Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

9 On Strips of Celluloid PERT POINTS Contrary to the general impression the hero of “Rupert of Hentzau,” Sir Anthony Hope’s famous novel, which Director Victor Heerman is transferring to the screen for Selznick, is not the character “Rupert.” As a matter of fact, Rupert is just the reverse, an arch villain full of dastardly deeds, who attempts the overthrow of the king. The general idea that Rupert is the hero is due to the fact that stories as a general rule are named only after heroes and heroines. Sir Anthony Hope’s novel, “Rupert of Hentzau” is one of the rare exceptions to this rule, for the hero is Rudolph Rassendyll, the Englishman and double of the King of Ruritania who gets embroiled in troubles of the little Continental Kingdom and falls in love with the queen. Bert Lytell plays the part of the hero, Rudolph; Lew Cody portrays the villainous Rupert, and Elaine Hammerstein is the beautiful Queen Flavia. Others in the all-star cast are Hobart Bosworth, Brjant Washburn, Marjorie Daw, Claire Windsor, Adolphe Menjou, Elmo Lincoln, Irving Cummings, Mitchell Lewis, Gertrude Astor, Josephine Crowell, Nigel DeBrullier, Wm. von Brincken and James Marcus. * * * Lige Conley is responsible for the following: “The little Birch Canoe” is a late dance number, it’s a dreamy, floating waltz that carries you to a wave of enthusiasm. The girl I danced with in this stuck around me for a year before I could get rid of her. Now it stands to reason that if I had danced the Battleship Rag with her she’d have been on my tail for life.” Saying which, this comedian fled before the wrath of Harry Gribbon. * * * Immediately after the release of Mary Pickford’s original “Tess of the Storm Country,” nine years ago, in which the late Harold Lockwood served as her leading man, that beloved actor became a star in his own right. And now, Lloyd Hughes, the debonair leading man who served in that capacity in Mary’s latest screen version of the popular story, has duplicated Mr. Lockwood”s achievements and is preparing for a Thomas H. Ince production entitled “Atonement,” in which he will be starred. CAREWE’S ORGANIZATION COMPLETE With the characteristic speed and thoroughness, Edwin Carewe, the latest director-producer to come to Hollywood, has completed his organization for his forthcoming First National picture, “The Girl of the Golden West.” It is an organization of silent stars, men and women whose faces are never seen on the silver sheet and whose screen credits are only the most fleeting impressions on the mind of the public. But they are stars none the less; their contributions to the success of the photoplay are mighty important. Carewe’s scenario editor is Adelaide Heilbron, who has been responsible for the adaptations of several of his former productions. Louis F. Jerome is business manager for the company and Sol Polito, of the American Society of Cinematographers, will be chief cameraman. Wallace Fox will be first assistant director, with a couple of subordinates to work with him on the details of this elaborate visualization of the story already popular as a novel, stage play and grand opera. During the week since his arrival from the East, Carewe has not only assembled his producing organization for the making of this gfilm at the United Studios, but he has also laid out all the sets for the many interior scenes. In addition, wdth his assistants, he has already selected the various places that wfill figure as the outdoor locations for this forthcoming First National picture. HE KEEPS BUSY Paul N. Wilson, well known short story writer, has been engaged by Universal to title and edit the recently completed production, “Nobody’s Bride.” The story, which was written by Evelyn Campbell, was directed by Herbert Blanche. Wilson recently finished the titling and editing of three other pictures for Universal, “One Wonderful Night,” by Louis Tracy, “The Power of a Lie,” by Johan Bojer, and “The Midnight Guest,” an original story by Rupert Julian. The last two pictures were directed by George Archainbaud, who is now directing tne Selznick production of “The Common Law,” at the United Studios.