Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1919)

Motion Picture \ e w s "It's a Goldwyn Picture." In fact, here are three Goldwyn pictures. Pauline Frederick in "One Week of Life" seems in trouble as pictured on the left, while Geraldine Farrar appears to be having the time of her lif e in " The Stronger Vow," shown on the right. The demure person in the center panel is none other than Mabel Normand. Her current Goldwyn feature is " The Pest " Tom J. Geraghty Prepares Many Westerns TOM J. GERAGHTY, who a fortnight ago came East with a number of scenarios for some of the leading stars in the motion picture firmament, is returning with commissions to write several others, among the number being one for Clifford Bruce, whose work in leading roles for Metro, Fox and other companies has long been popular with the motion picture public. While no announcement has yet been made, it is said that a new group of Western capitalists have nearly completed plans to enter the motion picture field to produce a series of elaborate specials portraying the development of the Great WIest. It is also said that the Chambers of Commerce in two of the larger Western cities are also interested in the project. Until Mr. Geraghty's arrival no definite arrangement had been made with Mr. Bruce, as it was understood that he was under contract to a Canadian company, who held an option on his services. This difficulty was readily adusted for Mr. Geraghty before leaving wired his principals that he would be ready to begin work at once on the script immediately on his arrival on the Coast. " Concerning the proposed series, I can only say," said Mr. Geraghty, " that while each picture will be entirely Western in its ensemble, many novelties and thrills will be -introduced which will be distinctly new. " The success of Wm. S. Hart and Wm. Farnum is the best evidence that the ' Western ' type of drama is still in its prime, provided, of course, it is adequately produced. There is also a dearth of actors capable of bringing to leading parts the so-called ' husky-heroic ' and romantic qualities in which the screen public delights. This is, perhaps, the reason why the ' Western ' for a time seemed to be falling off in popularity." Kerrigan Gets Strong Role in " The Best Man " In " The Best Man," the new Jesse D. Hampton Production to be released May 4 by the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation, J. Warren Kerrigan is said to have one of the strongest roles he has ever played. He takes the part of Cyril Gordon, a Government Secret Service agent, and although the Cyril part of his name might indicate that Kerrigan ought to sport a cane and a monocle, the only things he sports in that line are a young gatling and a heavyweight wallop. Kerrigan is supported by Lois Wilson. Clifford Bruce, who has commissioned Tom J. Geraghty to select a story and write a script for him Marion Davies Buys Aeroplane Alarion Davies, film star, has bought an aeroplane for practical use, and intends to begin taking lessons in flying at Staten Island next week imder the instruction of Katherine Stinson. The plane, it has been announced, was purchased from George D. Grundy, owner of the Lexington Theatre in New York. Louis Sherwin Joins Coast Coast Colony Goldwyn announces that Louis Sherwin, formerly a Los Angeles newspaper man, and recently a special press representative for Goldwyn publicity in New York and dramatic critic on the New York Globe for eight years, has arrived at Culver City, Cal., to join the Goldwyn scenario staff. Some time ago, Mr. Sherwin's work attracted the attention of Samuel Goldwyn, who induced him to abandon newspaper work and bring to motion pictures the same acute critical faculties that characterized his reviews. Mr. Sherwin undertakes his new assignment not only as a man experienced in the drama, but armed with an extensive knowledge of the newer art of the motion picture in all its angles, distribution as well as creation, gained in his contract with the executive offices in New York. Talmadge Film Named The new Russian picture, the story of which is by H. H. Van Loan, which Norma Talmadge is now completing, is scheduled for release some time in May, under the title of " The New Moon." This was at first selected just as a working title, but Select has decided to make it definite. In the cast with Miss Talmadge are Pedro de Cordoba, Charles Gerard, Stewart Holmes, ^larc McDermott. Ethel Kaye, Marguerite Clayton and Harry Sothern. Chester Withey is the director, and David Abel the photographer. Gish Photo Wins Prize It has been announced by Famous Players-Lask}' that a photograph of Lillian Gish, of the Griffith players appearing in Artcraft pictures, won first prize in the annual exhibition of photography in the Royal Salon in London. The work was a study of ]Miss Gish in her character of " The Girl " in Griffith's " Hearts of the \\ orkl." Hendrik Sardov of the Hoover Studios in Hollywood, California, is the artist.