Movie Pictorial (March 1915)

MOVIE PICTORIAL 25 ning. He felt the ledge crumbling beneath his feet, and flung out his arms Instinctively to recover his balance. He was conscious of a sharp, shoot- ing pain in his right ankle and knew that he was falling. He had a dim impression of Rogers springing for- ward as though to catch him. And then the bank seemed to rise up to meet him, and darkness descended. Chapter Seven THE SECRET OF THE CLIFF C LEM raised his hand wearily to his head, and his eyes opened painfully. There was a throbbing pain through his temples, so severe that for the moment it absorbed all his thoughts. In a vague way he re- alized that he was lying on some- thing gratefully soft, but his brain was too confused to grapple with the problem of his whereabouts or his condition. His eyes closed again, and he dropped into an uneasy doze. When consciousness returned a sec- ond time, his mind was much clearer. He raised himself to a sitting post- ure, and began a mental survey of his surroundings. He found himself partially un- dressed and reclining on the outside of a snowy counterpane in a severely simple brass bed. The bed was part of the furnishings of a pleasantly, even richly fitted chamber. The room was quite unfamiliar to him. He managed to rise to his feet, and after a momentary dizziness, stag- gered across to a window. With his first view of the locality outside he saw that he was in an upper back room of Beech Hill Bungalow. To the creek below him, on which the two windows of the room faced, was a sheer drop of fifty feet. The rear wall of the house was built nearly on the edge of the cliff. It was growing dusk outside. Through the haze of the twilight the water below was beginning to gleam like silver. The window was open and the evening breeze fanned his throbbing head gratefully. He stepped back into the room, feeling strong enough now to piece together the sequence of events from the time of his accident at the boat house. He discovered that his right temple was decorated with a cross of court plas- ter. Evidently his head had been severely gashed, and a rude attempt had been made by someone to dress the wound and minister to his com- fort. In some way he had been car- ried up the cliff. By whom? For what purpose? If there had been merely a friendly interest in his welfare why had Bob McKee not been notified? Surely there was enough evidence of his identity in his pockets, even if Rogers had failed to recognize him, which was hardly likely. All of his suspicions of the strange occupants of the bungalow returned with a surge. What w'as the meaning of the cryptic fragment of conversation he had overheard at the boat house? What was Rogers’ connection with the girl called Faith Morrison, if that was, indeed, her name? (To be Continued) WEST COAST STUDIO JOTTINGS NEWS OF THE PHOTOPLAYERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA I was up at Santa Barbara this week, paying the American Film Company a visit. My, but they are doing great things there, and are add- ing lots of people. The Kriterion Companies are also in Santa Barbara, and the result is that the artists have formed a Film Club, and were about to hire a bungalow wherein to meet. Harry Pollard was just starting on “The Divinity of Motherhood,” which promises to be a very beautiful pic- ture, it can hardly be otherwise with Harry at the helm and Margarita Fischer taking the lead. The scenario is by Olga Printzau Clark. I called on Henry Otto, who is living with his mother and with Irving Cummings as a guest, in a jolly little bungalow near the studios. Henry had just completed a bully two reeler and was studying the scenario for his next production. Otto is much liked up there. Harold Lockwood was comfortably installed at the Arlington and every- one speaks well of him. He is taking the leads in Thomas Rickett’s Com- pany, which means he is being starred in the four-reel features. Harold is better looking than ever, and his as- sociation with the Famous Players has given him added poise. It is some time since I last saw Vivian Rich, and she is as sweet as in the old days when I often acted with her at the Nestor Studios. Miss Rich did well for herself when she joined the American forces. Frank Cooley is directing the Beauty brand of pictures and Joe Harris, Fred Gamble and Webster Campbell with Virginia Kirtley are still with him. I understand that new companies are to be added shortly and that a brand new serial company is now be- ing gotten together for the thirty in- stallment story, for which the Chicago Tribune offered the ten thousand dol- lar prize. On March the fifteenth, the Univer- sal people hold their big doings, and I will be there and tell you all about ’em next issue. J. P. McGowan, the Kalem director, who broke his pelvis bone is hobbling about again and has thrown his crutches aside. He is full of pluck, this man. He and his company have returned from a three weeks’ stay on the desert where they have been tak- ing desert railroad stuff for the By Bess Powers “Hazards of Helen” series. Said Helen, which her other name is Holmes, looks as though she had been on the sea coast for a summer and is as hearty as can be. They have taken some splendid scenes and are well satisfied with the trip. Carlyle Blackwell has gone to New York for a business trip and the film for the six-reel “The High Hand” pic- ture, has followed him. A private showing of this was given at Quinn’s Superba Theater here last week, and the photoplay received much commen- dation, and Producer William D. Taylor came in for his due share of congratulation, as he certainly turned out a splendid play. Carlyle was excellent as usual and John Shee- han, Douglas Gerrard, Neva Gerber, and others in the cast all helped the film. It should be a winner. At another private showing, “Hypo- crites” gave satisfaction to the large audience invited, and Lois Weber has turned out a remarkable production for the Bosworth concern. This clever lady both wrote and directed the picture. She received most valu- able support from Courtenay Foote, whose performance as the ascetic has probably never been bettered. Foote is so thoroughly “in” whatever part he assumes, and is an artist at all times. Myrtle Stedman was equal- ly good as the nun and afterwards as the devotee, and she looked charming and acted with sincerity. “Hypo- crites” should live. Pauline Bush has her hearts desire, for she is to start in on another pic- ture in which she may ride a horse, and if there is any one thing she likes better than another, it is to ride. Miss Bush is doing consistently good work and is appearing in a great variety of parts these days. Grace Cunard is happy for she won the automobile given as first prize in a popularity contest run by a local paper recently. She was hard pressed by Fred Kley, Vicky Forde and Irene Hunt, and only won out at the finish. This adds another car to the two she already possesses. Charlie Ray, of Inceville forces is appearing in a lighthouse play and has had to jump into the water twice of late, and the water is mighty cold right now, especially when one tot- ters in with all of one’s clothes on. These ocean photoplays are lots more comfortable to go through with a month or so later on. Charley is a fine swimmer, and indeed, an all round athlete. At the same studios, Louise Glaum is knocking them all in a heap with her saucy little spring bonnets; Louise has a nack of wearing what other girls can’t or won’t, and she always looks pretty. Ed. J. Le Saint has just completed “The Circular Staircase,” with a de- lightful Stella Razeto in the lead and is now engaged upon a three- reel animal picture at the Selig Zoo, and Stella is brushing up her riding. Le Saint is turning out some sterling work. Edna Maison has been doing strong dramatic work of late and there is little doubt she will have some strong plays written around her for this is her particular forte. Edna has a big command of the emotions and one of the most expressive faces on the mimic stage. Otis Turner is well on the way with “The Black Box” series at the big “U.” and Anna Little is going to “show” them by her work in this exciting and unusual set of pictures. It is not all stunts by any means and Anna had big opportunities of which she is making full use. I had a note from Frank Montgomery and a letter from Mona Darkfeather, both from San Mateo, California, where Frank is managing director of the Liberty Company, and Mona is taking leads. Those who think that Mona can only play Indian girls have a big surprise and a treat ahead of them. They like it there very much and say they are busy turning out films all the time. The Albuquerque has closed down for a short spell to allow Mr. Hamilton to go to New York, the Masterpiece starts up again in a few days and the Oz Company will soon be hard at it again. I am glad of this for Frank Baum is a splendid and a clever fellow. The Photoplayer’s Club is going great guns, now under the leadership of Dell Henderson, who, by the way has joined the Keystone forces. Some alterations have been made and there is a resident chef and meals can be obtained at all hours. All good busi- ness. Cream of Rice The World’s Best Food Cream of Rice Is nature’s pure health food. It is the children’s friend. Easier to digest and contains more food value than any other cereal food. Cream of Rice Makes delicious Puddings, Pan- cakes, Muffins, Rice Cakes. 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