The Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1913-Jan 1914)

GEE EN BOOM JOTTINGS 129 Francis X. Bushman has received over a thousand letters of congratulation since he rejoined the Essanay forces. James Kirkwood and Gertrude Robinson are now the "top-liners" for Victor. Tom Moore seems to be the permanent leading man for Alice Joyce. This having been settled, now how about Carlyle Blackwell's permanent leading woman? Essanay is just releasing another underworld multiple-reel play, "The Forbidden Way," which is expected to surpass even "A Brother's Loyalty." Sidnev Olcott has just recovered from an operation for appendicitis and has rejoined the Gene Gauntier forces at Coytesville, N. J. Marin Sais tells those who insist that her name is "Miriam," that she was born in Marin County, California, and is a descendant of one of the old Castilian Spanish families. Players and directors will please note that they have a standing invitation to visit the home of this magazine, at 175 Duffield Street, Brooklyn. Take subway to Hoyt Street. When they have news for this department, it should reach us around the twenty-second of the month. Charles M. Seay has left the Edison studio for an extended trip thru the South, where he will make his headquarters in Rome, Georgia. With the director are Mabel Trunnelle, Bliss Milford, Herbert Prior, Harry Beaumont and Arthur Housman. They will make a number of films, using places of historical interest as settings. A girls' school has elected Courtenay Foote (Vitagraph) as the champion man of "handsome form and classic features." Poor Bunny did not get a vote. Rodman Law has just gone over the Stillwater Falls, on the Penobscot River, in an open boat, a feat that only one other man ever performed — and he is dead. At least, that is what the publicity man says, and who would doubt the word of a publicity man? "The Twin Brothers," shortly to be released by Edison, is unique. There have been other releases in which the same man appeared on the screen as two different characters at the same time, but in this one Augustus Phillips, who plays the part of both brothers, actually shakes hands with himself and snatches a picture out of his own hand. The illusion is perfect. Myrtle Stedman (Selig) is a singer, and has a fine contralto voice. No ; Cardinal Farley has not become a picture player, but the New Majestic has him in several "close-ups" in their film of the Golden Jubilee of the New York Catholic Protectory. Edwin Wallock, an actor of long experience, has joined the Selig Company. So have Rose Evans, Alma Russell and Harriet Notter. This is the time of year when Mabel Normand (Keystone) works overtime. Bathing is fine. The California situation has revived the Yellow Peril talk concerning the Japanese, but Ben Wilson owns the only original article, in the shape of a yellow racing roadster, which he purchased shortly after his return from California. With all the pride of new ownership, Wilson continually "hits it up," until he has terrorized the nervous mothers in the neighborhood of the Edison studio. The new addition to the studios of the Vitagraph Company is now nearly completed, and will probably be finished by the first of September. Not only new studio room, but also new costume-rooms, new developing-rooms and more office room will be provided. It seems that baseball and tennis fans are equally divided at the Pilot studio. The "tennis-baseball" fans dont want to give up tennis, and the "baseball-tennis" fans dont want to give up baseball. Ed Karst, a well-known baseball pitcher, however, says, "We've got to get a baseball team," and he is making some progress. Selig claim to own the world's smallest elephant, whose name is "Anna May," and who is a German by birth. She is about as high as a Newfoundland dog. Harry Benham (Thanhouser) is to be known as the "Eltinge of the Films." He makes a charming lady. Ernest Shipman is preparing to send a shipload of players on a cruise around the world. Too bad that this old world is so small ; it has already been pretty well covered. Now when those bird-men get their airships perfected, we can look forwarc to film trips to Mars, the moon, etc.