ON THE SCREEN

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 9, 1 March 1923, Page 54

ON THE SCREEN

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IVTARY Pickford is to appear shortly in “Tess of the Storm Country,” from Hardy’s “Tess of the D’Urbcrvillcs. Also in “Suds.” The theme of “Suds” is based on Maude Adam’s famous play, “ ’Op o' Me Thumb.” It is from the dual pen of Frederick Ecnn and Richard Prycc, two brilliant young English authors. Over four months were spent in the adaptation of the story for the screen by several of the best scenario writers in the photoplay profession. Not until she was satisfied that the story was flawless would Miss Pickford begin rehearsals and production. In the meantime her technical staff had been at work on interior and exterior of settings. Photographs of several streets of London slums were taken by Miss Pickford’s English representatives, and these were sent to the studio and exact reproductions were constructed in the huge lot adjoining her dressing room. The work was continued until the settings and scenes were pronounced perfect even to the most minor details. © © © © Lovers of Dickens’s novels will be interested to hear that two of his most well-known stories arc to be screened very shortly. These are “The Old Curiosity Shop” and “Oliver Twist.” Most of us would prefer a Dickens production to be an English one, and this is the case with “The Old Curiosity Shop.” The scenes in and around London have been taken literally “on the spot,” and the costumes used are those worn by Thomas Bentley and his company in their stage productions of Dickens’s works. Mabel Poulton takes the part of “Little Nell,” and William Lugg makes a pathetic “grandfather.” Those picturesque characters, Dick Swiveller and the Marchioness, CodHn and Short, not forgetting Mrs. Jarlcy of waxwork fame, and that horrible villain, Quilp, will recall that delightful old novel to our memories. © © © © Maurice Tourneur, one of the leading producers of the day, has just completed his most ambitious

film, "The Christian,” from Hall Caine’s novel. Mac Busch, whom we usually sec as the sophisticated, worldly young woman, is most convincing in the role of Gloria Quayle, the Manx heroine of the novel. Phyllis Haver does her first serious work in “The Christian.” © © © © Norma Talmadge is very popular in England. She organised recently a Norma Talmadge Beauty Contest in London, in connection with the Daily Mirror. Through this medium, England’s fairest daughters are being brought to the screen. Norma, herself, will act as judge, and it is understood that the girl chosen will play in Miss Talmadge’s next big picture. © © © © It is not so many years ago. when the name of Ibsen had to be whispered in polite circles, and if his plays were read, they were discussed in secret. Thanks to the efforts of a few undaunted actors and actresses, amidst a storm of protest, the plays were brought eventually to the European and later the American stage. In America, Madame Alla Nazimova was one of the pioneers of the Ibsen movement. She produced “The Doll’s House” in New York, which ultimately met with gratifying success. Now, after the lapse of a few years, she has made a screen adaptation of “The Doll’s House," and she herself plays the leading part. Its theme is certainly a modern onethat of Womanhood, and how a woman should protect herself. This production is both novel and interesting, and should appear in Auckland shortly. © © © © Norma Talmadge made her latest picture, “Smilin’ Through,’ in New York. It is an interesting fact that the beautiful village and garden scenes were built and photographed inside the studio. The sun was just as realistic, and the grass even greener, and the flowers bloomed as brightly. The company could not go out “on location.” because they couldn't find a suitable English manor house in the vicinity.