American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1924)

Four AMERICAN CINEM ATOGRAPHER July, 1924 Consolidated Studios in Intensive Production M.-G.-M. Combine Busy on Many Productions in Progress and to Be Filmed. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios have completely recovered from the excitement following the consolidation of the three organizations and the huge plant in Culver City is more active at the present time than it has been for several years, according to an announcement from Charles R. Condon, publicity director. Seven feature companies, making big all-star specials, are now working at the studios ; three more are scheduled to start within the next two weeks, and the remaining ten units will get under way very soon. Mae Murray Finishing Mae Murray is putting the finishing touches to "Circe," her new starring picture which Robert Z. Leonard is directing. This story was written especially for Miss Murray by Vincente Blasco Ibanez and the supporting cast includes James Kirkwood, William Haines, Charles Gerard, Thomas Ricketts, Gene Caremon and Lillian Langdon. Seastrom Begins Victor Seastrom started production this week on "He Who Gets Slapped," adapted by Carey Wilson from Leonid Andreyev's play. The cast for this widely discussed story includes Lon Chaney, Norma Shearer, John Gilbert, Ford Sterling, Tully Marshall, Marc McDermott, Paulette DuVal and Ruth King. Vignola Under Way Robert Vignola has selected Pauline Frederick, Conrad Nagel, Mae Musch, Huntly Gordon, Patterson Dial and Frank Elliott for the leading parts in "Mrs. Paramor," his first production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Actual filming of "Mrs. Paramor" was started this week. The story is by Louis Joseph Vance and Julia Crawford Ivers did the adaptation. Ballin Starts The first scenes of Hugo Ballin's production of "The Prairie Wife" were taken this week. Dorothy Devore, Herbert Rawlinson and Gibson Gowland have already been engaged for parts in this Arthur Stringer story and several other prominent players are to be added later. New Dog Star Chester Franklin is well under way with "The Silent Accuser," the novelty production which will feature Eleanor Boardman, Raymond McKee, Earl Metcalf and Peter the Great, the new dog discovery. Vidor Near Completion King Vidor expects to complete "His Hour," Elinor Glyn's first production for the new company, within the next week. The cast for "His Hour" includes Aileen Pringle, John Gilbert, Dale Fuller, Jacqueline Gadson, David Mir, Carrie Clark Ward, Emily Fitzroy and others. Laurette Taylor Feature Laurette Taylor is in the midst of "One Night in Rome," her new starring picture which Clarence G. Badger is directing. Miss Taylor does her first dramatic work before the camera in this adaptation by J. Hartley Manners' of his stage success of the same title. Her two Many Units Photographing under New Arrangement Recently Consummated. previous pictures have been comedy dramas. She is ably supported in "One Night in Rome" by Tom Moore, Miss duPont, Alan Hale, Joseph Dowling, Warner Oland, William Humphrey, Brandon Hurst, Edna Tichenor, Eugenie Gilbert and others. Barker Scouting Locations Reginald Barker is in Arizona at the present time with his cameraman Percy Hilburn, exploring the country for locations to be used in his production of "The Great Divide" for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Upon his return he will start casting for this famous William Vaughn Moody play which Waldemar Young is adapting for the screen. Bell Preparing Monta Bell is working on the continuity for "The Snob," his first production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He expects to start production in about three weeks. von Stroheim On Location Erich von Stroheim is taking a short vacation before starting actual plans for the filming of "The Merry Widow," in which Mae Murray will be starred. This is expected to be one of the outstanding features of the coming season and as a result all the time necessary will be taken in preparation. Henley's Next Hobart Henley will start work on "So This Is Marriage," an original story by Carey Wilson, within the next few weeks. Hughes' Two Latest Rupert Hughes is busily engaged in preparing for the filming of "What Will People Say?" and "Beauty," his two new stories for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production. Niblo to Europe Fred Niblo with his wife Enid Bennett is on his way to Europe for a short vacation. Rex Ingram is in New York resting up after his return from Tunis where "The Arab," his newest production was filmed. Marshall Neilan is in London where he is to go under the surgeon's knife. His next production will be "The Sporting Venus," by Gerald Beaumont. Frank Borzage will start on his first production starring Ramon Novarro as soon as Novarro returns from the East. According to the present plans of Louis B. Mayer, vicepresident in charge of production, and his associates Irving G. Thalberg and Harry Rapf, the Metro-GoldwynMayer studios will be kept working to capacity continuously. A treat is in store for delegates sailing on the Republic for the London convention of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the world. Members of the Chicago Women's Advertising Clubs are going to produce a burlesque motion picture the third day out. The actors in this picture will be costumed to represent leading Chicago firms such as Marshall Field, Yellow Cab, Swift, Addressograph, etc. The great super-production will be directed by a young lady costumed to represent the Rothacker Film Company.