The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 915 Paul H. Sloane of Fox Pens Plays for Walsh UPON the completion of "A Manhattan Knight," the William Fox screen version of Gelett Burgess' novel, "Find the Woman," in which George Walsh is being directed by George Beranger, the star will begm work at once on his next vehicle, just selected and entitled "The Dead Line." "The Dead Line" is a virile drama laid below the Mason-Dixie line and is an original story from the versatile pen of Paul H. Sloane. The cast is being selected and is understood that Mr. Walsh again will be directed by Del Henderson, who made such a noteworthy offering recently of "The Shark," which also starred Walsh. Mr. Sloane, the author, is a young man, still in his twenties, but has crowded a deal of experience into his years with various picture producing companies of the East. He has contributed much original work to the screen and has always introduced a novel touch which makes his stories stand out as distinctive. Recently he became a member of the Fox scenario staff. Mr. Sloane's career has been unusual. He never has done anything in any field save that of motion pictures. Here he has educated himself, has studied every branch of the industry and knows the game from the synopsis to the finished titled print. He now is engaged upon another original story for one of the Fox stars located in the East. Three Selznick Films Run Full Week in Philadelphia LAST week was Selznick week on Market street, Philadelphia. It may be called so because Selznick attractions monopolized the three largest Market Street houses. The Philadelphia exchange for Select has been busy and the productions showing at the three theatres acquitted themselves in very good style. The telegram received from L. A. Young, Selznick representative there, stated that "A Regular Girl" opened there on Monday, January 12, to a capacity house. During the week this was maintained and the S. R. O. sign was put up. "The Broken Melody," in which Eugene O'Brien stars, was showing at the Stanley and the management reported capacity business for the entire week. Olive Thomas upheld her reputation as a drawing card in "The Glorious Lady" which, through the entire week, caused a line-up in front of the Regent Theatre. Fitzgrerald on Metro Staff. Dallas M. Fitzgerald has been engaged as an addition to the Metro staff of directors and will be located at the company's studios in Hollywood. Herbert Blache, John Ince, Henry Otto, Ray C. Smallwood, Arthur D. Ripley, Rex Ingram and W. A. Howell, comprising the present Metro staff, are all busy on new productions, and in consequence Mr. Fitzgerald's first assignment has not been made. But he leaves New York this week for the west coast and expects to arrive there in time to take an active part in Metro's spring production drive. Universally Speaking — We have from above to below: Dorothy Phillips in "The Gorgeous Canary"; Pri.scilla Dean in "The Beautiful Beggar"; Monroe Salisbury In "The Phantom Melody," and Tsuru Aol<i in "Locked I.ips." all Big-ir winneis. "The Westerners" Plays to S. R. O. in the Black Hills IN the Benjamin B. Hampton production of Stewart Edward White's novel, "The Westerners," the little town of Rapid City has a role of considerable interest. Rapid City is in the main scene of the White story. When, after years of fame as a novel, the time came to make "The Westerners," Rapid City awaited the coming of the picture actors to take the local scenes on the spot. Once the production of the picture got under way in California last spring it was found that it would not be possible to make a fifteen hundred mile trip to Rapid City for the filming of the scenes, and more especially since the Dakotas were under a mantle of snow which the story did not call for. Therefore the scenes were made in California and portions of the Dakotas were reported as sulking because they were ignored. Week before last Mr. Hampton's production reached Rapid City, being booked through the Hodkinson Denver office and here is the message of E. W. Derthick, the manager of the Rapid City Auditorium, to the home office : "I had to stop a S. R. O. run on 'The Westerners' because of my following booking which could not be displaced. People came from everywhere. The book, as you know, was written here. The critics and old timers here all say the characters depicted are perfect and not at all overdrawn. We are going to book 'The Westerners' here for a repeat engagement." Metro Buys Screen Rights to "The Kiss Burglar" METRO has purchased the screen rights to "The Kiss Burglar," a musical romance in two acts, with book and lyrics by Glen McDonough and music by Raymond Hubbel. Fay Bainter was starred in the original stage production at the Cohan Theatre in May, 1918, when it had a long and successful run on Broadway and later through the country. "The Kiss Burglar" has a novel and original plot which makes its production for the screen highly desirable. The story is concerned with a fleeing American in Trieste who dashes in disguise into the bedroom of a Grand Duchess, is mistaken for a burglar and takes a kiss instead of diamonds. Later he returns to the United States and opens a divorce, alimony and breach of promise parlor. It has not been decided whether the play will be used as a starring vehicle for May Allison or Viola Dana, but the former will probably be the choice. Opens Theatre and Treats His Town. When Santo Bonaventura opened his New Grand, Nashwauk, Minn., he hit u;)on the happy idea of treating the whole town. His house seats SOO and he gave free shows all the afternoon and evening. Our fellow-worker, Senor Obregon, of Cine Mundial, Spanish edition of Moving Picture World, informs us that "Bonaventura" means, in Spanish, "good venture," "good luck" and all the things we'll bet Nashwaukans wished Showman Santo as they flocked in and out of his New Grand.