The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

December 18, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD ^91 Who's Who In "The Magic Garden 99 T h e Star Director Cameraman The Extra Margaret Morris J. Leo Meehan Al Siegler Ruth Milo MARGARET MORRIS who plays the role of the grownup Amaryllis Minton in "The Magic Garden," describes this as the most unique role she has essayed since her debut in filmdom. "It is certainly a sweet and charming story and I am sure that the entire cast shares my sentiments in this respect." Miss Morris steps into the picture shortly after little Joyce Coad and Phillipe de Lacey, as Amaryllis Minton and John Guido Forrester have exchanged the vows of their childish love in the magic garden. Miss Morris as the grown-up Amaryllis also has a part to play in the garden since it is there that the first vow is renewed when John, as a grown-up man and a recognized musician returns from Italy. The second time, however, John is played by RaymonJ Keene. "The Magic Garden" is Miss Morris' first Gene Stratton Porter's picture. Miss Morris is known to fans as a lovely personality on the screen. She is known in Hollywood for the same attractive personality but especially so for her ability as an actress. Fainous-Players-Lasky recognized Miss Morris early in her career. As the result she secured from that company a long-term contract. Film Booking Offices borrowed her for a series of comedydramas after she had played in about six Paramount pictures. Following the coni])letion of "The Magic Garden," Miss Morris expects to make one more picture for F. B. O. and then return to the Paramount lot. As for the future she has no questions, for this talented little star is confident of her own ability to succeed. FROM a director of westerns, J. Leo Meehan has during the past five years risen to the peak of F. B. O. directorial ranks of drama and comedy. His biggest hits on the studio lot, as well as at the box office, have been his cinema translations of Gene Stratton Porter novels. Everyone knows that a successful director has to be a keen student of human nature. Meehan, however, is one of those directors who can express his observations clearly and forcefully. When he makes a statement he gives his reason for it. The same logic governs instructions broadcasted, through his megaphone. He adheres to the proverb which plays such an important part in the work of experienced newspapermen which is : "Take time to be brief." And Meehan, as many know, is also the publisher of a daily newspaper in Pasadena. Meehan tiiinks along newspaper lines, ^'ou don't have to talk to him more than a few minutes to find that out. He knows his picture public. *He knows that what the majority of newspaper readers want from the paper they expect when they step into a motion picture theatre. In other words, he believes film plots should provide a wellknit theme, the well-rounded climax and all other worthy basic ingredients, but with all of this they should possess one predominating theme. What the author can do, the director in most instances cannot hope to accomplish, Meehan told us. His statement was perfectly obvious when one stopped to consider the limited footage of the longest feature compared to the thousands of words with which the auflior may play on reams of l)aper. HE MAGIC GARDEN" s described by Cameraman Al Ziegler as — "The most beautiful romance I have ever filmed." Ziegler has cranked a camera in California since 1911. During that time many notables have passed before his lens. Such unqualified praise from a man of this experience should satisfy the most skeptical that "The Magic Garden" can truthfully be classed as an unusual picture. "The Magic Garden" is also the first picture of its type I have ever photographed," Siegler stated. "It has even more than the usual warmth, artistry and simplicity found in all of Gene Stratton Porter's books. It is a straight love story, simply and beautifully told. "I do not ordinarily talk about my own work and I never have been known to praise it, but I will say that i cannot restrain my enthusiasm over the manner m which the scenes are shaping up for projection. We use panchromatic film all during the making of this production. At no time did we permit any straight lighting effects. My ambition in photographing the picture was to secure a soft, artistic effect so as to present every frame on the screen as an individual portrait." Siegler said that "The Magic Garden" will bring to the screen a romance without a single blemish, which realizes its inception at the beginning of the picture and terminates in matrimonial bliss in the final reel. He amplified Director Meehan's praise for Joyce Coad and Phillipe de Lacey, saying that they were already a couple of "real troupers" and that they had given a marvelous performance before the camera in "The Magic Garden." YES, she is just as pretty as the picture! In fact we saw her when the ostrich plumes were hanging up in the closet. We think you also would agree that her titian locks are far more attractive than the raiment of the late bird. And we say that with our watch in our vest pocket. They think a lot of Ruth Milo at the F. B. O. studios. In fact when we went to the Casting Cage and asked for a subject for this column, Bob Winton turned over "The Magic Garden" roster and did not stop until he reached Miss Milo's name. And we telephoned her with the official word that she is regarded on more than one lot in Hollywood as a comer. It is becoming more and more a fact as this department progresses, however, that our flivver developes an enormous appetite while sleuthing for the interview on this part of the page once the subject's name and address has been secured. Most of the stars can be located right on the set, but people eligible for this particular space travel about Hollywood faster than sparrows in Central Park. Not so with Miss Milo, thougii. We only telephoned her several times and located her just between the picture and a dinner date. "That yours?" we queried, as a curly-headed youngster popped out just after she had opened the door. And then the child's mother appeared on the scene, so we got right on the. topic of "The Magic Garden" in which M-iss Milo stands out in tfie Venetian Cabaret scene so that any reader should immediately identify her. Then Miss Milo gave us the Dhdtogr.-pli ! Specialized Cast Enjoys Porter Story