Camera (April 1921-April 1922)

Page Four The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry' CAMERA! ¥ilm Capital Production Notes "A LADIES' MAN," FIRST MONTANA COMEDY NEW DEVELOPING MACHINE Hunt Stromberg, who has withdrawn Trom the active production of the Doris May pictures, to make his own independent productions, announces "A Ladies' Man," as his first comedy to launch Bull Montana as a star. Negotiations and a long-term contract with Montana were closed last week, with Douglas P'airbanks representing Montana's business interests. Stromberg's entrance Into the ranks ot the independent producers is in line with plans and policies which provide for the acquisition of other feature uniis to be announced in the near future. Mr. Stromberg still retains his financial interests in the Doris May productions, which he founded and organized last June, and which are to be continued for production and distribution by Robertson-Cole. "A Ladies' Man," was written by Stromberg, and production is now under way at the United Studios. The personnel of the production staff will be announced shortly. GERSON CORPORATION MAKING RURAL COMEDIES The Paul Gerson Pictures Corporation of San Francisco will start production February 20th on twelve two-reel, rural comedies, under the direction of Robert Eddy, •who directed the original Toonerville Trolley Comedies. Mr. Eddy has brought the original cast from New York, headed by Dan Mason, who created the part of the skipper, and Wilma Webster, who played Katrinka. The new comedies will be of similar nature. 'PETERMAN" HAS PRISON PREMIERE A national prertiiere of a film probably without parallel took place the other day at the Arizona State Prison when the first showing was made of "Jfeterman," recently produced at Universal, and starring Herbert Rawlinson. The author of the story is Louis Victor Eytinge, a life-termer in the prison who has served more than fourteen years of his sentence. He is doubtless the best known convict in America because of his proven talents. The picture was first shown at the prison as a compliment to him. RENEW CONTRACT R-C Pictures and Jury's Imperial Pictures of Great Britain recently renewed a distribution contract which gives the latter the R-C output in England, for two more years. DAWN IN YOSEMITE Norman Dawn with his company is in Yosemite National Park, where he expects to remain for two weeks, filming exteriors for his forthcoming R-C production, a Jack London story entitled, "The Son of the Wolf." Frank Lloyd is progressing with the cutting of "The Duchesse de Langeais," which Norma Talmadge recently completed at United Studios. A developing machine invented by L. J. Simmons is being demonstrated at the American Machine and Foundry Co., in Brooklyn, N. Y. The machine is said to be able to develop and dry film at the rate of 8,000 feet an hour under control of one operator. The company holding the invention is controlled by Pittsburgh capitalists. NORMAN DAWN, Who is to produce a series of Norman Dawn Productions for Robertson-Cole. Casts of the Week R-C Pictures "SON OF THE WOLF" Directed by Norman Dawn Wheeler Oakman Edith Roberts Thomas Jefferson Fred Stanton Arthur Jasmine Fred Kohler Ashley Cooper San Allen Eagle Eye Harry Tenubrook ABRAMSON BUSY WITH COOGAN TITLES Max Abramson, scenario and title writer, has been engaged by the Jackie Coogan productions to assist in making titles for "Trouble," Jackie's latest cinemaplay. Mr. Abramson acted in a like capacity with Jackie's "My Boy" feature. The "Trouble" film will be ready for exhibition within several weeks and in the meantime, work is being rushed on a new story for Jackie, actual filming of which will commence in two weeks at United Studios. COMMONWEALTH NOTES The title of the third picture, produced by Fred Caldwell for the Commonwealth Motion Picture Producers, has been changed from "The Dominating Eyes," to "Caught." Mr. Caldwell is now casting for the fourth picture of the series of twelve, being released through the Affiliated Picture Enterprises. AT THE ROACH STUDIOS Harold Lloyd took the last scenes this week of his current comedy which will probably be released as "Grandma's Boy." The comedy, which will be previewed as a five reeler, will have its first public showing presently, followed by two others in addition to several studio runs. Following the picture's final editing, Mr. Lloyd will take a three days' rest and then commence his first comedy under his new contract with Pathe, for which sets will cover the entire dark stage. Harry "Snub" Pollard finished this week an oflSce picture, and is now working on two comedies to be completed next week when Mr. Pollard will commence his two reelers, William Beaudine, directing. Eight Pollard comedies have been shipped East since Jan. 1st. Tom McNamara, cartoonist of the comic strips, "Us Boys," has his first script ready for the children's comedy company, "shooting," to commence this week. "Sunshine Sammy," and three other youngsters, will be in the cast and the animals to be featured include "Cork," the Pony, "Dinah," the mule, "Bill," the bull dog and several domestic fowls. Bob McGowan will direct. "Paul" Parrott begins next week the making of his one-reel comedies, the first to have the working title of "The Joiner." Gilbert Pratt directs his first picture; Al Santell, the second; the two to alternate in Parrott's direction. Hal Roach will shortly announce Mr. Parrott's leading lady. AT THE INCE STUDIOS Completion of Thomas H. Ince's, "The Brotherhood of Hate," which Lambert Hillyer is directing, has been delayed by bad weather. Most of the scenes remaining to be taken are exteriors. Casting has started for "Someone to Love," a new C. Gardner Sullivan story, soon to start production under the direction of John Griffith Wray. The editing of Leah Baird's second independent feature, "When the DeviT Drives," was completed this week under the supervision of Arthur F. Beck. A third Leah Baird production will commence soon. Maurice Tourneur's feature, "Lorna Doone," will be completed within the next two weeks. Two months will probably be required in editing the production. AT UNIVERSAL Robert F. Hill is directing Harry Myers, Gertrude Olmstead, Noble Johnson, Josef Swickard, Gertrude Claire, Percy Pembroke and others in sea sequences of "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," using Santa Monica and Balboa principally. Craig Hutchinson is working on "A Movie Mixup," with Roy Atwell in the starring role. Supporting the star in the short-reel comedy are Laura LaPlante, C. M. Belcher, Ethel Ritchie, Charles L. King and J. B. Russeir. Edward Laemmle is engaged in filming the sixth chapter of "The Days of Buffalo Bill." "Second Hand Rose," starring Gladys Walton, was previewed recently at the studios. Jack Dougherty, Eddie Sutherland, Walter Perry and others support Miss Walton, who will be seen as an Irish waif in a Jewish pawnshop. Stuart Payton and Tod Browning are preparing stories for their forthcoming production.