The Motion Picture Studio (1921)

August 6, 1921 THE MOTION PICTURE STUDIO S^oqA jCcq/itt. 5 Inti-male Studio Qossip In order to obtain correct detail for his next production, “ Justice,” Myron Selznick, of America, has sent his art director, James Fosdick, to this country. He will spend two weeks taking notes and sketches in the criminal courts and in Reading Gaol. Mr. Selznick says: “ I looked at several British films, and in many im¬ portant phases the various British directors contradicted each other as to the correct legal procedure in vari¬ ous details.” What an accusation! We really ought to have the names of the offenders. *■ * * At last Bertram Phillips has got his studios at Thornton House, Thornton Road, Clapham Park, ship¬ shape, and I am glad to note that they will be used for the production of films for a newly formed company — British and Oriental Films. The chairman of the board is Lord Meston, K.C.S.I., a late Lieut. -Governor of Agra, and another director is Lieut. Colonel E. W. Gabriel, C.S.I., late of Rajputana. The plan is to produce films of Indian subjects for India, and to produce films in India for this coun¬ try. To further this object, an Asso¬ ciated Indian Company will shortly be formed, which will erect and operate theatres in India. The financial posi¬ tion, I am assured, is very secure. Bertram Phillips and Nirangan Pal are the directors of productions. * * -* Upon the completion of “ Peter Ibbetson,” George Fitzmaurice has come to London, where he! will produce a series of pictures at F.P.Lasky studios. A number of Ameri¬ can stars will be sent from America to London to play leading roles in the productions * ■* * Margot Asquith will be able to add to her “ Memoirs ” — she has paid! a visit to the Ideal studios. She said she “ wouldn’t play for the pictures for a million a minute ; their terrible slowness Would kill me ! ” She: thought film-making was “ mono¬ tonous, but funny.” Monotonous, perhaps; but funny— — -? It depends on whether you are a player or the wife of a politician looking on. •* * * Elsewhere we print the latest state¬ ment of the plans of Bread west, but I take this opportunity of wishing success to Billie Bristow, who: is start¬ ing out as an independent Publicity Expert. We journalists have always agreed that Miss Bristow is one of the smartest Publicity Experts in the busi¬ ness, and those who have usieid her abilities in the past will corroborate this. * * * §he has handled the Rroadwcst pub¬ licity for the past three: years, during which time she has secured valuable prominence: for Violet Hopson, Stewart Rome, Greg Scott, Peppy Wyndham, Pauline Peters, Mercy Hatton and Clive Brook among many others. Her arrangement of the: ^ 53 . ■' 1 EgBBB — It is with regret that we have to record the death of Cosmo Gordon-Lennox, who came into considerable prominence in the film world on account of his scenarios, which have been used for several photo¬ plays, the last being “The Puppet Man,” which B. and C. has just finished. The author was given the “right of interest” claimed by E. Temple Thurston, in that he was enabled to accompany the B. and C. company to the Tyrol for the filming of the story. Cosmo Gordon-Lennox was the hus¬ band of -Marie Tempest, the actress. As actor and playwright, Mr. Gordon-Lennox was well known, and the latter pursuit brought him much money. But not' all his wealth came from this source, for his mother was an heiress — one of the Town leys of Lancashire. Through her he was a cousin of Lord Hagan, and through his father of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. ON THE FLOOR With MAURICE ELVEY. On everything that is done in an Elvev production is the unmistakable imprint of the personality of the director. To study Maurice Elvey’s work is to become con¬ scious of his acute painstaking care in detail work. While distributing responsi¬ bility as a wise general, yet he all the time Ikeeips his hand on everything that is done. Which, again, is the sign of the wise general. Watching him on the floor one is forced to admire his sublime patience — a patience that is a result of his knowledge of what he wants and his tenacity of purpose in working, ’watching ia.nd waiting until he gets it. Very gently he will talk to the artiste, imparting d’recticns, and if the artiste fails to obtain the right effect Elvey will have her aside and talk in -a whisper to her until she begins to feel the emotions he wants her to portray. In mass scenes he is also seen as a master of men. With — or without — the use of the megaphone he will succeed in stirring up the necessary excitement so that the mob (’assuming 'it is a rebellion or a fight) will stampede in a riot of fear that is more real than fictitious. Scottish tour of Violet Hopson proved her capacity for organisation, as did the: Mi-Caremei Carnival at the; Hyde Park Hotel which she organised in conjunction with Lady Angela Forbes. Miss Bristow1 also handled the publicity for Fox. She has good! journalistic experience, having been sub-editor of Pictures and on the staff of the National News, as well as having done much free-lance work. * * My congratulations to Phyllis Joyce, who announced to her associates in J. Stuart Blackton’s photoplay, ‘‘ The Glorious Adventure,” one day last week, that she would be married in the evening to Geoffrey Wilmer. While Miss Joyce was acting with Mr. Blacktc-n in the studio, her fiance was; w orking in the adjoining studio, where he is assistant to George Ridgwell, who was directing for Stoll. When Miss Joyce and Mr. Wilmer appeared in the studio luncheon-room after the news, of their approaching wedding became known, they were greeted all around with congratulations. Lady Diana Manners hastened to congratu¬ late the happy couple. It is interest¬ ing to note that Mr. Ridgwell was an assistant to Mr. Blackton at the Vita graph studios in America years ago. * * * Passengers by the Dundee, Perth, and London Shipping Company’s steamer “ Perth ” from London to the Tay last week had an instructive ex¬ perience. After leaving the Thames, the “ Perth ” became for a time an Australian liner, and a number of scenes were shot in ideal weather con¬ ditions. While the Australian flag flew7 at the stern, a series of love and other episodes to -be used in a Stoll photoplay were filmed. The principal role was; taken by Gladys Jennings, while the passengers and members of the ship’s company acted as super?. * * * So far, I have not heard the fate of the enterprising, if somewhat shabby-looking, gentleman who w7as seen standing outside the Wardour Street office of a big producing firm, last week, with a camera to which was attached a notice offering “ vour photo while you wait for the ridicu¬ lously low charge of 3d.” I bis is the latest version of carrying coals to Newcastle. It only wanted a leading artiste to stop and be photographed to complete the situation. “MEGAPHONE”