The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 917 Many Prominent Players in Cast of Arthur Guy Empey's Special, "Oil'' Change in Release Dates. Announcement is made from the Selznick offices of the change in the release dates of the two productions "Sooner or Later" and "His Wife's Money" starring Owen Moore. "Sooner or Later" will be released on February 16 instead of February 9 as we announced, and "His Wife's Money," starring Eugene O'Brien, has been set back from February 16 to February 9. Ruth Langston Has Big Role in Dempsey Serial RUTH LANGSTON, who has an important role in "Daredevil Jack," the Pathe serial starring Jack Dempsey, has a record for hard work to thank for her present status in the film world. Miss Langston is a daughter of the Golden West. She began her career on the speaking stage, one of her engagements being in the New York production of "Sweet Kitty Bellairs." She entered the films via the comedy reels, playing parts in Keystone comedies for the Triangle program. Then Miss Langston wanted to do serious roles and she met with success. She had a part in "Todd of the Times" and "The Green Van." In "Brothers Divided," a Frank Keenan production. Miss Langston played the leading feminine role. In this part she was so successful, that she was signed for the role of Mollie in "Daredevil Jack." Begin Work on First of Selznick Bigger Pictures THE wheels started to turn January 22 on the first of the new stories which Lewis J. Selznick, of Selznick Enterprises, purchased for production during 1920, and which brings to the screen the works of several well known authors. These subjects are produced under the supervision of Myron Selznick, head of the Selznick production work. "The Shadow of Rosalie Byrnes" is the name of the first of the stories to be started. With Elaine Hammerstein as star, this piece went into actual production at the Fort Lee studios, with George Archainbaud directing. It is possible, an announcement states, that the picture will be released under another title than that which it now has. The author is Grace Sartwell Mason, and the continuity is by R. Cecil Smith. Elaine Hammerstein's latest Selznick picture is "The Woman Game," announced for release on February 23. Kid McCoy in Cast. Kid McCoy, the celebrated middleweight, handles the role of the French champion, who, by a strange coincidence, is Carpentier in Samuel Merwin's novel. Nigel Barrie plays the part of the American pugilist, Blink Moran, who pays court to Hilda. " 'The Honey Bee' is a photonovel that can be run before any audience of any class," adds Mr. Hutchinson. There is nothing depressing nor brutal in it, and comedy is delightfully interspersed with pathos. The picture is six reels in length. Rupert Julian is the director. THE complete cast assembled by Arthur Guy Empey and Director Wilfred North for the forthcoming Empey special production, "Oil," includes a dozen or more prominent film players who are acting in support of Mr Empey and his co-star, Florence Evelyn Martin. "Oil," which is both a drama of American business life and a co'medy with very le<jitimate merriment throughout its length, has its scenes laid chiefly in the oil legions of the Southwest. The numerous characters portrayed represent the personnel which naturally would revolve about the operations which culminate m a fortune made in oil. It is by conttasting the well-known traits of American character and by depicting their natural reaction to the circumstances and incidents of the drama that Mr. Empey, who wrote the story from which William Addison Lathrop formed the continuity, has created his envelope of comedy through which the whole action of fhe piece is viewed. Those in the Last. Guy Empey plays the role of Bobby Walters^ a young American son of fortune, who, when the story opens, is seen as a taxicab driver. Miss Martin plays opposite as a girl of good breeding who, nevertheless, through circumstances ;s serving as attendant at a cigar and news counter in a hotel. The role of a newly rich women of the West is portrayed by Emily Fitzroy, while Louise Best takes the part of her daughter. Of importance are the roles of Mason and Slivers, two crooked oil promoters which are portrayed by Templer Saxe and William Eville respectively. Harry Burkhardt is the expert oil engineer and Denton Vane a ge^-rich-quick imitation of the same. Harry Lee, besides being Mr. Empey's studio manager, has a role of foreman at the site where an oil well is being filled. Louis Grizel and Victor Stewart arc real estate agents. Chester Bishop is a Wall Street financier and Al Davis is his secretary. Maggie Weston and Edith Sherman have effective bits respectively as Bobby's housekeeper and Dorothy's mother. Company to Go to Oil Fields The last of the interior sets in the Empey production has been filmed and the company is preparing for an immediate trip to the southwestern oil fields where the shots on location will be made. Thomas F. Molloy, the first cameraman with "Oil," has obtained a number of unusual and beautiful effects during the last five weeks' work at the Paragon studio Ask Early Hearing on Manners Suit. A joint petition to advance the case for an early hearing has been filed with the United States Supreme Court by J. Hartley Manners and Oliver Morosco, in the case involving the picture rights of "Peg o' My Heart." Both parties have joined in this petition. Early decision in this case is deemed important, because of the many questions arising in the courts out of disputes between authors of plays and producing managers of stage plays and producers of motion picture photoplays. The case is said to be one which will not require extended argument. Eugene O'Brien Back from North. Eugene O'Brien, film star in Selznick Pictures, who went with his company to the Thousand Islands recently to get exteriors for "A Fool and His Money," his next release, returned January 21 to New York. "Manager Wanted" is an advertisement frequently appearing in The World's Classified department. Give it a try and better your position. Bill May Be Shod with Fire, But He's Cjotta Walk Op Just tne Aame. Bill Russell In a little "flight" (six up) of fancy In his Pox feature, "Shod with Fire."