Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

372 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 8 Goldwyn Announces Capitol Comedies William H. Parsons, Head of National Films, Will Be the Star— To Make Twenty-six a Year GOLDWYN DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION announces the creation of Capitol Comedies, starring "Smiling Billy" Parsons.' Twenty-six of them, all two-reelers, will be distributed annually. "Smiling Billy" Parsons is none other than William H. Parsons, President of the National Film Corporation of America, who springs full-fledged into pictures as a star. The contract for distribution was signed this week by Mr. Parsons and Samuel Goldfish, president of Goldwyn. Mr. Parsons left at once for California to begin work in his studios in Los Angeles. The story of Mr. Parsons' entry into pictures as a star is filled with novelty. Primarily he is a promoter and producer, being producer and one of the owners of "Tarzan of the Apes." During the making of this picture there were idle moments in which Mr. Parsons read the scenarios of a number of two-reel comedies ar^d racked his brain to think of an engaging male comedian available to be starred under his management. Having the rotund figure so often associated with comedy roles, an engaging and winning smile, and being comically bald, persons to whom he admitted his perplexity quickly suggested that he become a screen star himself and make his own pictures. After persuasion, but still not convinced, Mr. Parsons did so. Goldwyn executives saw them, then employed Mr. Parsons to make twenty-six a year for them. Goldwyn intends to market these tworeelers by placing prints of the first four comedies in all of its exchanges in advance of the first release, giving exhibitors everywhere the opportunity to s"e four releases before booking any of them. Hart's Newest Picture "The Tiger Man" Artcraft Star Doubles for First Time in Photoplay — Dorothy Dalton's Next Film to Be Called "Tyrant Fear" "Smiling Billy" Parsons, who has just been engaged by Goldwyn to appear in Capitol Comedies. THE TITLES of two new Thomas H. Ince productions on which work is now in progress were received at the New York office of the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, last week. William S. Hart's new vehicle following "Blue Blazes Rawden," which was released by Artcraft on February 18, has been named "The Tiger Man." In this production Hart is now appearing before the camera as Hawk Parsons, an outlaw of the desert who is redeemed by the love of a good woman. The story is by J. G. Hawks, who also wrote "Blue Blazes Rawden." A troop of cavalry plays an important part in this picture. In staging a big cavalry charge last week the players did not seem to present the necessary punch. It was suggested that if Hart would lead there would be a different kind of showing. Changing his buckskins for a faded blue cavalry uniform, the popular star lead the charge and the desired result was immediately evident. This is perhaps the first time Hart has doubled in a photoplay. The charge, however, was taken at a long shot so that *he leader will not be recognized as the same person who portrays the starring role. Dorothy Dalton's newest Paramount picture on which she has been working Loew to Build Four Houses It is reported that Marcus Loew and his associates will build four more theaters in Eastern Canada in addition to the possibility that the St. Denis Theater, Montreal, will pass into Loew control shortly. One of the new Loew houses it is said will be erected in Ottawa at a cost of $200,000. If all these projects are carried ont, there will be at least nine Loew Theaters in the dominion. for the past few weeks has been titled "Tyrant Fear." This story is being staged by R. William Neill under the supervision of Thomas H. Ince from the scenario by R. Cecil Smith. John Stumar is responsible for the photography. The story is one of primitive passions unloosed and a woman's struggle against fate, with her triumph when she has once thrown off the shackles of fear. Work on this film is now progressing rapidly at the Ince studio and is expected to be completed shortly. "Tyrant Fear" will be released after "Love Me," the next Dalton offering. William S. Hart as he will appear in "The Tiger Man," a Thomas H. Ince production for Paramount.