News of the Movies Stars of the Screen WHEN THE EMPIRE CRASHED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12738, 6 September 1919, Page 3

News of the Movies

Stars of the Screen

WHEN THE EMPIRE CRASHED.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Correspondents desirous of having qu*»tions answered in the current issue are requested to aee that their communications are delivered at this ofiee not later than Tue*day evening. answers to correspondents. T 'P' Viola Dana., care Metro Studios, Los Angeles, California. Jack.—Marguerite Snow, care Laaky Studios, vine Street, Los Angelos, California. Bill Hart Pan.-—The following is the reply to your questions that I have received from the Publicity Manager of Picture. Supplies, Ltd,;—As far as advices can tell us " 'The ' C-000 of Lie \ukon,” being a Select, will come 1o us. “ The Gumvoman," starring Texas is released by the Prohman Compa.ny, wtrich has not yot appointed an agent lor New Zealand. High Ace.—Madame Karimova. is Mis Charles Bryant. Charles Bryant plays lend in her productions. Viola Dana is Mrs John CoiJines. Her husband foil a victim to the ’flu in October last. So far as I am aware Bert By tell plays under his real 'name. I am informed that the v.'ork is done with a specially constructed cemcra, but no description of the method being obtainable hero, I have forwarded yonr question to e> Wellington expert. N.S—ln answer to yonr question I have received the following reply from Wellington; —I have had the synopses of Gazettes searched for any reference to the event mentioned by your correspondent, and it is not specially mentioned. Evidently it has not bean considered import-ant enough to advertise, in comparison with Hawker's flight, launching the latest airship, and cfhcr news items of equal importance. The only thing for your correspondent 1o do is to watch the Garottes. The most likely ones are Pa.the and G-aumcut. Of course, it is possible that the film has not arrived in New Zealand yet. If I sec any reference to jt I shall let you know. Me.—Usually bad habits arc more easily acquired than broken, but they cau be broken if one is really determined to get rid of them. I note the reference to ibe cress, and propose to attend t-> the matter should circumstances prove favourable. It is an impossibility to spend your money and still retain it, .therefore you should avoid luxuries when necessities are. constantly demanding attention, Hurt i? if you regard picture shows in this light. Some people consider boor and tobacco necessities, while others look upon them an an cnl. The girl in “ Duruand of the. Bad Land? ’’ was Winifred Kingston. In supplying the information, the Publicity Manager of Picture Supplies, Ltd., writes;—“ Mr Carr, of Fox, brought me in a press sheet. I enclose

Jewel Carmen has been awarded £BIOO damages in her suit against the Fox Film Corporation. She contended that she was prevented from fulfilling her contract with the Keeney Picture Corporation by the Fox Corporation asserting prior claim to her services and inducing the Keeney Company not to employ her. Sentences of three years’ imprisonment of Robert Goldstein, Los Angeles motion picture producer, for violating the Espionage Act in the making and presentation of a film entitled “The Spirit, of 1776,” was affirmed by the United States Circuit Court of Appeals. The objectionable feature ot the film was depiction of English troops bayoneting American children, and like acts. The original sentence of Goldstein to ten veal’s’ imprisonment was commuted by President Wilson to a term of three yearsA New York film broker has been arrested on a technical charge of receiving stolen property, in his Syracuse store. The arrest is part of the uncovering of what is believed to be a huge film thievery ring. Representatives of two leading production companies purchased from the broker for 270 dollars a five-reel film and a few other films worth commercially more than SO.OOO dollars. The purchasers paid with marked hills, and then caused the arrest. According to the detectives films worth nearly 13,000,000 dollars have been stolen since June. 1918. An English moving picture magazine says;— There seems to be a great dearth of British “star” favourites who could be featured to prove the draw that American “star” favourites do. If British films nro to succeed they must find the featurable “stars” who will prove as big a, draw as the leading American lights. We want, no British “ Mary Bickfords.” “Paulino Fredericks,“ “W. S. Harts,” or “Douglas, Fairbanks.” We. want no imitators, but British “stars” who can create their own characters that will equal and even surpass the best that America can give. Twenty years ago. Rose Melville set America laughing with her impersonation of “ Sis Hopkins,” the Imydenish little country girl who wouldn’t grow tip. 'io-day, after two decades have

DOROTHY GISH, vho h*3 the leading pail in “The Hope Chest,” which will he produced at tho Strand to-day. i. may allisox, the popular atctro star, who will n• seen next we eh at. Crystal Palace in ' PcsgT Does Her Darndcßt.”

it year correspondent might like it as a souvenir.” 'Hie sheet lip.s como 1o hand, and I shall bo pleased to forward it to you if you will send ati addressed envelope. “ Neuralgia ” relieves Ins feelings in the following manner: “Dear Movie Man, —Have you formed an opinion of could you tell me why movie producers waste time bringing cut absolute piffle, a.nd why, when they do get hold of a good story, they make a hash of it by bad acting and putting in a lot of unnecessary sloppy, sentimental stuff? The villain in must have had nine lives, like a cat, for he was killed three times and came to life twice. It would be all right if wc could get some of his sort into the army. There wouldn’t then be any need for conscription.”—l have eliminated the name of the production mentioned by the co rto spondee t, for obvious reasons, but the views he holds, I think, are in accord with those held by the hulk of picture patrons- The managers, however, are not to blame, rather they should bo pitied- Their desire is to give the best article that is procurable, but the market has been limited to one source of supply since ti3© Twir, and tboy naturally iiave been compelled to accept what is offering. “ Common Property ” i B the tentative title of a new TJnrversay six-reel drama dealing with nationalisation of women in Russia. Bessie Love has graduated at Hollywooq High School The vouug actress studied under private tutors while carrying out studio engagements. Eileen Percy is to he leading woman for Alajor Marwick when ho .starts his new Paramount-Artcraft picture. “In Mizzoura, ’ at the basKy studio. Natalie, the youngest of the three Lalmadge sisters, has a part in “By bight of Conquest, ’ which Norma was engaged upon when the mail left. 1 lie cast o( De Alilic's latest production, The Admirable Crichton.” bv -James M. Barrie, the well-known English playwright, will he headed bv I nomas Mcigiian and Gloria Swanson. Real action was added to the presentation of a film melodrama at Crystal 'lheotre. Vancouver. 8.0., when a resoldier became excited and fired at a figure on the screen with a revolver. According to an American magazine t.ie seven wonders of tho American screen are:—Fannie Ward’s youth, J-ong s pep, Charlie’s moustache, 'ri r ' S l/ 0:l ' ■ Theda’s make-up, Mary ihurnians figure, Ben Turpin’s eyes. , begins to look almost as if the no.-oed-hair rage would return (says an t movie magazine). Nazimova, | > loin Dana, Irene Castle Treman, an.d ■ Aorma and Constance Talmadge all ' vpl * r theirs short, and’'Dorothy Gish . jnd Alma. Rubens have bobbed-hair I igs rvbict are most becoming. Marshall Neilan, who is to make a series of special productions for the j t irst National Exhibitors’ Circuit, has | designed and will have under his coni trol what is claimed will be the most complete motion picture studio in existence. The new plant, which will cover fifty acres, will cost £150,000, “ Revelation,” in which Nazimova scored her first success as a screen star, is to be made into a drama for the | speaking stage, while two eminent I j American composers are seeking perl j mission to write a grand opera round M the theme. Mabel Wagnalls is the j author of “Revelation.” M'hich first I appeared as a novelette under the idle. “ The Ross Bush of ® Thousand Years.”

■passed into the discard. America is shrieking with laughter at Mabel Norma nd in her screen impersonation of “Sis” tho sag© and “ filosofer.” As Sis says “ luffin’ cures more ills than deleters kin invent—won’t the dokters be mad to sc© me in pikehers?” The astonishing thing about Mabel’s performance is that’with all the gawkiness of her absurd attire, and tho awkwardness of her gestures, she is as charming as ever, albiet a different girl to “ Mickey-’’ Mrs Snowy Baker, wife of the noted boxing promoter, sportsman and mov- • ing picture actor of Sydney, who was seen the week before last in Christchurch in “Tiie Lure of the Bush,” was in Los Angeles when the mai] left to attend to special business connected with the moving picture industry for the Snowy Baker interests in Australia. Mrs Baker was met by Mr and Mrs Wilfred Lucas, who were to return with her to Australia in August, when Mr Lucas will b© associated with Mr Baker in the production of pictures depicting Australian bush life, in which Mr Baker will play the leading part. Mrs Lucas will prepare the scenarios for the pictures. Mrs Baker will engage directors, cameramen and scenario writers for the new Australian {lira company now fully organised for the production of moving picture plays, huti the actors will he Australian people. Our old friend Francis Ford, who will be remembered in the. serial “The oioken Coin, 1 ’ lias the star part in another serial, “The Mystery of 13.’’ He is supported by Rosemary Thoby who plays second to May Allison in IXies her .Damdest/*'’ 'which Will be screened at Crystal Pakace next week. In a trade magazine the prouuoJiig company advertised the piece by means of a .special inset of thirteen pages printed on art paper. in this advertisement Francis Ford is allowed j one page to advertise himself. He says:—With more successful serials to my credit than any other serial director or star—-I have round that heart-in-terest, action and punch, mast ho hoJd I together by constant suspense situ- j ationa—in other words—a mystery (do- j ment. My long string of mystery serials developed the fact that mystery appealed to all the fans. Charles Chaplin and Mildred Ha.rris Chaplin became, tho parents of a seven and three-quarter pound baby at six p• m.. .Tnly 7. One of the. first celebrations in which Charlie indulged was tlie payment of a wager of £2OOO made with his wife that the ne.w arrival would be a girl. A dispatch from “Motion Picture World’s’’ Western correspondent said that 000 telegrams and one offer to star Charles Chaplin, jun.. in filn) at tho age of six months had been received within the first twenty-four hours of Charles iun.’s career. Tn the “ Moving Picture World.” dated July 26. appears the following: —The flood of telegrams and letters that have been pouring in on Charles Chaplin and Mildred" Harris Chaplin since the arrival of their son and heir have changed in teiie from congratulations to expressions of sympathy and condolence. Tho Chaplin baby, which was born on July 7. died at 4 p.m. on the following Thursday after a life of only seventy-two hours. The baby was a lively and lusty infant at birth and gave every promise of a strong and vigorous childhood. Nazimova, temperamental as are many stars, made it necessary to close a Los Angeles city block one night recently. in order that she be undisturbed during the filming of a- scene. Mrs-Sidney Drew recently’completed a screen comedy which has been named ” Bunkered.” )

doing hia test in the interest of the school. During the evening a programme of songs and recitations was gone through, the following being the performers Misses Rita Rray, Nita Manhire and . Mrs Rowse (who also acted as accompamst), Messrs H. Marsh, Murdoch M Kenzie, H. M’D. Vincent, T. Charters, Sullivan and H. Longworth. Refreshments on a generous scale were provided and handed round during the interval. The pupils of the school, before breaking up for their holidays, assembled to say farewell to Mr M’Leod ; ai 'd to present him with an easy chair. The teachers also entertained Mr | , Deed at afternoon tea- Miss j Adams, on behalf of the teachers, pre- | sented Mr M’Leod with a suit case. WELCOME HOME. A very pleasant evening was spent at the residence of Mr \V. Field, Edinburgh Street, the occasion being the welcome home of Rifleman A. E. Marston, who returned by the Port Hack--1 mg. The evening was spent in games, music and song. Mr Field, on behalf of those assembled, extended a hearty welcome to the guest of the evening. Dn Thursday night, at the Somcrheld Street Hall, a welcome home social was tendered to the returned soldiers of Spreydon and their lady friends by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs Manluxe). After supper the Mayor congratulated the men on their safe return to home and kindred. He commented on the good work of the Lady Liverpool Association in providing comforts for tne hoys at the front, specially mentioning Mrs Winsor, who was president of the Spreydon branch. Mr M’Callum, secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, on behalf of the Spreydon returned men present, thanked the Mayor and Mrs Manhire for the very enjoyable evening they had enabled them to spend. He spouo of the appreciation of the boys at tne front of those good things that they had received so generously from the Lady Liverpool Association- Dancing was indulged in until a late hour. During the evening songs were sung by Mr Cropp and recitations given by Miss Cowan and Miss Nita Manhire. Items of interest for insertion in this column must be received not later than Ihursday in each week, addressed Spreydon News,” 15, Somerfield Street, Spreydon.

Author of *A 1 “When I waa Czar ’’ i |*| “ The Man Without a Memory,” ♦y | *4* etc., etc. *g* i V A ! X* J, CHAPTER XII. A Mtn.VtOUT OAJLt. As soon as the door had closed behind Keiierman, 1 burst into hearty laughter. rhe idea that I had come to Russia in order to be appointed nssassin-in-chief in the interests of a posso of German spies was too utteny grotesque and ludicrous. But the laugh died away as I remembered that Avola was one of the mysterious inner circle who directed these infernal machinations. There was nothing humorous about that. It was an absolutely maddening thought, and my blood ran cold with the horror of it. Did she know that I had been selected for gruesome mark of Mir ski’s favour? Was it possible that she held me for so rile and murderous a scoxmdr*i as Kalierniau and Mirski must mc * > Was that the reason why she had told Stephanie she would not or *P* a .k rae again. She might well act so, if she did. Yet there had i not been anything in her conduct during our last interview to suggest it. ij it had been, she must be a very clever actress. The possibility gave me a mighty bad quarter of an hour; and it was all 1 could do to tear myself away from her share in the affair to think about another aspect of it. Keiierman had been earnest enough, but I doubted about Mirski. He must be a very poor .judge of men if he took me lor a professional throatcutter ; and after some minutes another idea occurred which might explain his action This pretty little proposition would be a very excellent way of getting rid of me. And that was probably in hij If I could be induced by lavish bnbes—and Keiierman had already offered me some thousands of roubles —to accept the offer, it would bo a simple enough matter to let my intended victim have a hint of what I was to do; with the sure and certain result that I should go west after hemskiI could see the Prince rubbing those fat hands of his and chuckling over the little trap. It would servo the double purpose of enhancing his reputation as a staunch frienfl of the Government p >nd getting me put up against a wall, taking that troublesome secret about nis wife with me. A very neat little plan, indeed I But I had no_ intention of letting him advertise his tremendous patriotism at my expense in any such way. . The question was, however, whether it might not he possible to turn the tables on him and use the scheme to expose him in his true character. He was a wily brute and difficult to trap. In the first place it would be necessary to force him to come out into the open. No simple job, considering that so far he had told me nothing but the merest generalities of his schomes, using KelIcrman as his mouthpiece when it came to details. Vp to this point, although I knew ins part in the_ affair, there was absolutely nothing in the wav of evidence to snow to anyone, and' evidence of some sort there must be if he was to Do downed. But how to get it? That was the question. One point wouffi be to refuse to take any instructions from Keiierman and insist on seeing Mirski himself. He must come to my rooms, too. He was so keen on getting me out of his way that it_ was quite on the cards he’d come if I insisted. If h© did. some means must bo devised to get him to writs something or other which would compromise him. Just enough to show , d Koslov. Ho and his agents would b© able to do the rest, backed by the information I could give him. • ?i point Avola came back into the picture. How could I tell what I knew about Mirski without giving her away at the same time? Rostov's methods would be very thorough and it was “ all Lombard Street to a rotten orange” that Ids agents would get on her track. The puzzle bothered me consnmedlv, and I was worrying over it without seeing any daylight when Stephanie rang a £«nu. She was in a very different frame of mind. ”1 suppose you think I’m a very detestable person,’ - she began. I don’t change about like that, I assure you. But why?” " After this morning, about Avola. I know 1 was horrid; but you made me so abominably curious that I couldn’t help it.” Tr ‘‘ 1 , , c3oß ’ t think you were horrid, would yon like me to run round and teu you so m person?” T , V*l, to T ® above all things, but f p nd bad news, and I’m just hurrying off in answer to a telegram. A favourite, niece of mine is desperately j i* * shan’t be back for a day or wo*” ‘ “ I’m sorry. It must wait, then, until youtcome back.” “ Your meeting with Avola will have to wait, too.” “ Naturally in the circumstances. But it can t he helped.” ‘ I don’t mean because of mv going away. She’s away, too. I went to see her after you 'phoned and her annt told me about it; the Countess Prcvaloff, you know. Avola lives in her h*txsc», 42, Nicholas Square.” “I understand. It’s awfnllv sweet «f you, Stephanie.” “ Well, you don’t suppose I could away without telling you. I hope. "T may be horrid and ill-tempered, but I m not vindictive.” “If I heard anyone talking like that about yon should! hare something to say, I promise you-” “ Would you really? I believe yon would, Karl. Bell, I told the Countess you were a friend of mine and Avola’s, and that yon would probably call. She said she’d bo glad to see vou. That right?” “ Better and better, of course.” “ But it won’t be any use your going for a couple of days at loast, because Avola won’t be home.” “ Do you know where she's cone?” A laugh rippled over the wire. “ How eager we are! But I’m afraid vdu can’t go rushing .after her. t3hc told the Countess she was going to Pskov t« some Irien’ds there, but 1 think she has really gone somewhere else on our matters. Ton’ll have to curb your impatience, therefore. “ Chaff away; but you wouldn't, if yon knew mv object." “Pleas® don’t begin all that over again. Besides, I can’t give you another minute or I shall miss my train. Good-hye; and mind you come and see me the moment I get back.” She was really a little brick to give me Avola’s address and pave the way for me to call at the house- If 1 could manage to get into the good graces of the aunt, it would be a neat little sunwise for Avola on her return, 1 smiled at the thought of this as I turned to make a note of the number of the house It always bothered 1 the to write the Russian characters, and I was laboriously struggling with tlv»ra when it occurred to mo that this difficulty of mine might b© used to catch Mirski tripping when he came to me. When we got to grips mere would no sure to he something which 1 could pretend to need in writing : and it wouldn’t call for any very Machiavellian cunning to fumble over the writing and get him to do it. (To be continued.) rJ?or Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods’ Great Peppermint Core,

On Ks return to Melbourne the Commonwealth Prime Minister, Mr W. M. Hughes, was received like a conquering hero, we are told by cable. No sooner had he set foot on Australian soil on his return from his heavy labours abroad than he declared hig intention to engage in a fight to a finish against any force that sought to create trouble or disturb constitutional processes- Mr Hughes’s work since the war began is refeired to as a ceaseless round ol persevering activity. He fought the battle of Australia in season and ont of season. The methods he adopted called forth mnch severe criticism, but this indomitable little man allowed nothing to divert him from the line which ho believed to be the right one to follow in the general interests of the Empire. His denunciation of the operations of the German metal combine in Australia and his success in securing the cancellation of the license under which the company operated placed him in the position of defendant in a libel case, the wnt for which, however, was never issued. He showed, by strong speeches, the alien danger in England; ho fought the world’s greatest diplomats at the Peace Conference on the New Guinea question, and caused great disquiet by his frank, outspoken views on the racial question. All through the strenuous days that followed the armistice ho made his presence felt. Patriotic to his finger tips he fought Australia’s fight with fiery eloquence. Diplomatic, in the European sense of the word, he may not have been ; he was too prone to discard the niceties of language in his objection to systems and methods were regarded as a necessary part of the proceedings, but which were novel and strange to the representatives of the overseas dominions. He kept Australia’s end up as possibly no other man could have don© or would have attempted to do in such company, and under such circumstances, and although not gaining all that he strove for, he achieved much, so that to-day he is acclaimed by his countrymen as its greatest champion. Politically he has many enemies, politically he has been attacked for errors of commission and omission, but whatever his failings, "William Hughes, by unceasing effort and untiring energy, did all that was in his power to protect the future interests at hia country. He returns to Australia a much greater man than when he left.

RHEUMO RELIEVES RHEUMATISM. “Uric acid poisoning” is another term for Gout, Lnmbago, Sciatica and Rheumatism. Therefore the only way to effect a permanent benefit is to eliminate the excess poisonous acid- External treatment cannot do this, and it is not necessary to resort to salts with foreign names. RHEUMO lias relieved thousands from the tortures of Rheumatism. A well-known Gore resident writes:—“ Having suffered for over twenty years with Rheumatism and Sciatica, I tried many cures hut did not derive much benefit from them. I was advised to try RHEUMO and can recommend it to anyone as it is the only thing that has done me good.” RHEUMO eradicates the excess uric acid and is successful because it removes the cause of the disease. It reduces the pain and inflammation and seldom fails. 2s 6d and 4s 6d, 55 Barraclough’s Magic Nervine stops Toothache. Is bottle. Chemists and stores. Progandra cures Corns quickly. Is.