Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1920)

1004 M o t i 0 Earle Williams hasn't lost his movie job and gone " soda jumping." This is merely a scene in the drug store episode of Vitagraph's production of " The Fortune Hunter" Personal and Otkerwise George Fitzmaurice is using an unusually effective set, of Moorish design, in the " Man Who Killed," starring Mae Murray. Holmes E. Herbert, who has done excellent work in a number of Famous Players productions recently, is playing one of the leads, while David Powell has the other. rose colored ribbon, was seated in a stage box, surrounded by an interested audience, while Ralph Kellard and Billy Bann, of Yip, Yip, Yaphank fame and three other female impersonators entertained them on a real stage. Frank Losee thinks it would be a good idea if newspaper reporters, before going out to interview members of the profession, would post themselves about some of the well-known names of bygone days, at least. After a recent death in Mr. Losee's family, a representative called to see Mrs. Losee, and the Famous Players leading man reports the conversation as follows : Reporter, " Whose house is this — Mr. Loos'?" "No, Mr. Losee's." "Who is he? What does he do?" " Mr. Losee is an actor, a descendant of Jefferson's." "Jefferson? Who was he? " " Mr. Jefferson was also an actor." "What was his first name?" The United States Photoplay Corp. have under contract Lt. B. W. Maynard, the Flying Parson, Tod Sloan, the Premier Jockey of the World, and " Kid " Broad. They have leased the Lincoln Studio at Grantwood, N. J., for two years for the production of " Determination," " The Home of Man," " The Soul of Man " and " Deception." It is planned to make all these productions ten-reelers, and the estimated cost of " Determination " alone is $500,000. " Determination " is said to be a Whitechapel story and an Apache story, including four international sporting events. Mr. Jiggs and Family Arrive in Los Angeles Great stars of the stage and screen arrive almost daily in Los Angeles with scarcely a ripple on the surface of civic affairs and it is not often that official cognizance is taken of such an event. So it was nothing short of a sensation when the chief officials of the city went to the Santa Fe station upon the arrival of the Overland Limited a few days ago and formally welcomed to "Califilmia", the famous Mr. Jiggs, his wife Maggie and their handsome daughter Nora, the three famous cartoon creations of Artist George McManus. As the Limited came to a stop cameras started clicking. A beautiful young lady swathed in furs stepped off to the station platform first. The crowd quickly recognized her as " daughter." She motioned excitedly toward the pullman and " Maggie " emerged. There was a shout of laughter and welcome. Then both cried out to father and out he came loaded with baggage which he refused to trust to a dusky redcap. There wasn't any doubt as to his identity in the mind of a single spectator. When Mr. Jiggs had safely reached the platform followed by his secretary, the formalities began. Director Al Christie, under whose guidance the "Bringing Up Father" comedies are being made, stepped forward and greeted the family. Then he introduced " J'ggs " to the temporary head of the city administration, President Boyle Workman of the City Council. Acting Mayor Workman officially welcomed the Jiggs family. Ivan St. Johns, secretary to Mayor Snyder, then stepped forward with the great key to the city which has been presented to so many notables in the past. It was gravely proffered to Mr. Jiggs. " Ah, the key to the mayor's cellar ! " said Jiggs with an anticipatory smile. " No," declared the acting maj-or with a laugh ; " the key to the cit}'." " Oh," was the disappointed reply, " that's too bad." Then Chief of Police George Home was introduced and Jiggs stepped forward with his best smile and his right hand pushed forward. But the chief ignored the proffered hand. Miriam Batista, aged five and a half, who is appearing nightly at the Standard theatre in " The Whirlwind," is playing the part that Alma Rubens will afterwards complete, in the International production of " Humoresque." That is, Miriam is playing the child who grows into the girl that Miss Rubens will impersonate. Frank Borzage is directing the picture, and last week two scenes, calling for different players, were in progress at the same time, while Mr. Borzage supervised them both. On a floor above, at the same studio, Robert Leonard was busy with a supposedly amateur performance given by the college boys in " The Restless Sex." Marion Davies, looking very lovely in a charmingly simple pale blue georgette dress with a large garden hat hanging down her back by a Norma Phillips, the " Mutual Girl," who has returned to the screen after a considerable absence " There seems to be some mistake, said the chief sternly. " I came her to warn you not to welcome you. Rt member, everything will be O. K. bi no rough stuff goes here." The role of Mr. Jiggs is being take by Johnny Ray of vaudeville fami Margaret FitzRoy, a well-known char acter woman, is " Maggie " and Laur LaPlante, one of the prettiest of th Christie girls, is the heiress to th Jiggs fortunes. Other well-know: film players who will be seen in th first comedy are Ward Caulfield, Jacl Henderson, George George, Eddi Baker and ^addy McGuire French Actress Plans Return to Screen Madame Pettite, a former Frend actress, announces her intention to rc turn to the screen in this country. I is said that she was formerly asso ciated with the speaking stag< in France and worked in Path< pictures abroad up until sb j'ears ago, when she came tc this country. Madame Pettite expresse her desire to get in touch with som( of the American producers througi her representative, Leo Bauernfreunc of 1212 Seneca avenue, New York. Myrtle Stedman has finished her picture "Sex" with Louise Glaum, and is now playing opposite her old time favorite, Hobart Bosworth, in Jack London's " Sea Wolf." Miss Stedman will portray the character of Maud Brewster, and believes that it will offer her an opportunity for great versatility. May McAvoy writes that she. is having the most delightful time in New Orleans as a member of Alice Joyce's company in " The Sporting Duchess." One feature of the production is the race track scenes, which, of course, necessitated the members of the company being frequently at the track, and Miss McAvoy discovered that betting on the horses was one of the most exciting sports she had ever tried. She also visited an orange grove and was allowed to pick oranges and grapefruit from the trees herself. She is accompanied by her mother and will visit friends in Jacksonville and Savannah before returning home. The arrival of Mr. Jiggs and family in Los Angeles