Camera - April 14, 1923 to February 16, 1924 (April 1923-February 1924)

(-"age fourteen Weekly Wake-' Em-U p — CAMERA'S News Section CAMERA ! P. A. ENTERTAINS NEWSPAPER Caroll Graham, of Joe Jackson's publicity staff at the Goldwyn Studios, who is handling the publicity on the "In the Palace of the King," staged a successful luncheon last Thursday — local newspaper and magazine scribes being the guests. "Lap lunch" was served on the balcony of the Palace, some two hundred feet above terra-firma, giving the guests an excellent view of one of the largest and most complete sets ever constructed. It was designed by Cedric Gibbons, art director of the Goldwyn studios, the castle being more than 200 feet in height and is in three wings, surrounding a courtyard, each wing several hundred feet in length. The construction manager stated that the labor and material involved in the general construction would build from fifty to sixty five-room bungalows. The ageing of walls to depict a construction some century old, including every minute detail of vines and shrubs, birds' nests tucked away in almost invisible places, is faithfully carried out. The palace set built at the Goldwyn studio is a reproduction of the palace of King Philip in Madrid, and practically the entire action takes place within the palace. Emmett Flynn, recently put under contract by Goldwyn's, and who directed "A Connecticut Yankee" and "Monte Cristo," is making the picture. DANCING WINS GIRL PLACE IN CINEMA SUN At rare times there appears on the cinema horizon a few people whose work is of such magnetic quality and distinction that they almost instantaenously skyrocket to stardom of the highest order and judging from recent comments among prominent film producers, Susanna Thomas is one whose inclusion in this select group is definitely established by her work as a feature dancer in "Manslaughter," "Havoc," "Tut-ankhamen" and other notable screen productions. Miss Thomas, who is 17 years of age and 5 feet 7 inches in height, is prominent in Los Angeles society. She is a niece of the late George Wilshire, who was one of the first among the elite of this city and the founder of the renowned residential section to the south of Hollywood that bears his name. In addition to her film work, Miss Thomas has appeared in terpsichorean and dramatic roles at the Philharmonic Auditorium, the Ambassador, Alexandria and Beverly Hills Hotels, and other favored gathering places. CAST OF "IN THE PALACE OF THE KING" Dolores Mendoza Blanche Sweet Don John Edmund Lowe General Mendoza ' Hobart Bosworth Inez Mendoza Pauline Starke King Philip II Sam de Grasse Perez, his secretary William V. Mong Princess Eboli Aileen Pringle The court jester Lucien Littlefield Gomez Charles Clary Cortez Harvey Clarke Approximately 1,000 actors in addition to the principals were used in the scenes on the palace set. Don John was shown leading his army against the Moors in a conquest of Granada, and later, the victorious return of the army. "TEA -WITH A KICK" GETS ACROSS WITH A KICK "Tea — With a Kick," a sparkling comedy drama, in which more than twenty-seven well known artists appear, contained such a "kick" that Sid Grauman, now in New York on a business trip, personally booked the picture for presentation at his Third street theatre. Edward and Victor Hugo Halperin, producers of "Tea — With a Kick," were in New York at the time, negotiating for the release of the picture and were showing it before a gathering of film distribution officials. Grauman happened to be present. After the picture had been exhibited Grauman wired to Los Angeles to his office to make preparations to show the picture at his Million Dollar theatre for one week beginning June 18th. This booking is looked upon with keen interest by the independent producers who heretofore have found it impossible to obtain a booking for their pictures in the Grauman theatres because it is generally known that these theatres are controlled by Famous-Players-Lasky Corporation and therefore seldom exhibit anything but Paramount features. The booking is considered not only a great achievement for the Halperins but for the independent producers in general. Simultaneously with its opening at Grauman's here, "Tea — With a Kick" opens at the Rialto, New York, thus booked in two of the largest theatres in the country. One of the largest casts that has ever been assembled for a picture of its kind appear in "Tea — With a Kick." Among them are Creighton Hale, who plays the lead, Doris May, Gale Henry. Hank Mann, Victor Potel, Louise Fazenda, Billy Franey, Stuart Holmes, Rosemary Theby, Snitz Edwards, Sidney D'Albrook, Hazel Keener, Julanne Johnston, Irene D'Annalle, Ralph Lewis, Edward JoJbson, Chester Conklin, Harry Todd, Earl Montgomery, Zasu Pitts, Dot Farley, Fale Fuller, Spike Rankins and others, truly a cast of unusual strength. The picture was directed by Erie Kenton, one of the screen's foremost directors of satire pictures, who is remembered for his pictures, "Down On the Farm," "A Small Town Idol," "Love, Honor and Behave," and others. While the title of the picture would suggest that it deals with prohibition it does not take sides with either the "wets" or the "drys." A feature of the production is a huge ballet in which more than 100 dancers take part. Irene D'Annelle, who is known in Europe as well as America for her terpsichorean novelties, and who was featured in the Chauve-Souris on the Century Roof in New York for many months, directed the ballet scenes. The Halperins are expected to close a deal shortly for the release of the picture and will then return to Los Angeles to resume work in the film producinfi field. LOS ANGELES GETS DURO ESTABLISHMENT The return from the east this week of Paul Engstrom, president of the Duro System of Auto Refinishing, brings important news to the motoring public of Southern California and Los Angeles in particular. According to Mr. Engstrom, negotiations have been closed whereby the manufacturers of the RollsRoyce, Cunningham, Franklin and many other of the country's most expensive automobiles are now turning their cars out with this new system of finishing. The most important part of Mr. Engstrom's announcement is that it is now possible to apply this system of finishing to cars in Los Angeles, at a price no greater than a first-class paint job. Motor car manufacturers are most enthusiastic over the success that Duro has made in the east, during the rigid tests to which it was subjected. Mr. Engstrom declares the finish applied by the Duro System will not check, scratch or fade, which fact is almost unbelieveable to men who have had any experience with automobile painting. It is considered one of the most important advancements in the automobile world and those familiar with its accomplishments do not hesitate to predict a most successful future for it. AND FROM ACORNS GROW BIG TREES Further indication of the general prosperity which the motion picture industry is now enjoying is reflected in the announcement issued by Edah B. Arthur, proprietress and general manager of the Screen Stars Wardrobe Exchange, that the establishment is moving to new and more spacious quarters at 1060 North Western Avenue, near Santa Monica Boulevard. In conjunction with a few associates Mrs. Arthur has built up a big wardrobe business within the last six months and the announcement of the removal to larger quarters augurs well for these enterprising and energetic young women. They are making a specialty of selling gowns, suits, furs, hats, shoes and other feminine wearing apparel which is placed on consignment with them by some of the most prominent of Hollywood's cinema ladies, and the values which they are offering are really attractive, selling beautiful apparel for almost half-price, and at rare times cutting down figures nearly 80 per cent. The tremendous turn over which they enjoy enables them to do this at a profit. Greater significance is attached to this announcement than would be ordinarily when one stop to consider that Mrs. Arthur began her business on practically nothing except several gowns which had been placed with her by a prominent actress who was interested in her proposition and expressed a desire to help her. Needless to say this same star still does business with her, and is taking an active interest in , the progress of the thriving little concern. Her confidence has been well rewarded. Fate Is With Her Dorothy Chase, erstwhile publicity writer for Marjorie Warfield, Mickey McBan, and others, whose work in ingenue and character parts and bits has been creating considerable attention of late, thoroughly believes in the truth of that well-known adage concerning "a tide in the affairs of men." An interesting combination of circumstances, ranging all the way from a chance bit given her with tht Katherine MacDonald Company two years ago, to a trip East and the temporary retirement of her sister, Marjorie Warfield, from screen work, led up to her present occupation and rising success. Miss Chase has played with the Monty Banks Company, Century, Universal, Richard Thomas, Warner Brothers and others, and has just finished a bit in Rex Ingram's "Scaramouche."