Camera - April 14, 1923 to February 16, 1924 (April 1923-February 1924)

CAMERA! Weekly WakeEm-Up— CAMERA'S News Section Page Thirteei MISS NILSSON TO STAR IN YOUNG'S "PONJOLA" Sam E. Rork has purchased "Ponjola," Cynthia Stockley's sensational story of South African life which he plans to produce at the United Studios for Asscciated First National release. Simultaneous with his announcement that he will pictur\zs this widely read novel, he also announces that he has contracted with Anna Q. Nilsson to play the feature role. The signing of Miss Nilsson to play the leading role is the result of an unanimous selection by producer, director, distributing organization and the author herself. As the heroine is also the hero, meaning that the girl masquerades successfully as a young man throughout the story, Miss Nilsson is considered the perfect selection not only because of her dramatic ability, but because of her wide range of virile characterizations. She is now playing the leading role of "Cherry Malotte" in Rex Beach's "The Spoilers," which Jesse D. Hampton is producing for Goldwyn in association with Rork. James Young is now hard at work on "Trilby," the Richard Walton Tully production at the United Studios. Upon the completion of this big production some time in May, the director will rejoin Rork to produce "Ponjola." This will be the second production for First National of the RorkYoung combination, the first being "Wandering Daughters," by Dana Burnet. With the definite selection of Miss Nilsson to play the featured role no more casting will be done until Mr. Young has completed "Trilby." The statuesque viking's daughter considers the heroine in "Ponjola" to be her greatest screen opportunity. In fact, it was Miss Nilsson herself who first called the attention of Mr. Rork to the story. Everybody else in pictures was bidding for it, but the star and producer managed to win the race by an hour or so. Actor Buys Gloom Carl Miller is investing heavily in "gloom" stocks for some Climax scenes he will portray for the silversheet in "Public Opinion," the Charles Chaplin vehicle starring Edna Purviance. In order to feel tragic to the nth degree, Mr. Miller is absorbing the gloom of Ben Hecht's "Fantazius Mallara" and the equally cheering philosophy of one Italian Leopardi who frequently offers in his works that "life is fit only to be despised." These scenes form the final fadeout for the pictures and exteriors and location shots will follow when Mr. Miller won't need the support of Messrs. Hecht and Leopardi. CLOWN OF 50 YEARS AGO TO CLOWN AGAIN NOW One of the features of the Charity Circus to be held unde the auspices of the Children^ Hospital at Praeger Park fr. i May 4th to May 13th inclusive will be Tote Du Crow, local filn actor who scored a success a Pablo in "The Pride cf Palomar. Du Crow, whose parents wen circus performers, and who hin" self was for almost fifiy year one of the most famous clown; in the sawdust ring will apper in his old-time make-up and : is predicted he will be one of th biggest attractions of (he affai' He will be ably supported by tw other noted clowns cf man; years expericne , Jim C ;b3;n an< Cal Cohen. The shew will be in the forr of a one-ring circus, vhich wa so popular a half-century a-ri It is under the direct supervisio of S. H. Barrett, Jr., whose fat'ic was one of the prominent figure in Ihe show world of the lat' '80's. Mr. Barrett, who is bette: known hereabouts as "Shell" ha for many years harbored a d( sire to stage an old fashionei sawdust performance, and his dream is now about to come true. That it will be a success is evidenced by the scores of letters pouring in from all sections of filmland offering talent for the affair. The accompanying picture, which was taken twelve years ago, shows Du Crow with his dog, who originated and presented the renowned "rabbit hunt act." which was later so widely imitated. Tote labored for almost half a year to teach the dog his part, and upon the first presentation of the act they were greeted with a tremendous ovation. The dog died later, and Tote turned all of his attention to pictures, where he has been an interesting figure for fourteen years or more. LEAH BAIRD'S LATEST FILM WINS AT PRE-VIEW The first print of "The Destroying Angel," the second of the 1923 Specials featuring Leah Baird, to reach the East, arrived in New York a few days ago and officials of Associated Exhibitors had a preview of the picture. This feature is perhaps the most ambitious Miss Baird has done, and, in the judgment of the Asscciated executives, is certain to enhance greatly the popularity of this player and prove a superior box office attraction. Miss Baird herself adapted the picture from the well known novel by Louis Joseph Vance. It is in six reels, which abound with romantic features, contain many thrilling situations and are said to present some remarkable scenic effects. Old-timers Rejoin Mack Sennett has engaged the man who directed the first comedy in which Ben Turpin was featured to wield the megaphone over the criss-cross eyed comedian's second comedy released on the Pathe program. He is Herman Raymaker, and it was almost eight years ago when this comedy director became acquainted with Ben's lureful orbs. Rehearsals for the new production were conducted by F. Richard Jones, supervising director of Mack Sennett productions. Filming began today. PRODUCER THINKS SWAN SONG IS DUE WESTERNS The crook, or underworld type, of photoplay is fast taking the place of the old-fashioned "western," with its cowboys, renegades, posses and villains with a flair for ranchmen's daughters. That is the belief of Richard Thomas, the young producerdirector, who is filming his second of a long series of underworld filmplays at the Hollywood Studios. One need only to look at the magazine 'sales racks for proof that the western atmosphere in literature has been superseded by detective stories and crook narratives. Pictures, naturally, had to follow the public trend of reading, avers Mr. Thomas. Louise May Tour England Louise Fazenda has received a standing offer of a personal appearance tour throughout England and being featured in a sketch especially written for her, with English management. The comedienne is tremendously popular in England, for her characterization of the tight braids, unique hats, quaint basque and full skirts has been seized upon as identical with the English slavey type. One leading magazine for years has devoted a page to her sayings and doings. Miss Fazenda has not yet named the day, but plans one of these summers to cross the pond. "BLACK OXEN" TO BE FILMED FOR 1st NATIONAL Gertrude Atherton's widelydiscussed novel, "Black Oxen," which is regarded by many as the most startling literary gem of the year, is to be produced for the screen by Associated First National Pictures, Inc. Few books of recent years have caused such widespread comment as has this daring story, which, dealing with the rejuvenation of a middle &™ed woman and her love for a brilliant man, many years her junior, promises to make ideal screen material. Its adaptation is in the hands of Marion Fairfax, who is regarded as one of the foremost scenarists in the motion picture industry. "Black Oxen," has not osly occasioned a furore in the field of literature but also it has been the subject of considerable comment among the medical profession, for its theme, based on the recently discovered youthgiving glandular treatment, is one which is still agitating scientists and medical men the world over. The story of "Black Oxen," centers around a woman of sixty, who as a result of undergoing a rejuvenation treatment, becomes able to look, act and feel as a woman of twenty-five. A brilliant columnist and dramatist falls in love with her and it is around this strange romance that the novel plot of the story is wound. No announcement is forthcoming from First National as to the date of the filming of the picture, but it is expected that camera work will begin on the production some time within the next few months. At the present time the executives at the offices of First National at the United Studios, Hollywood, are engaged in sifting the whole field of motion pictures to secure the very best talent obtainable to enact the various roles. Sennett is Expanding Additional outdoor stages are being constructed on the Mack Sennett lot because of the addition of several new companies. With the new space ready the Sennett studios of 32 acres will contain over 40,000 square feet of actual stage space, exceeding the floor space of any studio in the West. The work is progressing under the supervision of Sanford D. Barnes, technical director. King Vidor, who is directing "Three Wise Fools," is exceedingly fond of tennis. Every Sunday finds him out on a neighboring tennis court. He is making plans now to have one built in his own garden.