Motion Picture News (Jun-Aug 1920)

250 Motion Picture News Mayflower Has Engaged Louis F. Gottschalk Recognizing llic important pari "played" by music in the successful prcsenlation of moliun pictures, Allan Dwan arranged for Louis F. Gottschalk to prci)arc the music score for " A Splendid Hazard," Dwan's first production to be presented through Mrst National by Mayflower. Gottschalk is regarded as one of the highcsl-paid composers devotinji his talents to syncbroniziuK music to motion pictures. His engagement by Mayflower in connection with the DWan production is directly in line with that organization's policy of sparing no expense in assisting exhibitors to present these indepeiidetit prochii tions properly, says the Mayflown Corporation. Vignola Engages Miss Claire Whitney Claire Whitney, star in " The Innocent Idea," a play now running at the Kidton Tlicatre, New York, has been engagi-d by director Robert G. Vignola for tlie role of " Ksthcr Canter" in " Tlic Passionate Vilgrim," the Samuel Merwin story which he is now directing for Cosmopolitan Productions at the International studios on Second avenue and 127th street, New York, Last season Miss Whitney had a prominent pari in " The Net," a play that ran for many weeks at a Ihoadway theatre. Robert C. Bruce on a Motor Jaunt Abroad Robert C. llruif, creator of " Sccnies Ui';uiiifiil," has left London for liiN iiuMoi jaunts through England and Scuiland, acrordiug to advices received by ICducatiuual Films Corporation. After making a number of pictures in those lomitries and in Wales, Mr. Bruce will go to the Continent, In Scotbiud he will have an opporiuniiy which probably has never fallen io ilic lot of another scenic artist— that of Kicturing the haunts of a national cro whose natne he bears. Of course, reference is niudc to Robert Bruce, famed in song and history. What Makes For Stardom? Realart Submits Question to Jury of Notable Persons for Opinions • New York City; Madam Frances, America's youngest and considered its greatest creator of gowns and fashion ; Charles Hanson Towne, distinguished poet and editor of McClurc's magazine ; Harrison Rhodes, essayist, novelist and short story writer for the Saturday Evening Post ; Robert W. Chambers, America's foretnost novelist; Penrhyn Stanlaws^ artist, whose portrayal of beautiful women for magazine covers is famous the world over; Cosmo Hamilton, playwright and author of international fame; J*aul Chalfin, architect and connoisseur; K. L>nin Jenkins, renowned Englisli sculptor ; Arnold Gcnthe, artist photographer; Frank Crowninshield, editor of Vanity Fair, considered one of Ihe country's best judges .of beautiful women ; E. R. Thomas, president. The Morning Telegraph Company. " Although all twelve agreed." says the Realart report, " that beauty, intelligence and personahty were the primary requisites, the interpretation which each one put upon these qualities varied so greatly it was considered remarkable that they were able to reach a unanimous verdict. "A number of candidates who in the opinion of Realart ollicials were exceptionally qualilicd for stardom, were submitted to the jury with the request that an agreement be reached on one or that all be rejected in case it was foinid that none was ideally equipped. After a short deliberation, a verdict was reached and this is to be announced next week bv Real Will Rogers' Son DledTwo Others 111 Frederick Rogers, aged three years, son of the Goldwvn comedian, died June 17th. of diphtheria, while his father was on location at Sacramento, California. Mr. Rogers's other sons, Willis and Jimmy, are ill with the same disease, but their condition is not considered critical. Levey Opens Remodelling Department A " re-modelling department " has been opened by Harry Levey, general manager of the Industrial and Educational Department of the Universal Film Company. In this department, old industrial and educatiorial films will be cut. have new captions written for them, new scenes interpolated, and be rc-a^ sembled and brought up to date generally, Mr. Levey announces. Big Houses Are Booking "The Deep Purple" Following its successful run at the Capitol theatre, New York, R. A. Walsh's initial independent production, " The Deep Purple," preseiued by the Mayflower Photoplay Corporation through Realart, has been booked for runs extending from one to two weeks by many of the largest houses in the country, it is stated. Sales reports together with the large volume of advance bookings already received by John W. .Mclvay, General Manager of Mayflower, indicate that Walsh's debut as an independent producer will, from a financial standpoint, prove a decidedly auspicious one. Among the advance bookings that show the calibre of the theatres, seeking the Walsh production, are the Majestic theatre, Columbus, Ohio ; the Grand, Cincinnati ; the Temple, Toledo, Ohio; the Doric, Kansas City, Mo., and the Rialto, Washington, D. C. Scene at " Romona'n Home," San Dlexo Cat., wliere Wanda Hawlej' la takinK ■ceneK lor lier netond Realart picture RI-'.M.ART Pictures Curporalion annomices that it has svdmiitled tile question, " What constitutes motion-()icHne stardom?" to a jury of twelve persons wellknown in the artistic and professional fields. This was done, says Realart, to deierniinc the selection of the company's sixth star. The names of tlu'sc judges as submitted by the Realart Corporation are as follows: " Hugo Riesenfcld, composer, Ciiiuluctor and manager of the Rivoli. Rialto and t'literion theatres, "Bonnie May^Is Completed Bessie Love's Second Independent Starring Vehicle Has Good Cast pi-SSIF LOVK has just com^ pleicd in Los Angeles the production of "Bonnie Mav" the sicoiid of her new, specially proihu rd iiliotoplays for the Amlrew J. Callanban Pictures Corporation. The lilm has liecu adapted to the screen from the popular novel of theatrical life by l^ouis Dodge and carries out the advertised policy of .\ndre\v J. Callaghan, head of' the western concern to feature this young actress in well known novels and plays. Supporting ^^iss Love in her latest Callashan olYcring is a distinguished cast of picture players, foremost among them being Charles Gordon, the well-known English leading man. who has recently transferred his film activities to this country. Mr. Gordon plays opposite the star and is declared to have created a distinctive and appealing role as his first important contribution to motion pictures in America. As a leading man Mr. Gordon has to his credit a long and varied list of cinema achievements abroad. Joseph dc Grasse, who collaborated with Ida May Park in the direction of Miss Love's initial Callaghan photoplay, " The Mid landers " has repeated his first success in directing "Bonnie May" according to reports from the Bessie Love studios. Mr. dc Grasse is now directing the cutting and titling of the film, and upon its completion w;ill be in a position to add another high standard photoplay adaptation to the other quality contributions which have earned for him a serious and intelligent position among leaders of this art. The producer, Andrew J. Callaghan. in announcing the news of the completion of his second Bessie Love, photoplay laid considerable stress on the fact that its theme was so close to contemporary American life, and as such contained not only a powerful appeal from the entertainment and story angle, but likewise from the point of view of exploitation was abundant in advertising elements. Play Is Purchased for Norma Talmadge " The Sign On the Door," by planning Pollock, in which Marjorie Rambcau is now appearing at the Republic Theatre, has been sold to Xornia Talmadge. Censors Change Title of "Sex" Feature The Hodkinson Corporation has just been informed that the Board of Censorship in Pennsylvania has changed the title of J. Parker Reed's production of " Sex." They are reported to have requested several changes in the film, and also that tlic title be changed to " Sex Crushed to Earth." In New Jcrsej', at Bloomfield, the local Board of Censorship has asked for a private show^ing of "Sex" licforc it can be shown in Bloomfield, and this is being arranged by the Hodkinson representative, George Fowler, of Newark. Roswell Dague Heads Editorial Dept. Roswell Dague, the new Eastern pntduction editor of the Famous ria>crs-Lasky Corporation, has laken over the editorial department, following the recent resignation of his predecessor, Gardner Hunting. Before entering upon Iiis new duties, Mr. Dague was assistant scenario editor under Mr. Mac-Maniey. r Joseph L. Kdley, publicitjr director for Hallmarlc Pictures Corporation