Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1915)

312 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD July 10, 1915 Sir J. Forbes Robertson in Knickerbocker Production. SIR J. FORBES ROBERTSON, the famous English Actor, who some years ago was knighted by the King of England, will soon appear on the regular program of the General Film Company in a magnificent three-reel production of "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark." Forbes Robertson made his debut on the stage in 1874 as Chastelard in "Mary Stuart" played at the old "Princess's Theater" London. A man of splendid education and family he soon showed signs of wonderful possibilities, and with many years of rigid practice, became an actor of world wide renown in 1895. At this time he made his first tour of the United States with Mary Anderson as Pygmalion, Romeo. Orlando, Ingomar, Claude Melnotte, etc. In 1900 he married Gertrude Elliott, sister of Maxine Elliott, and with her has appeared in many plays both abroad and in this country. Perhaps the best known of these plays to the American theater goer are "The Passing of the Third Sir J. Forbes Robertson. Floor Back," "Mice and Men," "The Light that Failed," "Caesar and Cleopatra," "The Merchant of Venice," "Othello" and "Hamlet." Mary Nash Signs With Knickerbocker MARY NASH, the well known character actress of the legitimate stage, has just signed a contract with Knickerbocker Star Features to appear in a strong character part in their three-reel release of August 4th, on the regular orogram of the General Film Company. Knickerbocker Star Features feel gratified in having secured the services of Miss Nash as she was hesitating between many offers. She finally decided that these features would offer her the best opportunity. The part in which she is to appear will depict the five ages of woman — ages of twenty, forty, fifty, sixty and eighty, and Miss Nash is known to be capable of successfully rendering' this difficult role. Miss Nash made her debut on the stage in 1909, appearing at the Criterion Theater with Ethel Barrymore in "Alice Sit by the Fire." Under this well known actress she received a thorough schooling. The following season she appeared with Miss Barrymore in repertoire in "Captain Jinks." "His Excellency the Governor," "Cousin Kate," and the "Silver Box." In 1911 she played the leading role in Clyde Fitche's "The City" at the Lyric Theater, for one year and went on tour with that production the following season. Since that time she has been seen on Broadway in "The Woman" at the Republic Theater, "The Lure," at the Maxine Elliott Theater, and in numerous vaudeville sketches. She is young, pretty and above all a wonderful actress. Her engagement with Knickerbocker Star Features will be looked forward to by many exhibitors. Mary Nash. National Engages Norma Talmadge. Well Known Vitagraph Girl to Be Starred in Big Productions on the Coast. BRUCE MITCHELL, managing director of the National Film Corporation of Los Angeles, registered at the Astor Hotel, New York City, announced a few days ago that the company with which he is identified had signed a contract with Miss Norma Talmadge, well known Vitagraph star, to appear exclusively in their productions for a term of years beginning soon after July 1, 1915. The contract with Miss Talmadge was closed soon after Mr. Mitchell and other members of his organization arrived in New York some days ago after h a v i ng corresponded with Miss Talmadge for a number of weeks. It is claimed that the little Vitagraph girl, who is being billed as "The Interna tional Darling," will be paid one of the largest cash salaries which has ever been offered a photoplay star. The National Film Corporation is a company which is backed by prominent business men in St. Louis, Mo., Los Angeles, Cat, and San Francisco, C a 1. They have established modernly equipped studios in Los Angeles and have already made a number of pictures. Plans already formulated call for the making of at least one four or five-reel feature each month, and a number of one and two-reel subjects for distribution through one of the big releasing organizations. Mr. Mitchell will supervise the production of all of the pictures and will have associated with him a number of directors who are well known in the motion picture industry by reason of past performances. The features in which Miss Talmadge will be starred will, for the most part, be adaptations from well known books and stories, the screen versions to be prepared by Anthony Coldewey. Mr. Coldewey is with Mr. Mitchell on the present trip to New York, and the pair have already secured options on some of the works of widely known authors who make their headquarters in the East. Miss Norma Talmadge has been with the Vitagraph for the past five years and work which she has done for that well known company has endeared her to photoplay fans throughout the country to such an extent that the National people feel that the campaign which they intend to wage to establish her as one of the most prominent stars in the motion picture firmament cannot fail of success. The little Vitagraph girl is enthusiastic over her new connection and expresses the opinion that the really great work of her career remains to be done. Miss Talmadge, whose life has been insured for $100,000, will leave for the Coast immediately upon the completion of a big picture in which she is working at the Vitagraph studios in Flatbush, and work on her first feature under the National banner will be begun at once with the hope that the picture will be ready to release about August 1. Mr. Mitchell himself will direct every picture in which Miss Talmadge appears. Norma Talmadge. TOM MOORE LEAVES KALEM CO. Tom Moore, for the past four years identified with the Kalem Co., leaves that concern this week. Mr. Moore, during his long engagement as leading man and director with the Kalem Co., has made an enviable record in both departments and while he has not announced any immediate plans for the future, will undoubtedly be heard from shortly regarding further activities in the realms of silent drama. WILLIAMS LEAVES FOR TOUR OF WORLD. J. D. Williams, general representative for Winik-Brock, Inc., which controls the world rights to the World Film releases, left New York June 28 for a trip around the world on behalf of his company. He will be accompanied to Australia by Harry Musgrove, who is one of the powers in Australasian film circles.