Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1212 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 26 Pathe to Release New Serial Soon "Hands Up" a Tale Based on Ancient Incas, but with Modern Theme of Love and Adventure i i H I ANDS UP," the Astra production that has been selected for Pathe's next serial, is to be released shortly. The date, it is expected, will be announced within the next few weeks. "Hands Up" was produced from a story by Gilson Willets and scenario by Jack Cunningham. It stars Ruth Roland as the heroine, with George Chesebro as the hero. It is a Western story dealing with a field of material not yet touched for the screen — the traditions and legends of the Inca Indians with a modern story of romance and adventure. In addition to Miss Roland and Mr. Chesebro in the two leading roles, the cast includes Easter Walters, George Gebhart and William A. Carroll, the picture being under the direction of James Hall, who produced "The Bull's Eye." Mr. Hall has had the production advice and co-operation of such men as Louis J. Gasnier, president of Astra, and George Fitzmaurice, supervising director of the Pathe Astra West Coast studios. Gilson Willets, the author, is the writer of more than twenty published books and novels. In preparing the story of "Hands Up," he has made a thorough investigation of the material with which he has worked and his ability as a builder of fiction assures a story of love and romance that will have the same appeal that his many works have had. Ruth Roland, the star, won the hearts of screen enthusiasts by her work in "Who Pays," "The Red Circle" and "The Neglected Wife," also in several five reel features released by Pathe. The star of "Hands Up," whose return to the screen is marked by this big serial, has been on the stage thirteen years and yet is only 22. She made her debut as a child on the Pacific Coast and was regarded as a phenomenon. When playing "Little Lord Fauntjeroy" at the age of six, she attracted the attention of David Belasco, who did not hesitate to state that she was the best child actress he had ever seen. Her versatility was such that she played both comedy and drama. She first appeared in motion pictures in Western and Indian plays and later was seen in comedies and then followed "Who Pays," "The Red Circle" and "The Neglected Wife." "Hands Up" is her first Western picture since the old days. George Chesebro will be remembered for his recent work in "Broadway Arizona," in which Olive Thomas was recently starred. He has been in the show business since a small boy, having been born in Minneapolis, and played in stock all over the country, as well as in musical comedies not only in America, but in China, Japan and the Philippine Islands. He played leads with Olive Thomas for many months, also with Mae Murray, Dorothy Philips and others. Before his present engagement for "Hands Up," he was leading man with Viola Dana. Many Want "Over the Top" Among the scores of inquiries for "Over the Top," which reached the office of Walter W. Irwin, general manager of the Vitagraph distributing organization, last week were some from small towns which do not even have a motion picture theatre. The inquiries were made on behalf of schools, churches and civic organizations. Mr. Irwin says that despite the fact that the picture, in most sections of the country, is still booking on first run and that the first run accounts will keep all of the prints in practically every branch working until the latter part of July or the first of August, requests for first and second run bookings continue to pile up. In the big centers, where "Over the Top" is running on an indefinite basis, it is reported that the business has been phenomenal. In Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis and other big cities crowded houses have greeted every performance and the fame of Sergeant Empey, the soldier-star, and Vitagraph is increasing with each showing. Ebony Starts New Picture A distinct departure from the broad comedy vehicle for the Ebony colored performers is announced for the early future by General Film Company. The Chicago producing company has begun the work of filming "Luck in Old Clothes," a story by E. K. Means, a well known American writer, which appeared in one of the Munsey publications. This is a delightful story of negro life of a humorous character and, it is predicted, will make one of the most entertaining of screen offerings. Departing from its usual custom, the Ebony Company has selected a mixed company of white and negro players for the filming of the story, and a high order of treatment is planned. The current release in the Ebony comedy series is "Are Working Girls Safe?" one of the liveliest and best of these ludicrous productions. Banquet scene from the new World feature "Tinsel," starring Kitty Gordon. Deplores Tragic Themes Tom Moore, the Goldwyn standby, has definite ideas as to what should and what should not be pictured on the screen. He considers not only what he prefers to play when he says that the public wants light comedy-drama at this time. "The American spirit," says Moore, "is what I like to reflect on the screen, and the American character without an ever-present sense of fun is not true to type. It is for this reason that I do not think American photoplays dealing with heavy, tragic themes reveal Americans at their best."