Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

February i 8 , 1922 1139 Scene from “ Shattered Idols,” a Frothingham production to be released by First National Fox Assembles Strong Casts Fine Line-Up of Stage and Screen Talent in Productions Under Way 3 Christie Comedies for Early Release THREE n ew Christie Comedies which will be released soon by Educational provide a good illustration of Christie’s system of alternating stars and directors, thus bringing the work of the producer to the highest standard. Two of these pictures have just been completed, while the third is nearing completion at the Christie Studio. Bobby Vernon, whose latest picture is “Hokus Pokus,” is working in the unfinished comedy called “ Tis the Bull.” Under the direction of Harold Beaudine, this comedy is being produced in considerable magnitude, with a complete Mexican bull ring, Mexican streets, etc., all built at the Christie studio to carry out the atmosphere. Vernon is deriving much fun out of a situation in which, to win a Spanish girl, he has to go through with his friend’s bluff that he is America’s greatest bull fighter. The two other pictures of the trio will be released before “ ’Tis the Bull.” They are “ ’Twas Ever Thus,” featuring Viora Daniel, and “Oh, Promise Me!” with Neal Burns in the featured role. Jos. Schenck Discusses “Sex Pictures’’ Producer Joseph M. Schenck, who is now starring Norma Talmadge in “The Duchess of Langeais” and who recently finished supervising the filming of Constance Tialmadge’s “The Divorcee,” for First National release, has a few pertinent remarks to make regarding so-called “ sex pictures.” “Very much has been said on the subject of sex in pictures,” remarks Mr. Schenck, “but there exists a confusion in the minds of many regarding the definition of sex. A great many think that the word sex is synonymous with salaciousness. This is not true. “The sex picture will continue to lead in presentation on the screen. But the salacious picture will not be tolerated. “There is an appeal of sex in everything. The cleanest and most wholesome love story is based— cannot help being based — on the attraction between opposite sexes, “the love of a man for a maid.” The very word itself and everything that goes on upon it has sex as a foundation. But it is not necessary to treat the appeal of sex in a vulgar or obscene way.” French Dancer Cast for Big Role in Fox Film Paulette Duval, French dancer, who played Poppea in “ Nero,” which J. Gordon Edwards recently finished in Rome for William Fox, is to have a prominent part in “ Mary Queen of Scots,” when Fox completes abroad his third big production for next season. SOME of the best casts, generally, ever assembled in motion pictures appear in various productions now under way in the William Fox studios in New York and in Hollywood. The company of Dustin Farnum, making “ Iron to Gold ” on the West Coast, is a sample of the character of players now being engaged by Fox. His leading lady is Marguerite Marsh, known to her friends as “ Lovie ” Marsh. She is a sister of Mae Marsh. She went to the coast with the idea of forming her own company, but the Fox offer came along and she accepted it. Frank Cameron, the veteran actor, who was Trampas to Mr. Farnum in the original “ Virginians ” company, is another member of the cast. Also in the company is Lionel Belmore, well known stage and screen character actor. Playing with Charles Jones is Mae Busch, formerly leading woman with Eddie Foy, and an old favorite at Weber and Fields’. Robert Daly, brother of the late Pete Daly, and a vaudeville head T NDICATIONS that the Hugo 1 Baffin production of “Jane Eyre,” based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte and released by W. W. Hodkinson, will establish new high marks for gross earnings on costume productions are contained in statements issued this week by the managements of the Sheridan Theatre, in New York and Barbee’s Loop Theatre in Chicago, where “Jane Eyre” last week completed first-run showings. Following the engagement of “Jane Eyre” at the Sheridan in New York, which resulted in one of the biggest week’s receipts in the history of the house. Edwin T. Emery, managing director of the liner, has a prominent part in the Jones production. Tom Mix has a new leading lady in Patsy Ruth Miller, who has come rapidly to the front in the last two years. Miss Miller has appeared in some of the biggest productions made on the coast. With Shirley Mason is Edwin Stevens, long among the best known actors of the stage, and Aggie Herring, former leading woman in prominent stock companies. Miss Mason’s leading man is John Herron, who has appeared in a number of productions. Maurice Flynn has in his support Lewis Stone, who has been seen in such big successes as “ The River’s End,” “ Man’s Desire ” and “ Held By the Enemy.” In the East Harry Millarde is making a big special with Charles Richman, the noted actor — at one time a member of Augustin Daly’s stock company and leading man for Ada Rehan and Mary Mannering. Mr. Richman has starred under the direction of David Belasco William Brady and the Shuberts. Sheridan, declared that the production was a wonderful success both from an artistic and financial standpoint, reports Hodkinson. “ Our business increased each night,” said Mr. Emery, “ the comments on the picture were unusually good and as a really high class feature it ranks above many of the so-called ‘ specials.’ The charm and touch that Mr. Baffin has put into the picture will enhance its value to all patrons of the silent drama who admire things that are well done.” A wire from W. S. Barbee, managing director of Barbee’s Loop Theatre in Chicago said the picture was a great business getter. Wider Bookings for Century Comedies ENTURY salesmen have compiled records showing that there have been more new Century comedy bookings during the last three months than ever before. “ By careful examination of sales records,” says Julius Stern, president of Century Film Corporation, “ I have found that more than 90 per cent of new Century comedy users have continued to book our product. We find that our comedies featuring Baby Peggy. Lee Moran, Harry Sweet, and Brownie, the Century Wonder Dog, are replacing many comedy products which heretofore are supposed, to have a monopoly in first run houses. “ The latest Moran comedies, notably ‘ The Straphanger ’ which was recently shown on Broadway, have been booked in almost all the key cities of the country. Where ‘ The Straphanger ’ has played, it has been received with as much if not more enthusiasm than was accorded to it in New York.” “The Dust Flower” to Be Ready Soon “ The Dust Flower,” Goldwyn’s picturization of Basil King’s new novel of that title — and the first picture since “ Earthbound ” — is in the final stages of preparation at the Culver City studios. Photography was completed a short time ago and the cutting, editing and titling is progressing. “ The Dust Flower ” was written originally for the screen, but the author decided to withhold production until he had turned the story into novel form. It was published serially in Good Housekeeping Magazine, beginning with the issue for September 1921. It will be brought out in book form by Harper Bros, next autumn. Rowland V. Lee directed the production. Helen Chadwick and James Rennie have the leading roles in “ The Dust Flower,” but the cast is an all-star one, the six leading roles being interpreted by the two players mentioned above, by Claude Gillingwater, Mona Kingsley, Edward Peil and George Periolat. The continuity was prepared by Charles Kenyon in association with Basil King. Marie Osborne Features for Pathe Playlets Three features starring Baby Marie Osborne are to be revived by Pathe in the form of Pathe Playlets. The first feature, “ Little Mary Sunshine,” raised the young actress to the stellar ranks. It was directed by Henry King, who also played the leading male role. The second playlet is entitled “ Shadows and Sunshine” and was directed by Henry King from a story by Daniel F. Whitcomb. The third of the Pathe releases is “ Told At Twilight,” in which the baby star is featured again under the direction of Mr. King. “Jane Eyre”Crowds Houses Excellent Reports on Hodkinson Picture from First Run Theatres