Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

UNIVERSAL PICK-UPS “Drifting” has been completed. The spectacular film play of China, adapted from the John Colton stage success, in which Priscilla Dean has given the starring performance before the camera, has gone into the editorial department following four months’ solid work with the camera. * * * Edward (Hoot) Gibson is hard at work on “Shell Shocked,” the story of one of ’em who came back from “over there” with a distinct tendency toward nervousness and the rest of the troubles that go with shell shock. It is a real characterization for Gibson, to follow “Dead Game,” “Single-Handed” and “Double-Dealing” among his releases. * * * Herbert Rawlinson is making a definite characterization out of the starring role of “Twenty Dollars,” and Gladys Walton is starring under King Baggot’s direction in “Crossed Wires,” a telephone girl story. * * * Continuous night shooting is the schedule at present of the big unit at Universal City in making the spectacular screen version of Victor Hugo’s classic, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” starring Lon Chaney. Under the direction of Wallace Worsley, with Perley Poore Sheehan, the adapter, and Lon Chaney always on hand during working hours, scenes of underworld character are being filmed on the gigantic Place de Parvis, the center of fifteenth century Paris. Those who are working are Chaney, who wears his bulky make-up as Quasimodo about one day out of three; Patsy Ruth Miller, Ernest Torrance, Nigel de Brulier, Caesar Gravina, Gladys Brockwell, Winifred Bryson, Eulalie Jensen, Kate Lester, Norman Kerry, Lydia Yeamans Titus, Harry Van Meter, Brandon Hurst, Tully Marshall and twenty-five character artists of note in minor roles. Jane Sherman has lost faith in the truth of Kentucky distilleries! DOINGS AT SENNETT’S “Domestic Economy,” the Mack Sennett all-star two-reel comedy now in production, promises to be one of the most humorous short subjects released. The characters, including Billy Bevan, Harry Gribbon, Eugeia Gilbert, Dot Farley, Billy Fay and Charlotte Mineau are all straight. Chet Wallace is directing. * * * “Pittfalls of a Big City,” featuring Ben Turpin, will be a riot of fun when completed. It is a burlesque of a well known dramatic play, naturally the cast, including Pricilla Bonner, ingenue lead, Madeleine Hurlock, James Finlayson and Dot Farley (Turpin’s cross-eyed mother) will play their parts straight. Roy Del Ruth is directing. * * * “The Extra Girl,” being directed by William A. Seiter, and starring Phyllis Haver, is a big, wholesome, original story by Mr. Sennett, the continuity for which was prepared by Bernard McConville. With this vehicle, Miss Haver is to make her debut as a Sennett star. The story was especially written to suit the individual personality of the comedienne, and if the progress being made is any criterion, Mack Sennett will boast of another tremendous hit with a shining new star, in Phyllis Haver. While this activity is under way, F. Richard Jones, supervising director for all Mack Sennett comedies and feature productions, is rehearsing new units and their directors, so that every FER THE LUVAMIKE Fer the luvamike, whaddye think I am — A whole asylum or a half-witted ham? I told you once I was gonna go straight, Why I’m goin’ West on the next safe freight. Y’ don’t think I can? Well, wait and see, An’ I’m tellin’ you, pard, it won’t be no spree! I’m done with mean jobs — too close to the bars, I like to go ridin’, but not in police cars. I’m saying goodbye to the whole gang of you — I ain’t handin’ no bull, bo, I’m thru, yeh, thru. Do I wanna drink? Naw, cut out that stuff, I said I was quittin’ and it wasn’t no bluff. Tell Lil goodbye, she’s at Harry McGin’s; The stuff that boy peddles don’t wash away sins. Give the whole gang my best regards, Them guys sure plays a mean game of cards. What made me reform? My head’s in a whirl, Fer the luvamike, pard, two words — a girl! — Virginia Williams. possible slack in production will be eliminated. BROWN ^ CALDWELL 4ND LADD PKo t o -ei\dr aVe r\s 'L4J S. BDWY; LOS ANGELES