Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1078 Motion Picture News " Down to the Sea in Ships," the Elmer Clifton sea picture, which is being released by Hodkinson. Priscilla Dean Special Scores " The Flame of Life** Approved by New York and Chicago Reviewers PREMIERE showings in New York and Chicago have established " The Flame of Life," Priscilla Dean's latest Universal-Jewel production, as one of the strongest pictures ever made by that popular star. Release of this feature, which is a Hobart Henley production, adapted from the popular novel " That Lass o' Lowrie's " by Frances Hodgson Burnett, was received with great acclaim by both press and public, according to Universal. R. W. Gallico, of the New York Daily News, had the following to say : " Carl Laemmle, Universal chief, rings the bell a second time on Broadway this week, with ' The Flame of Life' at the Siate, although the clamor is not quite as pronounced as in the case of ' Driven,' his other offering (now running at the Criterion theatre), still, it is sufficiently loud to call attention to the fact that of late this company has been offering the public some exeedingly fine photoplays. Priscilla Dean was most effective, especially her early scenes and later in her trial by fire and water. The photography is excellent. We think highly of Mr. Henley and ' The Flame of Life.' " Apropos of the Randolph showing, Mae Tinee, in the Chicago Daily Tribune, said : " Again Priscilla Dean proves her right to the title of ' one of the screen's best actresses.' In this adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's ' That Lass O' Lowrie's ' she furnishes the silver sheet with another brilliant bit of impersonation that will live to her credit in the memories of her audiences." Genevieve Harris, in the Chicago Evening Post was even more enthusiastic. " Here is the best picture Universal studios have turned out in a long time," she wrote, " and one of the most vivid and entertaining productions we have seen this season. Priscilla Dean has never had a role better fitted to display her distinctive talents. " The direction of the picture is fine with many skillful touches. The handling of the fight scene was one of them. The staging of the mine disaster is very realistic, or at least it appears to be." The cast supporting Miss Dean is headed by Wallace Beery in the leading heavy role, Robert Ellis, playing opposite Miss Dean, Kathryn McGuire, Beatrice Burnham, Fred Kohler, Emmett King, and others. F. B. O. Claims Powerful Drama "Can a Woman Love Twice,** Starring Ethei Clayton, Is Current Release QAN A WOMAN LOVE 'TWICE?" the current release of the Film Booking Offices of America, is announced by that company as the most powerful drama in which Ethel Clayton has ever appeared. It was made under the working title of " The Greater Glory." It is Miss Clayton's second production for the Film Booking Offices, the first being " If I Were Queen." Wyndham Gittens, one of the leading lights among screen writers, is the author of the story, which is laid in California and New York in the adventuresome days immediately following the signing of the armistice. The picture contains no gruesome battle scenes, but is said to be filled with a succession of dramatic situations, as it tells of a war widow who finds her second love in the person of a returned soldier bearing the same name as her husband. One of the many points of appeal of the picture is the acting of Baby Muriel Dana, who plays the part of Miss Clayton's son. Opposite the star in the leading male role is Malcolm MacGregor, and the remaining principals are Kate Lester, Fred Esmilton, Victory Bateman, Theo dore Von Eltz, Wilfred Lucas, Al Hart, Anderson Smith and Clara. Clarke Ward. James W. Home, who has been directing with the Ince forces, wielded the megaphone and Joseph A. Dubray was behind the camera. " In calling this production the greatest of Miss Clayton's career," stated Vice-President Schnitzer of F. B. O., "we are doing so advisedly. We have considered ah of Miss Clayton's releases and it is our honest opinion that ' Can a Woman Love Twice?' is her most dramatic and entertaining offering. Our judgment has been corroborated by the exhibitors who have already seen the picture. The story is not merely a ' starring vehicle ' — it is one of the most appealing and gripping dramas ever written for the screen, and with Miss Clayton in the stellar role it has a two-fold strength, for the star's personality was never more charming or appealing than in this picture. " Film Booking Offices presents ' Can a Woman Love Twice ? ' as the highest type of screen drama, with a star far above the average, careful production, and a delightful personality in the stellar role." Pictures Entertain in Churches First National Reports Exceptional Demand for Important Gatherings PDR those who are worrying about the trend of pictures First National sends out the cheering information that its pictures are being requested by circles that were once thought to look on the movies as entertainment for the masses but not for the classes. It is interesting too to note that with all the talk about the church being opposed to pictures, churches are using pictures as entertainment for important gatherings. Richard Barthelmess in "Tol'able David" was selected as the first film to be presented in the handsome new auditorium of the Central Presbyterian Church, of Montclair, N. J., early this month, and since this auditorium is equipped for pictures it is reasonable to suppose that in building the auditorium the Central Presbyterian looked with favor on pictures and will show more of them. Early in the year the committee in charge of entertainment of a gathering of ministers in Albany, N. Y., requested a print of Maurice Tourneur's "Lorna Doone" for showing to the ministers. Sir Auckland Geddes, British Ambassador to the U. S., thinks so much of screen entertainment that he has had a machine installed in the embassy and regularly entertains his guests with pictures. Recently he showed "Oliver Twist," and "The Hottentot," and from reports a fine time "was had by all." In England, society is adding its applause to that of the masses who crowd the cinemas. The nobility is using pictures for private and charity entertainment. For the first time in the 1,000 years of its history, Arundel Castle, the Sussex seat of the Duke of Norfolk, was the scene about two weeks ago of a picture show. The Duchess, mother of the duke who is only fourteen years old, arranged two screen entertainments for her guests who gathered for the festivities in connection with the coming-out party of her eldest daughter, Lady Rachel Fitzalan-Howard. At the special request of the Duchess British First National sent pictures to the castle. In the afternoon were shown Jackie Coogan in "Oliver Twist," and Charlie Chaplin in "Pay Day." In the evening the guests were entertained with "The Eternal Flame," in •which Norma Talmadge is the star. Great Title Card for "Covered Wagon" The largest "title card" ever made was recently photographed at the Lasky studio for "The Covered Wagon," James Cruze's production for Paramount. The reason this gigantic card was painted — and it is as big as the side of a barn — was to get the effect of a sweeping curtain which when drawn shows the title of the picture. Ordinarily such titles are done in miniature, but to get the proper perspective and curtain effect the large size was made. Karl Brown was the cameraman of the production.