Motion Picture News (Apr-Jun 1917)

June 30, 1917 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 4073 Orew and Figman Comedies Early Metro Releases Two Metro comedies are announced for early release, " Monomania," with Max Figman as star, on June 18, and " The Hypochondriac," with Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, on June 25. The Figman vehicle is based on the complications resultant from a maiden aunt wanting her nephew, Dicky, to marry a plain, old-fashioned girl when he is in love with a pretty and up-to-date maiden. The girl finally makes up as an ugly nurie, to care for Dicky, who has faked illness. Auntie gives permission for the wedding. "The Hjfpochondriac " is described as a t)'pical Drew offering. Mrs. Brooks is a woman who craves sympathy, is continually " ill," in short a hypochondriac. She declares she could die happy, if she knew her husband was provided with a second wife who could make him happj', and sends for three of her most unattractive friends for him to choose between. Hubby, however, brings in a very pretty girl, tells his wife she will be nurse in order to get accustomed to being around the house, with the inevitable result that Mrs. Brooks decides to get well, making up her mind to ask for no more sympathy. Half Dozen Bluebirds Awaiting Release Dates Francis Ford Screening Stage Play in Seven Parts " John Ermine, of the Yellowstone," which for two years was a successful stage play, is being screened by Francis Ford at Universal City as a seven-reel feature. The original stage play was dramatized from the book of Frederic Remington, and the screen version gives every promise of greater dramatic tensity and interest than the production of the stage. Ford plays the featured lead, with Mae Gaston opposite, and with a cast including Duke Worne, William Carroll, Marc Fenton, Little Burwell Hamcrick, John Darkcloud, Joe Flores and Elsie Ford. Fairbanks' Leading Lady Eileen Percy, the stage player who makes lier motion picture debut in the Douglas Fairbanks-Artcraft picture " Wild and Woolly," has been signed as permanent leading lady for the athletic star. Two Stones by Waldemar Young Included in Batch— Regular Schedule Complete Up to August 13— Many Slars in Summer Enterlainmciils CXHIBITORS of Bluebirds have their with attractions definitely scheduled until week starting Aug. ^. 13, and there arc six additional features completed ;intl ready to be assigned to dates. Doruihy Pliillips, Violet Mersereau, Franklyn ' l-arnum. Brownie Vernon. Myrtle G-mzalcz ancl George Hernandez are included among the stars who will provide midSummer entertainment on the Bluebird program. Features ready to be scheduled carry, as stars, all of these players with Ella Hall, Louise Lovely and Rupert Julian and Ruth Clitford as well. '■ The Little Terror." set for July 23, is the Violet Mersereau feature. Rex Ingram made the production at Bluebird's Leonia (N. J.) Studio, where work has already begun on another i\lerscreau issue for subsequent distribution. In " Tlie Little Terror." Miss Mersereau plays the rule of a circus rider who comes unexpectedly into fortune and happiness. Dorothy Phillips, on July 30, will be seen in " The Rescue," based on Hugh Kahler's story, and directed by Ida May Park who, with Joseph De Grasse, alternates in supervising this favorite star. Lon Chaney and William Stowell will, as usual, head the supporting company of which Gretchen Ledercr, Gertrude Aster, Molly Malone and Clair De Bray will be leading members. " The Clean Up," set for Aug. 6. will present Franklyn Farnum and Brownie Vernon in another comedy-drama, of the sort in which they have been specializing of late. Waldemar Young furnished the story and scenario from which \Vm. Worthington directed. Claire McDowell, Mae Talbot, Martha Maddox, Albert McQuarrie, Clyde Benson and Mark Fenton will i)e principals in the supporting cast. Lynn F, Reynolds furnishes one of his "nature studies" as the Aug. 13 attrac tion. Mr. Reynolds and Waldfm.ir 'I'oung worked out the scenario. " The Show Down " is the title selected for a feature that has been previously referred to as " Back to the Primitive." The stars will be Myrtle Gonzalez and George Hernandez ■\ribur Hoyt, Geo. Chescburo Edwin Cecil and Jean Ilersluilt in support. Palm Canyon, Cal., aiul Santa Cruz Island, in llie Pacilie dican, fnmislu'il the locations liir acli.iii ibal k.iti ihe players out-ofdnurs during; piaelieall\' all of the scenes employed in rclU-clinn llic story. There is another Lynn Reynolds feature, made from Alice lleagan Rice's story, " Mr, Opp," ready for release, with Neva Gerbcr and Mr. Hernandez starring; Rupert Julian and Rutli Clifford have completed Mr. Julian's production of " My Mother ;" Louise Lovely will l)c star in " Sirens nf the Sea," created by Allen Hotubar from Grace Helen Bailey's story; Josepli De Grasse has linishcd Samuel H. Adams' slory, " 'i'rium[)li," with Dorothy Phillips the .star ; branklyn Farnum and Brownie Vernon, under their new director, Klnu-r ( lifi..ri, have completed "The Fourib (ilnve" and lilla Halt, with Jack Conwav direeliny, will star in " Little Mtss Fix U." Gail Kane in Roguish Part Gail Kane has an exeetlent medium for display of her in " Tlie Up|ier Crust," her latest American-Mutual production, with a strong dramatic i)lot and a vein of comedy, "The Upper CrusI ■' n N,,-.-d |im.> 25. There are com|]ii..i[ ■ il I'h which Miss Kane, as the piriiy iMii)l\ ( i"\ n.-lc, the the younc Irish housekeeper, makes her way willi flash and good humor, landing, in the finale, just as she always does, completely vindicated and victorious. " Rag Baby " Next Hoyl "A Rag Baby" is (he tilic of the Hoyt comedy to be released by the Sclig Polyscope Company in K. E, S. E. service on July 9. Wm. Fables, James Harris and Amy Dennis star in the production, The Selig Company points to the fact that these comedies arc devoid of comedy policemen, automobile chases and pincushions. The K. E. S. E. reports that the Hoyt comedies are lieinff received everywhere with favor. Lewis J. Selzmck's New Star. Constant Talnn Ige. is Direcied by Charles Giblyn in " Tbc Lewon "