Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

October 22, i p 2 i 2179 Paramount Aids FirePrevention Week PARAMOUNT is co-operating in the national observance of "Fire Prevention Week," which began on October 9. This time was set to put before the American public the seriousness of fire danger. Pictures were taken which showed Thomas Meighan, Paramount star, and Conrad Nagel illustrating the danger which comes from throwing matches and cigarettes in waste baskets. Jack Holt is seen stopping a man who started to investigate the gas tank of his auto with a match. Lila Lee illustrated the dangers of an electric iron from which the plug has not been removed; also the peril of gasoline used for cleansing purposes within the house. Lois Wilson, another Paramount leading woman, posed with May Giraci and Mary Jane Irving in a series showing the dangers of allowing children to play with matches. Big Chicago Houses Book ' 'The Foolish Age' ' .So pronounced was the success of the recent screening for audiences at the Roosevelt theatre, Chicago, of " The Foolish Age," in which Doris May makes her debut as a star in R.-C. Pictures, that it was booked immediately for an engagement at Barbec's Loop theatre, where the popularity of Miss May has already resulted in packed houses, declares Robertson-Cole. Not only will " The Foolish Age " be screened at the Barbae theatre but it has been booked day and date by both the Lubliner and Trinz and the .^scher Circuits in Chicago and environs. The Boston premiere will be at the Park theatre. Alice Calhoun in her new Vitagraph production, " Rainbow " Goldwyn Studio Activities Camera Work on " The City Feller " Will Be Completed in One Week R.\PID progress is being made on all the Goldwyn productions now under way except on Gouvcrneur Morris' " Yellow Men and Gold " work on which, on location at Catalina Island, has been held up on account of heavy rain. The cast is exploring the island waiting for the weather to clear. Director \\ illiam Beaudine and the company making " The City Feller," by Julien Josephson will finish the camera work on that picture within a week, it is expected. CuUen Landis and Patsy Ruth Miller have the leading roles. Edward McWade, Harrj' Gribbon, William Orlamond and Mary Wells have been added to the cast of Gouverneur Morris' Chinese fantasy, " What Ho, the Cook," which Rowland V. Lee is directing. The Oriental players, Jack Ahhe and \\'inter Blossom, head the cast. Clare Sheridan, the sculptress who recently came into prominence through modelling busts of the leaders of Soviet Russia, visited the company making the photoplay. in " Hungry Hearts," from Anzia Yezierska's stories, this week. She spent the entire afternoon talking with the Russians in the cast and complimented Director E. Mason Hopper on the faithful reproduction of the Russian scenes. Ethel Kay, the America-Russian actress ' cast for the leading feminine role in " Hungry Hearts," has been taken ill and retired from the cast. A new leading w^oman will be chosen. Lon Chancy is playing two parts in Barry Pain's, " The Octave of Claudius," being directed by Wallace Worsley, and he may also play the part of an ape which the story calls for. Studio executives are enthusiastic over the new Rupert Hughes scenario, " Remembrance," upon which the author has just completed the continuity. Colleen Moore, who played the leading feminine role in " The Wall Flower," Mr. Hughes' new picture photography on which has just been completed. Coast Stars Honor Vignola Director Given Hearty Send-Off as He Departs for New York City ROBERT G. VIGNOLA, director of special productions for Cosmopolitan, was tendered a series of parties by the Los Angeles Movie Colony, prior to his departure last Saturday for New York, as a testimonial of the esteem with which he is held by his co-workers in Hollywood. Pauline Frederick, who was at one time under Mr. Vignola's direction, gave an old fashioned western barbecue and rodeo at her home in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles, in honor of "Bob." More than 150 were present, among whom were famous motion picture stars, including Marion Davies, Julian Eltinge, Sessue Hayakawa, Director Colin Campbell, Thomas Holding, and many cowboy friends, who were once directed by Mr. Vignola. Other film celebrities to entertain Mr. Vignola during his brief stay on the coast were Ethel Clayton, Kathleen Williams, May Allison, George Melford and Alice HoN lister. The occasion for these entertainments of Mr. Vignola was his return to Los Angeles, after an absence of more than a year and a half. Prior to his affiliation w-ith Cosmopolitan, Mr. Vignola directed his productions on the west coast, but since aligning himself with Cosmopolitan more than a j-ear and a half ago, he has been almost constantly in New York. Goldwyn Week Has Excellent Outlook GOLDWYN Week is going over with a bang, according to a statement emanatmg from the Goldwyn offices. With the week, scheduled for October 23 to 25, but two weeks off, the branch exchanges are sending to headquarters a constant stream of new bookings The exchanges are engaged in a friendly rivalry to see which will turn in the largest number of solid weeks of Goldwyn pictures, and also the biggest rental figure. For the week commencing Sunday, October 23, National Goldwyn Week, the city of San Diego, Gal., will, in all probability, show more Goldwyn features than any town of its size in the country. The estimated population of San Diego is seventy thousand, and eleven motion picture theatres furnish screen entertainment for its theatregoers. Male Leads for Realart Stars Are Announced The '■ B's " have it in three of the Realart companies working now under production. Warner Baxter is supporting Constance Binney in a production which is to be released in November. Wanda Hawley's third of the present season finds T. Roy Barnes playing the male lead. John Bowers is appearing with Mary Miles Minter in a South Sea Island story. Classify Goldwyn Product to Aid Exhibitor In order to help the exhibitor in selecting Goldwyn pictures during Goldwyn Week, Oct. 23-29, that will appeal to his audiences, Goldwyn has made a new classification of all its pictures, arranged in seven groups. This classified list is so arranged that the exhibitor can select without any trouble his bill for the entire week, whether he wants all dramas, mystery pictures, comedy dramas, comedies or adventure stories, or wishes a mingling of them. New Chief for Goldwyn Scenario Department Announcement is made of the appointment of Eugene Mullin to the Pictures Corporation's scenario and research department located at the home-office in New York. Mr. Mullin was managing editor of Eastern productions for Goldwyn last year. Goldwyn Art Director Renews Contract (joldw\n announces that its art director at Culver City studios, Cedric Gibbons, has renewed his contract and will remain with the corporation as head of the art department for a term of years.