Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1918)

EXHIBITORS HERALD AND MOTOGRAPHY Norma Talmadge in "77/£ FORBIDDEN CITY" Select drama; five parts; directed by Sidney A. Franklin As a whole Splendid Story Absorbing Star '. Fascinating Support Excellent Settings Beautiful Photography Very good Norma Talmadge will increase her following many fold by her work in "The Forbidden City." The story, which is from the pen of George Scarborough, and was adapted to the screen by Mary Murillo, holds the attention from the beginning. Beautiful settings, ingeniously designed, give the play the atmosphere of the Orient, and the whole is a very picturesque production, which reflects much credit upon the director. Both as San San, and later as Toy, Miss Talmadge is pleasing and convincing. She is an adept at makeup and as the little Chinese maiden she rises to emotional heights hitherto undisplayed upon the screen. Thomas Meighan appears opposite Miss Talmadge and gives his usual well balanced performance. Reed Hamilton, Michael Rayle, A. E. Warren and L. Rogers Lytton complete the cast. A brief outline of the story cannot begin to convey the picture's beauty. It tells of San San, a Chinese girl who marries in secret an American youth. Her father earns a livelihood teaching foreign students the Chinese language. He seeks the Emperor's favor by offering his daughter, and San San is admitted to the royal harem. A daughter NORMA TALMADGE IN A SCENE FROM "THE FORBIDDEN CITY" (Select) is born in the palace, and the Emperor, becoming angered, puts her to death, rearing the child in the palace. Years later Toy, the baby, now grown to womanhood, escapes, meets an army officer, who proves to be the ward of her father, and Toy is made happy. Metro Has Eighteen Pictures Ready To Be Issued Following Shut-down Eighteen productions distributed by Metro, comprising twelve of the All-Star Series features and six Screen Classics super-features, were ready for exhibitors at the close of the five-week cessation of the industry's activities. Metro's first contribution under this arrangement was a comedy drama starring Emmy Wehlen, entitled "His Bonded Wife." "The Great Victory, Wilson or the Kaiser? The Fall of the Hohenzollerns," formerly called "Wilson or the Kaiser," the Screen Classics super-feature written by Maxwell Karger and directed by Charles Miller, will be offered at an early date. Hale Hamilton's initial Metro starring vehicle, "Five Thousand an Hour," will be issued November 25. The picture was directed by Ralph Ince. December 2 is the date announced for May Allison's next feature, "The Testing of Mildred Vane." George D. Baker adapted the story for the screen and it was directed by Wilfred Lucas. "Hitting the High Spots," which will be published December 9, is the title chosen for Bert Lytell's next feature, written by himself and adapted by George D. Baker. It was directed by Charles Swickard. Next in the list of All-Star Series subjects is "Sylvia on a Spree," an Emmy Wehlen feature, which will be seen for the first time December 10. Harry L. Franklin directed the picture. "The Poor Rich Man" will be issued December 23. Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne are co-stars in this feature, which was written by Elaine Sterne and directed by Charles J. Brabin. ' The final regular publication of the year will be "Her Inspiration," starring May Allison, December 30 being the date set for it. This subject was written by George D. Baker and Thomas J. Geraghty and directed by Robert Thornby. Other productions besides those for which the publication dates have been announced will be distributed as soon as the theatres are in a position to handle them. Galaxy of Stars Presented By World In Variety of Plays for December World Pictures has a notable galaxy of stars to present to the public in December. Louise Huff, Carlyle Blackwell, Evelyn Greeley, Lewis S. Stone, Barbara Castleton, Madge Evans and June Elvidge head the list. Carlyle Blackwell and Evelyn Greely in a story of love and redemption on the east side of New York come first. Their picture bears the title of "Hitting the Trail" and it will be published December 2. It is along the lines of comedy drama and was directed by Dell Henderson and written by Roy Somerville with continuity by Harry O. Hoyt. Prominent in the cast are Muriel Ostriche, George MacQuarrie and Edward Elkas. Second on the month's program comes Lewis S. Stone, who appeared in "Inside the Lines." Mr. Stone's new picture is a different sort of a western play and bears the title of "The Man of Bronze." Supporting Mr. Stone in this production is Marguerite Clayton. It will be issued December 9. The story was written by Karl K. Coolidge and directed by David M. Hartford. "Zero Hour" for June Elvidge June Elvidge in "The Zero Hour" comes on December 16. This is said to be one of the most unusual stories ever filmed and added interest is given to its presentation by the fact that it was penned by Paul West shortly before this noted writer met his death in the Seine river in Paris. Supporting Miss Elvidge is Frank Mayo, Tony Merlo, Henry Warwick, Clio Ayres and others. "The Love Net" in which Madge Evans stars will be published on December 23. The story is replete with human emotion and should appeal to all ages, it is said. Jack Drumier is featured with Madge in this production. Last on the month's program is "The Sea Waif," starring Louise Huff with John Bowers as her leading man. This picture will be issued December 30. The story was written by Lieut. Howard Irving Young of the American Expeditionary Force, during his rest periods while serving his country in France. Frank Reicher directed the picture and prominent in the cast are Anthony Merlo, Henry Warwick, Robert Broderick, Clay Clement and Florence Malone. Arbuckle Burlesques Fairbanks Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle's newest comedy. "The Sheriff," which will be issued at an early date under the Paramount trademark, is said to offer much in entertainment for those who like to laugh. Unlike most of Arbuckle's recent pictures, this comedy is straight burlesque, the comedian emulating in a ludicrous manner Douglas Fairbanks and William S. Hart, the Artcraft stars, in a series of astonishing stunts. He climbs a lofty steeple with the characteristic agility of Fairbanks and duplicates the two-gun exploits of Hart with a reckless abandon which is said to be side-splitting. 25