Moving Picture World (Jun 1919)

June 7, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1525 Theatre and Roof Gardens Features of New Metro MAY ALLISON'S next Metro picture, "Almost Married," may be termed a "comedy with music." It is to be released on June 2. Many of the scenes of this rollicking comedy of stage life feature the musical attractions of the theatre and the roofgarden jazz, with Miss Allison as the prima donna surrounded by a galaxy of real Broadway show girls and Midnight Follies beauties. "Almost Married" is the title which was given to the story written by E. "V. Durling, a New York newspaper man, for the Metro star under the original name of "His Father's Wife," but the evolution of the plot of the story inspired the change to the title under which it is released. Swickard Was the Director. The production, directed by Charles Swickard, has been staged with brilliance and splendor, and the Midnight Follies scenes have been modeled after a wellknown New York theatre. The adaptation of Mr. Durling's story was made by June Mathis and Luther A. Reed, of the Metro staff, and William E. Fildew photographed the play with Mr. Swickard. Prominent in the supporting cast are Walter I. Percival, Frank Currier, Harry Rattenbury, Hugh Fay and James Warton James. Pathe News Shows Air Views of Panama Canal PATHE NEWS has added another aerial accomplishment to its interesting succession of pictures taken from speeding planes and dirigibles. ''Over the Panama Canal with a Pathe Cameraman" is the title of this little show of sightseeing from the skies, and it is released in issue No. 41. For the first time since its construction, the big engineering feat of the age is photographed from an aeroplane, and the views give a more detailed and comprehensive idea of the achievement than all previous "still" views. These exclusive pictures begin with the start from the Atlantic end of the Canal, and the flight over the Gatun Locks and Lake. Approaching the Culebra Cut, one sees the place where great difficulties were encountered by earth-slides. After a trip of 40 miles there comes into view the Miraflores Locks, the exit to the Pacific, and the spectator gets a view of the old French Canal, which was never completed. Plays "Jungle Trail" to Capacity. "The Jungle Trail," with William Farnum as the star, appears to be a genuine winner, according to a telegram received by the Fox Film Corporation from Thomas Proffitt, manager of the William Penn Theatre, at Chester, Pa. The wire reads: "Playing 'Jungle Trail' to capacity business. Real knockout." Thomas Proffitt." The Fox Corporation ascribes this and other good showings of the picture to the realism of the thrilling man-hunt and the effort to reproduce truthfully an African village on a large scale. Is "The Way" a Leaning Way? It would seem so from this view of Norma Talmadge in her next Select, "The Way of a Woman." "Way of a Woman" Next Norma Talmadge Picture SELECT announces this week that Norma Talmadge's next picture will be "The Way of a Woman." This picture which was originally announced under the title of "Nancy Lee," is adapted from Eugene Walter's stage play of that name, which was seen for two seasons at the Hudson Theatre in New York. In the production Miss Talmadge will have a strong supporting cast. Conway Tearle is cast in the leading male role, while Hassard Short, who is playing with Fay Bainter in "East is West," has another important part. Another well known member of the company is Jobyna Howland, who scored in the stage success, "The Little Journey." George Le Guerre has the role of the wild nephew, and Frank De Vernon will be seen as the father. Gertrude Berkley will be seen as the mother of "Nancy," the part played by Norma Talmadge. Stuart Holmes and Joe Humphrey are also in the company. Miss Talmadge's director for this production was Z. Robert Leonard, who made a special trip from the Pacific Coast to New York, to take charge of the work. The scenario was written by Mr. Walters himself, and under his direction the continuity retains all the vital appeal which made the original stage production of "Nancy Lee" such a great success. Elaborate Press Book Ready on Big "U" Serial UNIVERSAL has prepared elaborate advertising aids for its new serial, "Elmo the Mighty," which is to be released in June. A complete press book is now in the hands of the exchangemen. This press book contains all the information that could be got together, including all details in a column titled "At a Glance." Stories of the episodes are given in detail, advance stories and stories to be used during the running of the serial. Elmo Lincoln is the star of the serial, and several pages are devoted to special stories written about the life and screen work of the star. Special stories about the other leading stars of the serial are included also. Besides the press book on this serial, Universal is preparing an attractive campaign book. This book contains all forms of advertising aids to be used prior to and during the running of the serial. Several opening ads are suggested for the use of the exhibitor, teaser ads, opening day ads, episode ads, and type ads. Several pages are devoted to the suggestions of stunts by means of which the serial may be advertised. William Russell in Role of New York Millionaire WILLIAM RUSSELL will be seen in what is expected to be the most surprising vehicle of his screen career, when he is presented by the American in "A Sporting Chance." This is a lightning-like comedy drama from the pen of Stephen Fox, originally announced under the title, "The Signet of Sheba." Unlike many of the previous Russell subjects, "A Sporting Chance" does not offer the "Flying A" star in the role of a Westerner, but features a young New York millionaire, whose exploits, however, are no less hair-raising because he wears tailored clothes and has a large bank account. Fritzi Brunette is seen opposite Russell in the role of Gelberte Bonheur. The others in the cast are George Periolat, J. Farrell MacDonald, Lee Hill, Harvey Clark and Perry Banks. The production was directed by Henry King. Dooley Films Has Beauty Brigade. The Johnny Dooley Film Comedies, Inc., has completed arrangements for the employment of the twenty beauties who constitute the Johnny Dooley Beauty Brigade to appear in the series of tworeel pictures in which the acrobatic comedian is engaged to star. Mr. Bach announces that the third of the Dooley series has been completed and the fourth will be put into work within a few days. Those who have viewed the finished pictures pronounce them humorous and interesting. The antics of Johnny Dooley are decidedly unusual to the screen. He has brought with him not only all the stunts and laugh producing methods he used in vaudeville and in such productions as "The Passing Show" and "Listen Lester," in which he scored successes. He has also invented new ways to bring laughter to patrons of the screen.