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

Page 14 Camera! News Section Came. | I ESTHER INVITED TO BUILD RHINE DOMICILE; PETITIONER NOT BACKWARD Fan letters, which is the technical term for the epistles indited to motion picture favorites by their admirers all over the world, have provided a new gasp for one Hollywood actress, at any rate. Esther Ralston, whose blonde beauty illuminated Universal pictures for two years, and who recently played with Ernst Lubitsch in "The Marriage Circle," had received the usual type of fan letter, ranging from the Filipino who wanted her picture because she was "his most favorite actress," to the proposal of marriage from the supposed millionaire in Oskaloosa, or some other metropolitan center. The other day, however, Miss Ralston got a letter from a young man named Joseph Schaefer of Bonn, on the Rhine, which certainly proves that the Germans lead the world when it comes to novelties. Herr Schaefer suggested that, since he admired Miss Ralston's work on the screen so much, and since she had "such a good, kind face," he was appealing to her to send him between eight hundred and a thousand dol Carmel Myers — she of the dark and exotic allure — will play Iras, the Egyptian siren of "Ben Hur," which the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation will produce in Europe on a scale of magnitude never attempted before. This was the announcement made yesterday by Vice President Abraham Lehr after a search which has extended over two continents. The fairest charmers of both America and Europe were considered for the part. That the United States should win out in this unofficial world-wide contest of beauty and feminine appeal is a tribute to the American girl. Dozens of film tests were made in this country by June Mathis, GoldwyQ Editorial Director. In Europe, Charles Brabin, who will direct the picture, photographed the most noted beauties of the continent and sent the pictures to the studio for consideration. The part was particularly difficult to cast because the producers •wanted Iras to measure up to Gen. Lew Wallace's description of her: "... a wonderfully beautiful woman, beautiful of face, beautiful of form . . with large, soft, black almond-shaped eyes declarative of her race — eyes which looked more than lies in the supremest wealth of words to utter . . . tall, slender, graceful, refined, wrapped in rich and floating draperies, wanting nothing but a fitting mind to make her . . . terrible as an army. In other words, as she returned to his fancy, the whole passionate song of Solomon came with her, inspired by her presence." Nikolas Muray, the famous Hungarian painter, sculptor and photographer, recently declared that Miss Myers was the most lars, so that he could set up house, and marry the girl to whom he was now engaged. Herr Schaefer promised, furthermore, to keep this a secret from his fiancee, just to show her the house as a surprise wedding present. The petitioner promises to repay the loan to Miss Ralston in installments during a five year term; but when she figured that it took four thousand marks for just the letter to get here, her mathematical sense was overwhelmed by the string of ciphers in the changing of one thousand dollars into German money. Incidentally, the writer also suggests that perhaps Miss Ralston could not make this loan to him all by herself, so he is willing to have her tell the circumstances to her friends and comrades at the studios, so that they can combine to make up the amount of the loan. Esther Ralston hereby challenges any actor or actress in Hollywood to produce an authentic letter which can even tie this one, much less beat it ! beautiful woman he had ever photographed. In analyzing her face Muray says he finds it impossibl:to measure beauty in terms of features. It is the total impression that counts. He affirms, however, that Miss Myers' mouth and eyes are extraordinarily beautiful. Miss Myers is the fourth member of the cast to be announced. George Walsh will play the muchcoveted title role. Ciertrude Olmsted will be Esther, and Kathleen Key will enact the role of Tizrah, Ben Hur's sister. Miss Myers was born in San Francisco and entered pictures at the Griffith studios in Los Angeles. She also appeared on the New York stage in "The Magic Melody," a musical comedy, and made a short tour in vaudeville. She has recently scored heavily in "demi-vamp" parts, including "The Famous Mrs. Fair," "Slave of Desire" and "Reno." Seek Valli Society Drama Virginia Valli will have a chance to exhibit herself in an array of fine gowns in her next starring picture if rumors coming from the Universal studio have any foundation. It is said that the company is looking for a society drama for the beautiful young star. Since returning to the screen after an absence of over a year, Virginia has appeared in one costume play, "The Lady of Quality," which will have its local premiere soon. In her last two pictures her wardrobe has consisted of gingham gowns. She has appeared in but one society drama in her career. Morey Cast in "Captain January" Nearly all of the real picture pioneers have passed into the limbo of things forgotten. A few have made successful comebacks after long periods of retirement, but only one or two have come down the years steadily, with picture after picture, their popularity never wavering. Such a one is Harry T. Morey who, with Alice Joyce, formed the old Vitagraph team that for six years dominated the field of motion picture players. It was these two who made the first screen version of "Within the Law," more than ten years ago. With the growth of the industry Harry Morey found his proper niche and became known as the best character man in pictures. He has supported this title consistently, as is proven in his characterization of Hull Gregson, the trader, in "Where the Pavement Ends" and as Major Crespin in "The Green Goddess." This latter production found Morey and Alice Joyce reunited after a period of six years. And strange as it may seem, in this long screen career, Harry Morey is to make his first picture on the Pacific Coast. "When I was in Los Angeles on a visit ten years ago," he says, "Hollywood was an orange grove that you looked at and admired on your way to Pasadena." Morey has been cast for the heavy role in "Captain January", Babv Peggy's first production under her Principal Pictures contract, which is being made at the studio of the company in Hollywood Kenyon Deluged by Masterpieces A few months ago, Charles Kenyon, the eminent playwright and scenarist, addressed a group of amateur screen authors, and volunteered to read their scripts in his spare time and give them some definite suggestions for their treatment. Naturally, he has been receiving a continuous deluge of would-be "film masterpieces," and he has been conscientiously trying to live up to his promise. Many successful authors, in fact, give their leisure time to such work, always hoping that the miracle will come to pass and they will discover a real genius among the myriad who keep trying. The last couple of months have been very strenuous for Kenyon, and now he is working against time to finish his modernization and revision of a story which he wrote in collaboration with his brother, Albert, some five years ago; it was then used as a starring vehicle for Gladys Brockwell, but now is being rewritten for Jack Gilbert, also a Fox star. Because of this activity, and the fond hope that he may be able to enjoy some of the delights of the holiday season, Charles Kenyon is praying that the amateur output submitted for his criticism will be diminished for a month or so. Aquarium Talent Tendered Ston Wanted: Several talented jE-fish; extra salary for large tl Jerome Storm, who is J . recting Constance TalmadgeW "The Goldfish," put an ad in I . paper last week asking for si) I the largest gold fish in captiil Director Storm needed the fish 1 some scenes in "The Goldfiflr The next day a mob arrived at I studio carrying gold fish of descriptions. Fat women drove! in flivvers with bowls of fish W der each arm. Slim men atria' with tanks full of fish. Chile V by the score tried to get throw the United Studio gates <■ globes of goldfish taken from jm* lor tables . Two fish d« ers called in person with glr aquariums on the rear of tM" flivvers, and cm ag.-d man shod up with a Catalina baby sit* about the si/e of Noah's whal a its infancy. The shark had in gilded in splendid style. But! rector Storm was afraid that e camera would reveal the truth ; Actress Joins Quirt and Lariat Trii Dorothy Chase has just retutlt from a location trip to the dcK near Victorville, California, '1. the Art Mix Company, under ■ direction of Denver Dixon, !)■*' ing the first of a new serie*!' Westerns, "The Ace of CaflRange." Miss Chase piayed 'Mr credit the blond heavy, a diff role for one of her petite rtaand winsome personality. Miss Chase has another, if i villainous, Western role in v she has resumed her daily h back rides to keep in good trim any strenuous work that may forthcoming in the near futur Juvenile Will Don Grease Paint Ag( Jackie Vernon is ordinarily of the busiest juveniles in filnu but of late he has sustained a vere setback due to the fact he been convalescing frotn inju sustained in a local studio w "doing his stuff," and has 1 forced to call a temporary hal his screen activities. Immedu after the New Year's holid however, he will resume his bors, assuming a part in the f< coming production of the Mis Film Corporation entitled "1 tery." Here is an ambitious hard-working young fellow wr certainly deserving of all sue that comes his way. Over a month of intensive search work and an even lo time of actual writing, were pended by Sada Cowan and H ard Higgin, the eminent »c collaborators, in the adaptatio "A Lighter of Flames" for Hart. They have just finished script, and Hart is so enthusi about it that he has given t his personal assurance that picture will be shot absolutely cording to the scenario. Sue promise is, of course, the see ist's dream of heaven! CARMEL MYERS TO PLAY SIREN IN FILM VERSION OF WALLACE TALE