News of the Movies BY The Limelight Man

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12405, 24 August 1918, Page 3

News of the Movies BY The Limelight Man

Ys)n 0$

ANSWERS TO QUERIES

" Susan."—Fnincclia Biilinglon w r ns born iu 189(5, in Texas, bln; has light brown hair ami prey eyes 1 think that she is still with American. I agree that she makes a b.'tter leading woman tor Bill Russel! than Charlotte Burton, who in private life is Mrs Russell.

“Old Hand." —Leah Baird was Rebecca, ■in the film version of " Ivnnhoe," w.._ King Baggot played the lead. Yes, some of the scenes wore said to have been made in England, M.J.K.—Norma, Talmadge is twenty-three, and was born in Niagara Falls. Constance Talmadge was born in Brooklyn in 11)00. Mary Piekford hails from Toronto, Canada. “ Inquiry.”—Anna Held's daughter, Liana Cerrera, is iu pictures. Cecil B. De Millo produced “ The Cheat," featuring Sessua Hayakawa and Fannie Ward. Billie Burke’s first picture, “ Peggy/' was a Triangle production. Her latest is “ The Land of Promise," with Paramount. “ Saturday Night."—(l) Southern Cross Film Company, Adelaide; (2) American Film Company, Santa Barbara, Californa; (.1) I never recommend any agencies, but urge you to deal direct with tho film companies; (t) No license is required for sending film M.S.S. to U.S.A.

Alma Rubens, one of the beat of the Triangle stars, will ho at Everybody's next week in “The Firefly of Rough Neck,” described as a particularly interesting photo-play.

In tho Government official film screened at Sydenham last week showing destroyers in action at tho big naval fight at Zoebrnggo some months ago, it wms forciby brought to mind tho report of this historic battle in the cables, whore it stated that the destroyers showed very plainly to the enemy on account of the sun being behind them (the destroyers). The picture showed tho destroyers in bold relief, the sun showing a silvery background which must have been in favour of the enemy. However, as wo know, with nil this in their favour our fleet came off victorious.

Sydenham Pictures is showing another exclusive feature this week entitled “John Glayde’s Honour,” starring the celebrated English actor, C. Aubrey Smith. Clara Kimball Young, in “ Shirely Kaye,” is also included in tho same programme.

BEVERLEY BAYNE hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she was born, in 1835. Went straight from school to screen, and at Essanay mads her first appearance with Francis X. Bushman, with whom her name has been linked ever since as co-star Sho moved from Essanay to Metro when Bushman made the move, and under the Quality brand tho pair have never been separated. She is a charming little actress, and is improving rapidly in her work. Miss Bayne will bo seen next week at the Grand, which '-pens its new doors with a big programme, including tho first episode of the Bu-shman-Baync serial, "The Groat Secret.” Mias -Bayne is just the type for work opposite Bushman, who is a Virginian. Miss Bayne has all tho characteristics of a Southern beauty. This picture represents her first work in a serial. Miss Bayns stands about sft. She is not married,

Maurice Tourneur, who did “ The Blue Bird,’’ is to make a number of fairy story films for the independent market in the States. Montagu T-ov 0 is starred by World Pictures in "To Him That Hath,” from the novel of that name. Oscar Apfel is directing. An interesting point is that some of the scenes were secured at Sing Sing, “ up the Hudson.” Production has been completed on the first of the new’ series of Edna Goodrich features to b e distributed by Mutual Kim Corporation. This first story is known under the working title of “ The Gadabout.” It was made in New York. Enid Bennett’s new picture on the Paramount list is called “Coals of Fire,” and is said to be one of the funniest the star lias yet appeared in. It is not, however, straight comedy, hut has a dramatic vein as well. The World Pictures sot for release on July 15 “The Golden Wall,” with Carlyle Blackwell and Evelyn Greeley as the stars, and with Madge Evans and Johnny Hines in the cast. The picture was directed by Hell Henderson. The story was adapted from a French romance by Clara Bcranger. There should bo little need to warn people that “ The Honour System ” is to be at Crystal Palace next week, or to tell them that tho picture is one of the most effective pictures the film world has known. It is a pica for the more rational treatment of criminals in gaol, and the picture is credited by many prominent public men in America with having done a lot towards securing prison reform. The cast supplied for tho picture by William Fox is remarkably strong. It includes Miriam Cooper, the Friendless One of “Intolerance.” George Walsh raid Milton Sills, as well as Gladys Brockwoll. It is a big work in every way. It. is stated that Baby Marie Osborne, only six years old, receives £l6O a week. Poor little child 1 > . Alla Nazimova, who appears at the new Grand next week, is a Russian. She was born in Yalta, the Crimea, in 1870, but was "educated in Switzerland. Her stage education was gained at tho famous Art Theatre in Moscow Her husband, Charles E. Bryant, appears in the picture with her next week. She has a sister in America who has. the tame name of Nina Lewton. Miss Lewton is a play translator and is on tho staff of the Metro. Herbert Rav/linson has been engaged to be leading man opposite Mabel Normaud in her next Goldwyn picture. “Under tho Yoke” is the title of the latest Theda Bara film. It is described as combining all tho best qualities of “Carmen” and “ Under Two Flags,” It is a. story of tho Philippines. World has got Fay Tmchor and Nancy Palmer. The first’ you know. The second was tho model for sevcral_of Howard Chandler Christy's magazine covers and also for his Liberty Loan posters. Her fi.rst picture is culled ' Merely Players.”

“ Nearly Married,” starring Madge Kennedy, the brilliant little actress of ‘’ Baby Mine,” will be seen next week at, Liberty. It is n Goldwyn production, which is enough guarantee for anybody. It is a bright comedy about a honeymoon which goes wrong, and nearly becomes a tragedy.

'‘Human Desire” is the title of the second Anita Stewart picture on the Vitaprapli programme. I understand that her first Vitagraph pictures, after her return from Court eases and illness, ‘‘The Mind-thc-Paint Girl,” will bo seen along hero shortly. Tho Grand for its opening on Monday- lias fitted out a powerful programme which will make some of the fans eager to clamber into the new place. Alla Nazimova in “ Revelation ” is a big attraction in herself. She is making her first appearance in Christchurch. Nazimova is a remarkable personality, regarded as one of tho leading actresses of tho American stage, and her decision to enter the movies was a big sensation. Sho is weird, and when she likes can make tho most vampirish of the vampires look out for their laurels. Then there will also he the start of the DnshmanBnync serial, about which correspondents have asked me frequently. A Chaplin picture is another big item in the programme, and there will also be a local film of the High SchoolChrist’s College match, tho host place to get Rugby. Taken with the.te there will be a goodly orchestra at the night sessions.

Gloria Swninsnn is a new' Triangle star. Her first film in that capacity is “Her Decision.” AVo will see ‘‘Pershing's Crusaders” along this way soon. It is the first official picture of the Americans in France and should ho of great interest.

Map Marsh at latest Teas working on "Money Mad,'’ her latest Goldwyn production, which will show her in quite a new class of work. The title of Geraldine Farrar’s first Goldwyn film is withhold.

Flora Finch is scheduled for appear-, anees on the vaudeville stage in America in a one-act farce.

MILTON SILLS, born in Chicago and educated there, started to earn, a living as a teacher, hut soon went on the singe, and continued his educational work therfe. Ho was leading man in many Broadway productions before" he took to the “ filhuns,” and among tno stagj successes he was in were Pantliea” and "'Jhe Back,” both seen hero on the screen. He started his movie work with Peerless-World in “The Arrival of Pcrpetua," and later he was with Universal, then back to Peerless, which had become divorced from World, and from there to Fox for “ The Honour System,” to be seen next week at Crystal Palace. After Fox he went to International and played opposite Irene Castle in “ Patna,” and later he was back again with World, and I also remember him. with Metro. Sills is one of the most cultured men on the screen, and very popular. Stands 6ft. Is married, and' has a daughter.

Maurice Tourneur lias spoken good words in condemning the conventional screen characters which have been doing steady service for years. “If tho pictures are to adv"’-'e,” he says, “ we must throw (ho whom impossible crew overboard.” H-. R -.Mm rjg-jit, there is too much in tim pi ?;:ggesting machine-made goods, it-, .ho stories, the directing and the noting. World has engaged Ruth Feilding, recruit from the stage, to support Kitty Gordon in “The Scar,” on which work was started last month. Billie Rhodes, who has been seen in many countries and is now with Mutual, used an ostrich farm in Galifornia., bhe sold it late in June, because ostrich feathers were nn4 selling well, but it Tins been discovoW»S that ostrich meat is good for food, *nd the ostrich is being canned. Her farm accommodated 1200 ostriches, and she sold tbs lot with the place. A number of the picture players engage in business outside their picture work. E. K. Lincoln has a dog ranch, and Lilian Walker until recently owned a big garage. Irene Castle lias a big dressmaking and millinery establishment in New York, and Francis X. Bushman has a farm which is worked as a business. Christie Comedies announce that they have produced a hundred farce pictures and have thrown only ono custard pie. Must bo a recordEddie Ring Sutherland, who has been in pictures lor some time as a juvenile, is now in the Canadian Flying Corps! He is a nephew of Blanche Ring, the actress. Alice_ Brady has acquired a new dilector in the person of John Stewart Robertson. This director, who has done effective work for the screen, received a stage training under Charles JM'o.mian wiih Maude Adams, and under Henry B. Harris, having been two years.with Rose Slab], Mr Robertson, who is in charge ol tho new production which Miss Brady is now starting for the Select Pictures Corporation! is bard at work collecting his cast, the prinicpal members of which have alreadv been engaged. David Powell, well liked for his leading roles in sup. port of Mary Pickford and Elsie Ferguson, will bo seen for the first time as Miss Brady s leading man. Craufnrd Kent will play the heavy rolo in the piece. Mr Kent has appeared in two other of Miss Brady’s Select Pictures, having been effective as the lawyer in “ The Knife," and as leading man in Miss Brady’s more recent Select Picture, “ The Ordeal of Rosetta.” Miss Brady herself wilt again essav a double role. In this ease she will okv two sisters who strikingly resemble each other in .appearance, but whoso natures are totally dissimilar. “Heart of the Wilds,” tho Western picture starring Elsie Ferguson, was completed at the Tort Lee studios in June by Marshall Noilan, for Artcraft iclcasc. Iho last scenes taken wore of- the camp of the Royal Mounted Police of the Canadian North-west. Tim North-west Mounted, by the wav is now at the. front. , The famous force has passed entirely into the Canadian