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

Page 14 Camera! News Section Came HOFFMAN'S WORK HAS HUMAN TOUCH Hugh Hodman is one of those favored by Carl Laemmle with a Christmas promotion as a reward for capable work during the year just past. Mr. Hoffman's skillful work as supervisor and scenarist of the Gladys Walton unit at Universal City has been the subject of much favorable comment in the film colony of Hollywood, and so marked has been the improvement in the Gladys Walton pictures since he took over the unit that Mr. Laemmle has shown his full confidence in Mr. Hoffman's ability by placing under his control the production unit of which Herbert Rawlinson is the star. This means added work, glory and reward for Mr. Hoffman, but on his past record there is little doubt of his ability to shoulder his new responsibilities. Supervision as practiced by Hugh Hoffman is the real thing and not the imitation. The entire responsibility of a production is entrusted to him by the Universal company. All stages of a production pass under his practiced eye which has back of it the wisdom of twenty-five years in the show business, sixteen of which have been in motion picture work in all its branches. He is responsible for the selection of the story, the director, casting, screen results, editing, titling and all. If there is anything wrong with any of his productions, Carl Laemmle knows exactly where to place the blame, but he has had little occasion to do any of that with Hoffman. With all his varied duties connected with the making of a film, Mr. Hoffman is seldom seen on a movie set. According to his system, the director is in supreme control of the set. That is what he is hired for — to put on the picture, and Mr. Hoffman assumes that the director is capable of doing that without the supervisor hanging around. And so long as the director is getting the stuff on the screen he hears mighty little from Hoffman except in the way of praise and encouragement. If it's not so good, there is an order for a retake, but in the form of a friendly request. And the same is true with the other men who are on the picture — the assistant director, the cameraman, the editor and title writer; all are considered as capable men, able to do their work. Having started in the show business years ago as a performer who "doubled in brass," Mr. Hoffman says he always thinks of his unit as an orchestra, with every man playing his part competently under the Hoffman baton. If there i9 a discord, or any member cuts in when he is supposed to have 32 bars rest, it isn't very hard to spot the fellow who is pulling the "blue" note, and Hoffman "gives him a look," as orchestra leaders do when someone in the band pulls a "domino.'' Mr. Hoffman says that production supervision is successful or §>rasntt'0 (Srefltttn.0 HERE'S "HOW fro tn FRED T. WALKER (Not "Johnny," but— "Still Going Strong") 99 unsuccessful only as the supervisor is backed up by the management, and he ascribes much of his success as a supervisor at the Universal Studio to the confidence and whole-hearted support of Julius Bernheim, Bill Koenig and Carl Laemmle. Belasco Lures Sterling Artists Two of the principals of Fred Niblo's "Thy Name Is Woman," cast have terminated their engagements with that company and moved across the street to the United Studios where they have been signed by Edward Belasco to appear in the Belasco Production, "Welcome Stranger." They are William V. Mong and RobertEdeson, both former stage stars and now recognized as among the best character men of the screen. Other members of the cast of "Welcome Stranger," which have been announced are: Florence VI dor, Dore Davidson, Lloyd Hughes, Noah Beery and Virginia Brown Faire. Several important roles are yet to be cast. "Welcome Stranger," which is a screen adaptation of Aaron Hoffman's celebrated stage success of the same name, was adapted by Willard Mack. It is under the direction of James Young, who is assisted by Clifford Saum. Long Rehearsals On This Me t Orville Caldwell, male leat n Morris (Jest's "The Miracle' > doing nothing outside of rehc als for the big Broadway pro<«_ tion, and has been obliged to J fuse two interesting film olH since he arrived in the metrofljl where he is very well knell From 10 a. m. until midnight hm on the stage at the Century the # where Prof. Reinhardt and staff, Fokine, the Russian da: and his corps of assistants busy with principals and choru Melford Gives Cubs Boi "Stories written by newspa or ex-newspaper, employeei it out prominently because they terse, simple, get right to the p and are correct as to^ gram and theme," savs Melford. "IF ing the past year I received eral hundred stories. Two of t I accepted, both by newspaper porters. Seven others that I careful consideration were the efforts of newspaper writer "In every instance, these w ers gave evidence of proper tr; ing. They also conclusively pro that newspaper work had tai them to carefully investigate plan their subjects before puti them down in black and wt Most of the prominent writer* the past graduated from daily pers. I predict that most of brilliant authors of tomorrow at present editors and reporter & peaceful €fjrtsitmasi anb g g>ucc?s&ful J£eto g*ar from Jllartfja Jfflattox !