Close Up (Oct 1920 - Sep 1923)

FIRST NATIONAL NOTES Following a preview at the Wilshire Theatre last week, Charles Chaplin is putting the final touches on his latest comedy. The production will be released as a special. Simultaneous with the Los Angeles showing of Richard Walton Tully’s “The Masquerader,” comes the announcement that the author-producer has completed his second production, “Omar, the Tentmaker.” Both pictures star Guy Bates Post and both were directed by James Young. Mr. Tully expects to leave for New York within a fortnight. * * * Upon her return from Truckee, where she journeyed to appear opposite Buster Keaton in his latest comedy, Phyllis Haver will return to the Sennett Studio, where Director F. Richard Jones is getting everything in readiness for the commencement of her first starring vehicle, * * * John M. Stahl’s latest film crea tion, “The Dangerous Age,” will boast of a bevy of beautiful women. They include Ruth Clifford. Edith Roberts, Helen Lynch, Myrtle Stedman and Cleo Madison. * * * According to well informed circles, Richard Barthelmess will more than duplicate the success of “Tol’able David” and “Sonny” with his latest vehicle “The Bond Boy.” His supporting cast will include Mary Thurman and Mary Alden. Directed by Henry King. PAT O’MALLEY’S DAUGHTER Ailecn O’Malley, daughter of Pat O’Malley, will play the part of “Peg” as a little girl in the Metro screen version of “Peg O’ My Heart,” in which Laurette Taylor is to be starred. Miss O’Malley is four years of age. King Vidor is directing this adaptation of J. Hartley Manners’ famous play. REJUVENATING COMEDY PLOTS (By Mack Sennett) That the summer wave of frivolity is one the wane and the theatre patrons are demanding sterner entertainment, is too broad a statement for a producer to make and have accepted as truth. To the contrary, the American sense of humor, which without doubt is the keenest in the world, demands nourishment. There is no known medium through which laugh-making can hope to continue its present-day progress and receive the wide national distribution, other than the silversheet. The producer of comedy, much the same as the producer of drama and comedy-drama, must consider more seriously the worth of story material and at the sacrifice of other picture making detail, insert more “reason” for doing things. One thing most necessary to overcome, to more firmly establish comedy films as a part of the “big theatre” program is the immediate elimination of a lot of the old style slapstick hokum and the substitution of appealing stories of love, romance or adventure. The old method of hooking up a series of time-worn gags to a mere thread of a story is passe. There is no sensible reason why comedy entertainment, whether it be of the two-reel variety or of longer length, should not be treated with the same seroius consideration as is the more heavy material given to the screen. In its construction, the au Seven High Class Bouts EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT In the Airiest Boxing Arena in the West Hollywood Legion Stadium El Centro, Off Hollywood Blvd. ’Phone Reservations — Holly 100 thor of a story should co-operate with the continuity writer, for oftentimes much real value of a story is lost transferring it from the script to the screen, sometimes in an endeavor to save on the cost of sets or the dressing of same, but more often owing to the fact that continuity writer and director fail to grasp the author’s idea of the necessary action to properly portray the plot he has in mind. During my recent trip East, I particularly studied the market for comedy films, that I might more easily keep Mack Sennett Comedies in public favor. The result of my observations was the deciding factor for my recent announcement, that “hereafter all Billy Bevan’s characterizations would be made straight.” No longer will he be seen in baggy pants, moustache, and otherwise grotesque makeup going through a series of clowning motions. His forthcoming pictures will call on his talent and personality to put over a story, and so it will be with the other companies working under the Sennett trade mark. Just as soon as the authors can furnish better story material just that much sooner will the producer’s difficulties be solved. Particularly remembered for his splendid work in “The Crossroads of New York,” George O’Hara, clever juvenile leading man has, through a special arrangement with Mack Sennett and the Fox Film Company, been engaged to play the male lead opposite Shirley Mason in her next starring vehicle. USED FOTOPLAYER at a Bargain Price! Remarkable opportunity for motion picture theatre! Fotoplayer in perfect condition ; gives complete orchestral reproduction; played by hand or from doubletracker player piano; provides excellent picture music at minimum cost. Music continuous — no pauses for rewinding— ;an be changed instantly to fit the scene. A chance to make your music, as well as your films, a source of steady profit! Terms, if desired. Satisfaction guaranteed. Write for full description. A.B.Cox,717 Tribune Bldg., Chicago