Moving Picture Weekly (1915-1920)

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The Moving Picture Weekly A MAGAZINE FOR MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITORS Published Weekly by the MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY PUB. CO. 1600 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY Paul Gulick, Editor. (Copyright, 1920, Universal Film Mfg . Co. All Rights Reserved.) Vol. 11 NOVEMBER 20, 1920. No. 14 EDITORIALS THAT Universal oiRcials recognized the present trend towards all-star productions is well evidenced by several recent Universal productions in which no attempt has been made to star any one player, and in which the story interest and excellence in production have been held paramount. Among these pictures have been "The Secret Gift," a homely tale of lowly hearts in well-recognizable situations, and "Pink Tights," a circus picture of universal appeal. These two pictures have attained remarkable success. The latest non-star picture undertaken by Universal is called "Gold and the Woman." It was written by John Colton and Douglas Z. Doty of the Universal scenario staff. Colton is well known as a popular author. Doty has been editor of several of America's largest publications. "Gold and the Woman" is being directed by Reaves Eason, who piloted many Harry Carey productions to success. Eason not only is directing the feature, but is playing the heavy role in it. One of the principal roles in the story is taken by his talented youngster, Reaves Eason, Jr., or "Breezy" Eason, as he is better known. Mrs. Eason also takes part in the production. Among the others in the cast is George McDaniels. The picture now is being completed at Universal City. Eason and his company passed three weeks in the heart of San Gabriel Canyon, Cal., taking the bulk of the scenes called for by the story. 'J'HE technical heads at Universal City have just completed the most elaborate series of sets ever used in a Universal picture, "word comes from the Coast. They were constructed for use in Erich von Stroheim's new feature, "Foolish Wives," and represent in faithful detail an exterior at Monte Carlo, the Mediterranean gambling resort, showing the famous Casino, the Grand Cafe and the Hotel de Paris. The buildings are built to exact scale and tower many feet in the air in white splendor. Thousands of feet of lumber and many tons of cement and plaster were used by Von Stroheim. They are making "Foolish Wives" the costliest picture by more than two and one-half times ever made by Universal. At Monterey, Cal., additional costly sets have been constructed for this picture, representing the back view of the several large structures, and showing the terraces down to the sea, in exact replica of the magnificent view to be had at Monte Carlo. Von Stroheim has just taken a company, including 200 extras, to this location to film a series of scenes to be used in the picture, his third super-production for Universal, and in which he himself takes a leading role. The actor-director has just completed a series of scenes at Universal City depicting action in and around a small lake. Stroheim had a special lake built for this picture. It took a corps of fire engines and water-pumps several days to fill it. The engines later were used to aid in a gigantic storm effect which Universal officials who saw its filming say rivals the elements in violence and verisimilitude. Von Stroheim's company had to work kneedeep in water for more than a week. Von Stroheim promises some unusual lighting and photographic effects in "Foolish Wives." For the past month he has spent much time closeted with S. M. Tompkins, Universal laboratory chief, and with Frank Lawrence, film editor, working out effects heretofore not seen on the screen. Those who remember his first great photoplay, "Blind Husbands," and his more recent film epic, "The Devil's Pass Key," are confident that his new picture will be all that he claims in the way of novei'ty, photoplay advancement and directorial excellence. QNE of the many actors going from East to the West Coast is WiUiam Welsh, who now is cn his way back to Universal City, after having been out of the Universal employ for several seasons. Welsh is one of the best knovm character actors on the screen. Until recently he has been appearing in Fox pictures. He formerly was well known on the Universal lot, haAing appeared in character parts in many "Blue Bird" productions. He will be remembered as the villain in Universal's super-feature, "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," directed by Stuart Baton. Welsh worked in many other Paton pictures. Since he severed his former connections with Universal and came East he has done much serial work. Welsh was personally re-engaged by Mr. Carl Laemmle, president of Universal, several days after that executive returned from Europe. He will do character leads in some of the forthcoming Universal features. It has not yet been determined what his first picture will be. He is the second Universal old-timer recently reporting back to Universal City. Stuart Paton is directing again for that company. The first picture under his new contract, "Wanted at Headquarters," has just been released. He is now directing the same star, Eva Novak, in "The Torrent," from the pen of George Rix, newspaper man and war correspondent.