Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

Motion Picture News F. Wynne-Jones, American representative, Major A1"xar.der Grnu, managing, direclrr of the educational and scientific department, Mrs. Grau, and Dr. Nicholas Kaufman, co-director of '''Strength and Beauty," all with I fa, leading German film concern, and pho'ographed on their arrival here. (Underwood & Underwood photo). P PRAISE FROM SIR HUBERT EGGY HOPKINS JOYCE, who makes her debut as a film star in the much discussed Associated Exhibitors special, "The Sky Rock et," has received the stamp of approval of one who knows, and in no uncertain terms — Marshall Neilan, who is a keen judge of talent and doubly qualified to speak in this instance since he directed Miss Joyce in the picture in question. Speaking of her work in this picture, which only a few persons have seen, Neilan said : "When I commenced work on 'The Sky Rocket' several months ago it was with no idea that I was to have the surprise of my l.fe and that Peggy Hopkins Joyce was to afford me that surprise. "I found Miss Joyce to be a good actress — but to be perfectly honest she did not impress me as anything more than 'good' until we had gotten well under weigh. "Perhaps it was due to the fact that I was so intensely absorbed in follow ng the script that my first .mpression of Miss Joyce did not change until later. But when it commenced to change, it literally soared until I realized I had on my lot a true 'find' — a screen diamond of the purest water. As our work advanced and I became so familiar with the continuity that I could see the lines with my eyes closed, I began to watch very closely every movement made by Miss Joyce before the camera. It was then that I realized Asso Peggy Hopkins Joyce, star of the Associated Exhibitors special, "The Sky Rocket," snapped on the Bois du Boulogne in Paris, where she is taking a short rest before returning to this country to commence work on her next feature. ciated Exhibitors had a 'find.' She has that definite something which lures and holds. Intelligence, kindly understanding, wit, charm and versatility, together with physical beauty make up that 'lure' of Peggy Hopkins Joyce." Another boost for Miss Joyce is contained in an article in the current issue of Photoplay Magazine, under the heading: "What is the Lure of Peggy Hopkins Joyce?" To quote one or two small port.ons: "Peggy has that th'n, frail, blonde breakableness of Lillian Gish. Wait till you see her on the screen. She photographs softly. And she has a charm that is reminiscent of Ethel Clayton when at her best. "And above all, above everything, she is so feminine! She not only understands all the daintiness which allures a man more than anything in the world, but she understands that strange art of being a woman, wh ch the females of today are parting with hourly. She breathes soft, sweet femininity. Nothing of the loud, wise-cracking, cigarette-smoking, cocktail-drinking flapper of today about Peggy Hopkins Joyce." TTHAT PARAMOUNT SCHOOL ALKING the other day with Jesse L. Lasky, after a visit to the Paramount Long Island studio and watching the Junior Stars at work, it was interesting to note the tremendous personal enthusiasm which Mr. Lasky has for the Paramount Picture School of acting, on the basis of results to date. He has unlimited confidence in the outcome and expresses the greatest satisfaction with the progress of the students. "I may say," he went on, "that the first term of the school has been so satisfactory that we are already preparing for the second group, and have decided to make the school a permanent feature, gradually expanding its activities. Eventually, no doubt, we shall be able to teach all the branches of the craft, such as cinematography, continuity writing, setting and costume design, and so on, but that is, of course, in the future. "We are getting splendid co-operation in preparing for the second group of students. Some persons were skeptical at first, but now they have seen that it is a bona fide, legitimate venture, and we are receiving every possible aid. "We have engaged Sam Wood to direct the picture in which the students will appear and for the past few weeks he has been working with them, studying each carefully so as to bring the most out of them for this picture. I am confident that this will be one of the most interesting pictures of the year, since the students have shown so much promise, and will put so much sincerity and enthusiasm into this picture." In watching the students at the Long Island studio put through their paces by Sam Wood, Mr. Lasky's statements were more than borne out. Having seen them shortly after they entered the school, one could not fail to note the remarkable improvement — the poise and self-confidence which they had acquired. Patiently various groups of them went through a scene on a set used by one of the units — lighted and photographed just as carefully as if it had been a regular production — and the following day they would see their "rushes" and study their own work on the screen. It will be surprising indeed if two or three of the students, at least, do not turn out brilliantly, for they give every promise of it now. NJUST BORN EWEST of the film publications, the first issue of the weekly fan paper published by Lichtbild-Buehne, Berlin, has just reached this desk. Called "Der Filmspiegel" (The Film Mirror), the first copy promises well for the future. The cover bears an attractive portrait of Lil Dagover, one of Germany's most popular, beautiful and talented feminine players, and the contents are divided between American and German productions. A translation of the fiction version of "The Sea Hawk" is started, and the center spread features equally photos of "Goldrausch" (none other than "The Gold Rush!"), and "Der Rosenkavalier," a Viennese picturization of the Strauss opera. Several highly readable feature articles are also included. Photos from American companies will be handled by Wolff M. Henius, New York representative of the publishing firm, who is located in the Candler building.