Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

UNIVERSAL PICK-UPS Tom Santschi has been signed for the “heavy” role in the new play soon to be made under the direction of Harry Garson, famous as the producer of Clara Kimball Young’s bestknown films. The play, a story of Java, will present J. Warren Kerrigan and Anna Q. Nilsson in the leading roles. The title has not been decided upon yet. * * * Walter Whitman, one of the pioneer character actors of the screen, and who is perhaps best remembered as the priest in “Hearts of the World.” has been engaged to play the role of Father O’Shea in “McGuire of the Mounted,” a production of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, starring William Desmond, now being made at Universal City. * * * Production has been completed at Universal City on “Pure Grit,” Hoot Gibson’s latest starring vehicle, which was directed by Edward Sedgwick. “Pure Grit” was adapted to the screen by Sedgwick from a Blue Book magazine story, “Blinky,” by Gene Marleyi Supporting Gibson are Esther Ralston, DeWitt Jennings, Elinor Field, Mathilde Brundage, Donald Hatswell, Charles K. French, John Judd, William E. Lawrence and W. T. McCulley. * * * Today the entrancing romance of Hugo — of the hunchback and his hopeless love — his supreme sacrifice and 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 the horrors of the Bastile, is being lived all over again — they don’t just act such picture plays, but almost actually live them. Then — between scenes — they turn the clock back to 1923 again — and dance to “Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Sheehan.” This may sound like a fairy tale — but it’s all true — and it’s all routine at Universal City, according to Jimmie Dugan. * * * Three of the costumes that Lewis Stone wears in his portrayal of the Marquis de La Tour d’Ayzar in Rex Ingram’s production of “Scaramouche” weigh 30 pounds apiece and are typical of the sartorial accoutrements of a French nobleman in the eighteenth century. 5{C 5fC 5*C Frank Hampton, for several years studio manager for Selznick and other leading film companies, has been engaged by Dick Les Strange, production manager of the William P. S. Earle company, to take charge of construction work for the latter firm. Hampton is already rushing the erection of several important Egyptian sets for the big production of “Tutankhamen” which Director Earle has under way. * * * AT UNITED STUDIOS Is Friday, the thirteenth, really unlucky? Ask Mike Levee, president of the United Studios. Here is what happened on the big motion picture lot on Melrose avenue yesterday: One concrete mixer, busy on the new studio roads, broke down ten minutes after it started operations in the morning. Another quit for the day at 11 a. m. Thirteen workmen neglected to report in the morning (and yesterday was pay day, too). As a result a building in transit from one site to another was stalled in the middle of a road and blocked traffic all day. Levee’s telephone wouldn’t work. Flarry Myers, who has one of the most important parts in “The Brass Bottle,” telephoned that he had hurt his ankle slightly and would not be able to appear for a day or two and Maurice Tourneur had to send his whole company home. Pete Smith burned a bearing out on his typewriter and the studio got no publicity for the day — except this. FIRST NATIONAL NOTES Tests of prespective cast members to support Marie Prevost and Robert Ellis in “The Wanters” are now being made by Director John M. Stahl for his next release. * * * A trick mule doubles for the college professor in Maurie Tourneur’s “The Brass Bottle,” which he is making. * * * Negative and master print of James Young’s “Wandering Daughters,” is scheduled for early Eastern shipment. iji # ^ The all-star cast of Richard Walton Tully’s “Trilby” is now complete and consists of some of the most famous names in filmdom. 3jC Shooting has been completed on “The Girl of the Golden West,” the American classic which Edwin Carewe has been directing. WHEN YOU’RE RUSHED FOR TIME AND MUST EAT Make a Bee Line for the CALIFORNIA CAFE Where Prompt Service and Fresh, Good Food Awaits GUS HARITOS, Proprietor 353 South Spring, Near 4th