure in the field of motion pictures occurred recently when it was announced that little Jean Montgomery, known on the screen as “Baby Peggy” would receive 1,900,000 dollars a year for her work. Whether this is entirely true or not, can not be proved by the starlet herself who is quite familiar with pennies and nickels, but to whom millions mean nothing at all. Sol Lesser, of Principal Pictures, Inc., is said to have arranged this new contract before he left for Europe. A wonderfully exotic story of India is told in “The Tiger’s Claw,” a coming Paramount offering with Jack Holt. This popular star is featured in this picture as a young irrigation engineer who has come to the East to forget an affair with a woman of his own race. A strange fate brings to him an Eastern woman who cares for him and nurses him through fever. The arrival of the first woman on the scene brings the story to an unusual climax. They say that ‘‘lf Winter Comes” is just exactly like the book, not a comma of A. 8. M. Hutchinson’s novel has been changed in the screen version, and so let him who would like to cast asperin at the picture, read his book before he speaks. “Pleasure Maid” is the snappy title of a picture now in the making in which Mary Alden and Huntley Gordon are playing the principal roles. Elsie Ferguson, who will last be remembered for her sterling work in the Paramount picture, ‘Footlights,” offers as her latest vehicle “The Outcast.” Miss Ferguson is seen here as a young woman who loves a man with that t-agic love that leads to the defiance of conventions, and the sacrificing of everything. Sam Wood, the Paramount producer who has been engaged at the Long Island studio of the organisation producing “His Children’s Children,” is to return to Paramount’s West Coast Studio to produce his next picture, according to announcement made by Jesse L. Lasky. “Kick In,” starring Betty Compson, Bert Lytell and Gareth Hughes, is one of the most virile dramas that Paramount has offered this season. It is a story of New York’s underworld and New York’s Broadway. :: :: :: j A title which promises something new, ■ and something true is “Dick Turpin’s Ride I to York.” This universally popular story i of romance and adventure has been filmed , by the Stoll Company of London. The knowledge that Matheson Lang, one of the idols of the London stage, is to play the j leading part, supported by Isobel Elsom, promises a rare treat. Following the trade show of this picture in London, the representatives of the trade and Press were the guests of the Stoll Film Company at a luncheon at the Trocadero Restaurant to meet Matheson Lang and Isobel Elsom. In the course of his remarks, Maurice Elvey, the producer of this film, said that the British producers could give the world at least one thing in their films, and that was sincerity, a quality rarely found in screen entertainment. It screens at the Albion. Mae Murray has twenty-one gowns, le dernier cri (that means the last cry, but that will come later when she gets the bill), for her latest picture “Fashion Row.” Miss Murray is playing the role of a Russian actress. Evidently she will not appear true to type, for if reports from the land of the Bolsheviks are true, the actresses over there have very little to wear, rubles very scarce this season. Speaking -of thirteen, a member of the profession has no qualms about the supposedly unlucky number. Sylvia Ashton, who plays mother and grand dame roles in Paramount pictures, is in New York on her vacation. It is her first visit in thirteen years and she says she is mighty lucky to be in the big town again, “Mike!” calls Victor Seastrom sometimes when he wants a certain party on the set of “The Judge and the Woman,” which he is directing at the Goldwyn studios. And who turns up but Patsy Ruth Miller. Patsy acquired the name during her schooldays and when Seastrom learned of this she was Mike to him from then on.

Everybody is talking these days about the difference between the young people of to-day and yesterday. “The Children of Jazz,” one of Paramount’s coming offerings to be shown here soon reveals our modern pets at their jazziest, and dips into the picturesque past to. show the contrast. The all-star cast is headed by Theodore Kosloff, the famous Russian dancer, while Eileen Percy, Ricardo Cortez and Robert Cain play the supporting roles. Klieg ears is the latest thing in the film colony. Wallace McDonald is the originator of this new malady, which may or may not be destined to become the vogue with the smart set at Hollywood. It all happened while filming a dramatic scene in “The Day of Faith,” in which Wallace was called upon to back through an open door. He accordingly backed, but too far, and scorched the back of bis ears on a light which, by the way, was not in the manuscript. “There is a motion, picture censor outside with three friends,” said the watchman on the “Greed” location. “That is a phenomenon I would like to see,” said Erich von Stroheim, “show them in.” Ask ninety girls out of a hundred what they would like to do most in life and they will answer: “Go into the movies.” That is why “Hollywood” is officially announced to be a picture of irresistible appeal. The heroine goes into the city, to get. a job in the studio. She has adventures galore, and in the end—well, romance enters her life. But in the telling of the story she goes from studio to studio and meets most of the people who are famous in pictures,James Cruze, who made “The Covered Waggon,” has made this picture, and in it he has in minor parts practically every famous actor, actress and director in and about Los Angeles. The film is intended to show real people as they really are, at the same time telling a charming story. It will demonstrate the thrills and disappointments of those who seek a movie career and also show that for some time the road is extremely hard, while others seem to do it almost unwittingly. Elinor Glyn regards “Three Weeks” as probably the most misunderstood book in the world. She is now at the Goldwyn studios to personally assist in the screen version of the novel. In case you want to know why she wrote the story that made tiger skins famous, here is what she says: “I wrote ‘Three Weeks’ for two reasons, the first being to prove the effect of a great love upon a man’s character in opening his eyes to the fine in everything, the second to explain the 'laws of cause and effect and to show that we each of us pay the price or receive the reward of every action we commit, whether good or evil.” Clarence Badger, who recently returned to the West Coast after completing “Potash and Perlmutter” for Sam Goldwyn, has been engaged by First National to direct “The Swamp Angel.” Colleen Moore is to play the leading part in this picturisation of Richard Connell’s story, following her completion of “Flaming Youth.” Mary Pickford is about to fulfil her promise of two pictures this year. Almost simultaneous with the premiere at the Lyric Theatre, September 3, of "Rosita,” her recently completed offering, Miss Pickford will launch a new cinema venture—a photoplay version of the Charles Major novel, “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall.” “A coal barge,” cried Thomas Ince. “My kingdom for a coal barge.” No, Mr Ince has not developed a coal barge complex; he just wanted one for his picture, “Anna Christie.” It seems that coal barges are nearly extinct in the far West and it was not until a diligent search was made, that the right type of barge was found. You see, the handicaps these directors come up against! According to an announcement work has begun at the Fox studios in Hollywood on “Big Dan,” the next Charles Jones picture. William Wellman is directing it. The story is the first to be written by Frederick and Fannie Hatton since they joined the Fox scenario staff. Marian Nixon has been selected to play the feminine lead in a cast, including Ben Henricks, Trilby Clark, Jackie Glasden, Charles Coleman, Lydia Yeaman Titus, Monty Collins, Charles Smiley, Harry Lonsdale, Jack Herrick, Mattie Peters and J. P. Lockney.

A few years ago William Fox made a production of “Les Miserables,” with William Farnum in the role of Jean Vai Jean. The picture was one of the best things Fox has ever done. Now comes another company with plans to film Victor Hugo’s famous story again. Possibly “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” may have something to do with this renewed popularity of Victor Hugo. The new screen version of “Les Miserables” will be filmed by Finis Fox, head of the Finis Fox Productions. Ralph Lewis will have the role of Jean Vai Jean, if negotiations with Robertson-Cole, who have Lewis under contract, are successfully consummated. The role of Cosette will be played by Gloria Gray, who is said to be something new in the way of leading ladies. Mr Fox plans to make “Les Miserables” in France.

The cast for “Her Temporary Husband,” First National’s picturisation of the stage farce of the same title, includes Owen Moore, Sidney Chaplin, Sylvia Breamer, Tully Marshall, Chuck Reisner, George Cooper and Charles Gerrard. The play goes into production with John McDermott directing.