Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

June 29, 1918 MOTOGRAPHY 1207 F. P.-L. Gets Washburn and Dorothy Gish EACH TO APPEAR IN PARAMOUNT PICTURES BRYANT WASHBURN and Dorothy Gish have been added to the list of Paramount stars. Announcement to this effect comes from Jesse L. Lasky, vice president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation in charge of productions, who reveals that Washburn has signed a three year contract and will make eight pictures in the coming year, while Miss Gish under the auspices of D. W. Griffith will make seven productions. The addition of these players adds two notable names to the long list of Paramount and Artcraft stars recently lengthened by the addition of Fred Stone, John Barrymore, Ethel Clayton, Shirley Mason and Lila Lee. Lasky Praises Washburn "Mr. Washburn's engagement," said Mr. Lasky, "is one of the most satisfactory, not only to the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, but to exhibitors and the public, of all the recent additions to our forces. There is a scarcity of light comedy stars on the screen — artists of the type represented by Douglas Fairbanks and George M. Cohan, or combining their characteristics to a certain degree— and as such Mr. Washburn is prominent among the limited few who may be said to possess real merit. "Like Mr. Fairbanks and Mr. Cohan he laid the foundation for his later success on the speaking stage. It was in 1907 that he began his stage career, appearing in several successes with George Fawcett, and it is an interesting coincidence that this announcement should come on the heels of the announced appearance of Mr. Fawcett in a leading role in D. W. Griffith's Artcraft production of 'The Great Love,' soon to be released. Started with Essanay "Mr. Washburn's motion picture career started in 1911 with Essanay, for whom he made many comedies of uniform excellence during succeeding years, including 'Skinner's Bubble,' 'Skinner's Baby,' 'Promised Land,' 'The Golden Idiot,' 'The Fibbers,' and 'The Girl God Made for Jones,' 'Skinner's Dress Suit' and others for K-E-S-E. His more recent appearances have been as a Pathe star. "Mr. Washburne's first Paramount picture will be an adaptation of William Hurlbut's comedy, 'Saturday to Monday,' which probably will be released in the early fall." Mr. Lasky was also enthusiastic over the acquisition of Miss Gish. The young star, who is an Ohioan by birth, is just twenty years old. She has been identified with the stage and screen since 1902, Dorothy Gish. Bryant Washburn. when, at the age of four, she made her debut before the footlights. Like so many of the greatest stars of motion pictures she began her screen career with the old Biograph company, her first appearance being in the Biograph production, "The Mountain Rat." Her association with the productions of Mr. Griffith, thus formed at the outset of her career in photoplays, has continued unbroken to this day. With him she went to the Reliance-Majestic, where she appeared in "Old Heidelberg" and other productions. When Mr. Griffith formed Fine Arts Miss Gish became one of the most popular stars of that organization, notable among her productions being "Atta Boy's Last Race," "Stage Struck," "The Little Yank," "Children of the Feud," "The Failure" and "That Colby Girl." Played in Big Successes When Mr. Griffith projected "The Birth of a Nation," with which he was destined to write one of the most brilliant pages of screen history, it was natural that he should choose Miss Gish for an important role. Her work was an outstanding feature of that production and earned for her a place in the affections of the millions of picture-lovers throughout the United States and Canada. Later she achieved equal success in the second big Griffith special production, "Intolerance," while her wonderful characterization in the role of the charming little French girl, Grizette, in "Hearts of the World," is making the impression it so richly deserves in the large centers where the production is now being shown. Start "Gentleman's Agreement" Vitagraph Director David Smith has taken the Nell Shipman-Alfred Whitman feature company away from Hollywood on a two weeks' location trip. The company will make scenes at Ransburg, Kernville, Bakerville, Oakland and San Francisco. It took several trunks to convey the wardrobe which Miss Shipman finds it necessary to use. The picture Director Smith is making is a screen version of Wallace Irwin's novel, "A Gentleman's Agreement." Juan de la Cruz, an actor of ability, is a new member of this company. He plays the part of Professor Andree. Farnum Starts "Rainbow Trail" William Farnum, the Fox star, has begun work on "The Rainbow Trail" at the West Coast studios in Hollywood. "The Rainbow Trail" is a sequel to "Riders of the Purple Sage," which' has just been completed by Mr. Farnum. Both stories were written by Zane Grey. "The Rainbow Trail" is being filmed under the direction of Frank Lloyd. Some of the scenes in it will necessitate the entire company traveling again to the wilds of Arizona, where, it is expected, they will remain several weeks.