Moving Picture World (Nov - Dec 1918)

December 7, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1061 ^-^ — -. i» j "s »^ r= m^^t -^ v^. ■ . u^p. ^^j^^ lL . rag— t,« — *■ ^ 1 News of Los Angeles and Vicinity By A. H. GIEBLER FOX OPENS UP. GLADYS BROCKWELL was the first of the Fox stars on the West Coast to begin work following the months' closing on account of the health regulations. Miss Brockwell, who has worked in her last eight pictures under the direction of Edward J. Le Saint, is now being directed in "The Framers," her new picture, by Lynn Reynolds, who has been in charge of the Tom Mix productions. William Scott is playing opposite, and J. Barney Sherry and Harry Dunkinson have important parts in the picture. Le Saint will assume the reins in the next Mix picture. Jane and Katherine Lee will begin immediately on a new picture with Arvid E. Gillstrom directing Madlaine Traverse still has two weeks to go before starting a new production. May Go to England. The latest rumor about Fannie Ward is now that the war is over she may run over to London upon the expiration of her contract with Astra to see if her house in Berkeley Square is still there. If it is, and Miss Ward is sufficiently attracted by an offer she has received from an English film producing firm to make pictures in Britain, she may divide her time between that country and the United States in the future. Mary at Sunset. Mary Pickford has returned from New York after signing up to make three pictures for the First National Exhibitors, and with Marshall Neilan as her director, will begin work in the immediate future on "Daddy Long Legs," which Agnes Johnson is putting into scenario form. Miss Pickford will probably rent studio space at the Sunset plant for the production of the three First National features. Weber Contract Sold. A deal that has been consummated within the last few weeks is the transferring of Lois Weber's contract with the Universal Film Company, to Louis B. Mayer, manager for the Anita Stewart Company. The agreement calls for Miss Weber's services in the matter of directing the Anita Stewart features, which are to be released through the First National Exhibitors' Circuit. Miss Stewart is expected in California any day to begin work on her first production under the new arrangements. The picture will be filmed at the Weber studio, and Phillips Smalley will be codirector with Miss Weber. Lasky to Make Salvation Army Film. Evangeline Booth, head of the Salvation Army in America, is expected soon in Southern California, to film a story dealing with the daily activities of the Salvation Army organization, both in peace and war times, ans its method of relieving the misery and distress of dwellers in slums and tenements, and of other destitute persons of all ages. Edward Jose is said to have been chosen as director for the production. Jack Standing's Widow Injured. Mrs. Jack Standing, widow of the screen actor, was seriously injured one day last week, when an automobile in which she was riding skidded, throwing her out and causing her to break her ankle in the fall. Two companions in the car were also injured, but Mrs. Standing suffered the worst bruises. Besides the broken ankle, her wrist was badly sprained, and she received several severe cuts on her head. Back to His Native Heath. Arthur Shirley, himself an Australian, and well known to stage patrons of that country, has been engaged to star in features to be produced in Australia by John F. Gavin. A company, which is just being organized, will leave for Australia about the middle of January, and will film a number of scenes in San Francisco and Honolulu on the trip. Besides a number of players, the company will take along various American-made equipment, including high-powered lights and Bell & Howell cameras. Ince Studios Soon to Be Completed. The new studios under the construction at Culver City for the accommodation of the Thomas H. Ince players, will be ready for occupancy about the first of the year, according to present plans. The new plant, in addition to being equipped with all the very latest models of technical appliances, will have its own electric light plant, its own waterworks, its sewer disposal system, and its own fire department. The fire engine will furnish a pressure of a hundred pounds, and will throw a stream over any building on the place, besides coming in handy for rainstorms, cloudbursts, etc. A large natatorium, to be used for special water scenes, will be filled as required by means of the power plant. B. B. Features. The pictures in which Bessie Barriscale will appear in the future will be produced by the B. B. Features Corporation, a company organized under the state laws of Arizona, with Howard Hickman as president, and J. L. Frothingham of New York as treasurer. Mr. Hickman will continue to direct Miss Barriscale's pictures, and Mr. Frothingham will have charge of the financial end of the organization. The pictures will be produced at the Brunton studios, and the \V W. Hodkinson Corporation will release them through Pathe. Vitagraph Busy. The Vitagraph studio in Hollywood opened the week of November 10 after the regulation four weeks closing, with live companies at work, including Earle Williams' in "An American Ace," William Duncan's in "A Man of Might," and Bessie Love's. Four Weddings Within Few Months. The Lois Weber studo, now affectionately called "Honeymoon Studio," has furnished four weddings in Filmland within the past few months. The first first couple to step off were Lillian Greenberger, employe of the studio, and Spencer Valentine, brother to Grace Valentine, of stage fame; next in line was Miss Weber's own sister, Ethel, who paired off with Louis Holland, a Lasky employe; Mildred Harris, the bright particular star of the plant, was the third bride from the studio. And then as a sort of anti-climax came the news that Arthur Ford, studio manager, had led to the altar Maude George. Miss Weber expects to be beseiged by lovelorn applicants for work at her studio after this. California's Novel Sign. The huge electric sign for the new California Theatre has been completed and tested, and is now ready for business when the house is formally opened. Besides the word "California" in monster letters twelve feet high, there are interwoven in the sign several of the famous California poppies which are first shown as buds, then gradually opening into the full blown flower. The sign is placed on the building so that it may be seen from up and down Main street, and from Spring and Broadway. Los Angeles News Notes. Fred. Miller, of Miller's Theatre, is about again after a severe siege of the Flu. When verification of the news arrived in Los Angeles that world peace had come, J. A. Quinn, of the Rialto, routed out his electricians to arrange a new sign in front of the theatre which voiced his sentiments in one word. — YANKS. Studio Shots ROBERT HARRON. who was attacked by Spanish influenza immediately after the death of his sister, Anna, of the same malady is recovering. B. A. Rolfe, formerly a Metro official, is looked for shortly on the West Coast, where he is scheduled to make several pictures during the winter months. Eileen Percy is learning to play golf. H. H. Van Loan, photoplay author, has returned from a fishing trip to Catalina. The date of the Motion Picture Directors' Ball, which had been originally set for Thanksgiving, has been definitely settled for New Year's Eve. Mary Pickford has received a souvenir of the war from one of her godsons at the front in the shape of a portrait of herself painted by a German prisoner. Another