Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1916)

July 15, 1916 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 237 0£f-Stage Glimpses of Harold Lockwood and May Allison, Metro-Yorke Stars, During Their Stay at the Thousand Islands, New York When the cast was re-assembled an hour or so later, the subsequent scenes in which the cane and the necklace figured were put into rehearsal. After Brian and the inspectors had rehearsed a heart-breaking scene in which the inspectors gathered around the terrified man and waved the cane threateningly at him, demanding that he confess immediately to whatever other jewelry he might have concealed about his person, Olcott called for the camera. Just as the scene started his eye caught the open end of the cane from which there hung, not the clasp, but the small end of the necklace. " Whoa," shouted Olcott. " Too much trick stuff is plenty. Reverse the necklace and bring the clasp out. We are not going to have that clasp hopping in and out of the cane like a trained snake when this picture is put together." Of course, the explanation lay in the fact that someone had taken the necklace out to try it on during the noon hour and had reversed the position of the imitation jewels in putting them back. But the company could not very well have placed a leader on the screen to explain this point. Lillian Walker in " Blue Envelope " At the Vitagraph studios Lillian Walker has been chosen as the star for Sophie Kerr's story " The Blue Envelope," which is now running in the Woman's Home Companion, and of which Vitagraph has engaged the motion picture rights. Incidentally the story as prepared for the screen will harmonize with the movement for better films inaugurated by the magazine. The part of the heroine, a rich young woman thrown unexpectedly upon her own resources and into a maelstrom of stirring experiences, was assigned to Miss Walker and is being directed by Wilfrid North, and work has already begun on the important scenes. Earle Williams and the other members of the company directed by Wally Van of Vitagraph spent most of the week of June 26-July 1 at Briarcliff filming an episode in " The Scarlet Runner," the forthcoming serial in which Mr. Williams figures as the hero. Some spectacular effects were introduced in the work done there. Helmer W. Bergman, who is picturizing " The Battle Cry of War," from the story by Cyrus Townsend Brady and J. Stuart Blackton, is at work on the last two reels of this sequal to Vitagraph's " The Battle Cry of Peace." To date he has written more than seven hundred scenes and also assisted in their direction. Hard to Regulate the Snow Scenes Producing Manager Rollin Sturgeon of Vitagraph's Western Company has finished his Cleveland Moffett picture, and is trimming it. That this will be a much simpler task than was the trimming of " God's Country and the Woman " is already apparent. The latter took weeks to get into shape, every scene having been taken on an average of three and a half times. There were many difficulties in the way. Sometimes there was falling snow; then about four inches on the ground; and scenes in the forest with snow on the ground and none on the trees." The scenes connected with a time sequence had to match as to the snow — it was no part of Mr. Sturgeon's idea to have people walk out of one scene in foot-deep snow — and come into the next in four feet of it, though this seems a common failing with " snow stuff." Director Paul Scardon has just completed a five-part Blue Ribbon Feature in which James Morrison is starred. The story is a picturization by George H. Plympton of a book by George Allan England, the well-known novelist, whose books are in such great demand at the present time. Earle Williams and Edith Storey are working in another chapter of the famous " Scarlet Runner " series by C. N. and A. M. Williamson, being produced for the Vitagraph by Wally Van. Julia Swayne Gordon, another Vitagraph favorite, also appears in the cast. In a five-part Blue Ribbon release featuring Lillian Walker, Vitagraph's popular star, many well-known spots of the Greater City are used as backgrounds. Wilfrid North, who is directing the filming of the picture, also wrote the story. A three-part Broadway Star Feature by Edgar Cove, dealing with life in the the , atre, is now in course of production under the direction of Van Dyke Brooke. Leah Baird is the featured member of an allstar cast. Evart Overton, whose work in Vitagraph photoplays has won him a place in the foremost rank of screen stars, is seen as a member of a band of hoboes in his latest release. James Oliver Curwood is the author of the story, whose filming was supervised by Eugene Mullin. Antonio Moreno is working in a picturization of one of Harriet T. Comstock's widely read novels being produced by Vitagraph Director Harry Davenport. When completed, it will be in five parts and released through the V-L-S-E. Emily Stevens, the Metro star, who was last seen on that program in " The House of Tears," is a patient in the Woman's Hospital, New York, where she recently underwent an operation for appendicitis. Miss Stevens was in the West playing the stellar role in " The Unchastened Woman," after its long run on Broadway. Immediately upon her return to New York she suffered an attack and hurried to the hospital. The operation was successful and Miss Stevens will soon be able to leave the hospital, the surgeons say. In all probability Miss Stevens will be starred in another Metro play before she begins her regular engagement on the speaking stage on Broadway. Alan Hale, who has just completed a special engagement with the Famous Players, where he played the role opposite Pauline Frederick in " The Woman in the Case," and Niles Welch, widely known as a juvenile leading man, have been engaged, through the Amalgamated Photo Play Service, for two of the important parts in the next Pathe production to be directed by Edward Jose. Mr. Jose, it will be recalled, is the man who produced the Pathe serial " The Iron Claw." His next production will be a fivereeler, written by Anthony P. Kelly. Alan Hale will play opposite Pearl White in the production, while Niles Welch will have the leading juvenile role. Marguerite Snow has completed her special engagement with the Ivan Company. The latter company will feature her in " The Faded Flower." Her future plans will be announced shortly. (Continued on page 240)