Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

Cctober 15, i 9 2 i 2009 "Penrod" Started by Neilan :herine Spencer, who has a principal in " The Barricade." a new Robertson-Cole feature Idiversal Starts Naval Life Dramas co-operation with the U. S. y, Universal now is making a s of two-reel photo-plays built nd the adventures of an en1 man in the Xavy. The series be known under the general of '-Bob of the U. S. N." It be released soon, as a part of Universal short subjects schedUniversal officials conceived dea of animating the romance color of naval life for the n, so a series of stories were ared by Robert Dillon under supervision of William Lord :rht, chief of the Universal .i\ and short reel department, /thorization for the use of vario naval equipment of the Pacific was obtained from Theodore >evelt, Ass't Secretarj' of the ck Perrin, who has been fea1 in many Universal product IS, has the leading role in the sies, which is being directed by am Crait. Wesley Barry Stars Will Collaborate MARSHALL NEILAX returned to Los Angeles last week aftei a brief trip to New York and started a busy producmg season at the Hollywood studios, where he has taken over his former quarters. His initial production for the coming season is " Penrod," taken from the famous Booth Tarkington book and play and in which Wesley Barry will be seen in the titular role. Work on this picture is now underway and a special distributing plan for this film, which Neilan plans to make his biggest box office attraction to date, has been perfected with Associated First National Exhibitors. As a result of this plan " Penrod " will receive a national premiere in all the big cities of the country on the order of other big specials now playing the country. Mr. Neilan's first engagement for the picturization of " Penrod," is that of Frank O'Connor, well known Lasky director, who will collaborate with the producer on the direction. Mr. O'Connor's most ; Frank O'Connor in the Direction recent work on the Lasky lot was the direction of the three May MacAvoy films, " The Happy Ending," "A Virginia Courtship" and "Everj thing for Sale." Prior to these pictures he directed various other Paramount successes. He is one of the pioneers in the producing branch of the business and has acted and directed films since the inception of the photoplay, following ten years on the stage. It is the producer's plan to make this film a typical Neilan picture with the same players who have contributed to the success of his most popular pictures. Thus the production will mark the return to the Neilan fold of various popular stars of today whom he brought in to prominence during the past three years. Supporting Wesley Barry will be a cast of thirty-five players, including fifteen youngsters and twenty grown-ups. A kaleidoscopic mixture of races and nationalities will be found among the younger players. Realart Announces Release Wanda Hawley the Star of " Her Face Value " ; T. Roy Barnes in Lead WHAT Realart described as " One of the best pictures Wanda Hawley has done " was adapted by Percy Heath from a story written by Earl Derr Biggers, which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post under the title of " The Girl Who Paid Dividends." Wanda Hawley as " Peggy Malone " portrays a sympathetic role which adds to her already numerous laurels. Her beauty is given ample scope as an actress on the stage as well as a screen favorite in the parts enacted by her as " Peggy." She wears a number of prett>' gowns, for which Mr. Hawley has become noted, and her acting meets every demand of the role in which she has been cast, that of a young girl who marries her press agent (T. Roy Barnes) to escape the wiles of a Broadway idler. " Her Face Value " is a strongly dramatic offering with a generous vein of comedy throughout, furnished mostly by T. Roy Barnes in the role of Jimmy Parsons, press agent. Barnes is carvnng quite a niche for himself as a screen comedian, though he has had years of stage experience in light comedy. His jovial smile and breezy manner is going to win a lot of friends for him. In this picture Barnes displays considerable talent as a conjuror as well as a comedian. Richard Rosson, as Peggy's grafting brother, and Lincoln Plumer, in the role of " her old man," with a perpetual fake backache, are particularly good in their respective parts, Realart says, and add much to the entertainment value of the picture. The cast also includes Donald McDonald, Winifred Bryson. Harvey Clark, Eugene Burr, George Periolat and Ah Wing. " Her Face Value " was directed by Thomas HefTron, with the assistance of M. A. Laswell, under the supervision of Elmer Harris. William E. Collins was the cameraman. I Kirkwood Transferred to London Studio N line with his policy of putting leading American players in the Paramount pictures made in Europe, Jesse L. Lasky, first vicepresident of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, yesterday annoimced that James Kirkwood would sail on the Aquitania October 4 to play the title role in the production of " The Man from Home," by George Fitzmaurice. Mr, Fitzmaurice is now nearing the completion of his big European production, " Three Live Ghosts/' and expects to start work on " The Man from Home " in the near future. Mr. Kirkwood's going to Europe adds another well known name to the imposing list of American players who are now filling rhe casts of Paramount's European productions. Starting vnth David Powell, the American colony in the Paramount studio at Islington has grown to include Ann Forrest, Elliott Dexter, Dorothy Gumming, Cyril Chadwick, Anna Q. Nilsson and Norman Kerry among the players, and George Fitzmaurice, John S. Robertson and Donald Crisp among the directors. "Hail the Woman" Set for the Late Fall uriAIL THE WOMAN," xJ. Thomas H. Ince's super-special—his first First National attraction — wUl be released late in the Fall, according to information which became public this week. A definite release date has not been set for the big Ince drama, although it has been completed at the Ince studios in Culver City. Expectations, however, are that the date will be around December 1. It has been finally cut under the personal direction of the producer and John Griffith Wray, the director, and it is expected that prints will be in First National exchanges some time within the next thirty days. ''Lightnin" Lauds Sale in ''Old Man" Role Frank Bacon, famous for his creation of the role of "Lightnin'," commends Chic Sale's "old man'" characterization in "His Nibs," which Exceptional Pictures Corporation has produced with Sale as the star. As Frank Bacon's fame rests upon his masterful interpretation of old " Lightnin' " Bill Jones, Exceptional Pictures points with special pride to Mr. Bacon's praise of Chic Sales in his " old man " characterization. Here is what " Lightnin' " wrote to Sale : " I was very glad of the opportunity of seeing your first motion picture, ' His Nibs,' and can assure you it gave me an hour of real entertainment. " Your old man character is a classic." Goldwyn Publicity Man Publishes New Book L. H. Mitchell, of the Goldwyn pubHcity department and formerly on the staffs of the New York World, the Globe and the Evening Telegram, is the author of a new book on the fall list of Little, Brown & Co., of Boston, entitled "The Circus Comes to Town." On the title page of the book the author signs himself Lebbeus Mitchell. "The Circus Comes to "Town" is a humorous child story and has just been placed upon the market for the holiday trade. Canine Supporting Cast for "Wonder Dog" Century is specializing on dog comedies. Brownie's latest is a slightly new departure for the "Wonder Dog." He is supported by all varieties of canines, some hairless Mexicans, big Danes, poodles, and last but not least Bob," who is Brownie's playmate when he is not working for the screen. Bookings show there is a growing demand for these dog pictures apart from the drawing power of Brownie himself, declares the Century offices.