Camera (May 1922-April 1923)

CAMERA ! "The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry" Page Seven From U to Xou By malcolm s. boylam Another week of work on the magnificent Gondelaurier set. That is the schedule of Wallace Worsley who is directing "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Universal City. Already more than a week of rehearsal and shooting has been staged on the replica of the noted fifteenth century Parisian mansion. One hundred and ten couples, all carefully selected chai-acter people, have been engaged each day for the brilliant ball scenes and an orchestra has been on the set constantly. Perley Poore Sheehan and E. T. Lowe, Jr., who adapted the "Victor Hugo romance and Lon Chaney, who plays Quasimodo, are at Worsley's side during every minute on the set, aiding him in directing the dancers. Kate Lester plays the haughty Madame de Gondelaurier, and other players include Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda, Winifred Bryson as Fleur de Lys, Harry Van Meter as Monsieur de Feufchatel, Brandon Hurst as Jehan, Ernest Torrence as Clopin and Raymond Hatton as Gringoire. Priscilla Dean is giving to the screen one of the strongest characterizations of her career. Supporting her are Anna May Wong, the Oriental actress of splendid dramatic ability who is mentioned in the last issue of Photoplay Magazine as having given the best individual performance of the month to the screen; Wallace Beery, Matt Moore, Tully Marshall, William V. Mong and others. Two hundred well chosen Chinese types are used in atmospheric shots. A stage play of fine screen possibilities, "The Co-respondent," written by Rita Weiman and Alice Leal Pollock, is one of sev A C. William Joy, popularly) knoiOn as Bill:J J03) and also as Leatrice JojI's brother. He is a director with new ideas and a bright future therefore. eral new stories that Universal has purchased for special film productions, and which are being prepared in scenario form at Universal City now. Another is "The Way of the Strong," by Octavus Roy Cohen, a writer of detective and dialect stories of strong dramatic punch. Both of these stories will be made into allstar productions. The authors behind them are widely known and their names are an assurance of the quality required for the new all-star ventures Universal is planning for the new year. What does the average wife demand of her husband? Fidelity, of course, is an important item, more or less. Gentleness, attentiveness and unvarying courtesy are attractive qualities. Is money-making ability an essential? Manners and ability to dress? Understanding and sympathy? "What Wives Want" is the title of a story which will be filmed as an all-star special at Universal City. Perry Vekroff, director and scenario editor, is the author. The story deals in no uncertain way with the problems of marriage and the qualities which result in perfect mating of couples. Edward T. Lowe, Jr., is preparing the continuity and Universal is seeking a director .^f the type necessary to handle such a story. Tod Browning is getting into the biggest dramatic sequences of the Universal-Jewel special, "Drifting," adapted from the Brady stage success and presenting a remarkable story of a white woman stranded in China. Laura LaPlante, who has been "in training" at Universal City for nearly two years, "Help! Help!" No one is in distress. It's merely a story that Rupert Julian, director of the spectacular "Merry Go Round," has written for Universal. Arthur Statter, a "cosmopolitan" character like Julian, politician, scenario writer and world traveler, is preparing the screen continuity. Charles Kenyon, a scenario supervisor, will supervise the production when the story is prepared and shooting commences. Rupert Julian is going to play the lead as well as direct his next big production. This clever character star has decided to appear once more on the silver sheet and is now looking for a story to do next. A few years ago, before going into retirement, Julian was one of the outstanding character stars of the cinema. He directed and played in such productions as "The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin," "The Fire Plingers" and "The Bugler of Algiers." There is a possibility that he may remake one of these stories. Julian went into retirement a few years ago, but "came back" to direct "Merry-GoRound." He is now cutting this picture which will be released in the fall as a SuperJewel Special Production. playing chapter films, western and comedy leads, is now playing her first feature leading role for Universal opposite Edward (Hoot) Gibson in "Katy Didd," a story written, scenarized and directed by Edward Sedgwick. This opportunity for Miss LaPlante comes as a result of hard and consistent service in every kind of role, and it recalls the fact that half the favorites of filmdom have, at one time or another, gained valuable experience at Universal City. Miss LaPlante's last two performances at Universal City were the feminine leading roles opposite William Desmond in the Universal chapter plays, "Perils of the Yukon," and "Around the World in Eighteen Days." Universal is preparing an all-star production to be directed by Jack Conway, based on "The Six-Fifty," the New York stage success written by Kate McLaurin. "The SixFifty" offers more than anything else three or four remarkably human, every-day characterizations. Doris Schroeder has prepared the scenario. Conway is busy now with the cutting of "Trimmed in Scarlet," William Hurlburt's play, in which he directed Kathlyn Williams, Lucille Ricksen, David Torrence, Robert Agnew, Roy Stewart, Phillips Smalley and others, and will initiate production on "The Six-Fifty" as quickly as the editing of "Trimmed in Scarlet" assumes releasing shape. The significance of the title lies in the loneliness of a farm home where two who found unhappiness in the city, went for rest and relief; the "6:50" whistles over a nearby crossing every evening with a mournful hint of the spirit of life in the city beyond. Picture He Directs RUPERT Jl LIAN DIRECTOR OF NEW SCHOOL Julian to Act in Next