Moving Picture World (Jun 1919)

1534 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 7, 1919 They're Inducing the Blonde One to Enter a Prize Fight. Lyons and Moran are musical charmers in this forthcoming Universal comedy. "Bare-Fisted Gallagher" Is Something Different THE search for the ever elusive "something different" in the way of picture material has been a particularly arduous one for William Desmond, who is starred in features released by Robertson-Cole through Exhibitors Mutual. But Jesse D. Hampton, who produces the Desmond photoplays, proved successful in the hunt with "The Prodigal Liar," "Life's a Funny Proposition," "Whitewashed Walls" and "The Mints of Hell." Now Desmond lays claim to having something entirely removed from the beaten tracks of motion pictures in "Bare-Fisted Gallagher," in which he will be called upon to interpret a character never found in the "westerns" of the screen. Recently the West Coast representative of Robertson-Cole had a little chat with Jesse D. Hampton regarding the merits and the nature of "Bare-Fisted Gallagher," and Hampton was serenly confident that with it Desmond would attain the acme of his success. " 'Bare-Fisted Gallagher,' " said Mr. Hampton, "gives Desmond an opportunity to play the parts that he is really best suited for — comedy with some drama. "Desmond has a very distinct, very pleasing screen personality, and in Gallagher he simply smiles his way through five reels of film. It gives him an opportunity to ride and do some heroics, although not very much. " 'Bare-Fisted Gallagher' is really a melodrama, but played from a comedy angle, but not burlesque. His part never becomes a character slur. It is a picture which combines the big outdoors with a good active story. The story of 'BareFisted Gallagher' is the type of story that might actually happen. "Desmond is called Bare-Fisted Gallagher because he goes through the picture without a gun. He depends upon his smile and sometimes upon his bare fist to bring him through the many situations. "This is a Western story that is different from the usual run of Western stories. No dance hall scenes, no saloons, and no heavy who is trying to kidnap the girl." The picture starts ■with a bang and ends in a manner very satisfying to the audience. throughout the country use this magazine section in their Sunday papers, it is estimated that in one day over ten million people were acquainted with Major Herbert M. Dawley's unique motion picture. World Pictures feels that this will be exceedingly valuable to the exhibitors of "The Ghost of Slumber Mountain." Vitagraph Announces Its Third Anita Stewart Release EXHIBITORS of the Vitagraph are underscoring June 16 in red ink. That date, they assume, is to be a memorable one to them — a faith founded on smashed box office records scored by two Vitagraphed Anita Stewart productions, thus far shown this season. The picture looked forward to is Vitagraph's third release of the Anita Stewart series. ' The Painted World" is the title of the picture which is arousing such high hopes. It was written by Jacques Futrelle. The picture was directed by Ralph Ince, and, besides Miss Stewart, includes in its cast E. K. Lincoln, Julia Swayne Gordon, Charles Kent and Harry Northrup. It is a vivid page from the Book of Broadway, dealing, as its title infers, with that realm known as "backstage" and ramifications of that life. Already a score of bookings of prime importance have reached Vitagraph offices in various parts of the country, from exhibitors who have "cleaned up" with the former Anita Stewart releases. "Two Women" and "From Headquarters." Gives Page in Color to World Special. The New York World for Sunday, May 25, gave to "The Ghost of Slumber Mountain" a full page in color, illustrating the prehistoric animals that formed the motive much as a large number of papers of this ' unusual one-reel feature. Inas Kinograms Shows Home t>f Sergeant York. The current issue of Kinograms carries with it eleven interesting features. Foremost is that of Sergeant York, the greatest hero of any war in the annals of history. The Tennessean mountainer, who not until his captain and the major of his battalion established to his understanding by reading of the Scripture that he was justified in trying to kill the enemy did he go into battle as a business. Pictures are shown of his mountain home in Tennessee. The same issue of Kinograms shows the first pictures of the landing of the American aviator in NC-4, at Ponta Delgada. Also pictures of Hawker, specially posed for Kinograms a few minutes before he started on his attempt to fly across the Atlantic in an English aeroplane. Bacon Starts Work on His First Production GERALD F. BACON commenced work, this week, on the first of the series of eighteen productions to be released by Frank G. Hall, president of Independent Sales Corporation. Mr. Bacon is using the Bacon-Backer studio, 230 West Thirty-eighth street, leased, recently, by Mr. Hall for his various producing activities. The first of the Bacon series will be a screen version of Max Marcin's play, "Substitute Prisoner," retitled "Sun-up," with Lucy Cotton, recently seen in "Turn to the Right," and now playing one of the principal roles in "Up in Mabel's Room," in the stellar role. George LeGuerre, who will be remembered for his work In the leading juvenile role in the stage production of "Business Before Pleasure," is Miss Cotton's leading man. In the supporting roles, Mr. Bacon has such well known supporting players as Thurlow Bergen, Frank O'Connor, Morgan Conan, Charles Butler and Edouarde Durand. Oliver D. Bailey, prominent stage director, who will be remembered for his production of "The Whirl of Life," with Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle, featured, is directing. Edward Earle, who was cameraman for Samuel L. Rothapfel and Charles Miller, is doing the camera work for the Bacon production. Mr. Bacon announces that his first feature will be ready for release in July. Bridgeport Excited Over Progress of McClure Film NEWS that McClure Productions are using the Bridgeport munition and gun plants as background for the big three-part serial, "The Yellow Eel," has stirred up considerable excitement among the inhabitants of the New England city. The Bridgeport papers are carrying stories daily about the progress of the picture. It is the first time Bridgeport's giant industries have figured in the movies. Inside the factories, Director Charles H. France is using hundreds of workers as extras in many of the big scenes and securing eager co-operation from them. Practically all the inside scenes for the episodes have been "shot," and production on the outside will soon start. For the exteriors a spot in New England, famous for its natural beauty has been chosen. The contrast between the bustling activity of a big munition plant and the placid calm of a New England lake is expected to be extremely effective. Several water scenes in Bridgeport harbor have already been taken. "Strictly Confidential" Is Praised at Private View AT the first private showing of Madge Kennedy in "Strictly Confidential," held in the Goldwyn projection room, it was agreed enthusiastically by the Goldwyn executives present that the picture was "the best yet" of the Madge Kennedy pictures. The audience, certainly sophisticated so far as the motion picture is concerned, broke into spontaneous applause at the end of the showing. "Strictly Confidential" was originally written in play form, by Jerome K. Jerome. He called it "Fanny and the Servant Problem." It was produced in England as "The New Lady Bantock," and later appeared on Broadway. The scenario for Goldwyn was written by Rex Taylor. Clarence G. Badger directed it, while the exceptional photography which elevates the picture is credited to Marcel Le Picard. Miss Kennedy plays the part of Fanny O'Gorman, a fascinating girl with a theatrical troupe which has "gone brok«."