Motography (Jul 1918)

July 6, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 33 Big moments in the new Vitagraph Blue Ribbon feature, "Tangled Lives," featuring Harry Morey and Betty Blythe. Vitagraph Starts Fall Production Drive Harry Morey's Company Is First to Get Under Way, While Alice Joyce Will Follow Shortly THE Fall production drive is on at the Vitagraph studios, both East and West, and within a few days virtually every one of the Blue Ribbon feature companies will be engaged on productions for the Autumn programs. Advices from the office of Albert E. Smith, president of the Vitagraph Company, are to the effect that eleven companies arc now actively at work for the regular program, seven of these being feature companies, two serial companies and two comedy companies. Harry Morey's company, with Betty Blythe as leading woman, was the first of the Blue Ribbon feature companies to start on post-Summer production, working under the direction of Paul Scarc'.on. Mr. Scardon completed "Fiddler's Green" last week and after a few days test plunged immediately into the making of "The Green God." This play, which is from the novel of the same name by Frederick Arnold Kummer, probably will be on the Sep-, tember list. Alice Joyce completed "To the highest Bidder," under the direction of Tom Terriss, a few days ago and soon will begin work on another five-reel production, the title of which is to be announced next week. Corinne Griffith is hearing completion of "Love Watches," the Billie Burke stage success, and will start at once on "The Clutch of Circumstances," from the well known book by Leighton Grace Osmun. Gladys Leslie, who is working under the direction of Frederic Thomson in "Wild Primrose," with Richard Barthelmess as her leading man and an all-star cast, including Eulalie Jensen, Claude Gillingwater, Bigelow Cooper, Charles Kent and others, is scheduled to start work within a few days on "The Rebel." This is an original story by Douglas Bronston and is held to be one of the best Miss Leslie has had since she became a star. Out in the West, at the Hollywood studio, Earlc Williams with Grace Darmond is reported to be making rapid progress with "The Man from Brodney's," a five-reel play made from the popular novel by George Barr McCutcheon of the same name. Jack Conway, former Triangle director, is directing the production, which is expected to be finished within ten days. Two new plays are ready for Mr. Williams, but, according to advices from Vitagraph, it has not been definitely determined which he will start first. One of them is "A Gentleman of Quality," by Frederick Van Rensaeller Day, and the other is "Out of the Dark," by Roma Raymond and Jane Dixon. Both these stories are declared by Eugene Mullin, head of the Vitagraph scenario department, to be good vehicles for the star and strong in dramatic possibilities. Baker Hangs Up a Record George D. Baker, manager of productions at Metro's Wrest Coast studios, has established a record for strenuous activity since his arrival in Hollywood from the East three months ago. Mr. Baker has written three complete scenarios, assisted in the preparation of two others, directed on production and had an operation for appendicitis, all in ninety days. Fox Plays in Time of Need An inspiring example of pluck in the face of disaster is given by A. B. Huff, manager of the Broadway Theatre, High Point, N. C, in a letter to C. F. Scnning, Fox Film Corporation branch manager at Washington, D. C. The Broadway has just been burned out at a loss of $5,000. "The seats are ruined, as are the wall>: two pianos are a smouldering mass of debris; ticket and operating machine and other expensive and valuable fixtures are partially, if not wholly, damaged by smoke and water," says Mr. Huff. "\\ e have made arrangements for opening temporarily in another location. On a side street and with a limited seating capacity, the new house is not nearly so desirable as the old site, but it is the best we can do at present. "Being out of the business district, as I am, I must have pictures that will draw the people to me. If you can, send me releases featuring Theda Bara, William Farnum and the others, with a Sunshine Comedy accompanying each." Funkhouser on Trial The trial of Major Funkhouser is on. The opening of the hearing foreshadows many disclosures of Chicago political scandal. The major's attorneys insisted that the forty-one charges against him arc too vague and indefinite and asked for further details. They also asked for the names of the witnesses which are to be produced by Acting Chief Alcock. This was denied them. At the first hearing, Major Funkhouser was accused of neglecting his duty as guardian of public morals. The charges that have aroused the most surprise and interest are that Major Funkhouser had his detectives follow public or semipublic officials to spy upon their actions.