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

Page Ten Weekly fVaie-'Em-Up — CAMERA'S News Sectio?i CAMERAI ACTOR WINS HIGH HONORS IN CONTEST Crelghton Hale, debonair leadins man of stage and screen, has not only firmly established himself with the theatre-going public as one of the screen's mcst versatile and clever leading men, but last Friday evening in I he Rose Room of the Ambassador hotel when a number of prominent motion picture stars appeared in the National Dance Tournament to compete for the championship of Southern California, Mr. Hale won high honors for his ability as an exponent of the art of terpsichore. Mr. Hale made his debut in pictures several years ago, but not until last year had he been given an opportunity to work before the camera at one of the Hollywood studios. Victor Hugo Halperin, having been seriously attracted by the actor's brilliant work as the professor in I). W. Griffith's "Way Down East," and with his work in many other notable film plays, transported him from New York to Hollywood to play the leading role in his picture, "TeaWith a Kick," which is shortly to he shown at Graumau's Million Dollar theatre. Upon the completion of that picture Mr. Hale was prevailed upon by the management of the Mason Opera House, Los Angeles, to present his play, "Just Suppose," for a week's run. This play was previously presented by him a» the Columbia theatre in San Francisco where it scored a tremendous hit and it went over with equal success at the Mason. Then Mr. Hale was engaged to play the part of "Billy" in the Richard Walton Tully production of "Trilby" and according to all reports his performance is one of the high lights of the pictures. At present he is under contract with Goldwyn where he is portraying the role of "Alick" in the current Victor Seastrom production, "The Master of Man." Added to Cast Tom O'Brien, who has just completed work with Jane Muriin and Justin H. McCloskey on "The Sign," has been added to the cast of the Trimble-MuiTm Production, "The Phantom Pack," Strongheart's next starring vehicle, and is playing the part of a German heavy in the circus sequence. O'Brien is also being considered by Director Laurence Trimble for the part of "Beauty" Smith in Strongheart's other picture, Jack London's "White Fang," the exteriors for which were taken in Canada while the Trimble company was making "The Phantom Pack" ex Dog is Popular Player Buddy, the trained film canine, has just finished his work in Warner Brothers' latest picture, "The Country Boy," directed by William Beaudine and starring Wesley Barry. According to Henry East, the dog's master, Buddy has now worked in a total of sixty-four pictures and is fast becoming the leader of canine actors. LA ROCQIJE GETS CONTRACT WITH DE MILLE It was this week announced from the office of Cecil B. De Mille that Rod La Rocque has been signed on a long-term contract by the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation for Cecil B. De Mille Productions. Mr. La Rocque was signed recently by Mr. De Mille for a loading role in the modern story of "The Ten Commandments," the Biblical prologue of which is Just being completed. Mr. La Rocque's tests proved him so admirably fitted for the roles for which he is intended by Mr. De Mille that he was very shortly given i he long-term contract. Rod La Rocque is considered one of the most promising of the younger leading men of the screen. He was born in Chicago twenty-five years ago. He has been on the stage almost continuously since he was seven years old. He has alternated between, the stage and the screen. Previous to his recent return to the Pacific Coast, he had appeared in such Broadway stage successes as "Thy Name Is Woman," and "Nice People." In the days of Essanay, he was featured in a series of George Ade Fables and played heavies in a number of Bryant Washburn pictures. Recent film successes include "Slim Shoulders," "Notoriety," and "Jazzmania." Mr. De Mille and Mr. Jesse L. Lasfcy, first vice-president of the Famous Players Lasky Corporation, are said to have great hopes for the future of La RocqiK'. who is now given an opportunity such as that which at one time led Thomas Meighan and the late Wallace Reid to stardom. Kipling Classic Soon Rudyard Kipling's classic short novel "The Light That Failed" is in process of being translated into screen language by F. McGrew Willis, who is preparing the scenario for George Melford's forthcoming production of this popular and dramatic story. While work on this adaptation is progressing rapidly, George Melford is putting the finishing touches on his preceding Paramount picture "Salomy Jane." Actor is Recovering Billy Giffin, who was injured recently while working on a set at the Goldwyn studios, suffering a broken jaw and a split wrist, is reported well on the way to recovery and will soon be able to resume his activities before the camera. He is confined to the Pacific Hospital, where many of his friends in the local film colony have visited him. ALL WARNERS GET TOGETHER IN HOLLYWOOD For the first time in many months the four Warner Brothers of picture producing fame were gathered together when Abe Warner of the New York office arrived at their West Coast studio in Hollywood this week. Abe Warner's visit to the studio lasted but a few days as he immediately departed for a business tour of the middle west. He slipped out of Los Angeles as quietly as entering, after four days of concentration with his brothers of the details for the production of eighteen or more classics of the screen, which they are to make this coming season. This is Abe Warner's second trip to the coast in six months. He has trave'ed a route of principal cities throughout the country, making personal acquaintances with exhibitors and distributors of the Warner product. On leaving Los Angeles, he headed toward Denver, where he will press the button for the middle west campaign of "Brass" and "Main Street," the two most recent Warner releases, and then into Kansas City and back to New York. Mr. Warner reports that the entire country is awaiting with open arms the fulfillment of promises of Los Angeles producers for bigger and better pictures and that the prevailing opinion of the theatre men of the country, big and small alike, is that genuine stories and real directors go a long way toward making films successful. Keith Headliner Signs Francis A. Ross, formerly of the celebrated vaudeville team of Felix Adler and Francis Ross, has succumbed to the lure of the pictures, and is now being engaged as one of the "Gold Diggers" in the picture of that name being produced by the Warner Brothers at their West Coast studios. Miss Rcss was a headliner on the Orpheum and Keith Vaudeville circuits for more than four years. She is portraying the role of Dolly Baxter in the Avery Hopwood story "The Gold Diggers." RETURNS FROM TWO MONTHS IN ARIZONA Principal Pictures Corporation's "When A Man's a Man" company returned to Los Angeles this week after having spent the best part of two months In Prescott, Arizona, making ex terior episodes for the noted Harold Bell Wright story. A special car. thick with dust and piled high with props, cameras, and picture equipment, carried the players and their valuable film from the Arizona town. Among those who stepped from the platform of the car were Marguerite De La Motte, John Bowers, Robert Frazer, jfl Marlowe. George Hackathornk John Fox. Jr.. Fred StantoJ. Charles Mails, Forrest RobinsA and a host of others equally popular including Edward F. Clint the director, and Arthur L. Berjfc stein, business and production manager tor the Principal Pffctures Corporation. "Glad to be home?" The mofl hers of the Wright cast looki at each other in silent approval "You bet," laughed Miss ■ La Motte. "We had a wonderS trip and the Prescott folk treafl us royally, but there's no place like home, you know." The next few weeks will H spent by the company making interior episodes. Work will be continued at Principal's HoUfwood studios at once. "When a Man's a Man" is tfl first Of the series of Harold Bell Wright novels to he filmed by Principal Pictures Corporation) Others will follow in line. There are nine volumes in the series, all of which have been pun-based by the picture company. Mae Has Birthday Party Paul Pern gave a delight* birthday dinner this week at tfl Montmartre in honor of Ma Musch. Among those presefl were Mabel Normand, Corinfl Griffith, June Mathis, JulamS Johnston. Carmel Myers, Carfl Wilson, Walter Morosco, Josefl Jackson, William Haines and Goodman Bradley. Mr. Befl adapted to the screen "TM[ Christian" and "The Master of Man." Hall Caine novels, H both of which Miss Busch p'ays the leading feminine roles. Hoot Returns Edward Sedgwick and his company have returned frofl the location camp at O'Neiinj Ranch, where the outdoor scenes of "The Ramblin' KioT were filmed, and is now at work on the interiors, at Universtf City. The interiors are elabfl rate. The picture stars Hoot Gibson, with Laura La Plants W. J. McCully, William WelsC Carol Holloway and a large cast