Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1920)

4118 Motion Picture News Scene from "The Great Lover," a forthcoming Goldwyn production adapted from the successful stage comedy of the same title in which Leo Detrichstein was starred Plans for DeMille Special Picture to Have Fine Cast, Famous Drama and Capable Scenario Staff A STATEMENT recently issued from the New York headquarters of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation announces the plans of Cecil B. DeMille for his forthcoming Paramount special production, work on which is to be started late in November. The statement follows in part : " Mr. DeMille has selected a cast from the ranks of his present and past players, which reads like a roster of screen stardom. It will include Wallace Reid, who will play the principal male role ; Gloria Swanson, who returns to the screen after an absence of eight months; Elliott Dexter, recently seen to advantage in ' Something to Think About,' ; Wanda Hawley, Bebe Daniels, Agnes Ayers, Theodore Roberts, Theodore Kosloff, Dorothy Cumming and Julia Faye. " The story in which this galaxy of screen talent will appear, is founded on Arthur Schnitzler's famous drama, ' The Affairs of Anatol.' Written originally for Viennese presentation, it has since WITH the so-called "still" photograph increasing in importance in connection with the production of motion picture entertainment until now it is widely recognized as second in value only to the film itself, William Fox, president of Fox Film Corporation, after much planning, has succeeded in co-ordinating his production forces to secure " action stills " for every purpose in the exploitation department of his great organization, the Fox Film Corporation announces. In the past, as many will recall, the still photograph was merely a record for the producer, or direc Pathe's December Releases Pictures Made by Jesse Hampton, Leonce Perret and George Seitz ' I ' HE works of three producers, * well known through their previous contributions to the screen, go to make up the group of features which Pathe will release in December. Jesse D. Hampton's " Dice of Destiny," Leonce Perret's "Empire of Diamonds" and the George B. Seitz feature production, temporarily titled "Rogues and Romance ", comprise the feature offerings from Pathe for the month. "Dice of Destiny", which will be the lead-off feature of the month, releasing December 5th, returns H. B. Warner after his conspicuous success under the Pathe banner in " One Hour Before Dawn" and "Felix O'Day". His new vehicle gives him a role similar to the one in which he scored his greatest theatrical hit, that of a notoriously clever crook whose endeavors to go straight form a tale of marked melodramatic suspense. been translated into almost every language and has served as a starring vehicle for John Barrymore in New York eight years ago. " Not satisfied with cornering the star market in players, Mr. DeMille has chosen Jeanie Macpherson, Elmer Harris and Beulah Marie Dix as the nucleus of a stellar scenario staff, who will write the composite scenario. Avery Hopwood, whose plays have been scoring each season in New York, will supervise one episode and it is probable that a fifth writer, as yet unselected, will contribute to the finished manuscript. " Schnitzler's play is divided into five episodes and although Producer DeMille expects to make several important changes in the basic story, he will follow this divisional system. Each of the feminine principals will thus have one entire epi-' sode entirely to herself. Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson and Elliott Dexter form the central trio, who will continue throughout the entirecontinuity." To Develop "Action Stills" William Fox Co-ordinates Forces with View to Improve Still Photo tor, to assure accuracy of detail in settings and costuming of a picture. The director took his still picture to-day for reference on the morrow to check the detail of his set or the clothes of his players. Later, with the influx of more progressive showmen into the picture field, still pictures became more frequent. Mr. Fox has issued instructions to both his Eastern and Western production forces to concentrate every effort in securing photographs with a story in them ; pictures that contain at once the quality which attracts the eye of the passer-by, strength, action and contrast in tones. Another "Jimmy Valentine", those who have seen the picture, call it. " The Empire of Diamonds " is melodrama served up in a picturesque fashion. The play is unique in that its scenes are laid in New York, London, Paris and Monte Carlo, the producer and his American company traveling to the locations demanded by the story to film his scenes, states Pathe. Furthermore, this photoplay shows on the screen actual pictures of the interior of the Casino at Monte Carlo. The date of issue is set for December 19th. George B. Seitz after a number of years as a director and star of serial plays will make his bow as a feature producer and star with June Caprice in a film produced for the most part in Spain. The co-stars, supported by a cast in which Marguerite Courtot plays a feature part, are presented in an elaborately stage romance. FROM THE SUNDAY AMERICAN ATLANTA, GA. ALL-5TAK tAST |rt IN "DEAD MEN TELL. NO TALES." il (Vitagraph.) | f Don Jose Santos G V. Seyferstitz Eva Denison, his stepdaughter, Catherine Calvert Cole Harrison Percy Marmont Here, at last, seems to be a picture Vi that most nearly approaches that goal It of all producers, the perfect picture tl The story opens in a moment of breathless interest, and there isn't another quiet moment. It is intensely absorbing, and if your eyes leave the screen for a moment, so perfectly is hfc the continuity maintained, that you tl lose a valuable scene. Never have we'se'en seven reels packed quite so full of consistent, logical interest and legitimately sustained suspense. The characters behave like human beings. They do not let drop suspicious words, and actions that would instantly betray them as crooks, in real life. They keep you guessing every minute. A very great dear of the credit -for the whole thing should go, naturally, to Tom Terriss, -the director, and to the'eontinuity Writers, Mr. and Mrs. George Randolph Chester. "But one mustn't forget that E. \V.. Hornmig-. who wrote the book, gave these three people the material with which the thing was wrought. The Cast is flawless. Catherine Calvert has j never looked, so beautiful, nor done such' work as in "Dead Men Tell No Tales.'' Her costumes — those of the modern Spanish girl, lovely lace mantillas and soft white draperies — are exquisite, and add no little to her beauty. Percy Marmont, at last, has a role which fits him like a glove, and his' work Is consistent throughout. Gustav von| Seyferstitiz, who plays the incredibly j villainous Santos, however, should be] the star of the piece. He Is superb, and Holmes Herbert likewise acquits| himself well. The picture is perfectly balanced,] and the story is far above the aver-J age.