The Moving picture world (November 1920)

234 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 13, 1920 Fox Serial, "Fantomas, " Being Crowded with "Stunts" by Director Sedgwick THE second William Fox serial, "Fantomas," is not to be a one-stunt-anepisode serial," is the word that comes from the Fox offices. "Director Sedgwick is crowding more stunts and thrills into one episode than most exhibitors have found in fifteen," it is alleged. In fact, Sedgwick has* put so much real "stuff" into the story, it is said, that he has been instructed to make twenty episodes of it instead of fifteen. He has a wealth of water stunts and thrills already completed. He also is using lions and tigers and alligators. He has some motorboat incidents that are said to be hair-raising. In one of these Edna Murphy is jerked from the water by the crew of a speeding boat which does not even slacken its pace. Miss Murphy, by the way, is acquiring some fame for "nerve." She is also shown while real bullets are making splashes in the water around a rowboat in which she is trying to elude pursuers. The company's officials who have seen the episodes thus far completed declare the serial will be a bigger drawing card than "Bride 13." Another big claim for the "Fantomas" serial is that it will have a logical story from beginning to end. The thrills are not being dragged in by the heels, but are part of this daredevil story, reports state. The story is by French authors of detective tales, Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre. The works of these writers have been translated into thirteen languages. Vita graph Nearly Ready with "Black Beauty" Film Production of Vitagraph's elaborate picturization of Anna Sewell's well-known story, "Black Beauty," is rapidly nearing completion at the Western studio of that company, under the direction of David Smith. The magnificent animal which plays the title role recently won a prize at the Los Angeles Horse Show. The average "dual role" portrayed on the screen or the stage seems comparatively easy when compared to the role which Jean Paige plays as "Jessie Gordon," the little old fashioned girl of the book. Miss Paige must play this character from the ages of thirteen to nineteen years. On this part depends much of the simple, beautiful romance of the book. James Morrison has a paralleled male role in his impersonation of "Harry Blomefield," the Vicar's son. The remainder of the cast was carefully selected as "Black Beauty" is a play of types. George Webb plays the polished "heavy;" John Steppling and Mollie McConnell take the part of Squire and Mrs. Gordon; Leslie T. Peacocke and Adele Farrington appear as Lord and Lady Wynwaring; Robert Bolder and Margaret Mann play the Vicar and his wife; Colin Kenny is George Gordon, brother of the heroine; Farmer Grey will be done by George Pierce; "Without One Cent Repairs in Two Years' ' "I have run this SIMPLEX a little better than two years without one cent for repairs." Majestic Theatre, Bellflower, III. Gergia French is seen as Jessie Gordon's sister. The Blomfield children are represented by Marie Treboal, Laddie Earle, Burwell Hamrick and Bunny Davey. The lesser cast is composed of persons who faithfully represent the characters of the story, according to reports. New Date for Carolina Meeting The dates for the semi-annual meeting of the North Carolina Division, Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, has been changed -again, this time to Monday and Tuesday, December 6 and 7. This change, it is believed, will result in a much larger attendance, since the North Carolinians can stop over in Charlotte on their way to the Atlanta exposition. It is planned to obtain stop-overs from the stars who are to visit Atlanta during the week for a day in Charlotte. Arrangements are being made for a special train to leave Charlotte Tuesday night, December 7, to carry the North Carolina exhibitors to Atlanta, and it is believed that the train will carry several hundred exhibitors and their friends for the "big show" in Atlanta. Personal Touch (Continued from page 182) Mr. and Mrs. Dal Clawson, who were married Monday, October 25, spent part of their honeymoon at the Hotel Astor, New York. On Saturday, October 30, they motored to Niagara Falls and from there went to Maine for a couple of weeks. Mrs. Clawson was Irene Whipple, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Whipple, of Fort Lee, N. J.. Mr. Clawson is now cameraman for R. A. Walsh. * * » Isabel Stephen, formerly with the publicity department of the Arrow Film Corporation and previously with New York World and the McClure Newspaper Syndicate, is now associated with the publicity department of the Selznick Enterprises. Miss Stephen was also associated with the Harmsworth Publishing Company of London. * * * William Welsh, who played Pa Benton in "Over the Hill," went to the Coast on Tuesday, November 2, on a two-years' contract with Universal, to play character and heavy leads. * * * "Smiling Jimmy" Kelly and Director Walter Irving accompanied several World Corporation players to Long Beach, L. I., October 31, where a number of initial scenes were taken for the two-reel comedy, "The Troublesome Inebriate," featuring Eilene Wilson, of "The Lady of the Lamp," presented at the Republic Theatre, New York; Leo Donnelly, who plays opposite George H. Cohan at the Hudson Theatre; Patricia Starr and Gertrude Wayne, formerly of American Film Company. * * » William Stormer, formerly casting director and general executive for Selznick Enterprises, has joined forces with Edward Small, of the Putnam Building, as manager of the photoplay department of Mr. Small's large brokerage offices. * * * James Young, who has just completed directing George Arliss' picture, "The Devil," is now editing and titling it. Mr. Young will probably be two or three weeks be fore he completes his work and will probably return to the Coast in December. * * * Arthur Kane, who left for the Coast with Mrs. Kane October 21, will motor to Los Angeles from San Francisco on November 6. Charles Ray will send his car to bring Mr. and Mrs. Kane to Los Angeles. * * * Milton Hoffman, who has been in Europe for the Famous Players-Lasky for a long time, stationed at the F. P.-L. studio in London, just returned and leaves almost immediately for the Coast. * * + John Powers, of Los Angeles, representing the Texas Film Corporation, who has been stopping at the Hotel Astor for the past three weeks, underwent a minor operation for a case of incipient blood poisoning. Mr. Powers thoughtlessly extracted a hair from the index finger of his right hand and it started a pus accumulation that spread through his arm. Quick action averted a more serious condition. Aside from carrying his arm in a sling for a few days, Mr. Powers suffered no inconvenience. * * * Tamar Lane, formerly publicity manager of studio publicity of the Selznick Enterprises, is now assisting with the Selznick house organ, "The Brain Exchange," edited by Edward V. Durling. * * * Raymond S. Peck, superintendent of exhibits and publicity for the department of trade and commerce for the Canadian Government, located at Ottawa, is making propaganda productions for bi-monthly release. . * * * M. Fisher is sales manager for the Famous Players-Lasky Film Service at Toronto, Ontario. * * * The sudden return of Walter J. Porges, touring representative for the D. N. Schwab Productions, Inc., from the Coast to New York City, is coupled with the announcement of his sudden indisposition. Porges was taken sick in Kansas, but disregarding physician's advice, went on with his itinerary, successfully placing the Schwab pictures featuring David Butler throughout the country. In San Francisco his condition became so acute that his wire to Joseph Klein, general manager, brought a response from the latter that he return immediately. Porges' case, while diagnosed as serious under the care of a specialist, is recovering rapidly.