Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

HINTS FROM INCE Madae Bellamy, who has just signed a three-year starring contract with Thomas H. Ince, will make her firs*, big “special” under the personal direction of producer, it has been announced. Production work on her first starring vehicle will begin shortly with Thomas H. Ince handling the megaphone. The fact that the producer has agreed to assume active direction of her work promises a brilliant future for the Texas maid who recently scored a success in Ince’s screen version of “The Hottentot” and in the title role of Maurice Tourneur’s “Lorna Doone.” Ince is said to have “made” more stars than any other producer in the industry. * * * An experienced diamond cutter was employed at the studios during the filming of “A Man of Action,” a clever mystery comedy soon to be released. A half million dollar diamond robbery is a feature of the picture and for some of the scenes, world-famous diamonds were duplicated. “The Kohinoor,” “Orloff,” “Polar Star,” “Pasha,” “Great Mogul,” “Regent,” “Indian Table Stone” and “Saucy” diamonds, all of which have left a trail of blood through the ages, were among the fine stones which were duplicated for use in the picture in which Douglas MacLean, Raymond Hatton and Marguerite de la Motte play the leading roles. * * * E. de B. Newman and Robert Thornbury of the Courtland Productions are filming “The Man from Ten Strike,” a Guy Bates Post special, on the Thomas H. Ince lot. The story was written by James Oliver Curwood Fred Myton arranged the scenario. * * * Production work has begun on “The Talisman,” the initial feature which is being made by Frank E. Woods, Thompson Buchanan and Elmer Harris of the Associated Authors for release through the Allied Producers and Distributors, a sub sidiary of the United Artists corporation. Chester Withey is directing the production which is being filmed at the Ince studios. * * * UNIVERSAL PICK-UPS Esther Ralston, popular leading woman of many Universal serials will have the leading feminine role in “Blinky,” a Hoot Gibson starring vehicle, now being filmed at Universal City under the direction of Edward Sedgwick. This is her first appearance as the feminine lead in Universal feature attractions. Elinor Fair, who was originally cast for the role, has been assigned to another production. Miss Ralston has just completed her work as the leading woman in “The Phantom Fortune,” a William Desmond starring serial, when she was chosen to play in “Blinky.” The picture will afford Miss Ralston her first feature lead since her appearance as Mary Jane in “Huckleberry Finn.” . * * * King Baggot, who directed the Universal-Jewel productions, “Human Hearts” and “The Kentucky Derby,” and who has directed Gladys Walton in many of her most popular features, has been chosen by Universal to direct Herbert Rawlinson in his next starring vehicle, “Thicker Than Water.” The Baggot-Rawlinson combination should present one of the strongest production teams at Universal City. Baggot graduated several years ago from the role of actor to that of director and is considered one of the most capable in his craft. Rawlinson is one of the best known and most popular of romantic screen heroes. * * * Production has begun at Universal City on “Burning Words,” an original story of the Northwest Mounted Police by Harrison Warren Jacobs, in which Roy Stewart makes his debut as a star in Universal feature attractions. The picture is being filmed under the direction of Stuart Paton, who recently completed the direction of “Bavu,” a Universal-Jewel with an all-star cast. Stewart is a well-known star of the outdoor type and has been featured in many Universal two-reel western subjects. His lates triumph was the romantic hero in “The Radio King,” a Universal Chapter Play. Under his new contract with Universal he will star in a special series of feature productions. Stewart will be supported in the cast by a number of well-known screen players, including Laura La Plante, Harold Goodwin, William Welsh, Edith Yorke, Alfred Fisher, Noble Johnson, Harry Carter and * * * The complete cast for the first one of the new series of “The Leather Pushers,” Universal special two-reelers starring Reginald Denny, has been selected by the director, Erie Kenton, and Fred Datig, casting director. Hayden Stevenson, the inimitable fighter’s manager of the previous Witwer Series, is again the man who guides "The Leather Pushers” through his fistic adventures, though in somewhat different circumstances. Elinor Field, heroine of the last six stories, provides the romantic interest in the new series. Gertrude Olmsted, prize beauty and popular leading woman, handles a secondary feminine role. Melbourne McDowell, Ed Kennedy, Harry Lorraine, “Kid” Wagner and Jack Henderson have other supporting roles. >|« ^ Doctor G. J. Crandall is speaking. He says: “Mine is a dangerous bed, even the pillow slips!” 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