Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1916)

February 5, 1916. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 695 In and Out of West Coast Studios By J. C. Jessen Special to Motion Picture News Los Angeles, Jan. 19. MOTION picture producing has been practically at a standstill in the Los Angeles field since December 29, due to "unusual" weather. During the period between the above date and January 15 there were two clear days that pictures could be made without artificial light, and two or three other days when companies could work between clouds. This stretch of rain and bad weather, according to the producers who have been here since the first motion picture studios were opened, is the worst film makers have had to contend with in the past five or six years. Every organization is prepared to work on Sundays to make up for the time lost. MARY ANDERSON (VITAGRAPH) SKI-ING AT BEAR VALLEY, CAL. For the past four weeks the Biograph company, directed by J. Farrell Macdonald, has been working on the three reel subject "The Guilt of Stephen Eldridge." It is a story of a partner double-crossing the other member of the firm, thus forcing him to pay the penalties by imprisonment. The party, however, becomes conscience stricken, and cares for the widow and family. Gretchen Hartman, Vera Sisson, Raymond Nye and Ivan Christie are the principals in this. The Walter Coyle-Biograph Company is filming a two reel comedy drama entitled "What Happened to Peggy," with Vola Smith appearing in the name part supported by Clara McDowell and Jose Reuben. The Biograph scenario department have completed the working script from "The Mysteries of Orcival," the masterpiece of Gaboriau, the French author, and this will be made in three reels. Another story prepared will be made under one of two titles, "Randolph's Son," or "Alias Jimmie Barton." This will be of two reels and is of the nature of a dramatic comedy. Space Needed for Vogue and Signal It has been found impossible for both the Vogue and Signal producing companies to work at the Pasadena avenue studio because of space needed, and the Vogue organization has leased the studio at Gower and Santa Monica boulevard, Hollywood, where Director Jack Dillon is in charge. In the past three weeks they have made the one reel subject, "She Wasn't that Kind of a Girl," a burlesque melodrama, and another under the fanciful title of "Iggorrottes Crocodiles and a Hat Box." At the present time they are filming "Bungling Bill Butler," and will next take up "At the Devil's Ball." The stock company of the Vogue has undergone several changes, and is now composed of Paddy McGuire, Louise Owen, Priscilla Dean, Russ Powell and Creighton Largey as assistant director. Jim A. Crosby, late head of the Universal photographic department, has been engaged by the Rolin Film Company to act in the same capacity. During the making of a scene for the last current Phunphilm for the Pathe release, Harold C. Lloyd, leading man of the Rolin company, narrowly escaped suffocation when he was placed inside the engine compartment of a large racing car with a smoke pot and the hood securely fastened. On opening the hood at the completion of the scene Mr. Lloyd was said to be found unconscious. A physician was immediately called in, and Mr. Lloyd was able to continue with his work the following day. Completes NYMP Scenes William S. Hart and his company of fifty NYMP players are completing the last scenes for the big Canadian Northwest production, which are being made in To pango canyon. Monte M. Katterjohn, of the Ince scenario staff, is now preparing the next William S. Hart story, which will be of unusual character. Dorothy Dalton, who played the part of MARGARET GIBSON the wife of W illiam S. Hart in "The Disciple," a recent Triangle feature, has returned to the lnce plant, and will appear in the coming Hart production. The Woolworth building of Hollywood has been discovered. In making known this fact it is well to state that Hollywood has a population of approximately fifty thousand, one-fifth of which is said to be connected with the motion picture industry. The highest building in the suburb is but two stories, consequently when the Lasky FILMING A LOVE SCENE FOR A NESTOR COMEDY— LOIS WEBER DISCUSSING A SCENE WITH TYRONE POWER AT UNIVERSAL CITY