General Film Gossip

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17246, 12 January 1924, Page 21

General Film Gossip

- B ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. C.F.—Hope to have the episodes asked for lx. ume for next issue, llio Sheik- Have no record of the you irxcntion having been screened in Chribfohuroh, und local manager* are unable to place it. Earle Williams was born at Sacramento, California. The “ Studio Directory" omits to give the year of fcu birth. Arizona—Kenneth Harlan, Mayer Studios, Lob Angeles. California; Florence Vidor, V'rirr.er Siudios. Hollywood. California. William Desmond. Universal Studios. Universal City. California. A number of those you mention are not in pictures. at present, and therefore have no studio addressee. Others are free* lances, and have no fixed addresses IMdu. seemingly F.ddie Polo is out of pictures for u time. The latest 1 read Au onset the serials in which ho appeared are “Tue Broken Coin” and •'The Vanishing Dagger.” I should not like to venture an opinion as to who is tlie best horseaian. Certainly Hoot Gibson ranks high, but 1 have no doubt that there are many who would place Tom Mix before him. One-tenth of the Indians under the protection of the United States Government were gathered together in the making of “ The Covered Waggon,” Paramount’s super-attraction, which will be seen at both the Greater Cry stal Palace and Everybody’s on Monday next. In the realistic prairie tire scenes depicted, nine squure miles ol waste prairie were swept by the blaze, while live hundred specially constructed waggons had to be built, resembling those of. old, to visualise correctly th. wonderfity spectacle of the waggon train as it crossed the plains. It is easy to understand, with these facts in view, that *• The Covered Waggon ” is one of the most colossal film undertakings of the day. The study-of birds at any time is a most fascinating subject, but when one has a natural gift of attracting them and educating them to obey one’s slightest wish then the subject becomes more than fascinating. Mr Oswald Remand, of the Tivoli circuit, who will appear at the Greater Crystal Palace next week, has the knack of making the most intimate friends of birds. His particular liking is for doves and pigeons, which under his training have acquired au intelligence almost human. Mr Remand’s amusing patter is an entertaining adjunct to the tricks ol his birds. The little creatures are apparently fearless. They hop on lighted lamps, stand shocks, ar.id carry out every given order. A pigeon with a Charlie Chaplin walk is also an amusing feature of Mr Be maud’s act. The new programme at the Liberty Theatre to-day includes the First Na tional special, •■The IVoman in His House. ■ in every sense a screen mas-teij-iece, raukmg with the greatest motion pictures ever made. The theme, which presents a striking example of the divine power of mother love, is so thoroughly human that even the most critical audience cannot fail io enjoy it. The hand of genius mav be seen in t ie development of the theme and in the rare and touching emotions which have bee,, brought out under the direction of John Stahl. Mildred Harris ha s the leading feminine role, and Ramsay \\ allace appears opposite -liss Harris as her busy husband, an eminent physician. The Sheik s \\ ife ” is the sequel to • The Sheik,” but without Indasia baili salts and perfume. She. a French blonde, married a sheik. Then, as his wile, wandering in the desert. she found herself face to face with immemorial custom and rigid tradition. H, hail sworn ‘ by the beard of Allah” tnac she would be his only wife the sok- light of his harem, but after three years Ins love for . her is/over ruled bv the clamorous demands of his tribesmen. and he prepares to take a second niie. “ The Sheik’s Wife ” commenees at the Liberty to-day. •The Conquering Power” will be shown at the Queen's Theatre all next wceic. Inis superb masterpiece wa-> made by Hex Ingram, and is one oi the truly great pictures of the year. It is a story of the mad gay liie in 1 arts and the quiet life or 'the- pro vinces, a stirring human drama that grips and holds, a picture that bring, yet another lover, yet Valentino. And then the cast, a brief mention will show the power of it. Alice Terrv ot “Prisoner of Zc-uda ” and ‘‘Turn to the Right ” fame, has the principal role after Valentino. Ralph LewG and Edward Connelly are .names that are well known to all. The b ace Between,” to be screen ed at the Queen’s Theatre next week is a picture which wins the support of those who believe in the movies as an institution with limitless possibilities for intelligent entertainment. In this picture Bert Lytell, the popular and Talented player, heads the unusually good cast, there i 3 unfolded a storv which has all the elements of universal popularity, and which grows in interest and suspense with a logical develop ment and a regard for the plausibilities which in too often ignored by the seen ario writers.

Tom Moore and Neomi Cinders arc featured in the Goldwyn production, ” Lord and Lady Algy,” which com monciw at the Granu io da>. It »» , highly diverting comedy-drama oi the racing world. Lon Chaney, noted as one of the greatest character actors in the kinema world, appears at the Strand to day in ‘The Trap.” Prior to his appearance m pictures iie serve.! an apprenticeship on the legitimate stage. His first *ii«. tion picture engagement was with Uni versal in 41 Fires ol Rebellion.” The pictures that he first scored in werf ‘The Penalty” and *• The Miracle Man.” Gladys Walton comes to the Strand to-day in ‘‘Lavender Bath Lady,” an interesting and humorous -comedy drama dealing with the adventures >1 a tenement girl who is adopted by a millionaire. “The Woman in His House,” star ring Mildred Harris, commences at the King s. Sydenham. to night. The -heme deals with the neglect ot a voung wife bv her physician husband ivho looks upon his science as being o’ •nore interest than his family affairs Even when a child is born the same

state of affairs continues, and .when the mother listens to the voice of a tempter she is almost a victim to his wiles. From this on the story develops into very serious drama, during whicn an epidemic sweeps over the city, and whilst the physician is at his wits’ end trying to cope with the distress, news is brought that his child is dying. - The blow almost kills the mother, but the child recovers, although doctors declare him to be hopelessly deformed. The lather, aware that lie has neglected his family, takes the child away to •fleet a cure, and the wife is informed that her baby has been buried. This brings about an estrangement Later, however, the child miraculously reeov ers and husband and wife -are reunited. During tiio day sessions at the Queen’s next week all ladies attending rhe circle will be presented with a handsome photo of Rodolph Valentino These photos are particularly good and show the popular star in a character istic pose. Everybody’s management announces a new policy. Commencing to-day. a specially selected programme for children will be screened every Saturday afternoon throughout the year. This departure will fill a long-felt want, and parents will now have an opportunity of sending their children to a theatre with a feeling of security that the youngsters will be provided with a suitable, bright and wholesome entertainment. To celebrate the inauguration of the new policy to-day. there will be installed in the vestibule of Everybody’s Theatre a luekv bran tub. and every child with a ticket of admission will be entitled to a dip. This innovation will be continued during the week at all the matinees.i Charlie Chaplain’s four-reel screamer. “ The Pilgrim,” has been released in "Wellington. He plays the part of an

oscaped convict, who helped himself to a minister’s clothes and found himself the unwilling occupant of a pulpit. Thomas Meighan’s next Paramount picture will be “ Pied Piper Malone,” the well-known American author, Booth Turkington, having specially written the story for the popular Paramount star. “ To the Last Man,” an adaptation of the story by Zune Grey, is the only story by this author that, has been pro 1 duced in screen form under the author’s supervision. This is one of tho big Paramount offerings for tho coming year. The cast includes Lois Wilson, Rihoard Dix and Noah Beery. Colleen Moore, who. bv the way, ia now Mrs John Emmet M’Cormick, says fiers is a wedding ring which will never conic off. When she plavs the part of u„ unmarried flapper, she covers the ring with flesh-coloured tape. Her next pictures to be released in New Zealand are ‘‘The Wallflower” and • Ninety and Nine.” Both are master pictures. “The Truth About Wives” is the somewhat ambitious title of Bettv Blythe’s latest picture. Tt is probable that there is not any one truth, hut that each wife lias a separate truth which she keeps to herself and which docs not resemble the truth of other wives. Betty Blythe tells the truth of one woman’s experience in a daring and forceful manner. You can’t keep a good picture down (says “Picture Play”). Mae Tinee, the delightful lady who tells the read ers of a great Chicago newspaper what’s , what in tho current screen attractions

of that city, did not like ‘ The Covered Waggon,” and stood right up in meet ing and said so. Her criticism retard ed the onward march of the picture in her city for a while, but in a wee! or so every seat was occupied day at ter day. hetlier the Cinniera version of 44 A Bill of Divorcement ’ is an outrage on Clemence Dane’s story or not, it is a telling picture (writes a Sydney “Bui letin ” correspondent). It is artistically produced and the acting i s done by mostly-British players. Constance Binney is starred because she has tho imprimatur of Yankee filmdom, but the real star, botn in importance to the story and in outstanding artistry, is Fay Compton. Gloria Swanson, the noted Para mount star, will be seen here short!\ in the Paramount picture “ Prodiga Daughters.” This is the story of a girl, human, pretty, vivacious, wh< wanted freedom and broke the restrictions of home tics. A dramatic storthat tears away the veneer from tin life of to-dav and paints it in the true glaring colours. Miss Swanson is sup oored with a brilliant cast, including the popular star, Theodore Roberts. The male fool who chases after every pretty face he sees is not confined to any one class of society. In the story of “1 ho Nut. ’ winch has been produced by William Fox from the stage olav of Maravene Thompson, the leading male character brings a gift eff o necklace to an artist’s model be had never seen before. In the same plav the butler in a doctor’s home is seen living an engagement ring to one of the girls employed in the house whom he had never seen until the day beE very one has heard of* Potash and p erlmutter.” and everyone has laugh ed over the trials and tribulations of

Mie fiery partners, Abe Potash and Mawruss Perlmutter, in book form or oil the stage. Born more than five I vear« ago in the brain of Montague Glass, these characters have become ' the favourites of the reading public. 1 They have been laughed at in more 'han twenty different languages. In screen form it has been called “ the perfect picture.” and the original stars | t ho made the play Broadway’s biggest ! “hit” take the same parts in rhe I film. The relentless determination with which a band of international spies employed by a foreign power seek to blow up the Panama ('anal, and so separate the two fleet*, is one of the engrossing elements in the William Fox spectacular feature, “The Silent 1 Command.’” J. Gordon Ed words, who directed the picture is also responsible for the great Fox successes “Nero” and “The Queen of Sheba.” The picture contains many scenes of absorbing interest, and is a drama of love, intrigue and the high seas. Edmund Lowe will be seen in die leading character of Captain Richard Decatur, Alma Tell plays the part of his wife. Also to be seen in tho cast arc Martha Mansfield, Bela Lugosi and. Byron Douglas. That the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation is determined to protect the title, “ The Covered Waggon,” trom infringement is evidenced by a permanent injunction issued by the Circuit Court of Multnoman County. Oregon, against the owners and distribu tors of a picture called ‘ The Trail of the Covered Waggon.” The defendants are permanently restrained from using the words 4 ‘ The Covered Waggon ” in the title of any motion picture. In the complaint it was set forth that subsequent to July 5 last the defendants produced a picture and advertised it and exhibited it throughout Oregon under the name of “ The Trail of the Covered Waggon.” It was alleged that this title deceived the public into believing it was the Paramount picture made from Emerson Hough’s novel.

According to a cable message, owing to the shooting of O S. Dines by Mabel Normand's chauffeur. a nation-wide movement to withdraw all films showing Mabel Normand and Edna Purviance is gaining headway, two States »lroad> having taken action in this direction, namely, Kansas and Tennessee. where the boards of censorship have requested the district attorneys to seizt? such picture* when they are exhibited in kineina theatres. Picture men in New Hampshire have decided voluntarily to cease exhibiting these lilnis. The New York State Motion Picture Commission has declared that -o long as the actresses are not con vit?ted of a crime no action will be -aken. The National Motion Picture Inhibitors’ Association, including * majority _of theatre-owners in the country, is holding a meeting for the purpose of deciding the course to pursue. Govenor Havs. who is en route to Los Angeles, has intimated that he :s very much disturbed at the latest Hollywood scandal, and will take drastic action.

Mr Carl Laemmle, head of the Universal City Company, has launched a revolutionary idea in pictures (says an American paper). He has promoted executives irom the ranks —he chooses his exchange managers from his best salesmen —and now he is promoting his stars from the ranks. Mary Philbin who. after playing minor * roles, leaped to fame overnight through her work in “Merry Go Round,” is one of them. Virginia Valii, whose work with Lon Chaney in “The Shock’” astounded screendom. is another. Margaret Morris, who began as an extra girl, then reaped a success in Western nlays, is a third, and the fourth is Laura La Plante, Miss La Plante played in comedies, programme pictures and Hoot Gibson specials until her chance came with Reginald Denny in “ The Spice of Life,’’ Carl Laemmle’s olan of choosing his stars for promotion from the ranks of his players has created a furore at the studio. There are other girls, high on the list as star material, who are expected to be included in the new group of stars to be chosen—girls like Lola Todd, who was a New York costume designer until she came to Universal City to achieve such signal success that she is already a featured player in chapter days and lias played leading roles in i number of Western dramas. Esther Ralston, who is playing with Herbert Rawlinson in “Jack o Clubs,” now 'eing made at the studio from Gerald Beaumont's novelette, is another high m the list for probable promotion. Ruth Dwyer, playing in the same production, is another. It is a new idea - the system of chrosing stars from the ranks instead of importing them f rom the outside, and it can only be done successfully in a very large studio where the amount of raw material to pick from is enormous. Tt has given the screen new names and new faces; it has given the fans of the world four new picture beauties to admire, and—it has carried the famous Universal policy of promoting rom the ranks to the actual acting end of the gigantic business, which is in itself an achievement of note. Cecil B. De Mi We has carved for himself out of lights and shadows a monument far more enduring than granite or marble (says an American writer). •The Ten Commandments.” which will be released soon, is appalling in its scope and a tremendous human acievement in its execution. Every theatre in which it appears will be a temple and every screen a pulpit, not pouring a message of words into heedless ears, but burning with white light into the very souls of men and women and children the great lessons of God’s infinite love, of the brotherhood of men, of peace on earth among men. and the futility of strife and hate. Wouldn’t it be strange if, despised and censored and reviled for years, the motion picture should come to be recognised as the greatest interpreter of the Mosiac Low since the ancient prophet revealed the Tablets of Stone to the children of Israel ? Mr George Bernard Shaw recentlymade the following reply to Miss Fay Compton’s query whether the kinema threatens to oust dramas of action like “The Prisoner of Zenda” from the legitimate stage. “When I began writing for the stage,” Mr Shay says, T was met with continual complaints that my plays contained dialogue. The critics were not used to it; they cried “These are not plays, they are talk.” Our actors and actresses had nothing to say that mattered; they had to create the characters out ot their own personality. They were wonthey almost forgot how to speak; ant! some of them have not yet quite rederfully beautiful and fascinating, but covered the art- The drama, though it still kept up a tedious convention of giving the performers certain ehcheg Ito learn and repeat, was really a speechless drama; end most of the j cr’Hcs of that day had lost the facultv j of listening, and .nnlv gloat over ! the spectacle. The kinema. was a | p—Uend to them : thev love M*rv ; Bickford, not tor her charm, but for the blessed certainly that she would | never say anything, and that they . thinking. But- the result was that the loners of speechles drama deserted . the thf—-L -j- - *>

The theatres found themselves force; I to find plays that had something to say instead of something to show. 1 car remember when the London stage liac only two literary dramatists, helper out by one adapter. Now I can ree ; you off a dozen without stopping tc think ; and some oi them are poets tu well as playwrights. The kinema can j not oust them. It can, of course, take the skeletons of ‘Macbeth’ oi ‘lris’ or ‘The Admirable Crichton, and make very entertaining films oi | them, with Shakespeare, Pinero anc , Barrio left out. and a good deal oi photographed natural scenery bungler in ; but these films are not substitute | lor the plays; they aro independent ‘ and quite different works, and will noi , lead to a single performance of ‘Mac beth’ being dropped that would other ; wise have been given. In short, the kinema takes from the theatre onh . those plays that have no business there ; and tho resultant pressure or the theatres to find plays with some i *> ra,ns in them is ol incalculable bene | fit to the drama.’ ' “ Hoodnian ’ Blind.” a* drama wind had a successful career on the Engiisi stage a generation ago. has been made into a picture. The authors werHenry Arthur Jones and Wilson Bar rett. Many people, writes a New YorV critic, seem to feel that “The Whit. Rose” is the best thing artistically | that D. W. Griffith has” done dicJ “Broken -Blossoms,” and they hav< enthusiastically applauded the perform ance of Mae Marsh. ■ „ H Vj kok ’ tl,c Principal characte: V l r- > 1 , Harfc s P lcfcur e “Wild Bil i Hiokok, ’ in which he makes his come ; back to the screen after his two vears ! retirement, was one of the famoo characters of the pioneer days of th, \\ est. and the story, which was writ ten by Hart himself, deals with a mini ber ot well-known personages of th, period following the Civil War. amongs them being Abraham Lincoln, Genera Sheridan and General Custer. lithe Gray Terry is Bill's leading lady.

Jackie Coogan lias got out of .and into royal raiment in “Long Live j the King, a picture made from Marv j Roberts Rinehart's novel of the same J name. lhe picture is the super film made under Jackie’s contract with Metro. A good cast has been provided to support the young star. Robert Brower plays the old King and Raymond Lee is the American boy chum ; of Jackie. home ot the others are j Ruth Renick. Rosemary Thebv. Vera Lewis, Alan Hale, Sam Appel and Alan ; Forrest. Many of the pictures for the com |ing year are adaptations from well 1 known authors and books. Among the j first pictures to he released will be “To the Last Man,” by Zane Grev “ Salomy Jane,” by Bret Harte ; “The I Light that Failed,” by. Rudvard Kip Img; “The Call of the Canyon,” b\ Zane Grey; ‘Big Brother,” by Rex Beach; and “The Heritage of the Desert. also a Zane Grey offering. F. Marion Crawford’s novel ‘ In the Palace of the King.” after doing duty ! as one of the author’s most popular , been made into a picture. B’anche romances, became a play and has now Sweet, Pauline Starke, Edmund Low Hobart Bosworth and Aileen Pringle I are at the head of the cast. The story is laid in the time of Philip 11. of

Spain and has to do with the King’s jealousy of his brother, Don John, whom lie sends on a dangerous expedi tion against the Moors. The convention of the American barm Bureau Fedeiation in Chicago has passed a resolution to “ compel motion picture promotors to quit caricaturing the agriculturists on the screen.” Pictures of the American / farmer, explains the federation, are all I wrong. Ho does not wear a broken, broad-brimmed straw hat. The legs of the trousers he tucks into his boots aro not a study in patches. He has given up wearing chin whiskers, and the vacant expression he assumes on the screen has never been seen outside discourteous, to address him as “ Hey, Rube!” Farming is now a scientific business and the farmer is frequently a ’varsity man, ann he owns a motorcar and all the 1 a test machinery. We now have news of two travel'll ms, the work of the Swedish-Biograph Company, each devoted to a single subject, and if we can nidge from still photographs taken riom the films they should be extremely interesting (savs i London paper). One is called “ With the Birds of Passage,” and deals solely with tho bird? to he found on the White Nile, discussing and illustrating their movements, flving formation, nesting habits, and life history. What is still more important, it is a natural history study and not a big-game bunting expedition staged for the camera. There is no killing of nn ; mal or bird. The other film is entitled “North of tho Polar Circle.” and consists of a study of the Laplander, with special reference to the reindeer, and the part played bv the animal in the Laplander’s everyday life. “ The Magic Skin,” a Balzac story, which George D. Baker, the dean of directors, recently finished for release by tho Goldwyn Company, was tlve hundredth jiicture, produced under his direction and the occasions was duly celebrated on the Goldwyn lot at Culver City, California. After many years on the stage, Baker started to direct John Bunny and Flora Finch for Vitagraph in the old one-reel I davs, and later when Vitagraph start- ! ed multiple reel features he was chosen to handle Edith Storey and Antonio Moreno. “Tarantula” was the big gest hit of these two stars which he wrote and produced. Later, Baker joined Metro and rose to the ranks of director-general, Naz : mova’s ‘‘Revelation” being considered his supreme achievement. Following a long holiday in the East and in Europe lie returned to America, and was immediately engaged by the Ach’evement Films to produce Balzac’s story for re- I lease by Goldwyn’s. The screen has always recruited the 'tage, seldom has the stage returned the compliment (says an American vriter). But Cullen Landis is apt to turn the trick. Marjorie Rambeau -ays bo is the best juvenile actor she has met on the stage in a long, long time. He is playing her son in her new play. “The Valley of Content.’’ and Miss Rambeau is so smitten with his promise that she is trying to peruade him t-o give up pictures temporarily, at least to go to New York. Landis is a clever picture actor, who possesses much personal appeal. Under such tutelage he will go far. A season with Marjorie Rambeau would

give Cullen Landis just what he needs Co round out his art.

THE PRINCE AND THE CINEMA.

TRADE FOLLOWS THE FILM. “Take the film industry seriously and develop it as a national industry.” said the Prince of Wales, responding to the toast of his health at the luncheon given by the British National Film League at the Hotel Victoria, to inaugurate the series of British film weeks. “ There are two ways of looking at a film,” ho said, in jocular vein. “One ia down tho muzzle of a camera when it is fired at your own head, and the other when it is projected on the screen. I have done a good deal of both at one time and another, and 1 know perfectly well which I prefer. As a spectator, and as a bit of a raw material, I am not exactly a strangei to the kinema trade. “The British National Film League,” he continued, “ has been established, in its own words, to raise the standard, improve the quality, and promote the general interests of British films. These are objects that should appeal to all of us concerned in -that unpleasant legacy of lhe great war—the problem of reviving our trade.” The Prince, quoting a new catchplrrasc, “Trade follows the film,” added, “ Films help individual trades in the most unexpected way. There is a film called ‘ Ccmin’ Thro* the Rye.’ Not onh' was six acres of rye specially grown, but there was also a large quantity of crinolines manufactured. so the by-products of this particularly film helped both the agriculturist and the dressmaker!” Speaking of the ability of the film to convey its message t-o all nations, the Prince said: “If there bad been a movie man in top of the Tower of Babel, perhaps the tower would have been built after all.” He concluded by saving: “Tt is up to us to see that British films shall take their due place ir, tho theatres of the world, and particularly on British screens.” Mr Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., said: “ I must not go higher than saying that 1 am a fair patron of the industry, and one of the reasons why f havo not been a more liberal patron is that f have been ‘sick-tired* <.f the foreign film.”

PICTURE GOERS’ PANTOMIME.

BY MOVIE STARS. Imagine a pantomime in which ail the leading parts were hi led by prominent movie stars ! The slim appealing beauty of goldenhaired Marion Davies establishes her unrivalled claim to the role of the pantomime princess. Rudolph Valentino would be an ■deal Prince Charming with his ability to wear costume ■with ease and charm that makes for romance and gallantry. Agnes Ayres, with a glittering crown on her luxurious tresses, would charmingly flicker into the scene in the silver and gossamer of the good fairy. Wesley Barry would undoubtedly be there, with his freckled features smil-

I ing above his page boy costume, as he I field the princess’s train, f Bon Turpin, with his b w:vel eye, i would strut drolly through the ooene in keeping with the best traditions of a pantomime- baron’s 1 foolery. .Mae Murray’s fantastic and dainty prettiness would serve her well in tha part of the principal dancer. George Arliss could convert himself into a sinister bespangled Demon King, who would shoot through trapdoors with a Machiavellian grin. Thedore Kosloff and Betty < ompeon would be Harlequin and Columbine. If “Cinderella'’—or, perhaps. “ Dick Whittington ” —were chosen as the storv. Mary Pickford would make the mcsl delightful and appealing little lady of the glass slipper. Constance Talmadge, with her bobbed tresses and vivacious personality, would bring a new char m to the romantic character of Dick Whittington. There are many producers in Filtndom who could produce a screen pantomime that would create a new stan-» dard of prodigality where the cost of producing pantomimes is concerned. David Wark Griffith would undoubtedly present a memorable production if he concentrated his artistry on the i reflection of a eliadow-show pantomime

INFANT PRODIGIES.

AN ENGLISH VIEW An American film producer, now on a visit to England, emphatically assures us he is convinced there are ia j England many children who, if given I the chance, might win fame and fortune by acting for the screen, says a j London critic. Whether Mr Sol Lesser ! be correct in hi 3 surmise or not, it is unlikely that the vogue for infant j actors will be of long duration. J An equally alluring prospect was J dangled before the parents of young England as the result of the histrionic j triumphs of the celebrated Master Betty, about a bundled years ago. Thia j juvenile actor received as much as a i hundred guineas a night. When, howj ever, within a year of Master Betty’s debut at Covent Garden, a still more ! diminutive aspirant, in the person of j Miss Peggy, appealed for public favi our. the craze was given its death-blow, j “ The theatrical phenomenon.” as tho ! Miss Peggy of 1805 was designated, j called forth a storm of derision from ■ a London audience * To-day. so far as the screen is coni cemed, the fashion for vouthful tal--1 ent was set by “ The Kid,” the first i film in which Jackie Coogan his | appearance. Its excellence is probably I due to the fact that it was composed j by Charles Chaplin himself, in view I of Chis collaboration with this child i actor. The latter is in every senso a J great humorist’s creation, for, after detecting the child’s extraordinary innate abilities. Charlie Chaplin is said to have moulded and fashioned him with infinite pains. The result was well-nigh perfect, and Jackie Coogan’s advent was a revelation in the film world. The disadvantage, however, of establishing .from the outset so high a standard is the difficulty of keeping up to the mark, and in subsequent appearances Jackie Coogan. though still holding his own admirably, has not seemed quite so striking as in “The Kid.” This, of couise. in a measure, is due to the fact that nis acting is no longer backed and supplemented by his illustrious mentor.