The Moving picture world (November 1920)

378 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 20, 1920 Educational's, "The Race of the Age" Made the Feature of Theatre Programs FOLLOWING the premier showing of "The Race of the Age," the exclusive two-reel picture of Man o' War's victory over Sir Barton at Windsor, Ont., at the Strand theatres, New York and Brooklyn, Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., reports that advices from its branch offices indicate that all precedents for two-reel pictures will be broken with the showing of this film. At Grauman's, Los Angeles, the picture was made the feature of the entire bill, given with a special setting and then followed with a trained horse act. According to Los Angeles newspapers there has never been a film shown in that city that stirred such audience enthusiasm. Similar prominence was given the picture last week at such theatres as the Colonial, Columbus, Ohio; the Strand, Dayton, Ohio; Walnut, Cincinnati; both the Rialto and the Newark in Newark, Strand in Buffalo, Albany in Schenectady, the America in Denver, the Adams in Detroit, and many others. In every case the Man o' War picture was made the dominant feature of the newspaper advertising, and in most cases considerable advance space was devoted to the announcement. Special musical programs were employed in all the houses with the presentation. Much Interest Abroad More than a hundred prints have been started to work through the United States and Canada. Equal interest has been shown in the picture abroad, it is said. The English rights have been sold for a large amount and energetic bidding for the rights of France, Italy, Australia and several other countries is reported. Practically every New York newspaper gave "The Race of the Age" the leading position in its Monday morning review after the Sunday opening at' the Strand, several of them devoting their entire space to its production. One paper compared its presentation with the achievement of Edward Muybridge, who made the first motion picture — an animated record of a horse race — by arranging a battery of twenty-four cameras so that their plates would be exposed as the horse ran in front of them. Then it says: "It does not seem to be going too far to say that an epoch of motion picture history is marked by Muybridge's twentyfour plates and the 2,000 feet of film in this picture." The same publication states also that "the high exciting moment of the picture comes when the two horses are shown making the complete circuit of the course. The cameras within the circle followed them around so that one may see them as they pull apart and draw together in their dash for the line. And the pictures are so distinct that the movements of their legs, their rhythmically yet rapidly changing positions and the figures of the jockeys on their backs are at all times clearly visible. It is this scene that makes the film a masterpiece of motion picture work. It was this scene that filled the Strand with shouts when it was shown and gave everyone the impulse to leap to his feet." Only Interiors of Vitagraph's "Black Beauty" Remain to Be Taken; Has Family Appeal AN ideal picture, the family picture has been attained by Vitagraph in its special production of "Black Beauty," based on the autobiography of a horse by Anna Sewell. The picture is now nearing completion at the West Coast studios under the direction of David Smith and everything connected with the filming of the classic has been accomplished on a large scale. The animal scenes were completed some weeks ago and last week David Smith, the director, finished the outdoor scenes in which both the human characters and the horses appeared. Only a few of the interiors, with the human players alone, remain to be made. Not only is "Black Beauty" one of the most costly pictures ever made by Vitagraph, and a superior production from story and technical standpoints, but because of the immense world appeal of the story, which has been translated into nearly every language and is known everywhere, it will please all sorts and conditions of men. The family appeal of "Black Beauty" will be one of the strongest features. It is as sweet and clean a story as ever was written — or filmed. Father, mother and children will exact a thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment from the picture without the slightest offence and all will understand and feel the story as it unfolds. Inihefhadow the Dome" Director David Smith has selected his characters for "Black Beauty" with the utmost care. Not only has he the largest cast of established actors of any current feature, but each has been selected because of his typical fitness. Jean Paige, who has won a large following of admirers in Vitagraph productions of the past two years, is ideal as Jessie Gordon, the squire's daughter, about whom the story revolves. Jimmy Morrison, one of the foremost of juveniles appears opposite Miss Paige. George Webb is the polished villain and "Mother" Mollie McConnell, John Steppling, Adele Farrington, Leslie T. Peacocke, Margaret Mann, Colin Kenny, Robert Bolder, and many other wellknown players are seen in the important character parts. Lillian and George Randolph Chester in their adaptation of the great book have brought to life the wellloved characters of the story in a manner to meet the approval of the most exacting. Chester Comedy Title Attracts According to Educational Exchanges, the perfect motion picture comedy is found in "You'll Be S'prised," the latest of the tworeel Chester fun films which will be released early in December. It is recommending the name alone to be used in a teaser campaign by the theatres, since surprise is the big element of the picture. It deals with the foiling of a couple of villains who rob the village station agent. Of course, Snooky, the Humanzee, is the bright particular hero, but little Ida May McKenzie, who has been named "the sweetest child on the screen," has an equally important part. A dog and a goat contribute considerably to the comedy element. MAULAINE TRAVERSE Madlaine Traverse to Return to the Screen Madaline Traverse, the popular emotional star, who left the Fox company at the beginning of the summer to enjoy a much needed rest, will shortly return to the screen according to an announcement just made. Whether Miss Traverse will produce pictures with her own company as once was reported or has contracted to fill stellar roles for one of the leading producing organizations, is not stated, but it is known that several of the latter have been negotiating with Miss Traverse. It is expected that a definite announcement will be made sometime next week, at which time it is said Miss Traverse will make known her plans. Since the early part of the summer Miss Traverse has been enjoying a well earned rest, the first vacation in fact she has had since she began her screen career, some six years ago. Her vacation included a tour of the south where she combined some personal business with pleasure, among other things looking over various properties with a view to selecting a studio site. For several years Miss Traverse has been known in emotional roles on both stage and screen. She started her stage career at the age of twelve spending the first few years on the legitimate stage under the management of her father. During the past six years Miss Traverse has been starred in many screen successes and her versatility and notable dramatic ability have won for her a large following. Corene Uzzell in Cast • of "Determination" Corene Uzzell has been cast as the confidence queen, Madge Daley, in "Determination," Captain F. F. Stoll's super-feature film drama which is now being produced at the Grantwood, N. J., studios of the United States Photoplay Corporation. Miss Uzzell has had a successful career in the photoplay world, and has appeared in support of many of the best known stars of the day, and has starred herself in a number of productions. Among her successes rrave been in support of Elsie Ferguson, Lina Cavalieri. Edwin Arden, George M. Cohan qnd William Courtney. She has starred with House Peters in "Thunderbolts of Fate," and costarred with Maclyn Arbuckle in "Mr. Potter of Texas," and has been in a number of serials.