Motion Picture News (July-Aug 1921)

Motion Picture News 767 Doris May, who is to be starred in features for Robertson-Cole release David Smith Goes North to Film Exteriors David Smilh, Yitagraph director, has again taken his company north for special exteriors on " Flower of the North," which he is filming from James Oliver Curwood's widely read novel. Henry B Walthall of "Birth of a Nation " fame, is playing the male lead in this rugged story of the North, and Pauline Starke, who starred in " The Courage of Marge O'Doone," and other big specials, plays the title role. New Holman Day Series for Pathe Releease A new series of Holman Day two-reel dramas of life in the Maine woods has been contracted for by Pathe and production is reported to be progressing rapidly under the direction of Phil Carle. Huntley Gorden and Mary Astor are playing the leading roles in the new series, and their experienced support includes Bradley Barker and Charles Slattery. "SlippyMcGee"Nearing Completion The second Oliver Morosco picture, "Slippy McGee," which has been filmed amid the natural settings at Natchez, Miss., under the direction of Wesley Ruggles, is nearing completion with Wheeler Oakman, Coleen Moore, Pat O'Malley, Sam DeGrasse, Edwin Stevens, Edith Yorke, Alfred Allen, Lloyd Whitlock, Charles Force, Nellie Peck Saunders, and others of prominence in the cast. Use Photos Instead of Sets Employs Enlarged Photographs as Background; Realism is Preserved T X the production of "Pilgrims *• of the Night," which is being made by J. L. Frothingham for release by Associated Producers, Mr. Frothingham has applied an idea which has resulted in an immense saving without detracting, it is declared, from the realism of the finished scenes. The picture is based on E. Phillips Oppenheim's novel, "Passerby." Accordingly, many of the scenes of the photoplay are necessarily laid abroad in France and England, and in several instances, with buildings of international fame in the background of the action. To have sent a company abroad to take the scenes in the original locales would have entailed tremendous expense. To have built sets reproducing accurately and in detail the famous structures would also have been a costly, and, perhaps ultimately, an unsatisfactory task. Mr. Frothingham, instead, employed enlarged photographs for the back drops of the foreign scenes with the foreground built up by studio mechanics in duplicate of the foreground as shown by the photograph itself. A process which has recently been perfected by which a photograph may be enlarged up to a size measuring twenty by thirty feet without losing any of its detail or contrast was utilized by Mr. Frothingham in the preparation of the back drops for the foreign scenes. A special location guide was prepared from ihc completed continuity of the story and still photographs were made on the actual locations. The still camera used was set in the same position as would have been occupied by the motion picture camera if the cast had been taken abroad for the filming of the scenes and focussed at the same angle and distance which corresponded to the figures worked out by the chief cameraman of the Frothingham forces. The small cost of these photographs made abroad and shipped to the Frothingham studio made it possible to keep in every scene in which any action takes place in the novel. The enlarged photographs carried such a wealth of detail that the building up of 'the foregrounds was a simple matter for the scenic artists and artisans. Keaton Finishes Comedy Is the First Subject Completed for Release by First National BUSTER KEATON has completed his initial two-reel comedy for release under his new contract with Associated First National. The mirthquake, which at present is without a title, is being assembled and cut and will be forwarded to Joseph M. Schenck sponsor for the Keaton films, within another week. The fun film, replete with novelty and new " gags," is said to be superior to any yet produced by the frozen-faced Buster. No expense was spared in its production and Lou Anger, general manager of the studio, believes that the picture will prove more successful then those that have preceded it. The same organization that has been with Keaton since his advent into stardom more than a year ago remains with the comedian. There has been no change in its personnel, which is an assurance to exhibitors that there will be no let down in the calibre of pictures that come from the star's Hollywood studios. Buster was willed Roscoe Arbuckle's comedy organization when the rotound comedian deserted slapstick. And he guards his heritage zealously. Eddie Cline, who has been collaborating with Keaton in the direction and preparation of the scripts, continues to be Buster's chief lieutenant. The " gag " department is in the hands of Joe Mitchell and Lou Anger while Elgin Lessley handles the Bell Howell. Virginia Fox is the ingenue with big Joe Roberts as the foil. Mai St. Clair, former Sen nett director, also is a member of the Keaton staff of laugh manufacturers. " We will continue to make the style of comedies that have made Keaton the most successful of mirth provokers," said Mr. Anger after the completing of the first two reel for Associated First Nation. " Buster is established, and our new comedies will place him in front of all other comedians. The best available talent is surrounding our star and exhibitors can rest assured that when booking one of our films they will be certain of having a film second to none of its kind." "Great Moment" Open to Big Business The management of the Rivoli Theatre, New York, reports that its business on Sunday, the opening day of the engagement of " The Great Moment," Gloria Swanson's first starring picture for Paramount, was the biggest of any Sunday since the record-breaking run of "Deception." Howard Higgin Is Made Paramount Director Howard Higgin, long production manager for Cecil B. DeMille, is to be a Paramount director. Mr. Higgin's first picture will be " Rent Free," in which Wallace Reid is to star, and which will be started shortly. Lon Chaney as he appears in a principal role of Goldwyn's " Ace of Hearts " Carol Warren on R-C's Scenario Staff Miss Carol Warren, former reader with the Metro Film Company Scenario Department and later a continuity clerk with Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, has been added to the scenario department of R-C Pictures Corporation, and will go at once to the Robertson-Cole Studios, Inc., at Hollywood. Iris Completes Feature Starring June Keith The shooting of the interior and exterior scenes of the first Iris Picture, " Tangled Hearts," has been completed. Work on cutting and assembling has already been begun at the company's studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey. This picture as well as the other pictures of this company, starring June Keith, will be released through independent exchanges. Larry Semon Comedy in Two B'way Houses Larry Semon, Vitagraph's comedy king, was the popular comedian on the screens of Broadway, New York, during the past week. The latest Larry Semon comedy, " The Fall Guy," played both the New York Strand and the New York Rialto, day and date. Selznick-Talmadge Revivals Prove Popular HP HE motion picture trade and that part of the public that accepts the photoplay as its chief form of diversion, has long since claimed the Talmadge sisters, Norma and Constance, as two of their favorite entertainers, and the manner in which the Selznick revivals in which these stars appear are being received by exhibitors and public alike indicates very clearly, says a statement from the Selnick headquarters, that the pictures they made for Selznick during 1917 and 1918 are still regarded as supreme achievements of the famous pair.