The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (May-Jun 1923)

May: 12, 1923. ondon ‘Trade. \of the Renting Houses. production. In the story proper the renwining Jeuding-parts are filled by Frank Mayo, Richard Dix, Lew Cody, Mae Busch, and Barbara La Marr. Star Films Program. “The Gates of Doom " (reviewed elsewhere in this issue) is the first of an ambitious program being put out by the Star Film Corporation, © Mr. Avthur Brades, the firm's enterprising managing director, ¢ that his company bave for disposal the territorial rights of these films, which, we understand, include a series of Colonial pictures that Myr, Brades confidently expects will create a it deal of interest when shown to the trade over here. Meanwhile, we understaid that he has not disposed of all territories for '* The Gates of Doom,”’ and he invites buyers to get into touch with him at his London office. vises us The New ‘' Tip-Toes "’ Title. Preparations for the trade showing of "* Tip-Toes ** (the new Betty Balfour picture) are keeping Messrs. Welsh Pearson very busy indeed. The picture is fast nearing completian, and it has been decided after very careful consideration to alter the title of the film to ‘' Lova, Life, and Laughter,’ at the same time retaining the original one as a secondary title, The principal character will, of course, be portrayed by the inimitable Betty Balfour. The story, which is an original one, commences in a modest Vein, but, unlike other Wel develops in the telling to the spectacular, at tho samo time adhering faithfully to the principal theme. So large were the sets used that the entive studio outfit had to migrate Irom Harlesden to Islington while they were being erected, The Famous-Lasky studio in turn provided the outer shell for 2 complete up-to-date music hall, West End restaurant of the Carlton seule, an East End Jazz Palace. an Embankment Doss House, to say nothing of reception room and the lofty, elaborate sleeping apartment of Tip-Toes, the people’s favourite. Fare is being provided whieh will thus compete with the lavish American productions. Peurson otferit “* Only a Shop Girl." Mav Buseb, alter her rather anvelie véle in looks like giving England a * Only a Shop Girl.” “The Christian,’”’ i ler new picture, It has been spoken of as a picture which the showmen of Enyland should weleome with open arms, Thrills are said to run right through this film. There is murder, uiyst and ‘ frame-ps " galore. There are several slots of New York “ » of the biggest fire scenes ever shown in any picture. includes Mae Busch, Estelle Taylor, whe made such a hit in * Thorns and Orange Blossoms,"’ Wallice Beery, who is hailed in America as another Lon Chaney, William Scott, Willard Lewis, and little Josephine Adair. In putting out ‘and as a climax one The cast rouvh-house-sc “Only a Shop Girl,’ which, by the way, is not a Preferred Picture, the Walturdaw Cornpnny intend that exhibitors. shall have not only a pisture to show their patrons, but a show within n show. Aceordingiy, a special presentation is being made and adapted to the picture by experts. on the staff of Walturdaw's. The presentation will show. a part of Broudway ab night, with the famous flashing electric. signs, hustling street cars, and the roar of New York traffic. It is safe to say that this presentation will be just as, if, not, more, effective than that which accompanied ‘t Poor Men's Wives,” THE, FILM -RENTER: '&: MOVING..PICTUREANEWS., Scene from ‘‘ Lorna Doone,’’ the forthcoming Tourneur picture. the. only difference being that whereas Mr. Charles Penley waé partly responsible for the presentation of‘ Poor Men’s Wives,” in the case of ‘‘ Only a Shop Gir] ” Walturdaw experts who have lived in New York are doing the presentation themselves, so that exhibitors can show it at a very low cost indeed, A -review will appear in our next issue. R. D: Blackmore on the Screen. Much is expected of the Thomas H. Ince-Maurice Tourneut production of ‘Lorna Doone,’’ Associated First National Pictures’ next immediate release. Mr. Tourneur first decided to film “ Lorna Doone "a year ago. Work on the adaptation of the Blackmore novel was: then started, but it soon became apparent, it is-said, that because of the tremendous scope of plot and action: it would be impossible to give, without careful detailed preparation, the production the famous romance deserved. Months of research work fellowed, and five months are reported to have been devoted to the study of details of the costumes and customs of the period. Tourneur then gave his attention to the selection of the cast. Madge Bellamy, the Thomas H. Ince star, who scored a success in that producer's “ Hail the Won," was selected fir the tide rile besass: oF her unusual dramatic ability an] the striking resemblance sk bears to the z famous painting of the beautiful maid of Exmoor. John Bowers, one of the few giants in stature of the kinema stage, was selected ag the ideal type to portray John Ridd. Frank returned to the kinema after a Keenan long absence to fill the réle of Sir Ensor. Doone, while Donald MeDonald is cast as the . villainous Carver Doone. Eleanor Boardman, the Goldwyn star “of “Souls for’ Sale.”