Close Up (Oct 1920 - Sep 1923)

CUsS&K'lP c ^2/^ “What’s Wrong With Movieland?” By OBSERVATUS In the past three years there has been some radical changes in our midst, not that I mean we are turning Bolshevik, but movie life has changed in every sense of the word. Three years ago this June, Hollywood was agog with activity, liveliness and happiness. There were not so many divorces, no lawsuits that amounted to anything, no dope-dive raids, because there wasn’t any dope-dives, no breaking of contracts, and none of the restlessness that there is now. Why? I don’t know, you don’t know — and I don’t think any one knows. But all of us have been subject to this change. The bohemian life is gone, we are just a commercial industry struggling to hold our heads above the waters of factory-like output. Art is never a certain subject to deal with — so it seems. Hollywood seems to have lost its charm. Joe Schenck, one of our biggest producers, doesn’t like it out here. Doesn’t seem to be enough business, or something. If he comes back in December where will his companies work? His favorite stage at United Studios has been handed over to Selznick, and Myron has plastered his name all over it. Buster Keaton’s studio will house “Poodles” Hannaford, the circus clown, for a few comedies backed by Lou Anger-Joe Schenck. Eddie Cline, Buster’s director, has been loaned to Jackie Coogan for one production. Now we understand that Blanche Sweet, who is Mrs. Marshall Neilan, is suing the Ambassador Hotel for a $750.00 Hudson seal coat. This is not the only “seal” that Blanche might have to sue for. Speaking of Marshall Neilan reminds us that he just purchased the rights to “The Rear Car” and then sent his well known associate director, Frank Urson, to Europe to film some atmospheric scenes for “Tess of the D’Urbervilles.” We had a note from an exhibitor which said: “ to advertise ‘Fools First’ headed by Rich ard Dix is a great mistake. What about the director?” What about the cafe raids? Ah, now we have touched upon a subject which will start something. Lately there have been two massive booze raids on two very well known cafes, namely. The Plantation Cafe, and Vernon Country Club. Twenty-three were taken from the Plantation one Sunday night and lodged in the Venice jail under $1000 bond. Bert Lytell came to the rescue of some of his fellow actors. However, most of the captured were fully sober enough to form some very clever nom de plumes. This same thing was done by the ones from Vernon. Now we have three murder trials which have or will involve motion picture folk; the Taylor case has been subject to secret investigations for the past three months. Slowly new clews have been found, new evidence — but not enough — points to a well known person in the film colony. Then comes the Jack Bergen-George Cline murder case in New Jersey. This was dismissed before it had a chance to bring in any more of the famous. Then we have the Martha Lockhardt mystery of Lincoln, Neb. Martha was well known here as a minor-part player, and had been making fairly good until suddenly one day she left her home in Lincoln. Soon after her arrival she was found with her head severed near a wrecked, bloody machine on one of the outgoing roads near Lincoln. The correct details have been hushed up and a secret investigation will take place. Who will it involve? is the question. But we do know that it will be some one from here. Now we understand that Emlee Haddone, one of the Fort Lee minor-part players, is posing for “best cellar” flask ads. We must admit that a girl must live, but why should a coming movie actress pose for that sort of thing? Ray Hanford, actor, is suing his wife for divorce. This case is like the Jimmy Stillman suit. Another Indian ! A former Sennett bathing beauty, Lillian Wilson, is s*''"g her husband, Jimmy, for divorce because he wouldn’t give her a quarter for lunch. Go to it, Lillian, I don’t think Jimmy is working, either. “Foolish Wives,” the von Stroheim feature for Universal, has been condemned in England. They say it is improper. “Peacock Alley,” the Mae Murray feature for Metro, was banned in Paris because it happened to show part of the real life of a famous dancer. Frank Mayo, Universal star, is having trouble with his former wife. His case is like that of Valentino. He may have to re-marry Dagmar Godowsky again. Tom Mix is wearing a coat this year that would stop an auto race. It is brown and white checked. Anyway, everyone gives him the laugh on seeing it. Claire Windsor, leading lady for Goldwyn, is having her lovesick “fan” letters published. What is this, another idea of the press agent? (Continued on third cover page)