New York Clipper (Nov 1915)

November 13 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 43 TIMELY PICTURE TOPICS. ar Rix. FAUOUS PLAYERS START FIIiUING OP «OU> HOMESTEAD." By a rare colnddenuc, the first scene taken In tbe old Darlsnd Biding Academy, wUcli was ac- gnlred for studio purposes by the Famoos Playuvs Film Company alter the boralng of Its Twenty- sixth Street lieadquarters. was the openlnK of "The Old Homestead," the celebrated rural classic whldi for «Ter thirty years served to endear Itself, and Its star and author, Denmon Thomps(tn, to the imierlcan public. Wherever the stage Is known, there "The Old Homestead" Is also kno.'/n. Its picture of rustic life, written by a man who knew It by personal experience, for Mr. Thompson lived for years on his old New Hampshire (arm. Is one of the moat Interestlns human dociimcnts that ever was writ- ten. The very simplicity of the characters and u( the story gave It its universal Interest and caused It to outlive, by yearn, laany & melodrama and thrlUer that for tne moment seined great popu> larlty. But when these meteoric successes were long forgotten, "The Old Homestead" still re- mained undisturbed in the aSectlons of the people. It was tbe sort of play that one saw many times with always the same keen enjoyment, becau&e there were no great thrill? whose edge was dulled bv repetition, and the intense humanity of the Elay, together with the whole faeartedness of thd nmor, msde It a never ending pleasure. It is doubtfnl if any other play Is as well known to the masses as "The Old Homestead." with the possible exception of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." It is one of the few plays which the great motion pic- ture public knows as It knows Its alphabet. And for that reason It will be appreciated by the pub- lic more than any sensational adaptation which has ever been made. Denmau Thompson's old homo will be used, by permission of his son, Frank Thompson, from whom the rights to the play were obtained, as the settings for the mrsi portion of the story. The outlying districts of the typically quslnt New Ensland town in which It Is situated will also be called upon to famish additional rustle atmosphere. "OIiD HOMESTEAD" HAS WOBIDERFOT. HISTORY. It v&a In 1676. while Inrapaeltatt^d by a Sfvere attack of rheumatism, that Denman Tbompeon con- ceived the Idea of ''The Old Homestead," which he first wrote as a vaudeville sketch, mder the title of "Joshua Whltcomb." In Its elaborated and expanded form "The Old Homestead" had lt4 first presentation under Its present name at ihe Boston Theatre In 1886, nnd from thst day hat dated the popularity of this clean, wholesome, old fashioned drama, with Its rich fhnd of spontane- ous humor. Conservative estimates state that over twenty million p2.'>ple have laughed and cried over this play, which In the last three decades has been Sresented ]u every village and hamlet In the United tates and Canada. ^The Old Homestead" hss heralded the beauties of New England life to the four comers of the earth, and has rendered memor- able the Inherent noble cnaractertstles of such men as Cy Prime and Aunt TUda. ESven the original title of the play, "Joshua Whltcomb," was the combination of the name of two real characters Who were local celebrities. James Klrkwood, under whose direction the adaptation Is belug made, states that "The Old Homestead' will prove unique In the history ot feature flhns because of the Scarcity ot studio jsets which will be used. With the old Thompson home, the neighboring village, and old Grace Church In New York, which forms one of the Im- portant settings, all to be used In actaal back- grounds, and with many scenes transpiring In the streets of New York, there are but very few scenes which will be staged In the studio. Tlie Famous Players Co. Is especially Indebted to Frank Thompson for the personal co-operation and assistance which he has given them In their efforts to preserve to the test detail the traditions and otmo^bere with which the elder Thompson's pres- entation of "The Old Homestead" has so long been Invested. From the photugraphs famished by Mr. Thompson the producers nave been able to ropy exactly the costumes and make-up of the original characters In the play. By reason of its nnlversal appeal and Its tre- mendous popularity, "Xhe Old Homestead" will rank aa one of the most notable contributions of the Famous FlayerB Film Company to the rani- . mount program. RAVER SECURES STATEN ISLAND STUDIO. The Raver Film Coiporatlon. which Is produrlog the famous plays of Augustus Thomas, has taken over the new w. IJndsay Oordon studios at Staten Island, and hss begun operations In Its new home on the clol>orate interior scenes ot the Inaasrvtsl rroductlon, "I'be Other Qlrl." These studios nave . just been erected snd are thoroughly modem to the minutest detail. Having both the advantages of daylight through (,'iass and adequate artificial lighting equipment, rcenes may be photographed at any hour of the day or night Ample space has been provided for erecting five eets at one time. , "THE OTHER GIRL" CAREFDI.I.Y CAST. Harry R. Baver, president of the Baver organ- l7.ation. Is elated over the results of two weeks' organization on the part of his producing st.<ill to complete the hngc cast of the first Raver-Thomas Iirodactton. More than two hundred players were called by Percy winter, the chief director of ths Raver forces, before selecting the fourteen pFlllClD3l characters of the widely known Thomas play. Among these characters persons In many waiks of life are represented. Genalne types were needed, as make-up Is not permitted nnder the Baver policy. Bangfng from children of four and five up to men and women of sixty and seventy years of age, the characters used to portray Mr. Thomas' 'TThe Other Olrl" include an ex-champton pugilist, a minister of the Oonpel, an anaemic society fop, a celebrated health spe- cialist, a Judge of the Supreme Court, a corps it trainers of the canllflower-eared type, a vlvaclou* girl of eighteen, possessing rare tteanty; an un- usOAl police captain, a sedate young woman of tn'enty-one, a butler who thinks himself guardian Of an entire family, a wealthy banker with a heart, a cook who ttnda time to dabble In family affairs, a reporter with a keen sense of humor (who ever heard of one?), a music hall dancer with a follow- ing, an Intelligent dog, a chauffeur with a speed mania, together with types found In fashionable theatre audiences, typical devotees of the prize ring, kids and kiddles ot the country school and men nnd women about town. Contrast In plenty is thus promised tor the pic- ture prodaetlon of "The Otber Girl." Ot course, the question arises, "Who Is the Other Klrl, anJ why Is she?" Thousands who laughed and wept at the stage play In the heyday of its success already tOKrw toe reason for tho anasunl title which Mr. Thomas gave to It, but to the new generation tbc plctcre production must tell Its own story, as Mr, Raver believes In pleasant surprises as a tonic for the masses. "The Other Girl" Is the Initial Raver offering, and will be ready for distribution about Dec. IS. "THE GREY MASK" HAS DETECTIVE THEME. In the forthcoming World Film drama, "The Grey Mask," taken from the story of that title by Charles Wadsworth Camp, which was published in OolKoT-'*, Rdwln Arden, the Star, Is given an oppor- tunity to display again bis capacity for that fine feeling for his part which has always characterized his work on the stage, and which has made him an actor ot distinction. . . It is the role of a detective he must play In this picture, a scientific detective who finds himself In predicaments ot more than ordinary complication and danger. It Is none of the swaggering, heavy- set detective who iosia the footsteps ot the vU- lalna with tbe UAual murderous air. It Is the Mender, keen, scientific man -who puts hla knowl- edge of science to work In solving- blB troubles, which the detective Mr. Arden Interprets most be. "The Grey Mask" is being directed by Frank Crane.. It will be filled with the most halr-ralslnp: repu- tation he has gained hlmaelt In hia brief career la the pictures. PRI/DENTIAX. FILM CO. FORMED IN DETROIT. The Prudential Film Co. of Detroit has been, formed for tbe purpose of manufacturing motion Iilcture films. The company's officers are as fol- ows: Wlllard H. Ooodfellow, president and gai. eral manager; Andrew H. Green, president of the' of thrlUfi from beginning to end. In It Mr. Arden will keep up the splendid of which la paid up. A resolution was passed at the organization meeting to Increase the capltall- latlcn to tUO.OOO Immediately. All of the direc- tors are Detroit men with the exception of Mr. Aiiworth, who is connected with various enter prises in Windsor, Or.t. Tho company will immediately construct on in. door studio on Wstson Street, near Woodward Avrnue. Meanwhile, the company will begin the making of pictures early next week. It has all the equipment necessary for the work at present. Mr. Goodfellow win direct the pictures. The com- pany's product will bear the distinctive label ot "Gold Seal Films." "The Mirror ot tho Soul," what Is really a mo- tion picture treatment of a modem morality PliT. fashioned after the morality plays of the middls ages, will be the fiist theme which will be used at the Prudential studios. Tbe bead ofllrea of the company win be at 7ft Woodward Avenue. General Manager Ooodfellow already has a number of suitable motion picture scenarios la hie possesion sufficient to keep the company busy for some time. WARWICK TO DO DODBCli: DUTY. It is said that the famous theatrical manager, Wm. A. Brady, wants Robert Warvrick to appear in a new play as well as to continue his dally work In pictures. Last Spring Mr. Warwick did double duty In this respect, appearing by night and at matinees In "A Celebrated C.ise." and ac- quitting himself as both silent and speaking actor with toe greatest credit. But It Is hard work. Suctesa brlmi Its penalties as well as Its laurels. Those w£o envy great artistic stars seldom realize the physical and mental strain Imposed upon them In keeping their engagements. MOVIES CLAIM ANOTHER STAGE VETE3RAN. DIgby Bell is more than making himself a place Ul the hearts of tbe Universal players at the West coast studios, where he Is playing the stellar role In JoReph De Grasse's produccion of "Father and the lioys," which Ida May Park has adapted for the screen from George Ade's play of the Ba<iie nnme.