Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1920)

November 2 j , 1920 4127 France Sees "Broken Blossoms" THE most sensational as well as the most important even tin the French motion picture world at present is incohtrovertibly the presentation of D. \V. Griffith's exquisite film " Broken Blossoms" which was shown to the trade late in October at the Saile Marivaux, one of the gems of the French capital's splendid collection of film palaces. The name and fame of D. W. 'jriffith have long since been firmly established in France where his monumental productions, " The Birth of a Nation" and "Intolerance " are still regarded as ranking among the most perfect types of film achievement, entitling their author and producer to the foremost places among the exponents of the art and industry of the motion picture. And this latest example of the art of the screen is not likely to diminish this reputation or alter the opinion that the great American producer has earned in this country. On the contrary, as many critics have pointed out, the fact that " Broken Blossoms " differs so radically from his former masterpieces, merely increases this reputation and demonstrates conclusively the versatility and the perfect artistry of the great producer. " Broken Blossoms," or as it is to be known under its French title, " Le Lys Brise," has been received with the most fervent enthusiasm by the French trade. As one eminent authority expresses it, " Broken Blossoms " is comparable to a story written with the skill of a master hand whose every word has been carefully considered by its author. Another calls it a marvel of poetry and beauty, a vision that can never be effaced. Still another refers to it as the work which is destined to convince the most skeptical and the most determined enemies of the motion picture. " Broken Blossoms " is regarded by another as the Griffith masterpiece, exceeding in beauty and perfection even his former great accomplishments. Its success with the public is a foregone conclusion and already it has been decided that its run shall continue beyond the customary eight days that arc allotted the original film in France. Louis Mercanton, the eminent French producer, who has achieved such success with, among other films, " The Call of the Blood " and " Miarka," is at present engaged with the filming of " Phroso," from the novel of the same name by Anthony Hope. The producer has chosen as his interpreter of the title role the talented young American artist, Malvina Longfellow, a descendant of the poet, while associated with her are two Englishmen, Reginald Owen and G. Harrison-Brown. The entire troupe, which includes several well known French artists, left Paris a few days ago en route for Cannes where they will pitch their headquarters. Seven large motor lorries were required to transport their baggage, which included a portable studio. The film will be made mostly at Cannes, though a number of excursions will be made to Corsica for the purpose of obtaining local coloring. The action of "Phroso" takes place partly in France and partly in the mythical island of Napolie, which is supposed to exist in the Mediterranean. One of the roles calls for an athlete, and to fill this the famous disc and javelin colossus, Paoli, has been selected. With Georges Carpenticr and Mademoiselle Suzanne Wurtz, the champion girl swimmer, the screen has claimed at least three French champions of sport. Still another American artist, Lois Meredith, has been selected as the heroine of a French film, " The Secret of Rosette Lambert," which was exhibited to the trade last week. Its author is none other than the great Parisian humorist and dramatist, Tristan Bernard, who has long been the idol of the French theatrical world and whose works are well known in almost every country in Europe as well as in America. " The Secret of Rosette Lambert " runs to over 5.000 feet and is full of incident. Lois Meredith's part affords the clever American artist plenty of opportunity for the display of her Skill in dramatic art. This film represents the initial output of a new and powerful French company, Les Enterprises Cinematographes, under the management of a young but clever director, Adolphe Osso, who has behind him a capital of a million and a half francs. It is to be presented to the public the end of this month. One of the most interesting of forthcoming French films is "Atlantide," founded on the novel of the same name by Pierre Benoit. It will be recalled that its author was recently the object of an attack for plagiarism, since many of the incidents and as it was alleged much of the text corresponded with scenes and phraseology met with in Rider Haggard's famous novel " She." The film version of Atlantide, however, maintains its originality. Its producer, M. Feydcr, spent several months with his entire troupe among the Arabs in Africa where most of the scene is laid. Their baggage, which was extensive as may be well imagined for such an enterprise, contained several powerful projectors mounted on automobiles. Not the least of their trials and tribulations, apart from those resulting from the climate, came from the Arabs, who were naturally unfamiliar with the ways and methods of the camera, and frequently showed a disposition to rebel at the strangeness and complexity of the tasks demanded of them. The picture, however, was completed and " Atlantide " promises to become one of the finest films of its kind. The role of the queen, Antinca, which recalls in many ways, that of Rider Haggard's " She," is played by Napierkowska. For the first time in its short history, the film is to supply the theme for an opera. According to the management of the Paris Opera Comique, there will shortly be performed a new work entitled " Fortunio," founded on the FamousLasky film, " The Cheat," which featured Fanny Ward and Sessue Hayakawa. It will be recalled that the scenario of this thrilling work was written by the American, Hector Turnbull, the well known dramatic critic and produced by Cecil De Mille. In France "The Cheat" is remembered under the title of " Forfeiture," where its success was instantaneous. It was shown for the first time in France during the war, but rumor has it that it was then withdrawn at the instance of the Japanese Government. It made its reappearance after the war, only to be withdrawn again despite the extraordinary popularity it continued to enjoy. It is possible that some day the mystery which appears to surround " The Cheat " will be cleared up. The Alps continue to attract motion picture operators. Recently a couple of cameramen set out from Zermatt, accompanied by a numerous retinue of guides and porters, for the purpose of obtaining views of mountain scenery. After reaching twelve thousand feet they were obliged to use their ropes. The expedition lasted three days and resulted in a series of pictures whose ciystal clearness are said to be such as to render them superior to anything so far attained. The Gaumont Company have also recently obtained some remarkable views of the summit of Mont Blanc, obtained by a Swiss aviator. An interesting innovation has just been inaugurated in a number of Paris picture theatres, as a result of a reproach only too frequently justified, that in the majority of programs little or no thought was given to the tastes and preferences of children. This state of things has been modified by the announcement of special matinees of programs chosen with care and discernment for the amusement and instruction of school children. Needless to add that these pro Southern California Theatre Changes Bakersfield, Calif. — Grogg Amusement Co.; theatres Style filed by Olive Grogg and Helena Walter. Porterville, Calif. — Gus Germanis; Crystal theatre Sold to James Poulos. Los Angeles, Calif. — West Coast Theatres, Inc.; cap., $2,000,000; Sol L. Lesser, A. L. & M. Gore, Adolph Ramish, Thos. A. Morrisey, Goodwin Knight and Frank S. Hutton. D. K. Gault, Atty. San Miguel, Calif — W. W. Walker; Mission theatre (to be built). grams will eschew crime subjects. Writing under the headline, " What the Cinema Needs," the eminent French playwright and critic, Pierre Veber, who himself is responsible for numerous scenarios, calls attention to the rapidity with which the art of the moving picture is evolving. According to him, the film of movement and adventure is for the moment relegated to second place and what may be called "mild" comedies are favored by the public. The taste of the public for original spectacles should be encourged, he states, and the old traditions that are still shackling this new art must be discouraged. Original artists, too, must be found. An incontestable fact which is beginning to make itself felt is that there are too many theatrical artists working at the cinema, preventing the activity of actors formed in the school of the cinema itself and who are not spoiled by the mimicry peculiar to the stage. Unknown talent now and then asserts itself unspoiled by stage tricks. It must be encouraged in opposition to second-class comedians who bring the ideas of the stage with them and lack that intense naturalness which is essential to good cinema work. An incident occurred in Paris yesterday which for the moment caused consternation but which, as it was fully intended, terminated in the happiest manner possible. While the stream of mid-day traffic was flowing over the bridge just behind the church of Notre Dame, a woman, fully clothed, was seen to fling herself over the parapet into the Seine. Immediately there was commotion, the passers-by rushed to the spot and before long the river guards who had witnessed the act, had pushed off in their boat to the rescue. They were on the point of effecting a thrilling rescue and spoiling a good picture when they were prevented by the cameramen for whose benefit the " act " had been staged. "WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"' telephone bryant 5576 Pom tow Film Iaborato^ies j\\^lVjL.L/Vy " I 220 WEST 4.2^ STREET ALLAN A LOWNES v ~ ew york GEN. MGR.