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

CAMERA I Weekly Wake-'Em-Up — CAMERA'S News Section Page Fifteen Christie to Make 20 Comedies This Year The Christie organization will concentrate its efforts on but twenty two-reel comedies during the 1923-24 season, all productions to be released through Educational. Al Christie has outlined a program of variety that promises to outdo the preceding series which embraced themes varying from the bull rings of Mexico to the igloos of Alaska. The coming productions will deviate from stereotype locales and will be made in settings which heretofore have never been associated with comedy. Walter Graham and Robert Hall have returned to assist Frank Conklin in the scenario department and the entire Christie staff has been strengthened in an effort to produce the best comedies in the market. Christie announced that in the twenty pictures, Bobby Vernon will be starred in six, Jimmie Adams and Neal Burns in five each, and Dorothy Devore in four. Supporting these stars will be Vera Steadman, Charlotte Merriam, Teddy Sampson, Patricia Palmer, Babe London, Natalie Joyce, and Jimmie Harrison. Those who have been playing character parts will be retained ; they consist of : Earl Rodney, Lincoln Plumer, Ward Caulfield, George French, George Burton, Bob North and Roy Weston. Al Christie, Harold Beaudine and Scott Sidney will assume the directorial responsibilities of the new series, the first of which, "Navy Blues," directed by Harold Beaudine, is at the present time receiving its final polishing in the editorial department. "Done in Oil" is now in production and will soon be ready for the cutting room. NEWCOMER FINDS SOME BIG THRILLS HERE Lela Sue Campbell, just cast for an important role in "Born of the Cyclone" at Robcrtson-CoTe studio, is almost a newcomer in Hollywood. She admits that her greatest thrills in the film capital since her arrival a few months ago includes : The time she saw Bull Montana walking down the street, dressed in his loudest clothes, and thought he was a fire alarm. The time -she thought publicity would help her get into the movie's and decided to get lost. After two days she gave it up, because no one knew she was missing. The time she talked with the one and only Charlie Chaplin, only to learn a few minutes later that she had been conversing with one of four hundred and ten Chaplin imitators who roam Hollywood streets. OFF FOR GR Robert Fraser, popular leading man who was recently placed under contract by Louis B. Mayer, has been selected by the producer for the star role in "Women Who Wait," a screen version of the old New England classic, "Cape Cod Folks," which is to be made by Reginald Barker as a big film spectacle. Accompanied by Percy Hilburn, who has been chief cameraman for Reginald Barker for the past six years, Mr. Fraser recently left for the Fast, where all of the atmospheric shots as well as many of the thrilling scenes will be made. After a brief stop in New York, where Hilburn will choose his corps of cameramen, equipment and a supporting cast of prominent players, they will proceed to Boston. There, boats will be chartered and a number of scenes made, and then the company will go on to the famous Grand Banks off Newfoundland, where the big water episodes will be shot. BERNARD DURNING ILL IN NEW YORK CITY Bernard Durning, well known Fox director, is now in a New York hospital dangerously ill with typhoid fever. Mr. Durning left Hollywood a short time ago to direct a new William Fox picture in New York, which has as its stars the famous Gallagher and Shean, and captioned "Around the Town wih Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean." The director's illness has assumed such a sreious aspect that Director Tom Buckingham was hurriedly rushed to New York from the Fox Hollywood studios to finish the picture. Miss Shirley Mason, diminutive Fox star, who in private life is Mrs. Durning, is in New York with her husband. PRESS AGENT'S SON IS SERIOUSLY BURNED William E. Thomas, fourteenyear-old son of Edward C. Thomas, publicity representative for Louise Lorraine and Henry Lchrman, was seriously burned this week through the ignition -of a large package of flashlight powder. The sudden burst of flame struck him full in the race, and also did considerable injury to his hands. A traffic officer at Western Avenue and Pico street called an ambulance and the injured boy was rushed to the Receiving Hospital, where preliminary treatment was given by the surgeons in charge. He was afterward taken to his home at 1262 Fifth Avenue. At last reports William was resting easily, although it is impossible to tell at this time what effect the flame has had on his eyesight. AND BANKS The securing of these scenes is principally a matter of patience and courage on the part of the cameraman and the star. Among the episodes to be filmed at Grand Banks arc a storm at sea, photographed from aboard ship, action scenes on the deck with the fishing fleet at Grand Banks as background, and the harpooning of a huge swordfish as it leaps from the water. With luck, these shots might be gotten in a few weeks, but, allowing for the incompatibility of the lordly swordfish and the uncertain temperament of the elements, it will probably be months before the necessary scenes arc obtained. Mr. Barker is busily engaged at the present time on the filming of "Pleasure Mad" for future Mayer-Metro release, but he will take the production of "Women Who Wait" actively in hand as soon as the Atlantic Coast scenes have been filmed, according to a statement of Irving G. Thalberg, vice-president and production head of the Mayer organization. FRANCIS FORD STUDIO SOLD AT BIG PROFIT The Francis Ford studio, located at 6044 Sunset Boulevard, between Gordon street and Beachwood drive, Hollywood, has been sold to Morris R. Schcnck, film distributor. The price paid has not been made public, but it is understood that the consideration was six times greater than Mr. Ford paid William Horslcy for the plant about three years ago. The property is at present being used by Choice Productions, Inc., to produce a series of "special" photoplays, and according to Geo. M. Mitchell, president of Choice, his firm will retain possession of the plant until the Choice lease expires, or about another year. GRIFFITH AND CHAPLIN WIN IN -ENGLAND D. W. Griffith and Charlie Chaplin are the favorites of the British film going public, according to cable reports of a popularity contest completed last week by The Sunday Pictorial. "Way Down East" was declared the most popular picture by the voting which was carried on throughout the British Isles. "Orphans of the Storm" was named the second most popular picture. The British film goers selected Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" as the third favorite. "Orphans of the Storm" has received the highest honors ever given to a picture, having been declared the best picture of last year through a vote of the motion picture critics throughout the country. The voting in the British Isles included every important American picture which had been shown in this country prior to March. Plans Comedies Like Drews Made E. W. Hammons, president of Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., is about to introduce to the public a new brand of comedies, bearing the Educational trademark. These will be known as Tuxedo Comedies, and they will be six in number. Mr. Hammons believes there is a distinct place on motion picture programs for a series of polite comedies such as were made by the late Mr. Sidney Drew and his wife. Tuxedo Comedies will fill that place, he believes. These comedies will be designed as situation comedies and will occupy a place in the amusement scale between the light farce and slapstick. The comedy situations will be built up carefully and logically to a comedy climax. It is intended to use sets built upon the same scale used in big feature productions, and as much careful attention will be given these short pictures as is given to making the longer features. Ned Sparks and Harry Tighe will make their debut in the first release of this series, which will be called "Easter Bonnets." Sparks has had the leading parts in a number of farces produced by Al Woods and has appeared in support of Constance Talmadge in a number of her late comedies. Tighe is best known as a member of the vaudeville team of Tighe & Clifford, and is making his initial appearance before the camera. "Poodles" Hanneford, famous Hippodrome riding clown, has been engaged and will appear in a number of later releases. The Tuxedo Comedies are being produced by Reel Comedies, Inc., here. CLEMENCEAU PICTURE READY FOR RELEASE The film version of "The Veil of Happiness," an exceptionally novel and gripping story, written by Georges Clemenceau, former Premier of France and commonly known as the "Tiger," has been completed and a print of this new feature has been received by Edward L. Klein, of the Edward L. Klein Company, New York City, who will arrange for the distribution of it. The story, which has an Oriental background, is intensely interesting and out of the ordinary, with exceptional exploitation possibilities. The picture opens with a view of the "Tiger" visiting the studio, and supervising the sets during the filming of his story, and the shots of this "grand old man of France" are followed by his first filmed story. Clemenceau, who is as well known in America as he is in France, at one time lived in New York, in Greenwich Village, on the site now occupied by the Sheridan Theatre.