Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1916)

September 9, 1916 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 1515 Metro Announces Autumn and Winter Plans Romeo and Juliet," Starring Bushman and Beverly Bayne, Will Be Ready in First Week of October — Elaborate Publicity Campaign Is to Be Conducted from Now Until the Picture Goes to the Exhibitors — Company Declares a Dividend of Twelve Per Cent, on Its Stock Center Panel, Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne in Two Scenes from Metro's " Romeo and Juliet"; on Left Emmy Wehlen, on Righ; Nance O'Neil METRO'S fall and early winter plans, which have just been announced in the general offices of that corporation in the Longacre Building, include the most extensive program and a greater variety of activities than this company ever before prepared. First in importance, perhaps, is the definite announcement that the production of " Romeo and Juliet," with Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne in the title roles, will be ready for release the first week in October. Between now and the release date, Metro will conduct an elaborate publicity and advertising campaign in the interest of " Romeo and Juliet." Metro which recently declared a dividend of 12 per cent, on its stock, has appropriated a fund of $500,000 to be used in the production of the Bushman-Baj'ne serial. It will consist of fourteen episodes in two reels each. W. Christy Cabanne, who heads the list of Triangle directors, and who has been D. W. Griffith's chief lieutenant for seven years, has been engaged by Metro to direct the serial. In the meantinme, Mr. Bushman and Miss Bayne have begun work on another five-part Metro play called " A Diplomatic Romance." They are now in Washington, D. C, with a company of players, where all of the exterior scenes and many interiors will be photographed. Charles Horan, who has been directing Lionel Barrymore in Metro productions, will direct the Bushman-Bayne Company in " A Diplomatic Romance." P. Thad. Vulkman will assist in the direction. This feature will be released on the Metro program October 16. Ethel Barrymore in "Helena Ritchie" Ethel Barrymore, who is under a long time contract to appear in Metro plays, will next be seen in " The Awakening of Helena Ritchie." This will be a five-part picturization of the play of the same name by Margaret Deland, and a strong supporting cast of stage and screen artists is being engaged, to appear with Miss Barrymore. The fall releases of features in which Mme. Petrova is starred will include " The Secret of Eve," " Extravagance " and " The Weaker Sex." Two of these features are almost completed and the third will be put in readiness for release upon the return of Mme. Petrova from Bar Harbor, Maine, where she is spending a brief vacation. Emmy Wehlen, who has just been seen in " The Pretenders," a recent Metro-Rolfe production, has signed a long time contract, and hereafter will appear regularly upon the Metro program. In addition to her work in Metro pictures. Miss Wehlen has been engaged as one of the stellar lights in the big Dillingham and Ziegfeld musical production, " The Century Girl," at the Century theatre. Viola Dana will be seen on the Metro program September 4, in " The Light of Happiness." This feature was written and directed by John H. Collins. " Mister 44," with Harold Lockwood and May Allison in the stellar roles, will be released September 11. This is a picturization of the novel of the same name by E. J. Bath, and was scenarioized by Charles A. Taylor. Henry Otto is directing the production. " The Wheel of Justice " is the name of the five-part feature in which Emily Stevens is starred. She is supported by Frank Mills and a big cast. " The Wheel of Justice" deals with the subject of circumstantial evidence and will be released September 18. George D. Baker is directing this feature. Next Mabel Taliaferro Picture Mabel Taliaferro, who is now working exclusively in Metro screen productions, will next be seen in " The Light O' Love." It is a story with the action laid along the coast of Maine, where Miss Taliaferro and her company are now at work. Edwin Carewe is directing the production and it will be released September 25. William Nigh, the Metro director, who not onlj' writes and directs his own features, but stars in many of them, will be seen on the Metro program in " Life's Shadows " on October 2. Irene Howley, who has been seen in other Metro plays, is starred with Mr. Nigh in " Life's Shadows." There is a supporting cast in cluding Robert Elliott, Roy Clair and Kathleen Allairs. David Thompson assisted in the direction of the feature. Nance O'Neil, who is a new star on the Metro program, will make her first appearance in "The Iron Woman," October 9. Miss O'Neil is supported by a cast of stellar proportions, which includes Alfred Hichman, Christine Mayo, Evelyn Brent, Louise Hale, Einar Linden, and others. Carl Harbaugh is directing this production, which is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Margaret Deland. " A Diplomatic Romance," with Mr. Bushman and Miss Bayne, released October 16, will be followed by " Gates of Eden," with Viola Dana in the starring role. Mr. Collins is directing this feature and it will be released October 23. Lionel Barrymore will be seen in " The Brand of Cowardice " on October 30. John W. Noble, who directed the big " Romeo and Juliet " production, is directing the Barrymore picture. This will be followed on November 6 with " Big Tremaine," with Harold Lockwood and May Allison starred. " Big Tremaine " is a picturization of the popular novel of the same name, and it will be directed by Henry Otto. Emily Stevens in " Infelice " Emily Stevens will be seen again on the Metro program, November 13, in " Infelice." Miss Stevens is to star on Broadway this season in " The Unchastened Woman," which proved a tremendous success in New York last season. She will not have a new play until after New Years. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, will be seen every week in a new one-reel comedy. Ralph Herz, the comedian, will also make a onereel comedy every week under the direction of " Billy " Quirk. The weekly Metro Travelogue, will continue as a feature on the Metro program. Metro has taken over another studio in New York City. The old Victor studio, located at Forty-third street and Tenth avenue, has been engaged and after it is overhauled and rearranged it will be the home of the Bushman Bayne players. The Herz comedies will also be produced there on the third floor of the studio.