Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

February 16, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 311 Raymond Hatton Hailed as Big Star Work in Artcraft Production, "The Whispering Chorus," Is Said to Place Him Securely in Niche of Fame O OME ACTORS are born great, others himself by a self-immolation that par <-) achieve greatness, and still others have greatness thrust upon them. Raymond Hatton, whose excellent characterizations in Paramount and Artcraft pictures have proved his talent and versatility to a remarkable degree, probably was born a great actor. It is difficult to believe that his talent could be anything less than innate; he is certainly achieving greatness and as certainly it has not been thrust upon him. In "Joan the Woman," directed by Cecil B. DeMille and written by Jeanie MacPherson, he accomplished a memorable impersonation as King Charles; in "The Woman God Forgot," another wonderful DeMille and MacPherson creation, released by Artcraft with Geraldine Farrar in the star role, Hatton made another record as Montezuma the Magnificent. Both 'of these were outstanding; they were distinctly different types. In the first, he was the weak, vaccilating, easily swayed monarch; in the second, he was every inch a king — sold to a sad fate through a woman's weakness. He received many justly merited tributes for these two personations. But, in "The Whispering Chorus," a new Artcraft picture, being specially produced under Mr. DeMille's direction and for which the scenario was written by Miss MacPherson from Perley Poore Sheehan's novel which will run simultaneously in "All Story Weekly" with the release of the film, Raymond Hatton in the role of John Trimble will reach, it is believed, the highest point in his career thus far. As the man who takes another identity to hide a crime and in the end ennobles takes of positive grandeur of spirit Hatton has, it is declared, created a character that will not soon be forgotten in the annals of art, literature and the screen. In make up, in his depiction of the strange personality of Trimble, in his every gesture, mannerism and expression, he is pronounced perfect. His own personality has been so completely submerged that even his best friends will scarcely recognize him, particularly after his altered appearance when he assumes the personality of the drowned man. Under the careful and painstaking direction of Mr. DeMille the character develops and attains proportions that become dignified even in the uncouth figure and habiliments assumed by the actor. Hatton has, according to all report, lost no opportunity and profited by every suggestion from the director. It should be his greatest characterization and will place his foot on the topmost rung of the histrionic ladder. In the cast appear others who do notable work as well — Elliott Dexter, Kathlyn Williams, Tully Marshall, Edythe Chapman, John Burton, Guy Oliver, James Neill, W. H. Brown, Noah Beery, Gustav Seyffertitz, Walter Lynch, Edna Mae Cooper, etc. The picture is said to possess the elements that make for positive greatness; Good Cast in "The Guilty Man" The cast of "The Guilty Man," the Paramount special release, includes an imposing array of well known players. The photoplay is an adaptation from A. H. Woods' sensational Broadway success, written by Charles Klein and directed by Irvin V. Willat, under the supervision of Thomas H. Ince. Gloria Hope plays the part of Claudine Flambon, an illegitimate French girl, who slays her stepfather in defending her mother from his brutality. Vivian Reed has the sympathetic role of Marie Flambon, the mother of Claudine, who marries the owner of a cafe in Paris to give her child a name. William Garwood plays the part of Claude Lescuyer, the attorney general who prosecutes Claudine, and in a highly dramatic court room scene breaks down and confesses that he is the father of the prisoner, and that owing to his desertion of her mother he is responsible for the events that have occurred and is therefore "the guilty man." J. P. Lockney is the father of the prosecutor. Charles French in the heavy role of Flambon, Hal Cooley as Gaston Marceau, the sweetheart of Claudine, John Steppling as Jean Michaud, the former owner of the cafe, who precipitates the tragedy by agreeing with Flambon to take Claudine as his wife in cancellation of Flambon's indebtedness to him, and Hayward Mack as Jacques Ristac, complete the cast of principal characters. "The Guilty Man" borders on melodrama, and was adapted to the stage from the story of Francois Coppe. It is on the order of the much talked of Brieux plays, dealing with a sociological problem in a graphic manner. As a special release it has been given elaborate treatment, and sumptuous settings and large ensembles of people make it an extraordinary production. Gloria Hope was cast for the role of Claudine by Mr. Ince owing to her exceptional beauty and her ability as an emotional actress. Scenes from "The Guilty Man," the A. H. Woods success just released by Paramount.