Camera (April 1920-April 1921)

CAMERA I 'The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry' Page Nine PICKUPS BY THE STAFF CINEMATOGRAPHERS INAUGURATE "THE GRIDDLE CLUB" With the inauguration of "The Griddle Club" by the Board of Governors of the American Society of Cinematographers, the organization of "Ace" cameramen established a club within a club. The function of "The Griddle Club" will be to review, criticize and study every picture photographed by a member, and to advise that member just how the club regards his picture. The names of the men comprising "The Griddle Club" have not been divulged, but it is understood that the personnel will be frequently changed to insure the absolutely unbiased criticism of each photoplay. Marguerite De La Motte, has ,iust returned from a week's vacation at Mt. Baldy. H. A. Kremp, who has long been associated Avith the Cinema Plays and Players, has formed the Atlas Film Company. Matthew Morgan, Commissioner of Charities of New York City, was a guest of Benjamin B. Hampton last Tuesday at the letter's studio in Hollywood, where he spent the afternoon inspecting the plant and meeting the members of Mr. Hampton's staff. Harry Williams, director of the "Hall Room Boys" comedies, has returned to the Coast after several weeks in New York spent in conference with the Cohns regarding picture plans. .Jack Ford was joined in wedlock a few days ago to Miss Mary Smith, daughter of Charles W. Smith of the New York stock exchange. The wedding was solemnized at San .Juan Capistrano. Isadora Bernstein, producing manager of Universal, was best man. R. H. McCray, technical superintendent and buyer for Vitagraph, has resigned to imdertake an enterprise of his own, for which he will announce his plans later. Fanny Hurst's first original screen story to be written within two months will be filmed by Universal. Harvey Thew has just completed the script of "The Romance Piompters" for Director Chester Bennett and Earle Williams. Harry McCrae, who filmed the Marie Walcamp serial, "The Dragon's Net," in China and the South Seas, plans to return to the Orient to produce motion pictures independently. Charles Ray has purchased two stories from Rob Wagner, "movie" writer for the Saturday Evening Post. Beatrice I^a Plante recently married (Hyde Bollinger, a non-professional. It is rumored that Bessie Love will not return to California before going to England to film "The Old Curiosity Shop." California Truman, who is playing in "Old Lady :U" at the Victory, has returned to the screen after a prolonged illness. Maym KelFo has left for the East on a trip that will include Washington, Atlantic City, and New York. Tom Santchi is contemplating writing a book on his travels and adventures with motion picture companies. GILBERT TO DIRECT HOPE HAMPTON Jack Gilbert has signed with Hope Hampton to direct her in her forthcoming pictures. The entire Hampton organization Is to trek Eastward in about ten days. Ernest Basque has been cast with Earl Williams to play a Spanish character in the star's forthcoming production. r William Moran SUBSTITUTE FOR "GAS" DISCOVERED BY LOCAL FILM STAR While convalescing from injuries recently received on location with his company. Hank Mann, film comedy star, is declared to have discovered a positive substitute for gasoline, which can be put on the market, it is said for as low as ten cents a gallon retail. The substitute has been given a test and prove-) perfectly satisfactory. All cars at the Francis Ford studios, including tb'^ cars of the Hank Mann Company, are using the new fuel to good advantage, declares Pete Gerald, studio manager. Mann before entering motion pictures took an extensive course in chemistry and credits his new discovery to the knowledge he gained there from. The formula of the new substitute is not disclosed, but if is said, however, to contain kerosene as a base. Belle Stoddard, aunt of Frank Mayo, will appear as his mother in h's next production. "Black Friday" Miss Stoddard retired from the stage some years ago and has been making her home in Los Angeles. Pell Trenton is getting ready for a long hiking trip through the mountains. Anita Stewait expects to leave California for a vacation in the East upon the com pletion of her present starring vehicle, "Sowing the Wind." .lay Brien Chapman, publicity chief of the Benjamin B. Hampton pictures, who resigned last week, is to remain at the Studio a few weeks longer, pending other arrangements by Mr. Hampton. THEATRES ARE SUPPORTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S AFFAIR Every motion i)ictuie playhouse on Broadway, together with 3(j other theatres in I>os Angeles, Hollywood and the Wilshire district, have offered their support to the Assistant Directors' Association's second annual barn dance, which is to be held July 31 at the Brunton studios, and will for the next two weeks announce the affair on their respective screens at each performance. Many theatres are also giving publicity to the affair with a "reader" in their programs, all of which is greatly assisting the association in its effort to make this occasion the greatest social event in the motion picture industry. Sarah Bernhardt, according to a report from Paris, is coming to America to star in two productions. Mme. Bernhardt is now 7.5 years old. It is stated that Jack Pickford has secured his release from Goldwyn to form his own company. Sinking a concrete ship for a motion picture is the latest maritime stunt in film making, enjoyed recently by Maurice Tourneur. Alice Terry has returned from a ten days* vacation at Big Bear. Raymond McKee, who is playing an important part -ill "Love's Harvest" at the -Alhanibra this week, is recovering from a severe attack of sleeping sickness. Edward Sloman has gone to the mountains for a short vacation before starting work on his next Metro production. Anita Stewart recently entertained Mrs. Maude Murray Miller, National Committee Woman for Ohio and member of the Ohio Board of Motion Picture Censors. Jesse L. Lasky is scheduled to arrive in New York this week from the London studios, and it is expected that he will return to Hollywood within three or four weeks. Annette Kellerman is giving the citizens of Santa Monica daily swimming and diving exhibitions at that beach resort. Ray Thompson, old time assistant director, is now outside man for the Classic Film Actors' Agency. More than 7.'), 000 feet of film have already been shot by Allen Holubar for his Dorothy Phillips feature for First National, and yet the pKotodrania is less than one-quarter of the way toward the final fade-out. Roy Marshall, director of Hobart Bosworth's newest release, "Mr. McNier," which picture will have its premiers in Los Angeles soon, has just received delivery of a new specially designed Chandler automobile. Margaret Cullington has completed her contract with the Christie Comedy Company and is sojourning for a week at Catalina. House Peters, who by special arrangement is playing opposite Louise Glaum in "The Leopard Woman," will leave this week on a location trip. Kathleen Kirkham has returned from her vacation trip to Big Bear. Sam H"rk has returned from a short vacation at Catalina.