Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1917)

1312 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 26, 1917 Art Dramas for May Four Charming Stars Are to Be Presented in Releases During the Month. ALMA HANIjON, -Marian Swayne, Naomi Childers and Jean Sothern are the picture players who will be featured in the Art Dramas releases for May. The pictures come from the four studios: Apollo, Erbograph, U. S. Amusement, and Van Dyke. "The Auction of Virtue." the first release of the month, dated tor Maj 3, marks Naomi Childers' debut on the Art Dramas Program, Critics have been high in praise of this picture, which was directed by Herbert Blaehe, trom the story written by Joseph Poland. In support of Miss Childers are Leslie Austen. Wyndham Standing, Kirke Brown and Evelyn Dunn. Si cond of the months releases, scheduled for May 10, is "Little Miss Fortune." an Erbograph production featuring Marian Swayne, This picture is Miss Swayne's first for *.he Erbograph company. The story of "Little Miss Fortune" was written by Rev. Clarence J. Harris, and was directed by Joseph Levering. This picture, which has just been completed, is considered by Ludwig Erb, president of Erbograph. to be the best thing ever done at his studio. It is a comedydrama "with a poignant heart appeal. Xext comes the Apollo picture, "The Mystic Hour," which is said to be one of the, most unusual dramas ever screened. The publicity campaign for this has been so strong that inquiries as to its nature have been coming in daily from exhibitors all over the country. The fact that it is founded on a mystifying dream, in which a murder is committed, has aroused curiosity and interest in the minds of both exhibitors and laymen. Those who have seen the picture say it is one of the strongest and most gripping mystery plays ever screened. Richard Ridgely directed, and Alma Hanlon is featured. In the cast are Charles Hutchinson and Florence Short. The last of the month's releases is entitled "A Mute Appeal." This is from the Van Dyke studios, and is said to be a story without villians, without unpleasant situations, and without dullness. It is a drama primarily of heart interest. Jean Sothern is starred in this. Walter Edwin, recently signed up by Van Dyke, directs, and Donald Cameron is the leading man Others in the cast are Tom Magrane and Elsie Mason. The story of "A Mute Appeal" was written by an author of note, it is said. His name has not yet been announced. All of these productions are practically completed at the various studios. PATRIOTISM IN UNIVERSAL "CURRENT EVENTS." Patriotism is the keynote of the first issue of the Universal Current Events, the latest feature reel presented by the Universal which is devoted exclusively to commemorating on the screen the most important happenings in all parts of the world. No phase of the historic trip of Marshal Joffre and the French Commission escaped the Universal cameraman. Every occasion where the illustrious visitors appeared in public has been photographed. The famous French general is shown on his whirlwind trip through the West and a great part of the reel is taken up with the celebration in New York. Other features in the reel show the preparations being made by the ship builders of the country to turn out vessels for trans-Atlantic service, the drilling of recruits at various points; close-up view of President Wilson and Vice-President Marshall and an intimate view of Thomas Edison, who is working on a new invention that may determine the outcome of the war. A novel method of titling has been adopted for the Universal Current Events. Instead of the hackneyed form used in other releases of this type the main titles are introduced in the form of newspaper heads in large type so the audience can grasp at a glance the subject matter to follow. THE TRAINING OF AN EIGHT-OARED CREW. In the 68th release of Paramount-Bray-Pictographs. the training of the young giants that pull the shells to victory or defeat is told in a most interesting and highly exciting way. The picture Was taken in the training quarters at Yale and the men who are seen seated in the boat represent eight of the foremost athletes in the world — men whose names are known hy followers of sports in every town and hamlet. The film shows the progress made from the first day of practice up to the one great day when, seated in the long graceful shell, they await the starter's gun to send them away. The picture winds up with a thrilling race. PARALTA ADVANCES MUTUAL RELEASE DATES. The work of "organization of the Paralta enterprise has advanced so fast that the original release dates of Bessie Barriscale and "Jack" Kerrigan pictures may be moved forward at least one month. As has been announced. Miss Barriscale's first release will be "Rosa O' Paradise," but the subject of Mr Kerrigan's first picture has not yet been selected from among four stories that have been bought for his use. This matter will not be decided till Mr. Kerrigan reaches Los Angeles, June 1. Fox Busy on Children's Stories In Preparation Are Many Pictures That Will Appeal to the Elders as Well as the Youngsters. WORK Is well under way on several Fox "Kiddie" features, both in the Fox Western studios and in the studios at Fort Lee, N. .1. Children who have become famous in the silent drama have been gathered by Mr. Fox and they are all now busily at work. In planning the "kiddie" productions Mr. Fox had in mind photoplays that would at once appeal both to the children and their parents. In addition to filming many stories that are familiar to the children, he has been going over hundreds of manuscripts that have been submitted to him by some of the foremost writers of children's stories in the United States. Mr. Fox, who is very fond of children, has issued instructions that the children who are appearing in the "kiddie" features are not to be overtaxed either mentally or physically. A certain number of hours are given over to studio work, after which they are given their freedom to indulge in healthy childish games. The fact that the corporation has announced the release of "kiddie" features has brought an avalanche of inquiries from all parts of the United States. Prominent kindergartners and well-known educators have written to Mr. Fox commending him on his innovation. In addition many exhibitors have wired to the booking offices asking, for the first release of the pictures that will make such a popular appeal both to the youngsters and the grown-ups. THOMAS MEIGHAN NOW WITH BILLIE BURKE. Thomas Meighan, "who has appeared opposite Pauline Frederick ever since his arrival in the East from the Lasky studio at Hollywood, has transferred his allegiance to Billie Burke and will play the leading role in Miss Burke's first Famous Players-Paramount picture, "The Mysterious Miss Terry," which is now in the course of production under the direction of J. Searle Dawley. During his stay in the East Mr. Meighan has appeared in support of Pauline Frederick in "The Slave Market," "Sapho," "Sleeping Fires" and "Her Better Self," all the productions in which Miss Frederick has starred since Mr. Meighan was transferred from Hollywood. Owing to the exigencies of the Paramount schedule, after the completion and release of four Famous Players pictures which were produced in the East, Mr. Meighan will play opposite Blanche Sweet in "The Silent Partner." This is a Lasky production which was staged in the West just prior to the departure of Mr. Meighan. but matters have so arranged themselves that the picture is not scheduled for release until May 24. "Her Better Self," the last of the Pauline Frederick pictures in which Mr. Meighan appears, will be released the 21st of the same month, and through this coincidence Mr. Meighan will have the unique distinction of playing the lead in two successive Paramount pictures. "FILLING HIS OWN SHOES" (Essanay). June 11 has been fixed for the release of Bryant Washburn's next Essanay feature. "Filling His Own Shoes" is the title. It is an adaptation from the novel of that title by Henry C. Rowland, which was one of the "six best sellers" a year ago. Filming of this feature has practically been completed. It will be on exhibition for exhibitors at all K-E-S-E branches within a few days. The story has to do with an American shoe clerk in Paris. France. He loses his job, joins a Red Cross corps in the Balkan wars, and during an engagement saves an aged Turk who had been wounded. The Turk dies, but in gratitude bequeathes him a fortune, not to mention his harem, consisting of three beautiful Turkish maidens. What the ex-shoe clerk does with his harem forms a decidedly promising picture. Hazel Daly, the creator of the role of Honey in Mr. Washburn's "Skinner" pictures, again appears as his leading woman in this production. Also there is a woman in the cast who actually weighs 2S5 pounds, and provides some excellent comedy, so it is reported. "Filling His Own Shoes" will have a screen time of 1 hour. 15 minutes, approximately. BILL RUSSELL IN "FOR A LADY'S PURSE." William Russell, the Mutual-American star, has begun work on his next production. "For A Lady's Name." The story is by Constance Crawley and Arthur Maude. In this film Mr. Russell appears as a young society man who has become bored by his easy victories over woman and starts out to find a woman who is elusive and whom he can pursue. His conquest leads to many complications, which build up a story full of love and adventure. Kathleen Kirkham. who has recently been added to the players at the American studio, will appear with Mr. Russell, playing the role of the adventuress in whom Philip Greycourt i William Russell) becomes interested. Francelia Billington appears as the innocent young girl madly in love with Philip and whom he ultimately marries; William Conklin is John Villiers, the husband of the adventuress, and Ashton Dearholt portrays the role of Philip's chum.