New York Clipper (Nov 1915)

42 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER November 6 FAMOUS PLAYERS ELAB- ORATE PICTURIZATION OF ^^MADAME BUTTER- FLY'^ COMPLETED. MARY PICKFORD APPEARS IN LEAD- ING ROLE OF JOHN LUTflER LONG'S CE LEBRATE D WORK. "^dame Botterfly," Jobn Lather Long's moBt nnlYcnally heloved worli. Is at last to be given to the motion picture public, with ihe Incomparable Mary Plckford whose portrait adorns the cover of this week's Issue of THB Clippeh, In the cele- brated role of Cbo-Cho-9an. The Famous I'layen Film Co. will release the feature Nov. 8. It was over a vear ago that the producers acquired tbe film rights to the Immortal story, the appearance of which In screen form has been eagerly awaited by a public that had long before learned to love it. through tbe various media by which It had already been presented, as an opera, novel and play. It Is Interesting to note that "Uadame Butter- fly" was written about twenty years ago, and first gained the attention and admiration of the the- atrical world when David Belasco produced it with Blanche Bates In the leading role—In which she scored one of the greatest Buccesses of her career. In 1004 the great Puccini, charmed by the Infinite pathos of the Ule, wove about it one of the most exquisite musical settings that has ever been heard on any operaUc stage. Two years later the opera was Introduced Into this country by Henry W. Savage, and It has ever since been one of the most popular offerings of the musical ^"xifw It Is to be Immortalized tipon the screen as" a Paramount picture. It la unique, and al- tosrther fitting that Mnry Plckford. the foremost ptSt4.1ay s»r^ in the world. ,8houl<i be chosen to Sopcar In "Madame Butterfly," which has the dls- tictlon of being the first work of an American author to be made the basis of a grand opera. Co- incldentnlly. It Is the first Oriental role which the little star has ever played. , „ ti«.. The appealing story deTeloi« S,' tenant flnkerton. D. 3.„N., while staUoncd In Japan, marries Cho-Cho-San, whom he affection- ately calls "Madame Butterfly." For the officer, the morriaec Is merely a temporary romance; for the mtle Jipanese girl, it la all in all. Plnkerton sails awoy. promising to return '"•'"'..."'e JS^ISf-^fl* acaln. In time there comes a little babe to slad- dS the heart of Cho-Caio-San. who adU believes that he lover Is faithful. The dreary months d.-as on and finally there comes word that Plnkerton 13 "Thj'Amerlcan Consul. learning that Plnkerton has married his American sweetheart aM Is br.ng- lop her to Japan, goes to (^c-Cho-San s home to tell her the truth. When tii .irrlves. be flnda tbe faithful little wife keeplD.5 vigil aad preparlns the housi for the coming '>i her lord and nia"ter. The house is festooned with chetry "'J^"" decorated with candles la .-mtlclpat.on of the return "''•^i'uSied'"b'y the supreme happiness of Cho-Cho- San. the Consul has not th» hnart to aoqua nt her with the tnitb, and deinrts without delivering his meSag" But the blow which the kindly consu sought to ward off Is merely made the blttei for the little wife. On> by or.c the canoes die down and with each there dcp.iits another faint ray of hope. Then comes the li^nrt breaking revela- tion, for Plnfeerton axnvJS acoompanled by the ^ StSd'by the shock, little Cbo-Cho-San staggers to the wall, where her ir<»I>'«>«,. •""i??^ °?,95„^i? sword of her father. As -jTie U nh.iut to plmse ^ Into her aching heart, the llt"e baby crawls acrojs ihP fl(vir° o her Lest th; -.hnd -witness the terri- ble fa^ of the mothlr. Ch.>-Cho-i5:in blln*folds >ts eyes. Then "ho disappears ""ehlnd the taU screen Bnd emcrzos with the trhunph of death In u»r ??C5 Tj-^^'c stumbles .in-i falls. Plnkerton enters aui catches her where sh.> d!f!. hapPV la tllC thought of testing In her love r trms. niRECTOn OLCOTT WEVT FAK .\FIEI.D IV SK4.RCH OF PROl'ER AT.MOSPHEnE. For the exquisite Japanese settings of„«>ls. Pa- thetic tale. Sid Olcott. under whose direction .t is bilne tortured, obtained th.j ciolus ve use of the most beautiful Japanese «.irdcnM In the United States 1-hut no detail of costume- or native usase light be ovcriooked, one of the most d«pend«h. e authorities on Japanese maftirs—a member of the York Nipponese colony—was especially en- caged to superintend the buying of costumes anl the acquisition of all prop.?riles used. Cho-Cho-San Is b.v far the most exacting role that MU3 Plckford has ever been called upou to po?trav. not only because of the suppressed eino- Uonallsm which such a part absolutely ^™ands. but beciuse this character has already been en- shrinrt in the hearts of the public by reason of the fact that It has been presented by 80"fJ>' ^ho foremost artistes of the stage. Though <ord ho., been seen In almost every known varlep of Ocild^ntal character, frenn the nttle outcast tn "The Bishop's CnrrlaRe" to the title role In •Such a Uttle Queen." she has never played the Oriental '°Bnt°the pa^Uc"*™!! bo quick to realise that she Is the Ideal Cho-Cho-San. lier Petlte Agurc and Ir- re^stlble charm winning her the loyal devotion Md infinite sympathy of the sPeetator wltt her v?ry flwt appiarSnce on the screen The pathos of Cbo-Cho-Skn-s fate demands that she ^J^^^ Empathy above all else. It must be a rare com- bination of histrionic talent and personal attrac- tiveness that docs full Justice to this delightful little character, and it will be readily seen that Miss Plckford was the best possible choice for the role. M-VJBV PIOKFORD SCPPORTER BY NOTABLE CAST. In support of the star there appears Marshall Nellan In the role of Lieutenant Plnberton, the faithless lover. Mr. Nellan is already familiar to the motion picture public by reason of his excel- lent work In leading roles. It Is safe to say, how- ever, that he has never had a better opportunity to display his ability than in this characterization. Others who appear In the cast are W. T. Carleton, Olive West Jane Hall and Ijawr«nce Wood. Those who saw the preparations for "Madame Butterfly" and have had the pleasure of witnessing the first completed scenes of this exquisite pro- duction, are confident that this subject will far surpass In effectiveness tbe celebrated "Tess of tbe Storm Country." in which Miss Plckford scored the most remarkahle success of her phenomena! motion picture career. In acting, setting and di- rection, the ellent presentation of Long's Master- piece will. It Is predlct»d, be more than worthv of the sumptuous musical and theatrical settings which It has already enjoyed. WM. L. SELIG NOMINATED FOR CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD POST. Mayor William Bale Thompson, of Chicago, 111., on ^londay evenliig. Oct -25, nominated six new members of tbe Chicago Board of Education. The Chicago Board of E>dncatIon Is among the most important end powerful educative boards In the United States, included among the nominees was William N. Sellg, president of the Sellg Polyscope Co. Mr. Sellg Is iat present visiting his motion picture studios In Los Angeles, Cal., and Las Vegas. N. M.. and was not apprised of the fact that he bad been nominated as a member of the Chicago board. In commenting upon his nominations, Mayor Thompson sold: "1 think my appointments are the best group of Individuals ever suggested for mcmt>ersblp on the board. There were m^ny names sucKcsted to me and the choice was a difficult one." Mayor Thompson classifies Mr. Sellg as a selt- made man, and one qualified In every way for mem- bership un tbe Chicago School Board. Mr. Sellg Is known as one of Chicago's most Infiuentla! tuslness men, and is probaJ>iy on« of the mo.<t widely read men of the present day. His personal friendship with literary men and women of high standing Is also very extensive. For many .vears Mr. Sellg personally read and selected the novels, short stories, and original photoplays submUted to his company for motion picture filming, .ind his conception of the style of work of authors of high class Is probably unsurpassed by any book or macazlne editor. Mr. Sollg's nomination for membership on the Chicago Board of Education is not only a tribute to Mr. Sellg as a man, but Is also a tribute to higher art In motion vlcturea. HEURY OTTO LIVING CP TO RBl'DTATIU.X FOR WELL BLADE FEATURES. Henry Otto has Just completed another of his attractive pictures at Universal City. It Is a three reel production entitled "The One Woman," and deals with the smuggling of opium and th'i love of a United -States Secret Service official for a young white woman who Is known among the Chinese as the "PrlnceSB Poppy." According to the storr, this government em- -ployec, Dan Kelly, years before was a fisherman and loved Hulda Blake, who later became the "Princess Poppv." Circumstances separate tbe lovers and they do not meet again until Kelly, yeara afterward, attacked by mmans. Is brought unconscious Into Uulda's apartments. Edna Malson has the role of Hulda, and plays It with her utiual artistry. In Oriental costume she looks most charming. Douglas Qerrard Is the secret service man. He fits tbe role perfectly an<1 gives a most satisfying performance. The story lends Itself to the Introdnctlon by Director Otto of a number of very pretty effects, and he l-s to be commended also for the DcautUul photoplay he has secured. ARDEN FOOLS THE RUUDER-NECKS. Edwin Arden has discovered .1 ucw way of hanii- llng a mob. One gathered the other day around the earner;! man and tie director and hlmsolf. when-they w-;re trying to photograph a very sinrpl.-j scene for "Tno- Gray Mask," out at Ninety-third Street and Wo».t End Avenue. All Mr. Arden had to do wan t'> walk out of a house with a eray ma.* over his face, but the school children and iidults of the mob In sisted In getting In the way. At last Mr. Arden suggested to the director that he send an assistant with tbe still camera and two minor pOeycrs around the comor to do some comtyly stuff. He did. alien Mr. Arden. the director aud the other principals Jumped Into on automobile. Thev called "Good-bye, see you In the morning,' to ihe three they were leaving, and rode two lilocka up the avenue arki then came back. Tht;y filmed their scene without an^ trouble. The mob was around the corner watculng the fake come- (ilans. SHELDON IN NEW YORK. H. A. Sheldon, author of Henry Miller's success of a few seasons ago, "The Havoc," Is in New York for a short vacation. Mr. Sheldon Is pre- sently connected with the Essanay scenario depart- ment. FRANK KVGLER LEAVES FOX. Frank Kugler. who was slated to dltect a Christ- mas feature, sturrlDt; Wm. Famcra. has quit tbi' producing forces of the Fox Film Corporatfon. Ilo will announce a new connection shortly. WORLD FILM CORPORATION LEWIS J. SELZNICK Vice President and General Manager THE C. K. HAHRIS FE4TDBE FILM COHPAKY PRESENTS ARTHUR DONALDSON and BEULAH POYNTER 6b HEARTS OF MEN'' By C. K. HARRIS A Romantic and Touching Urania of School Life, interwoven with a Powerful Story of a Stolen Invention. Kor Kartber Information Commnnlcmte' -with the fie»rest Brstncli of the 130 Wast 4etb St., New York Clty^, N. Y. Branches E-verywhere. Branches ET-erywhere. C»B&cllmB Offl««a, Toronto, Montr«»J, lVflnnlp«0, Cmlgmry ^EQUITABLE 71 PRESENTS The Magic Mistress of a Thousand Emotions LENORE. ULRICH In the tale of a woman, whose heart deadens her aense of right and whose devotion wins the man of her choice. ili "THE BETTER WOMAN" i •I' •. ■ RELCASeD NOVEMBER Iat. Produced by TRIUMPH FILM CORPORATION ■il I! • QUII^LE nOTlOM PICTUREf CORPORATIO LEWIS J. 3ELZMIC K. VICE P0E5. AUD ADVIS OaY DiOECTOa QCUCASlNO TMOOwgn WORLD flLM. CORPORATIO^f