The Moving Picture Weekly (1917-1919)

20 THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY Publicity for "The Phantom Melody" ADVANCE STORY ^N all-star cast supports Monroe Salisbury in 'The Phantom Melody," coming on to the Theatre. It is unusual for a star to be supported by players with a popularity paralleling his own. Such is the case, however, in "The Phantom Melody." Monroe Salisbury is supported by Henry Barrows, Ray Gallagher, Charles West, Jean Calhoun, Milton Markwell, Lois Lee and Joe Ray. "The Phantom Melody" was directed at Universal City by Douglas Gerrard. It is the story of a stranere fate pursuing the members of a titled British and a wealthy Italian family during war times in Italy. The spectacle of a man being buried alive and later returning from the tomb, a terrific duel over a Monte Carlo gambling table, magnificent interior scenes of an Italian villa and a dramatic situation that sustains to the smashing climax, are outstanding features of the production. Monroe Salisbury's reputation as the Mansfield of the Screen is based on such Universal productions as "His Divorced Wife," "Sundown Trail," "The Sleeping Lion" and other successes. STARTED WITH UNIVERSAL. JEAN CALHOUN, of the Georgia Calhouns, one of the most prominent families in the old South, is playing the feminine lead in "The Phantom Melody," opposite Monroe Salisbury, in Universal's latest photodrama, coming to the on . When Douglas Gerrard received the manuscript of "The Phantom Melody" he found that the heroine was an English girl of noble birth, living with her father on an old Italian estate. He therefore instructed the casting director at Universal City to engage the best looking blonde lead to be found — one giving every suggestion of breeding and refinement. The very type required was found in Miss Calhoun, who has already played leading roles with Earle Williams, Frank Keenan, Tom Mix, and who has played opposite Dorothy Phillips in several of her big successes. Miss Calhoun was bom in Columbus, Georgia, attended school in New Orleans, and graduated from the Hollins College in Virginia two years ago. While on a visit to California, immediately after leaving school, she had an opportunity to play a small part in a photodrama being filmed at Universal City, and she became so enthusiastic over the work that she informed her family of her intention to remain in motion pictures permanently. In "The Phantom Melodv" Miss Cal houn has the best opportunity of her screen career. She wears a number of beautiful frocks which set off her fair beauty, and displays rare talent in the emotional scenes in the story. BEAUTY AND BRAINS. ^ LITTLE over a year ago the Photoplay Magazine conducted a "Beauty anpXBrains Contest" for the pur.pose^fifseTecting a young woman possessing the greatest promise for success on the screen. Over ten thousand applicants figured in the contest, and of all these the ^committee selected Lois Lee, a young?girl m»m Lincoln, Nebraska, whose sol* pr^ious public experience was confined to amateur •theatricals produced by the University School of Music in her home town. After a yesft in^ photoplays, Miss Lee was selected to play the role of a French actress in "The Phantom Melody," a Universal production starring Monroe Salisbury, which will be shown at the 1 — i — Theatre on . Lois Lee has just celebrated her twentieth birthday, and possessing youth, exceptional beauty and unusual talent, evpry director under whom she has acted so far, agrees that she has a bright future in store. She has every requirement of face, form, intellect and temperament for success in motion pictures. FOR THE HERALD HE muffled roar of the war guns n i» 1 A T 17 1IF*i 1 II • 1 struck terror to the heart of Greg Salisbury Over Two Years With Universal ^^dss^^s^ he was in physical danger but the 'J'HERE are few actors on the American screen as well liked, and deservedly so, as Monroe Salisbury, star of Universal's newest feature, "The Phantom Melody," which is to be shown at the on ! — . Salisbury has been starring in Universal productions for over two years and in that time has appeared in many elaborate nhotodramas, creating a series of character roles which stamp him as a master of his craft. In such features as "That Devil Bateese," "The Sleeping Lion," "The Man in the Moonlight," "The Savage," "The Millionaire Pirate" and "Sundown Trail," Mr. Salisbury won a following among photoplay patrons second to but few playeds on the screen, and achieved a reputation as one of the finest portrayers of unusual characters that ever acted before a camera. Monroe Salisbury brought to the screen the talent and experience gained by distinguished service on the dramatic stage, receiving his early training as a member of a stock company in his home city, Buffalo. When not yet out of his teens he secured an engagement with the late Richard Mansfield, and under the direction of that splendid artist gained a knowledge of acting such as could have been received by few young men. After graduating from the Mansfield Company he played with Katherine Kidder, with Mrs. Fiske, with John Drew and other famous stars of the speaking stage. His first appearance on the screen occurred about seven years ago, when feature productions were still unknown, but he came into his own when he played the role of Allesandro, the Indian, in "Ramona," which was declared to be a masterpiece. He also played the principal role in Harold Bell Wright's story. "The Eyes of the World." " before becoming associated with Universal. In "The Phantom Melody" Mr. Salisbury is said to have reached the pinnacle of his art. booming of the guns reminded him that he had sent another man to the front of "Jiis^lace. At the outbreak of the war Baldi .was in an Italian gambling den with" Oliver Drake, son of a British Baronet then domiciled in Italy. A dispute arose over the cards and Drake called another man to a duel. Drake's adversary was badly wounded but Baldi convinced Drake that he was dead. To avoid arrest and misery to his family Drake was persuaded by Baldi to enlist under his name. In the trenches Drake meets the man he believed he killed. They become friends and Drake returns, at the conclusion of the war. to find that Baldi is trying to wreck his home. What happens ? For the answer go to the Theatre to-night where "The Phantom Melodv" is being screened. "The Phantom Melody" was produced at Universal City under the direction of Douglas Gerrard and stars Monroe Salisbury.