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

Page 16 The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry' Camera Flcisties from Frisco sy agnes kerr crawford The remains of Frank llayes, famous comedian, vere brought to San Francsico for burial Monday morning, at Cypress Lawn Cemetery. Funeral services attended by many of the greatest directors and players of the cinema world, having been held at his late residence in Los Angeles on Sunday, there were only brief words of comfort and prayer spoken at the grave. Mr. Hayes was not only born and raised in San Francisco, but was a member of one of its oldest families. So it is an odd chance that his last picture and the greatest part of his whole career, should have been in "Greed," which was almost all filmed here, and to the preview of which he had looked forward with so much interest, only to die too soon to see its first showing. Chester Conklin. who has just finished work in "The Galloping Fish" came to town last Saturday for a few days stay, to talk over an offer from one of the local production organizations for his appearance in a series of comedies. The Rellimeo Films of this city and Hollywood will begin production on their next picture the middle of January. It will be "The Bowery Bishop" from a story by Dr. Alexander Irvine, and Colin Cambell who will direct, is now hard at work on the continuity. Gordon Michie, business manager of the organization with his wife Grace Sanderson Michie, head of the scenario department, are now in New York, but will return to California within the next week or two. Herman Lubfin, and Ernest Traxler, heads of the newly organized Cinema Arts and Crafts, will leave for the South within a few days on business. They expect to be in shape to begin production with at least two cf their proposed six units, early in the new rear. has that divine fire and acting ability rarely combined with beauty. Great consternation reigned at the Warfield Theatre last Tuesday when it was discovered that Irish, the wonder dog, who was making personal appearance with the showing of the latest Graf picture "Half-a-Dollar Bill" had disappeared. Rewards were offered when he failed to return the next day, and he was at last discovered in Daly City in the house of a man who had stolen him, and safely returned to his distracted master. The unusual work of Irish and Cameo, the two dog stars, add not a little to the success of "Half-a-Dollar Bill" which was so warmly received all last week at its first public showing. Frank B. Marriott, head of the Marriott Productions, thinks that he has the greatest find of a long time in the film world, in littlePepita Riviera, who will play Little Lila Gee in their forthcoming production of the story of San Francisco's' Chinatown "Young China." Her discovery was an accident, as Mr. Marriott first saw her dancing in a pageant at the most fashionable hotel of Shanghai. China, where she was representing her native country Guatemala. Struck at once by her beauty, and her screen possibilities he arranged to have Iter brought to this country by her guardians, as she is only sixteen, where between her appearances before the camera she will complete her education. Forrest B. Creighton, head director for the organization, feels that little Pepita is not only a wonderful screen type, but that she Marie Cahill, famous both on the stage an screen, spent several days last week in Sa Francisco. Dorothy Devore came to town the latti part of last week to appear at the Granadl Theatre all this week in a special skit th; has been written for her as part of Pai: Ash's big concert. For this week marks tH first showing on any screen of the late: Christie comedy "Kiddie Katie" in whic charming Dorohty plays the lead. Much attention is being attracted this wetl by the world's premier showing at the Wa field Theatre of "Black Oxen" made by tl Frank Lloyd Productions from Gertrut Atherton's' popular novel. The novel then of the story, Mr. Lloyd's fine direction, ar the beautiful work being done by Corim Griffith, Conway Tearle, Clara Bow at other members of the cast combine to mal ti a picture that has called forth uustintcl praise from all who have seen it. Nora Bayes has been held over as tl headline attraction at the Orpheum Theat for a second week, where she is charmir large audiences by her varied songs, also tl appearance of her small adopted son Pett who forms a good excuse for the singing • "Dirty Hands" as only Nora could sing it. I The ticket sale for the Wampas Ball go briskly on, and much local interest is beili taken in the forthcoming big event. All fl leading hotels already have long reservatick lists for the week-end over January Xin* teenth, and it looks as though Hollywoc for a few days would be a deserted village.! Under the Mask ny pete smith Conway Tearle — debonair, sophisticated. The four words suggest one another as naturally as Beau Brummel suggests "fop." To quote an Iowa miss who came from a Long Beach theater after seeing for the tenth time that week a film in which he appeared, "He wears a silk hat as naturally as if he slept in it." But this easy-mannered man-of-the-world, who is reputed to draw the largest salary of any of picturedom's leading men, has had his downs as well as his ups. He speaks of them reluctantly, not because he is ashamed of them but because the details of his life appear to him to be of no interest to anyone else. Of a long line of theatrical people — the Conway's have been noted actors for more than two hundred years — his early life was an easy one. Raised amid comfortable surroundings, with cultured people for his associates, his tastes were formed along lines of elegance rather than ruggedness. But family reverses soon after he entered his teens changed, for a few years, the whole current of his daily habit and association. He needed money with which to buy food; needed it badly. He was of sturdy build; an athlete. There was no place, just then, for him on the stage. An athletic trainer who had taught him at school gave him the opportunity to earn a few pounds — he was living in London then — and he took it. That night there entered the lists of the London prize ring a new contender for the welterweight championship. But that is history that Mr. Tearle d( not wish revealed. At any rate, he spent a whole season in t ring. A scarred lip, once cut clear throu Continued on Page 18