Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1916)

August 26. 1916 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 1223 three others who couldn't stand the heat. First aid was administered by Director John H. Collins and his assistant, Eugene Nowland. Mr. Nowland always has an emergency kit handy. At the Staten Island " loaction " the Rev. Dr. Mix, of St. Jymes Episcopal church, insisted on having the stricken players brought into the guild hall adjoining his church, where they soon recovered. While Mme. Petrova and her associates in the new Metro five-reel play, " Extravagance," were in front of the Popular Plays and Players studio taking pictures for the new production, an automobile truck passing at a high rate of speed knocked down and injured a little boy who was watching the actors. The automobile truck went on its way, but Mme. Petrova left her work before the camera to take care of the boy. Placing him in her own automobile, she took him to Bellevue Hospital, where she will pay for his medical attention. Olcott Company in Jacksonville Headed by Director Sidney Olcott, a company of Famous Players are in Jacksonville making exteriors in the great feature picture, " Jeanne O' the Heather," in which Valentine Grant is starred and Sidney Mason is taking the lead. One of the interesting facts concerning this visit of the Famous Players company is that Miss Grant began her screen career in that city several years ago, when Sidney Olcott was with the Kalem Company there, and this is her first visit to Jacksonville since. Sidney Mason, who was there with the Gaumont players for seven months last year, was entertained at a banquet at the Hotel Mason roof garden, upon the night of his arrival, by several friends in the city. Among the other members of the company are : \V. J. Scully, assistant director ; D. Pennell, Mrs. Jennie Lissenden, Phillip Liguori, Alfonso Liguori, E. L. Davies and the mascot of the party. Lady, a beautiful collie. General ^Manager Louis Burstein of the Vim company returned to Jacksonville from New York last week. His company recently sold the rights to Vim comedies to a wealthy Spaniard in Argentina. " This," declared Air. Burstein, " will mean that we will have to renew our activities more than ever to meet this added demand for our pictures." Rosemary Theby and Harry C. Myers are in Providence, R. L, producing Vim comedies during the summer months. Bert Tracy, the Vim scenario writer, is the author of " Who, W' hat and Why," which will be produced b\" director Will Lewis, with Babe Hardy and Billy Ruge as the star comedians as soon as their present picture is completed. A cast of one hundred will appear in the first Milo comedy, now being produced at the Milo studios in Baltimore, headed by " Tommy " Flynn, the former Selig-Mutual comedian, supported by George Ross, from Aletro ; May Hunt, also from Selig, and an all star cast of supporting players of reputation. The direction is under the personal supervision of Frank P. Donovan. One comedy production will be produced each week. The first picture, " Busting in Society," is nearing completion. This will be followed by " Trouble with His Doubles," and " The Union Men." Ivan Abramson who is directing " Her Surrender," for the Ivan Film Corporation, has completed his interior settings at the studio. The company is now engaged in filming the exterior locations and has gone to Bradlej Beach for that purpose. In the cast are Anna Nilson, Harry Spingler, Rose Coghlan, Wilmuth Merkyl, Frankie Mann and William H. Tooker. It is expected that this play will be completed so as to be ready for release throtigh the Ivan exchanges as the scheduled re.lease for September. Alice Joyce Has Narrow Escape A few days ago, Director William P. S. Earle and his company of Vitagraph players in " The Battle Cry of War," were filming some scenes on a country road not far from the studios. In the picture Alice Joyce, who plays the leading feminine role is supposed to race along the road in front of the cavalry in a small runabout. When the signal was given. Miss Joyce released the clutch and away went the machine over the muddy country road which the rain of the night before had left a little slippery. Coming to a quick and unexpected rut. Miss Joyce, in her desire to save the machine from a jolt which would appear rather unusual in the picture, turned the car's direction quickly, with the result that it skidded toward the rugged incline at the side of the road. The director and cameramen who followed in another machine held their breath, for an accident seemed inevitable. Miss Joyce's presence of mind saved the day, however, with the result that the incident affords yet another thrill in the action of the story. Naomi Childers will star in the Vitagraph picture to be produced by Marguerite Bertsch, instead of Miss Edith Storey as originally announced. The change was caused by the fact that Miss Storey was occupied with one of the episodes of the new Vitagraph serial, " The Scarlet Runner," at the time Miss Bertsch began her picture. Van Dyke Brooke, one of Vitagraph's best known directors returned to the New York studios last week, after a four weeks' vacation. Mr. Brooks visited Detroit, his home town, for the first time in ten years. He spent the balance of the time traveling through Canada and the Great Lakes, spotting locations that may sometime be seen in Vitagraph productions. Anders Randolf, who, when he is not acting before the camera, paints the portraits of his fellow Vitagraphers, can be found between the scenes of " The Girl Philippa," in his studio at the Vitagraph making a portrait of Julia Swayne Gordon. The finished picture will be used by Paul Scardon in his production of " The Enemy," by George Randolph Chester and Lillian Chester. Evart Overton, Vitagraph star, who will next be seen in " The Enemy," by George Randolph Chester, is in receipt of a leather bound book entitled, " The Care of the Baby." No letter of explanation accompanied the volume. Now, Overton is wondering if the sender intends following it up with the infant. New Players for Fox Several new names have been added during the last week to the list of William Fox photoplayers. The biggest addition is undoubtedly Frank D. Alexander. Mr. Alexander weighs 320. He is unquestionably an allrcund player, if not a very active member of the movie profession. Mr. Alexander says he is extremely fond of baseball (when others are putting up the game). Caroline Harris, who is working now in a new Valeska Suratt picture, is another new actress with William Fox. Miss Harris was born in Brooklyn, but Weiit with her parents to Yokohama at the age of five. After living there eleven years, she moved to Shanghai, where she tutored children for three years. During her long service on the stage. Miss Harris has been associated with Mrs. Fiske, Viola Allen, James K. Hackett, Henry Miller and Blanche Walsh. Two other newcomers are Mabel Van Buren and Charles Arling. Miss Van Buren has had a long line of experience i;: stock and is already well-known in the realm of motion pictures, as she has acted in many feature films. Mr. Arling hails Five William Fo.x Stars Familiar to Followers of the Screen — Left to Right: June Caprice, Eleanor Grove, Dorothy Bernard, Virginia Pearson, Theda Bara