Close Up (Oct 1920 - Sep 1923)

Hi A NEARER POINT OF VIEW “CLOSE-UP A MAGAZINE OF MOVIE-LAND I VOL. VII, NO. 11. LOS ANGELES, CALIF., JUNE 20th, 1922 TEN CENTS j IflllllllllllHIlllHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH KING BAGGOT HARD AT IT MABEL ON WAY TO EUROPE AT LEAST, A BUSY PERSON It seems that the life of a director is work — more work, and plenty of it, for how otherwise account for the continual grind of that prince of good fellows and unusual director, King Baggot, on his current special film feature, “The Kentucky Derby’’? He has been back some time now, but either the continuity is being amplified, or King is engrossed putting in a few masterly touches. The other day, although we tried for an hour to speak to him, and although he evidently saw us, still w.e failed to get speech with him. His mind was just simply engrossed with his work. The reason we mention it is because it shows the assiduity to duty of the man. That old pun of directors having all the time at their disposal to kill, is falsified with a vengeance in the case of King Baggot. Go to it. King. We’ll see you at another time when the ponies won’t interfere with our contemplated discourse. BARKER TO FILM “TIMBER” Louis B. Mayer announces the purchase of the famous Harold Titus novel, “Timber,” as the story for Reginald Barker's first independent unit production. The director is now selecting an all-star cast for the picture which will go into production within the next two weeks. Noted for his expert handling of big, spectacular dramas, Mr. Barker plans to film “Timber” on an elaborate scale, sparing neither time nor expense in the effort to make it one of the outstanding photoplays of the year. J. G. Hawks, for three years managing editor at the Goldwyn Studio, and now managing editor of all Mayer productionsi is preparing the scenario. HE IS DOING FINE Clarence Bricker is back again in films with a vengeance. Dr. Jas. F. Hollcran claims that Bricker never did better work than what he is doing at this writing, with Frankie Lee at the Robertson-Cole studio. We are glad to note this, because Clarence is a conscientious man, and well thought of in the profession. Mabel Normand has joined the grand hegira Europeward. She has foresworn the quietude and comfort of the City of Angels for the vicissitudes of travel and the diversities incidental thereto. But only for a period of two months; that’s about as long as she can stand to be away, she declared before leaving. Slipping quietly out of the city one Sunday morning, Mabel boarded the Santa Fe Limited with her secretary. MABEL NORMAND Who Arrived in London Yesterday, Being the First Lap of Her Tour of Europe. Once in New York the star visited with her parents for a week at their Staten Island homq, and then, on June 13, sailed for Europe on the Acuitania, in company with her mother and secretary. Mabel’s passport called for visits to almost every country on the Continent, and while she may not visit them all, she has declared her intention to see England, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Northern Africa and Spain. She has not any set itinerary, for she desires to jump from place to place as the spirit moves her. But she is going to see as much as she can ,for this is her first trip abroad. Practically the last statement Miss Normand made before leaving was to the effect that she is going to keep a diary of “impressions” — impressions The young Jewish immigrant girl whom Helen Ferguson impersonates in “Hungry Hearts” is always talking about her desire to become a “person,” that is, to make a name for herself and amount to something in the world. Miss Ferguson herself has become quite a person. In addition to acting before the camera, she writes articles for newspapers and magazines, is active in the formation of the new Leading Women’s Club in Hollywood, ana is supervising the education of two boys who played with her in “Hungry Hearts.” She has outlined a series of fiction stories she expects to write, and in her spare t:me paints pictures. of people and places. Not only that, but she intends compiling those impressions into book form when she returns, having already entered into an arrangement with Brentano’s, New York, to publish them. Mabel intends commenting on the foibles and idiosyncracies of the erudite ladies and gentlemen of the other side; an accusation of lese majesty will not prevent her from commenting freely upon how royalty strikes her. And Mabel’s wit, being somewhat caustic and penetrating, gives the book-reading public something to look forward to. However, her impressions will not be entirely sarcastic or ironical. Mabel is capable of penetrating beneath the surface, and there is no question but that impoverished Europe will find in her a sympathetic appreciation and wholesome response. Miss Normand’s latest Mack Sennett photoplay, “Suzanna,” which she completed recently, will have its local premiere at the Mission Theatre at the time of the star’s return. During her week in New York, Miss Normand conferred with Mack Sennett, who has been in that city for the past four months. The subject of the conference, it is declared, was the star’s next Sennett photoplay, work upon which will begin immediately after she returns. Ruth Roland heard of a Chinaman by the name of Chew Hay. She wants to know if Al. Falfa?