Motion Picture News (Apr-Jun 1918)

2230 Ford Directs Elsie Ferguson Production Under Way Is " The Danger Mark," for Artcraft Release— Cohan Films One of His Stage Plays AT the 54th Street studio of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, Elsie Ferguson has begun the^ production of " The Danger Mark," adapted from the novel by Robert W. Chambers. This subject is being produced under the personal direction of Hugh Ford, and will be released under the Artcraft trade-mark. Miss Ferguson again interprets an emotional role, as a society girl whose life is threatened with disaster through an inherited appetite for alcoholic drink. " The successful play is one that has a reason for existing," said Mr. Ford, " and 'The Danger Mark' has an exceedingly interesting motive. It not only deals with a greatly discussed subject, but carries a message of hope to those who may have become slaves to objectionable habits of any kind. It shows the harmful effects of drink, depicted in high social circles, and the struggles of a girl against the hereditary taint, and proves that the bugaboo of heredity and habit can be put to flight by the exercise of will power. The production of " Hit-the-Trail Holliday " for Artcraft is making considerable headway at the 56th Street studio, and George M. Cohan, the star, and Marshall Neilan, the director, have found in each other kindred spirits. A refreshing atmosphere of good-fellowship prevails, and the casual observer would never know from appearances that a world-famous star and showman, whose brains and ability have brought him a tremendous fortune, and one of the most prominent and able directors were at work. Temperament and frills are taboo, and George and " Mickey " (as Neilan is known) are both working with the idea in mind of making " knockout " picture. Pauline Frederick has completed " Fedora " for Paramount release. It is said TNUSUAL activity is announced as the ^ keynote at the various William Fox studios in New York and New Jersey, according to a statement from the Fox offices as to what is being done in the Eastern plants. Every star and director is engaged on some production actually in work. Two new photoplays were begun last week with Virginia Pearson and June Caprice as the stars. Miss Pearson's picture is being filmed by Edmund Lawrence, who made his Fox directorial debut with Miss Pearson's most recent feature, " A Daughter of France. " The entire cast for the present Pearson production has not yet been chosen. Miss Caprice's play, which Harry Millarde is supervising at what was formerly the Victor studio, is said to present her in a most appealing character. Miss Caprice's leading man is Bernard Randall, a William D. Taylor Is Directing Mary Pickford for Artcraft to be the most sensational picture Miss Frederick has yet appeared in. The principals are introduced in their magnificent homes in Russia and later go to Monte Carlo and Paris, where they are shown in the midst of princely splendor. The scenario was written by Charles E. Whittaker, who says that the play was easily adaptable to pictures. " If Sardou had written this play directly for the screen he could not have selected incidents more capable of being effectively portrayed," said Mr. Whittaker. " The story starts melodramatically with the untimely death of the Count, who is the fiance of the Princess Fedora, and ends with the sacrifice by Fedora of her own life. An element of mystery and suspense holds the interest, through clever detective work done by Fedora and the Russian secret police." newcomer to the Fox organization. Others in important parts are Jack McLean, Blanche Hines, Thomas Fallon, Helen Tracy, who was in "Romeo and Juliet" and Florence Ashbrooke, seen in " The Scarlet Letter. " and " Unknown 274, " a recent Caprice subject. " The Firebrand " will be the title of Miss Pearson's production, while that of the Caprice Special Feature will be " BlueEyed Mary. " Lytell Finishing Exteriors for First Metro At Tucson, Ariz., Bert Lytell has nearly completed the exterior scenes for his initial Metro All-Star Series production, " The Trail to Yesterday." The star and his company will soon leave for, the West Coast studios of Metro, where the interiors will be staged. Motion Picture News Newspaper Critics Liked " The Floor Below " Newspaper critics everywhere are said to be in agreement that in " The Floor Below," her second Goldwyn picture, Mabel Normand has duplicated her success in " Dodging a Million," which marked her first screen appearance after an absence from the cinema field of nearly two years. " The Floor Below " was made by Goldwyn from a story by Elaine Sterne and was directed by Clarence G. Badger. T. F. Oliphant, in the New York Evening Mail, says : " The story of ' The Floor Below ' wins. It treks away from the conventional and gives Miss Normand many opportunities to score." Harriette Underhill says in the Tribune : " In the role of Patricia O'Rourke Mabel Normand has a chance to bring to her aid all the art and artlessness which is hers. We admire Mabel Normand." Chaplin Comedy at Strand April 7 Charlie Chaplin, in the first of his new comedies, " A Dog's Life, " wHl appear at the Strand Theatre during the week of April 7th and Mr. Chaplin, in a telegram to Manager Edel, advises that he will endeavor to appear in person at the Strand Theatre during Anniversary week, for which reason Mr. Edel is said to have decided to put the Chaplin comedy on the Anniversary week bill. " Tinsel," World Picture, with Kitty Gordon Kitty Gordon, with Muriel Ostriche, Frank Mayo and Anthony Merlo in her supporting cast, has started a new World Picture called "Tinsel." Oscar Apfel is directing. Jane Vance And Wm. Sorelle Are Presented By General Film In " A Daughter of Uncle Sam " Activity Keynote at William Fox Studios