Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May-Oct 1922)

Page Ten ‘CAST OF FOX PRODUCTION “NERO” IS INTERNATIONAL ONE HE, cast of “Nero,” the William Fox Italian production, now made public for the first time, is truly an international one. It includes American, French, Russian and Italian motion picture actors and actresses, as well as several members of noble Italian and Russian families who had never acted for the screen before. Jacques Gretillat of the Theatre Odeon who plays the role of Nero, is one of the most popular actors in France. He has had the principal roles in some of the most famous successes on the French stage in recent years, and was recently engaged by Sarah Bernhardt to support her in “La Gloire’ by Maurice Rostand. During the war Gretillat served for three years at the front, was wounded eight times, and was on several occasions decorated by the French Government for bravery. Paulette Duval, who has one of the leading roles in the picture is another. player who is a warm favorite in Paris. She is considered by many, to be “the most beautiful woman in France” as well as one of the most charming actresses and dancers. The American screen is represented in the cast of Nero by Violet Mersereau, whose blond beauty is in decided contrast to the brunette loveliness of the majority of her fellow players. Edna Darclea who heads the long list of prominent Italian screen stars in Nero is of Italian American stock, her mother having come from Baltimore and her father from Rome. Before entering motion pictures, Miss Darclea had studied for grand opera and had already made an auspicious beginning on the operatic stage, when she decided to adopt a screen career. In spite of her youth, she is one of the best known motion picture actresses in Italy today. Alexander Salvini, who has a very prominent role in the picture, is a member of the famous Salvini family. He is the son of the famous Gustav Salvini and a grandson of the even more noted Tommaso Salvini, and is himself well known both on the legitimate stage and in pictures. The cast of Nero also includes many other prominent Italian names. The Fox forces in Italy were in command of J. Gordon Edwards, dean of the Fox directors, who has made many notable productions for this organization including “Queen of Sheba” and other big spectacles, and who is now in the Holy Land at work on a spectacle founded on the Old Testament story of King David. Miss Virginia Tracy, who wrote the story of “Queen of Sheba” also wrote the story of Nero. The expenditure was under the general supervision of Abraham Carlos, for many years representative of the Fox organization on the continent. John D. Braddon was the technical director, and was assisted by a large staff of American and Italian architects, artists, sculptors and artists. Harry Plimpton was in charge of the photography, and was assisted by twenty-six additional cameramen. Over one hundred and twenty five thousand feet of film was exposed before Nero was completed. In view of the extravagant claims which have been made as to the number of people taking part in some of the European productions shown in this country in the past, it is interesting to note that sixty-five thousand people are said to have actually taken part in some of the scenes in Nero. While most of the scenes in Nero were photographed in Rome and its vicinity, some were taken near Naples, and in the Alps. Those members of the expedition who have already returned to this country declare that for natural beauty the backgrounds used in Nero have never been surpassed. In addition to the many historic buildings and places shown in Nero, the Fox organization built an entire city on the outskirts of Rome only to destroy it. . Only a very few of the Fox officials have as yet had the opportunity of viewing Nero, but those. who have are unanimous in declaring that it will create a sensation. The picture is now being assembled at the Fox studio in New York. No release date has as yet been decided upon. “This is something different in the way of a story about the desert. with its unconventional ending, ‘The Sheik’s Wife’ has much to recommend it.” —New York Times on “The Sheik’s Wife.” Google _CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST How Australians Train Race Horses Is Interesting An interesting study of the methods used to train Australian race horses is shown in a recent issue of Fox News. Owners claim that the beneficial results of surf bathing for horses are amazing, and it is declared that champions of the speedway are made in this manner. Be that as it may, News cameraman shows the race-track beauty at his morning swim, at Sydney, Australia, and the horse appears to enjoy it every bit as much as the Palm Beach beauty who swims for pleasure and a fine figure. Following the swim comes a sand rub and careful going over by trainers. Famous Players-Allen Deal “Off Again?” “On again off again” appears to be the slogan which is going the rounds in reference to the much discussed Famous Players-Allen Deal. It would be rather amusing if a “dark horse” would win the race. Meanwhile the Industry as a whole appears to have benefited in Canada. The Exchanges and Exhibitors have stopped talking bad business and are talking Independence strong. We hope that this stand will not partake of the nature of the devil’s repentance. The Industry became ill at what seemed a possible combination of elimination and talked big and strong about what it was going to do should it get over this attack. Being fairly well over it, we hope everybody will remember to think and not drift if they expect to be treated as business men. Twelve Pictures Released Christie Series Educational In the new series of EducationalChristie comedies 12 pictures have been released. They are: Nothing Like It, Oh Buddy, In For Life, Falling For Fannie, Exit Quietly, A Pair of Sexes, Pure and Simple, Saving Sister Susie, Fresh From the Farm, Kiss and Make Up, No Parking, and A Barnyard Cavalier. Neal Burns, Bobby Vernon, Dorothy Devore and Viora Daniel are the best known featured players. William Desmond Engaged Universal Chapter Play William Desmond will star in the latest Universal chapter play written around the dramatic history and the acquisition of Alaska. Perry Vekroff will direct. Laura Laplante is the leading lady.