Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

February 16, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 319 Big Blue Ribbon Program Announcec Sixteen Five-Reelers and Two Patriotic Features Outlined — Work Will Carry Company Well Into the Summer AMBITIOUS program of production which will carry the Blue Ribbon features well into the summer is made public this week by Albert E. Smith, president of the Vitagraph Company. His statement not only shows a great many plays actually in the making, but many others in preparation for the company's extensive list of stars. Sixteen new five-reel subjects are outlined in President Smith's announcement, and these, with "Over the Top," in which Sergeant Arthur Guy Empey and Lois Meredith are to appear, and the big patriotic feature which is being made in conjunction with the state of New York, gives Vitagraph sufficient material to fill its program until the first week in August. A summary of the Vitagraph future product shows that the company not only is prepared for almost six months in advance, but also that its projected features are of extraordinary high merit from a literary standpoint. Director William P. S. Earle, under whose artistic guidance little Gladys Leslie has worked ever since she joined the Vitagraph family, will start production next week on "The Reflection of Scarlet," an original story by Edward P. Smaney, who is now actively engaged in the photographic department at Washington on special work for the government. Miss Leslie is to be starred in this feature, which will be produced in five reels, and upon its conclusion will begin work immediately on "Ann Acushla," of which Paul West, a leading screen story writer, is the author. "Ann Acushla" is described as a charming story of IrishAmerican life and should afford an even greater opportunity for Miss Leslie to portray the role of a colleen than was given her in "His Own People," in which she made her Vitagraph debut with Harry Morey. Alice Joyce, who is nearing the end of her work in "The Son of the Soul," under the direction of Tom Terriss, is scheduled to begin work in "My Man," an adaptation of the play by Edith Ellis. Her role in this, it is said, will give Miss Joyce one of the finest opportunities she has had since her portrayal of Mary Turner in "Within the Law." Other plays which are in preparation for Miss Joyce are "The Business of Life," from the successful novel of the same name by Robert W. Chambers, and "To the Highest Bidder," a novel by Florence Morse Kingsley. Miss Kingsley, it will be recalled, was co-author with Mary E. Wilkins Freeman on "An Ala baster Box," which provided one of the best starring vehicles Miss Joyce ever had. In addition to these productions, it is said that announcement soon will be made of other plays which Vitagraph has in hand for this popular star. George Barr McCutcheon and Harold MacGrath supply the vehicles in which Rex Beach, whose book, "Heart of the Sunset," has just been picturized for distribution by Goldwyn as a Rex Beach Special. Earle Williams will be featured with Grace Darmond, following the completion of "An American Live Wire," on which they are at work now in California. "An American Live Wire" is an adaptation from "The Lotus and the Bottle," an O. Henry story. "The Man from Brodneys," from the novel of the same name by McCutcheon, probably will be the next story in which Mr. Williams will work, this to be followed by "The Girl in His House," from the pen of Harold MacGrath. Another feature in prospect for Mr. Williams and Miss Darmond is entitled "Out of the Dark," written by Roma Raymond and Jane Dixon. All of these, it is announced, will be produced at the Vitagraph western studio under the direction of Tom Mills, who also is directing "An American Live Wire." Corinne Griffith, Webster Campbell and Marc MacDermott, working under the direction of John Robertson, are nearing completion of the patriotic picture which is being made by Vitagraph in co-operation with the New York State Defense Council. This is the feature in which Governor Charles S. Whitman plays a prominent role and it promises to be one of the most sensational pictures of the year. The story was 'prepared by Robert W. Chambers from actual spy records in the New York state archives and he, with suggestions from President Smith, has provided a story replete with thrilling incidents. Upon completion of this picture, Director Robertson will resume production of "The Green God," featuring Miss Griffith and Webster Campbell, work upon which was interrupted in order to start the New York state feature. "The Green God" is based on the novel of Frederick Arnold Kummer and is said to provide Miss Griffith with an excellent chance to display her beauty and talents. Following "The Green God," Miss Griffith will be put in the leading role of "The Clutch of Circumstances," from the novel by Leighton Graves Osmun. Mr. Robertson also will direct her in this feature. Harry Morey, with Florence Deshon, is scheduled to begin work on "The Cambric Mask," one of the most successful of Robert M. Chambers' novels, immediately upon completion of "The Desired Woman," which he is now making under direction of Paul Scardon. Another story which is ready for Mr. Morey and Miss Deshon . is "The Man from Where," an original story by Frederic R. Buckley, staff writer in the Vitagraph scenario department. William Duncan, the stalwart hero of "The Fighting Trail" and "Vengeance — and the Woman," the two big western