Camera (May 1922-April 1923)

Weekly Wake-'Em-V p— CAMERA fSNews Section ACTOR "PUTS ACROSS" THEORY THAT ADAM WAS VERY UGLY MAN Extensive research on the subject on the part of a motion picture producer reveals a seeming soundness to the theory that Adam, the first man, was extremely ugly and decidedly brute-like in his physical appearance although his disposition was gently human enough. The result of his conclusion is that when A. B. Maescher got ready to film "The Rip-Tide," a soon-to-be-released picture, in which the opening scene has to do with the advent of Adam into the world, Dick Sutherland was engaged to enact the role because he had shown a face in support of Harold Lloyd in "Grandma's Boy" which won the championship for intriguing ugliness. In the episodes in which his characterization figures in "The Rip-Tide," his facial make-up is a marvel, it is said, and, he "puts across" the impression that the first man to tread upon this mundane sphere was an extremely crude specimen of the human being unblessed physically by any of the refining processes of civilization through the centuries of progress. He mal<es an unusual entrance on the screen, coming up head-first out of a pool of sticky mnd with his head, face and slioulders covered with grime. His first glances at the world around him are anything but reassuring and the first idea one gets upon seeing his actions is that he will be well able to take care of himself against the onslauglits of beasts or elements. It is interesting to note that Mr. Sutherland's face has been his fortune in motion pictures although he is an excellent actor besides. Whenever there is the necessity for a character with a face that astounds, he is summoned. Such a necessity arose in the filming of the Universal serial, "The Phantom Fortune," now in production, and, consequently, he is playing a picturesque part known as "the ox" and he is succeeding in looking something like one! C A M E R A I CAMPAIGN TO STOP BOGUS POSING IS STARTED A movement has been started by the Warner Brothers to involve every producing unit in the motion picture industry in checking, insofar as is possible, the many young girls who flagrantly and maliciously style themselves as screen actresses when brought before court justices on charges of disorderly conduct. The plan, which was started by Sam and Jack Warner, production managers of the Warner Brothers studios in Los Angeles, is to have all bonafide screen players carry small cases containing a photograph and fingerprints for identification purposes. It is said that this idea carried out by every producing unit will prevent any reflection on the thousands of screen players, and will help to maintain the dignity of the -Picture business. One of the most recent instances of an attempt to impersonate a screen player was made by a young girl in Milford, Conn., who styled herself as Anna Q. Nilsson. She went to one of the local theatre managers, and he was so convinced by her manner and personality that he consented to have her make a personal appearance at his theatre. When the bogus Miss Nilsson appeared on the stage a dyed-in-the-wool "fan" shouted she was a faker. The cry was taken up by the audience, and later inquiry by the police developed that the young lady had a weakness for impersonating someone she "ain't." The Warner Brothers idea is said to be meeting with the whole-hearted approval of the Hollywood colony. Marie Prevost, Kenneth Harlan, Hobart Bosworth, Monte Blue, Harry Meyers, Claire Windsor, Pauline Starke and other screen stars are reported to have endorsed the plan. Champ's Sister in Films If her big brother. Jack,does not frown on the idea, Elsie Dempsey, sister of the world's champion boxer, will soon become a motion picture actress, having been tendered a longterm contract by Al St. John, Fox comedy star, who recognizes in the talented little woman a rare ability to pantomime and mimic the characteristics and mannerisms of celebrated persons. Recently St. John made a test film of Miss Dempsey and the photographic results were more than satisfactory. The sister of the "iron man" is a striking brunette and although she has had no previous screen or stage experience, it is believed by those who have witnessed her work in the film test, that she has a natural ability for acting. "GIN" BEFUDDLES BOLD BURGLARS WHILE ON JOB Burglars invaded the home of D. M. ("Cappy") Ricks, popular official of the Palmer Photoplay Corporation, at 6852 Alta Loma Terrace, Hollywood, Saturday night, and removed jewelry and silverware amounting in value to $750, according to a report from the Hollywood Police Station. Mr. Ricks himself brings out a fact that adds color — and humor — to the report. The burglars took a jewelry box from a bureau and left $40 in currency in plain sight. They took a package of cigarettes, some keys and a pocket knife from the mantle, leaving $7 in cash in the same pile of masculine pocket accessories. Also, they took a bottle of cleaning preparation labelled (ghosts of the past! ) "Gordon Gin." Mr. Ricks advances the theory tliat the burglars, having had experience with synthetic "hooch," drank the cleaning fluid under the impression that it was gin, and the eccentricity of their performance was due to its effects! Menke on "Danger" II. W. Menke, formerly with David W. Grifiith, has been engaged by Clifford S. Elfelt to add some special night effects to the latter's latest picture, "Danger," in which J. B. Warner is starred. This work will be done at the Fine Arts Studios under a new process of Mr. Menke's origin. The Universal production of "Starland," under the direction of Ward Wing, and in which every Universal star will appear, ( is rapidly nearing completion. "SNOW GOLF" IS LATEST GAME FOR WINTER SPORT The latest in winter sports is "snow golf." All you need, according t o Walter Hagen, golf champion, who is now making motion pictures, is plenty of snow, a pair of snow-shoes, a driver and a ping-pong ball. Hagen invented "snow-golf" while on "location" at Truckee, California, during the filming of his lirst starring picture, "The Man Who Cheated." The snow at Truckee was seven feet deep in some spots and deeper in others, so Hagen borrowed the ping-pong ball from a local belle and got busy. Patent papers have already been filed. Hagen gives most of the credit for the perfection of the ganie to Clarence Bricker, his producing director. Hagen has notified a nationally famous sporting goods house, which will manufacture the "utensils" for playing "snow golf," that he will personally exploit the new game, thereby adding a few more dollars to his already overcrowded "sock." His Last Press Notice Fred Turner, well-known character actor, died last Wednesday, following an illn.oss of six months. His last screen appearance was made in the King Vidor production of "The JackKnife Man," in which he played the title role. Funeral services were held Thursday, February 15th, at the LeRoy Bagley chapel. The fellow who rocks the boat is the very fellow who would scuttle the ship if he had a chance. Page Thirteei VARSITY DEAN IN SPEECH LAUDS EXPOSITION When the management of the American Historical Revue and Motion Picture Exposition entertained the Business Men's Club of Hollywood recently at a banquet given in the ballroom of the Masonic Temple, Walter J. Reynolds, president of the exposition company, and F. B. Davison, the Director General, explained the plans for the big enterprise! Both speeches were received with the sort of enthusiasm that gave assurance of the most whole-hearted support. Dr. E. C. Moore, Dean of the University of California, stressed the educational possibilities of the Exposition. He said the fact that scenes from the history of the Americas are to be filmed and sent all over the world would make the people of this country and those of South America better known and better understood. He declared the history of the United States is the most stimulating any nation in the world has ever achieved. The pictures would carry the leaven of liberty to the utmost parts of the world, he said, and added that Yale University, appreciating the importance of picturing history, has projected a great Christopher Columbus film. Dr. Moore concluded his address by confessing to his "very great eagerness to see the results to be attained next summer." Mrs. Martha Nelson McCan, president of the Park Board, outlined the part the women might play in connection with the exposition. After the speeches the evolution of the dance was portrayed by dancers under the direction of George Smart and Miss Katherine M. Burns. Ray and Ray Ray I lallor, who is playing the part of Richard More, the religious fanatic in support of Charles Ray In "The Courtship of Miles Standish," now well into production, was called to the telephone at the Ray Studios one (lay this week and had the thrill of hearing a voice; offer him $10,000 per week if he would give up indei)endent work and sign a long-term contract with one of the larger film concerns. Then came the rude shock — it dawned on Hallor that Charles Ray was the one wanted and not Ray Hallor. "It was the most disappointing mix-up of my whole mixed career," Hallor says. Bill's Gun-Flghting William Farnuni is in the midsl of his new starring vehicle, "The Gun Fighter," at the Fox Studios. Doris May will play opposite Mr. Farnum in this story, which was written by Max Brand.