Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1144 Hugo Ballin, Mabel Ballin and George Heilman discussing a scene in “The Luxury Tax,” released by Hodkinson Old Times Lived Again in “ The Barnstormer ” It is back to the kerosene circuit for Charles Ray in “The Barnstormer,” his current First National release, in which Arthur S. Kane presents the star. This quaint comedy picture affords the public a glimpse “back stage,” at a time when many a popular actor of the present day was having his humble beginnings. Long before he had a thought of playing before the camera, before, indeed, he was fairly launched as a player in the spoken drama, Ray had a taste of barnstorming in one-night stands in California and Arizona. Not only Ray but almost every member of his cast has an “It happened to Me” part in the picture. Thus, Wilfred Lucas, the leading man in the barnstorming troupe which is represented, occupied that very position many years. Florence Oberle well knows from experience just what stage life is. Lionel Belmore, the company manager in the picture, was one of Sir Henry Irving’s principal supporting characters several seasons. Gus Leonard, Lincoln Plumer, George Nichols and Blanche Rose are also experienced artists. Photoplay Author Speaks at Private Showing “A Man’s Home,” the big Selznick special, is the attraction at the Newark theatre, Newark N. J., the week beginning February 12. In connection with the engagement, the Newark theatre management, Monday morning, February 6, gave a private screening of the feature for club-women, ministers, and representatives of the press. By special arrangement with the Selznick company Anna Steese Richardson, author of the photoplay, was in attendance at the showing and made an address on the subject of moving pictures, stressing many things of interest which had entered into the production of the big special which bears her name and that of Edmund Breese as authors. Consult Your Conscience ! Your Secret Is Common t See page 1076 Three Paramount Releases Medford Production, Barrymore and May McAvoy Features, Feb. 12 AGAIN Paramount announces the simultaneous release of three productions, the George Melford production, “ Moran of the Lady Letty,” with Dorothy Dalton; the Cosmopolitan production, “ Boomerang Bill,” with Lionel Barrymore, and May McAvoy in the Realart picture, “ A Homespun Vamp,” all scheduled for release through Famous Players-Lasky Exchanges on February 12. Rodolph Valentino plays opposite Dorothy Dalton in “ Moran of the Lady Letty,” which is from the sea story by the late Frank Morris. The adaptation was the work of Monte M. Katterjohn. To obtain the realistic sea stuff Mr. Melford took his company to San Francisco and there worked for more than two months making scenes on board schooners and along the waterfront. The result, it is said, is that the scenes have a realism seldom equalled in screen productions of this character. “ Boomerang Bill,” the Cosmopolitan picture in which Lionel Barrymore plays the leading role, is described as intensely dramatic. It is a crook story by Jack Boyle, well known to magazine writers as the author of the “ Boston Blackie ” stories. Doty Hobart wrote the scenario and Tom Terriss directed. Mr. Barrymore has the role of a Chicago gunman who meets the girl of his heart in New York and decides to go straight for her sake. But to save the life of her invalid mother he commits his “ last crooked job,” is caught at it, and goes to prison for a long term. Hector Turnbull is the author of “A Homespun Vamp,” the Realart picture in which May McAvoy is starred. Harvey Thew wrote the scenario and Frank O’Connor directed. The tale is said to abound in homely country touches. Darrel Foss is Miss McAvoy1 s leading man and other roles are in the hands of Lincoln Stedman, Josephine Crowell, Charles Ogle, Guy Oliver, Helen Dunbar and Kathleen Kirkham. Heavy First Nat’l Bookings Simultaneous Showings for Four First Nat’l Pictures in Frisco THE demand for entertainment bearing the First National trademark has resulted in exceptionally heavy bookings of these productions on the Pacific Coast, according to an announcement made this week by Associated First National Pictures, Inc. During the week of Jan. 22, four First National attractions opened simultaneously at the larger San Francisco theatres, “ Wedding Bells ” at the Tivoli ; “ The Silent Call ” at the California ; “ My Boy ” at the Cranada ; and “ The Rosary ” at the Imperial. A fortnight previous two others began a week’s run at the same time, and both were held over for a second week. Following closely on the six-week run of “ Molly O ” at the Mission theatre in Los Angeles, eight other First National attractions are being shown or are scheduled for presentation in the film capital. Last week the Kinema presented Hope Hampton in “ Star Dust,” her greatest picture. “ Star Dust ” was given a lavish campaign of advertising and exploitation such as but few great pictures have had in Los Angeles. “ Hail the W Oman ” continues its record-breaking at the Mission Theatre and probably will remain there for several weeks more, owing to the hit this Ince drama has scored. The attraction at the Kinema during the week beginning Feb. 4th was Constance Talmadge in “ Woman’s Place.” During the same week at Miller’s Theatre, H. O. Davis’ “ The Silent Call,” featuring “ Strongheart,” the half-wolf half-dog, was presented. Freckles Barry in Marshall Neilan’s “ Penrod ” will be the attraction at the Kinema during the week beginning February 11th. The week of February 18th will be celebrated throughout the country as “ First National Week,” an anniversary which is being given the support of about sixty of the biggest stars and producers in the Independent Screen Artists’ Guild. During that week four First National attractions will be presented in local theatres. At the Kinema John M. Stahl’s “ The Song of Life ” probably will be the attraction. At the Alhambra Mack Sennett’s “Molly O” will continue the unprecedented run it began at the Mission Theatre. At Clune’s “The Invisible Fear” will be the attraction while at Loew’s State Theatre Katherine MacDonald will be seen in “ Stranger Than Fiction.” The Kinema -wall also exhibit during the last week in February and the first half of March “ The Rosary” a Selig-Rork production, and Charles Ray’s “ R. S. V. P.” At Loew’s State Theatre Thomas H. Ince’s “ Love Never Dies ” will be presented on March 19th. Beauties Participate in Pathe Try-Out Among the 250 girls in Charles Dillingham’s Hippodrome show and his musical comedy, “ Good Morning Dearie,” the Pathe experts on screen beauty and athletic prowess expect to find one who approaches their ideal for work in serials. The screen try-outs began on February 1st on the Hippodrome stage, and will end there on Sunday afternoon, February 12th, before an invited audience. The one chosen will be awarded an immediate engagement, presumably in the cast which will support Charles Hutchison in his new serial. Motion Picture News A vivid thrill in “ Yellow Men and Gold,” a new Goldwyn release from the story by Gouverneur Morris Photoplay Edition of : “Burning Sands” The Paramount publicity depart |s ment has completed arrangements 1 with the book publishing firm of ] Grosset and Dunlap for the publi |i cation of a special photoplay edi i tion of “Burning Sands,” the ' novel by Arthur Weigall, which is soon to be produced as a Paramount picture by George Melford, producer of “The Sheik.” The photoplay edition will be issued I simultaneously with the release of I the picture. Dodd, Mead & Co., the original publishers of the book I are now co-operating with Paramount to the extent of featuring j the line, “Coming — a big Paramount Super-Special,” in their advertising. Arrangements have also been ! completed with the firm of E. P. Dutton for the photoplay edition of “Blood and Sand,” novel by Vicente Blasco Ibanez, which John S. Robertson is shortly to produce for Paramount with Rodolph Valentino and May McAvoy in the leading roles. Elinor Glyn Supervisor of “Beyond the Rocks” Elinor Glyn, famous English author who gained a world-wide reputation through her novel, “Three Weeks,” and who gained laurels in a new field through her authorship of “The Great Moment,” Gloria Swanson’s first starring picture for Paramount, has been officially named supervisor of “Beyond the Rocks,” the new Gloria Swanstm picture which she also wrote. The official credit which Mrs. Glyn thus receives is a fitting recognition of her invaluable services in the filming of the present production. GYPSY PASSION ADAPTED FROM , cJEAN RICH EPIN 5 FAMOUS GYPSY STORY MIDAIRKA. The Child of hhe Beat