Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

420 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 9. Bret H arte Story for Mary Pickford "M'liss," a Tale of California in the Days of '47, to Follow "Amarilly of Clothes-line Alley" M \RY PICKFORD'S newest Artcraft picture, "Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley," has just been finished at the Lasky studio in Hollywood. This story by Belle K. Maniates was adapted to the screen by .Frances Marion and directed by Marshall Neilan. It is said to be Miss Pickford's most humorus play and' will probably be released in March. The next vehicle for "Little Mary" has already been selected and activities on this production will be started immediately. The new subject is Francis Bret Harte's famous story, "M'liss." Marshall Neilan will direct it. "M'liss" is one of the most stirring of all California stories 'by the famous novelist. It has been produced on the stage and its dramatic qualities are assured. There is certain to be a full quota of that romantic and picturesque atmosphere which made the California of Harte, Twain and others famous the world over; the California that was and that will come no more ; the California at a time when love ran strong in the veins of men and women and tragedy walked hand in hand with comedy through the virgin forests or camped beside the goldseekers and those who came in their wake, in the placer fields or the fastnesses of the giant mountains in the shadows of the great sequoias. "M'liss" is a hoydenish, mischievous, ingenuous, insouciant, uncouth yet lovable character, withal. It will give Miss Pickford an opportunity again to display the gifts that have blessed her beyond the ordinary. A good cast of principals with ensembles of extra people will support the star. Mr. Neilan will devote to the picture every energy he possesses to surpass his previous work — which entails no small effort. Frances Marion supplies the scenario, which means that it will be faithfully representative of the quality that made Bret Harte's name a household word wherever books are read. • . • ■-■..■ Pensions Actor for Life Eagle Eye, the famous Sioux Indian chief, last week fell from his horse and broke his left leg in a scene for the new Douglas Fairbanks-Artcraft picture, "Headin' South." The popular star ordered that the Indian be placed under the care of an expert surgeon and provided for until able to resume work. Later it was reported that the injured man would be crippled permanently, whereupon Fairbanks agreed to pension him for life. Ain't He the Devil, Girls? A forthcoming Essanay one-reel comedy is based on the adventures of an English dude in the heart of the wild west. He carries a revolver (22 calibre) embellished with a bow of pink ribbon. Fox Productions Forge Steadily On Two New Studios in New York Relieve Handicap of Bad Weather and Scant Supply of Fuel at Fort Lee P' iRODUCTION of subjects for William Fox is going on at a steady rate. Although the fuel situation somewhat handicapped the work in the Fort Lee studios the two new studios in New York relieved the situation in the east, while in the west the making of new photoplays continued without interruption. In the Los Angeles studios Lynn Rey Don Barclay, noted comedian of the Follies, now engaged in making a comedy for George K. Spoor, is an artist as well as a fun maker. He is seen here drawing a picture of Taylor Holmes, another George K. Spoor star, whose latest picture. "Ruggles of Red Gap," has just been released. It is easy to see that Barclay and Holmes arc pretty good friends, though rivals. nolds is directing Tom Mix in a new photoplay. The story is by Mix and the scenario by Reynolds. In this production Victoria Forde comes back as leading lady for Mix. Others in the cast are Frank Clark and Barney Furey. Edward Le Saint has finished photopraphing a new picture in which Gladys Brockwell is starred. The story is by Charles Kenyon. In the cast are Lucille Young, William Scott, Bertram Grassby, T. D. Crittenden, Henry De Montford and Andrew Robson. J. Gordon Edwards has begun photographing a new Theda Bara super production. The story has been adapted by Adrian Johnson. Miss Bara is said to do better work in this piece than she did in Cleopatra. Big things are expected of this production. C. M. Franklin is directing another story in which Jewel Carmen is the star. Frank Lloyd has finished his divorce propaganda picture. At the Fort Lee studios Peggy Hyland has finished her first picture for Fox. It is called "The Debt of Honor" and was directed by O. A. C. Lund. This picture has a touch of the spy interest. It is set for one of the March releases. William Farnum and his company of players, having returned from exteriors at Port Henry in the Adirondacks, are at the Biograph studios in New York, finishing work on the William Farnum de luxe production, "Rough and Ready." R. A. Walsh is at work at the Biograph studios also on "Woman and the Law," the story of which is based on a recent sensational murder, and the Lees — Jane and Katherine — are busy on a new picture to follow "American Buds."