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

Page Twelve Weekly Wake'Ern-Vp— CAMERA'S News Section "PG" SMITH HEADS NEW COMEDY COMPANY The clan of independent producers is steadily growing. Last week the "PG" Smith Productions, located in the California Iiank Building, at 6548 Hollywood Boulevard, was organized with a program of 12 two-reel comedies to be produced and released during the 1923-24 season. These productions have been tentatively named "The Pumpkin Center Comedies," and will deal with life in the rural communities of the United States The theme will deal principally with a delapidated locomotive and string of coaches evidently built some time during the Stone Age. They will be made with all-star casts, headed by Jack Duffy, well-known local comedian. "PG" Smith, who is at the head of the company, has spent the last eight years studying the hi mfield from every angle with the determination to some day produce pictures of his own. He was formerly a film salesman for Paramount, Vitagraph, Goldwyn, Selznick and other distributing concerns, and also managed theatres in various parts of the United States and Canada. He later purchased a theatre in Los Angeles, and was actively engaged in the management of same, only giving up this enterprise to enter the production field. "PG" is one of the youngest producers in the business, being only 24 years of age, but he has shown great ability along executive lines and this, linked with his varied experience in the film world, should enable him to climb to the top of the cinema ladder within a very short period of time. Smith has stated that he believes there is a dearth of good rib-tickling comedies at the present time, and that the public wants the shorter variety of film farce. The excellent reception the small-town plot has always received at the hands of the theatre-goers was a factor in his decision to film something revolving around the life of the small towns and coutryside of the nation. Harry DeVere Recovering The many friends of Harry T. DeVere, who has been ill at the Clara Barton Hospital for the past five weeks, will be glad to learn that he is now well on the road to recovery. Mr. DeVere was cast for the heavy lead at the Universal in "The Lady of Quality," and had played but three days when taken ill. A great deal of credit for his return to health is evidently due to his wife, the popular character lead, Josa Melville, who has been untiring in her attention to him in addition to "keeping the home fires burning." SOME STARS MUST DIE SO THEY CAN LIVE Some motion picture artists have the distinction of getting married in nearly every picture in which they appear. Others have gained a reputation of perlorming some hair-raising stunt before the camera, but perhaps no artist of stage or screen has "died" in more plays for the sake of his art than Eric Mayne, one of the screen's best-known character artists, who, before entering motion pictures, was a foremost actor on the London stage, gaining wide recognition for his masterly portrayal of leading roles in Shakespearean plays and others. During a recent interview with the actor, he advanced a few interesting ideas as to how and why he has had to "die." He said: "For many years I played villain and was compelled to die one way or another at the end of the play. The villain must not die too soon because it is only through the darkness of his vile deeds that the purity and nobility of the hero and heroine can shine forth. "In 'Hamlet,' in which I played the king, I could not die until the very end of the play, for I must live in order to allow Hamlet to finish his work. It is only after I have been killed that he completes his work. "In 'Romeo and Juliet' I played 'Mercutio.' I enjoyed this. character more than any other I have ever portrayed and I regretted every night that I had to die so soon. Although 'Mercutio' is a light-hearted, good-natured fellow, beloved by everyone, he must die toward the middle of the play in order to give Romeo a chance to establish himself as the leading man. "In motion pictures I have been killed in sword fights, I have shot myself, been shot in pistol duels, poisoned myself; indeed. I cannot recall a possible death that I have not met in the interests of retributive justice." Mr. Mayne concluded by saying: "Actors must live, and in order to live many of us must 'die.' " Graves Finishing Ralph Graves is finishing the leading male role opposite Mabel Normand in "The Extra Girl," which is being filmed at the Sennett Studios, and already is preparing to start work upon another picture. There is a rumor to the effect Ralph has just signed a very alluring contract with one of the biggest producing corporations in the industry which will provide for his appearance in leading roles in several big pictures. BOXING FAVORITE SPORT OF PEGGY O'DAY Peggy O'Day may at times be cast for roles in society dramas, but in everyday life one of her favorite pastimes is the sport of Jack Dempsey and Benny Leonard — boxing. Peggy is much interested in the art of self-defense and for the definite purpose of making any fight scenes in which appears, look like the real thing and not of the usual fakey appearance, the little actress has taken lessons from no less an expert than ex-champion Kid McCoy. A? several members in the cast of "The Fighting Skipper" can testify, Peggy at times becomes perhaps a little too realistic in her endeavor to get a punch into the story. NEW GARRISON UNIT PLANS EDUCATIONAL FILMS It is the aim of the Garrison Production Company, who has just returned from South America where they made a series of educational pictures, to stare production of a series of educational and society dramas here, on or before January 1, 1924. The personnel of the company is G. W. Garrison, financial manager, R. W. McGree, director and manager. J. H. Rush, assistant director, and C. E. Tosh, cameraman. Edith Rush, well known in theatrical circles, will be featured in this series. Miss Rush's leading man has not yet been selected. The Garrison Production Company has a strong financial backing. J. H. Rush is desirous of obtaining studio space and any information regarding this con> pany or studio space will ba gladly answered by him, bB phoning Hollywood 561. Aspiring leading men, here if your chance to get in touch with something worth while. Sargent Supports Gladys Louis Sargent, who was formerly starred by Universal in a series of Louis Sargent comedies, is once more working at that studio, having been engaged to play the leading juvenile role in Gladys Walton's latest starring vehicle, "The Wild Party," which Herbert Blache is directing.