Camera (April 1920-April 1921)

Page Eight "The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry" CAM ERA i WHERE TO FIND PEOPLE YOU KNOW GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH INTERESTING PEOPLE CLIFFORD S. ELFELT Clifford S. Eltelt was born in Chicago. 111. His education was commenced at St. Viateurs College, Kankekee, 111., and completed at Notre Dame University. South Bend. Indiana. As a youth Mr. Elfelt was always actively engaged in the Thespian activities of the colleges and universities attended by him. At the age of fourteen he directed and staged the play. "St. Patrick," which was presented at the Illinois Theater. His parents, who had outlined for him a civil engineer's course, were very much opposed to his inclinations toward the stage. However, he was determined in his ambition, and during vacation periods he became connected with various productions, with such footlight favorites as Stella Mahue. Frank I>oane, Nina Blake. Anna Held. Johnny Slaven, William Gillett. Mabel Barrison and Maude Adams. So keen was he to get an insight into the actual details of a production that he accepted the first position that was offered him. which happened to be that of a "dearer." better defined as moving the grass mat or flower pot from one position to another at the word "strike." During one vacation period, at the age of seventeen, he assumed charge of stage direction of the Baker Theater. Rochester, N. Y.. and was later associated with the Lyceum Theater. Rochester. Star Theater. Buffalo. Chicago Opera House, and the Hotel Hippodrome. New York. During the presentation of "A Fool There Was" at the Baker Theater, Mr. Frank MacIntyre. who played the part of the misguided youth, met with an automobile accident, and Mr. Elfelt was pressed into service in his white flannels, with ad lib. lines, a Colt filled with blanks, in the famous deck scene of that play, with instructions to shoot himself at the psychological moment. He proved very successful in this role. From that time on he had a desire to become a great actor. Through the publicity of the. films at that lime he made his way westward. Upon arriving in Southern California, he began his career before the flickering film, becoming associated with Tanhauser. Old Biograph. Universal. Fox Film Company, Wil liams Productions, Carlysle Blackwell Productions, etc. After playing several juvenile roles, Mr. Elfelt decided that the actor's end of the motion picture game was much too tame. Consequently, he donned a pair of overalls and accepted a position behind the scenes as a "prop" boy with Frank Lloyd. He later became associated with "Governor" Turner, and was then promoted to assistant director for the first production that Cleo Madison made for the Universal. Through his ability, demonstrated by that association, he was selected to assist Richard Stanton in the production of the Graft Serial, which, through Mr. Elfelfs efforts, was the first serial ever turned out at Universal on schedule time. Appreciating his endeavors, the heads of the Universal gave him an opportunity to head a company of his own. and he thereby became the youngest director at Universal. After making and completing twelve successful pictures, he was urged by the Fox Film Company to return and assist Rit-hard Stantan as co-director in big feature productions, with such stars as Gladys Brockwell, Virginia Pearson. Madelaine Traverse. {Continued on Page IT) HARRY MANN TO BE FEATURED K. W. Litwin, a producer from New York, of K. W. Litwin & Co., announces that his company will feature Harry Mann in "Simple Simon" comedies, which will start production shortly. Mr. Litwin promises the exhibitor something altogether new and different in the way of a comedy series. Edmund Lowe has been engaged by Sam Rork to appear opposite Katherine MacDonald in her next First National release. "The Second Latchkey." Jean Hersholt WHO'S WHERE ON LOS ANGELES SCREEN GRAUMAN'S Thomas II. Ince Presents Churl es Rav in "THE VILLAGE SLEUTH" Directed by Jerome Stonn CAST William Wells — Charles Ray Inky Wagner — Winifred Westover David Keelo — Dick Rush Dr. Roberts — Donald MacDonalcl Carl Wells — Lew Morrison Mr. Richley — George Hernandez Mrs. Richley— Betty Schade CLUNE'S BROADWAY Lewis J. Selziiick Presents Elaine llammerstein in "THE SHADOW OF ROSALIE BYRNES" By Grace Sartwell Mason Scenario by R. Cecil Smith Directed by George Archainbaud CAST Leonitne Maddern. Leona Maddern — Elaine Hammerstein Gerald Cromwell — Edward Langford Eleanor — Anita Booth Hugo Stone — Alfred Hickman Mrs. Lange — Fanny Cogan Vasco Lamar — George Cowle Mrs. Cromwell —Lillian Wiggins Miss Christine — Juliette Benson HAMILTON REVELLE TO APPEAR IN •KISMET" Hamilton Revelle. who appeared in Los Angeles a few weeks ago, playing opposite Mrs. F'iske in "Miss Nellie of New Orleans." has returned to the city to appear in the Robertson-Cole production of "Kismet," in which Otis Skinner will make his debut as a photoplay star. Mr. Revelle was a member of Mr. Skinner's supporting company of • Kismet" on the stage. He played the role Mansur, which he will also interpret in the screen version of the story. Parker J. McConnell has signed with Vitagraph to play the juvenile with Bade Williams in "Romance Prompters." Xiles Welch has been cast for the lead in the all star photoplay version of Harry Leon Wilson's novel, "The Spenders." Stuart Paton has signed a contract with I niversal, and is already at work on her first script. .\llen Wati is directing a one reel special, starring Earle Rodney, for Christie. Tenny Wright is now associated in the direction of Bessie Barriscale, whose company is on location at Pleasanton. Sid Franklin has engaged David Abel, formerly with the Selznick organization, to tilin his first production with .41t)prt Kaufman. Harry Lorraine has signed with. Sessue Hayakawa to play in "The P"'irst Born," and is playing at the same time with Otis Skinner in "Kismet." Claire Adams is cast as Avice Milbrey in "The Spenders. " the production of which was started by Benjamin B. Hampton last week. Joseph J. Dowling, who played the title role in "The Miracle Man," has been enKUged by Benjamin B. Hampton to play an important part in "The Spenders." Harry Edwards has been added to the Universal staft' of fun pi-oducers and is already at work on "Fix It tor Me." a comedy featuring Ernie Shields and Bartine Burkett. Eva Novak has been signed by Universal to be featured in a series of comedy dramas. Otto Mattiesen is playing the patriarch in the Pilgrimage Play now being presented in Hollywood. William V. Mong has started work at the Louis M. Mayer studio upon an important role in support of Anita Stewart in "Sowing the Wind." Hoot Gibson has just signed a new fiveyear contract with (I'niversal providing for his appearance in feature productions, as well as in shorter subjects. William Pigott has been elected an officer of the Screen Writers' Guild. Gladys Walton will be featured in the Universal production, "Out of the Sky." Helen Ferguson has been obtained by Vitagraph to play the leading feminine role in "The Romance Promoters." Vola Vale will enact one of the leading feminine roles in the Metro production, "Someone in the House."