Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

414 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 9. 'The Blue Bird" to Be an Easter Release Eighty Big Theatres, Including Rivoli in New York and Grauman's in Los Angeles, Have Picture Booked Now JUIAETERLINCK'S, "THE BLUE *** BIRD," which has been produced for Artcraft under the direction of Maurice Tourneur, will be offered as a special Easter release. Already eighty of the finest theatres in the country, stretching from S. L. Rothapfel's Rivoli in New York to Grauman's new $1,000,000 cinema palace in .Los Angeles, have arranged for the debut of this world-renowned subject, and preparations are being made for presentations of a special nature. The executives of the Famous Players-Lasky organization arc highly enthusiastic over the visualization and have decided on a pretentious exploitation plan. A special score by James R. Bradford is now under way and everything is being done to give the film an elaborate presentation on a scale in ac Jane and Katherine Lee in "American Buds" a new picture for Fox. cord with the high standard of Materlinck's piece. The tremendous popularity of "The Blue Bird" makes the film an immediate drawing card of exceptional force. The merit of the cinema itself, however, it is expected, will more than duplicate the fame of the stage offering in this country and abroad. Considered the world over as a literary and dramatic masterpiece, the subject proved one of the greatest achievements of the celebrated Belgian poet and dramatic author. The play pleased young and old alike in this country as well as in Europe. In London it opened at the Boudoir theatre in December, 1909, where it created a sensation and attracted devotees of the dramatic art and further enhanced the fame of Maeterlinck. The play was presented in ten scenes and took four hours to portray. With its American appearance in New York at the New Theatre, a play house erected to present the world's most renowned dramatic offerings, the production was revived with two additional scenes in February, 1911. In speaking of the screen version, Jesse L. Lasky, head of productions of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, said: "After negotiating for this subject more than two years, we were finally able to produce it on the screen. To stage our elaborate adaptation, we selected Maurice Tourneur, the accomplished producer of various artistic cinema triumphs. A master of screen craft, the talented French director has always displayed in his lines a certain touch of the artist which has made them exceptionally distinctive. The important task of preparing the scenario for this gigantic cinema was entrusted to Charles Maigne, whose work in connection with the production of other notable Artcraft pictures speaks well for what may be expected of him in 'The Blue Bird.' "It is immediately apparent that nothing in the way of expense, time nor labor has been spared. Probably the crowning accomplishment of Tourneur, the film discloses various departures in motion picture technique. "In addition to its many other unusual features, the cast of 'The Blue Bird' stands out as an exceptional combination of histrionic talent. The two clever children, Robin McDougall and Tula Belle, portray the parts of Tyltyl and Mytyl, the famous little characters who go in search of the bird of happiness. Odd characters such as those personifying light, water, sugar, etc., are particularly difficult to handle, but Mr. Tourneur has shown wonderful results.