Motography (Jul - Dec 1915)

786 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIV, No. 16. Guy Coombs of Metro Guy Coombs, one of the best known leading men on either the speaking stage or in motion pictures, who joined the Metro forces to play the lead with Mme. Petrova, the star in "My Madonna," produced by Popular Plays and Players, will be seen hereafter in feature productions of that corporation. Mr. Coombs is one of the "young veterans" of the silent drama and early was induced to desert the speaking stage for the pictures. For three years he was the leading man in the Kalem stock company, when he became the idol of thousands of motion picture fans. He spent one year directing productions at the Kalem studio. Incidentally, he is one of the few successful directors who prefer acting before the camera to directing productions behind it. When "My Madonna" was completed last week Mr. Coombs was immediately engaged for the leading male role in the Popular Plays and Players forthcoming production, "Barbara Frietchie," in which little Mary Miles Minter will be featured. Mr. Coombs was elated with the part given him in this production as it was in "soldier roles," while playing with the Kalem stock company, that he came into motion picture prominence. Mr. Coombs early adopted the stage for a career and while still in his teens he was playing on Broadway in many notable productions. His rise in the profession was rapid and because of his clean cut appearance, strong personality and knowledge of dramatic technique, his services were always in demand. commerce to local school boards, will welcome "Polly Pathe" and grant every assistance. Women all over the United States will be especially eager to see "Polly Pathe," as it is said thousands of dollars have been spent on her gowns. Pathe s Seeing America" Pathe is to cover the United States from coast to coast for a series to be called "Seeing America First." Miss Helen Greene, a young lady who has figured in the society columns of the metropolitan papers, has been engaged as "Polly Pathe," and she will be chaperoned on her long tour by Frances Fisher Byers, a newspaper woman of long experience, who will attend to local publicity while on the tour. All places of real historic and scenic interest in each state in the Union will be visited by these ladies, together with a Pathe cameraman who will film the best of everything. It is estimated that the itinerary will cover some 40,000 miles and methods of transportation will include railroad trains, trolley cars, automobiles, muleback, carriages, sailing vessels and steamboats. The trip will require some six or eight months to complete. Arrangements have been made in practically every state whereby the most prominent citizens, from the governor down through mayors and city chambers of Studio a Melting Pot The new Charles K. Harris picture, "For Sale, a Baby," which is being produced by Perry N. Vekroff at the Kinemacolor studio at Whitestone, and which will be released through the World Film, is not only a study on the subject of race prejudice. It is a melting pot in itself. In its cast and directing force are representatives from four nations of Europe, some of whom are the warring nations. Arthur Donaldson, who plays the role of "Jacob Cohen," the pawnshop keeper, is Swedish, having been born in Sweden and educated there in music. Miss Sonia Maselle, the charming Russian girl who plays "Rachel Cohen," Jacob's wife, was born in Warsaw, and was held a political prisoner in the land of her birth before she came to America. Mr. Vekroff, the director, is a Bulgarian. He was educated in court circles for the diplomatic service, and served for some time as a secretary to the king. Miss Camille Dalberg was born in Germany, and is half German. The other members of the company, including Miss Florence Hackett, the vampire woman; Miss Gazelle Marche, the ingenue; Mrs. Dora Adams, Jack Johnston and George Henry are Americans. Noble Finishes "One Million Dollars" John W. Noble, director of many notable RolfeMetro features, has just made an unusual record by completing the big five-act picture, "One Million Dollars," in which William Faversham is starred, in less than three weeks. For a time it appeared that Mr. Faversham would not be able to finish the picture, as a previous contract called for his presence in Pittsburgh this week, where he opens the theatrical season in his big stage success of last season, "The Hawk." But by working day and night under high pressure, Mr. Noble succeeded in finishing the picture in time for Mr. Faversham to take a brief vacation and rest of several days aboard his yacht before beginning his theatrical engagement. One of the secrets of Mr. Noble's success in effective and expeditious directing is his masterly handling of big situations, where his discipline counts. He is a strict disciplinarian, a training he received while a student at West Point. After leaving the army, Mr. Noble took up the stage for a career, joining a small stock company in Denver. He wrote several vaudeville sketches and played "big