Camera (May 1922-April 1923)

CAMERA! "The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry" Page Seven Chaplin, Public Opinion and a Repl)) to a Vital Question Following the receipt of its copyright registration in play form, Charles Chaplin yesterday announced that the title of his first serious motion picture production would be "PUBLIC OPINION '• The production which is already well under way and which has temporarily been called "DESTINY," will be in ten reels and though written and directed by Chaplin himself, it will star Edna Purviance in the leading role and will be released through United Artists. "Public Opinion" marks a new departure in most every element that goes to make up motion pictures. In story structure, in acting and in theme the production promises to be revolutionary and Chaplin himself is very emphatic in saying that it is by far his most important contribution to the screen. There runs through it a new form of acting and a new type of construction dealing with the basics and fundamentals of life Avith a viewpoint that is more of understanding than of preachment. It presents a problem and comments upon it in interesting fashion rather than solving it and throughout the action which vibrates with humor, pathos, tragedy and beauty there is painted an exquisite portrait of a woman's soul naked in its sincerity though clothed in its individuality. The theme is a startling one made more so because of utter simplicity and warmth of feeling that permeates it and even as it marks Chaplin's own first attempt at serious drama, it also blazes a new trail for the entire motion picture industry and the name of Charles Chaplin already stands for enough to be hailed as a trail-blazer. One half of "Merry-Go-Round," the spectacular film feature of Vienna which was started at Universal City a year ago, is in "first out." Out of the two hundred feet of selected shots, the first half of the story has been roughly assembled and three film editors are working on the rest under the supervision of Arthur Ripley, editorial chief, and Rupert Julian, director. This elaborate screen spectacle will present the new "find," Mary Philbin, together with Norman Kerry, George Hackathorne, Caesar Gravina, Dale Fuller, Maude George, Maurice Talbot, Fenwick Oliver, Lillian Sylvester, George Seigmann, Albert Conti de Cedassamare, Dorothy Wallace, Al. Edmindson and twenty other popular players in adramatic visualization of a political, social and romantic "Merry-Go-Uound" in the proud dominions of the Hapsburgs. Hobart Henley's Universai-Jewel production of "The Abysmal Brute," a special filming of the Jack London novel starring Reginald Denny, is assuming shape rapidly on the multiple reels of the editorial department. A. P. Younger adapted the .story; Mabel Julienne Scott, Hayden Stevenson, Buddy Messinger, Crauford Kent and others support Denny, a star who is growing consistently in popularity. "White Tiger," Priscilla Dean's last com Chaplin himself is more intent on this production than any he has ever made. All day long he is at his studio shooting on the picture and frequently he works far into the night with Monta Bell, who is assisting him in the preparation of the production. So intent is he on getting perfect acting that he has spent as much as two weeks on the treatment of acting in a single scene of the picture. In speaking of the picture, Chaplin says: "I believe 'Public Opinion' will be the most important work of my career and no one realizes more than I what a revolutionary step I am taking in adhering to the original style of construction which I am using. And I have the utmost confidence in the public. I have never, nor shall I ever try to talk down to the public or up to the public. The public doesn't need such questionable consideration. "I am trying to portray as far as my ability will permit, an intelligent and sincere story and if I succeed in keeping faith with myself, I have no fears as to the reception of the public. Whether this will be a great picture or just as great a failure there will be originality in story treatment and acting. "There will be no armies, no huge sets and no elaborate mechanical effects, but through it all will run a poignant note of human suffering, joy, tragedy and humor. I have no idea what the production will cost and won't until it is finished, but T expect to make it as near perfect as I can no matter how much it would cost. "There have been a number of queries as to whether I intend to act in the picture or not. I am not going to act in it not from any policy, but because in the story as I truthfully see it, there is no place for my character. And I am rather glad there isn't pleted starring vehicle, written and directed by Tod Browning, is practically in final shape for releasing. Wallace Beery, Matt Moore, Raymond Griffith and others support her. She is now working on the UniversalJewel screening of "Drifting," the Brady play of China by John Colton. "Jewel," Clara Louise Bui'nham's novel of spiritual-material contioversy, directed by Lois Weber and presenting Claude Gillingwater, Jane Mercer, Jacqueline Gadsden, Beth Rayon, Frances Raymond, Evelyn Thatcher, Robert Frazer, Ralph Yearsley and others in themeful impersonations, is getting into such a state in the editorial transition that the remarkable power of the story can be seen. The biggest current undertaking at Universal City, in fact, the biggest venture in its history, is "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," starring Lon Clianey. Victor Hugo's classic is being transcribed to the screen with dramatic emphasis on the role of the hunchback, Quasimodo, which the inimitable Chaney plays. Patsy Ruth Miller, Winifred Brysoii, Kale Lester, Norman Kerry, Tully Marshall, Brandon Hurst. Ernest Torrence, Eulalie Jensen and fifty famous character artists iiandle supporting roles. Wallace Worsley is directing from the screen scenario prepared by Perley Poore because tlie story is something lliat I wish to say without its being stunted by injecting my own character into it. There would always be the temi)tation to make the slory fit my character and as a story it does not concern me, but life. However, I have no intention of giving up acting and as soon as this production is made I intend to start making my own pictures immediately." Refraining from acting in this story which those familiar with it claim will be the greatest ever filmed, constitutes in itself an artistic achievement worthy of Chaplin. From his sincerity and the tremendous attention being given to the story not the least of which is Chaplin's own time at least six months of which will be devoted to "Public Opinion," it would seem that this production will be Chaplin's answer to the ever recurring question, "What will movies of the future be?" An enswer coming from one of the greatest geniuses the industry has produced is a profound note of utmost importance. Playing opposite Edna Purviance who is being launched on her starring career in "Public Opinion," is Adolphe Menjou while other important members of the cast include Carl Miller, Lydia Knott, Harry Northrup, Malvina Polo and a number of others well known in the picture world. The staff on the production end of the picture includes Alfred Reeves, general manager, Eddie Sutherland, assistant to Mr. Chaplin, while Arthur Stibolt is technical and art director. Harry D'Arrast and Jean de Limur are aiding in the picture as advisories on details of the manners and customs of France where the scenes in the production are laid. Roland Totheroh is handling the photography, assisted by Jack Wilson. Sheehan and E. T. Lowe, Jr. More money per capita is being spent on its costuming, which entails the making of these thousand costumes, than on any other similar picture, for the sole purpose of keeping it fi-oni being a costume production. First estinuites on the cost of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" rank it considerably above the final figures on the sensational "Foolish Wives." Virginia Valli will soon start work in "Up the Ladder," the play of society climbing written by Owen Davis, directed by Robert Henley. Jack Conway, having completed "Trimmed in Scai'let," an all-star version of William Hurlbut's play, will start shortly on "What Wives Want," an original story by Perry Vekroff. King Baggot is supervising the cutting of "The Town Scandal," a Gladys Walton vehicle, and preparing another Walton leature for production. Edward (Hoot) Gibson is being starred in "Katy Didd," a slory written and directed by Edward Sedgwick, who has made several of the best (Jibson vcliicles including "The Gentleman from America." Continued to Page 20 From U to 'You. By malcolm s. boylan