Moving Picture World (Aug 1920)

878 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 14, 1920 Robertson-Cole Announces “Iris, ” Pinero's Play, as First Vehicle for Pauline Frederick AFTER a period of careful preparation, during which absolute secrecy was maintained, Robertson-Cole announces that its initial production starring Pauline Frederick will be a screen version of Sir Arthur Wing Pinero’s play “Iris.” It is planned to release the production the last week in September, so that exhibitors may have the benefit of this special picture as an early fall booking. The screen version of “Iris,” starring Miss Frederick, will be given the trade under the understanding into which Robertson-Cole is entering with all its stars— that they shall not make more than four productions a year, in order that the highest possible standard of merit may prevail. The screen rights to “Iris” were purchased by Robertson-Cole from A. H. Woods. “Iris” as a stage play had a long and successful American run. To Select Special Stories. The calibre of the story given Miss Frederick in the first of her Robertson-Cole series is to be maintained throughout. Each picture will be based on a story selected with such deliberation as to assure her appearance in the most fitting and appropriate vehicles which are available. “Iris” was picked as Miss Frederick’s first Robertson-Cole production because it has a central role which fits her exactly. In this part she is being directed by Henry Otto. The central situation of “Iris” will no doubt give Miss Frederick the greatest dramatic opportunity of her career, as it holds a situation and a characterization which are among the most powerful in the whole range of English-spoken drama. The story places her in the role of a beautiful girl of the English leisure class who has been brought up to know every luxury and comfort, including the admiration of a large circle of friends and a central place in all the gay events of London’s most brilliant society. Strong Supporting Cast. The cast which will support Miss Frederick has been selected with the greatest of care from the best available actors. Nigel Barrie, an English actor who has supported many prominent stars on both sides of the Atlantic, is a featured member. Howard Gaye is another of the cast who was born in England and trained on the British stage. Others of the cast are Willard Lewis, Arthur Hoyt, Daisy Robinson, Jean Crosby and Maude Lewis. Diligent study was given the original Pinero manuscript, and the settings are for the American presentation of the play, to make sure that exact details of settings and locations might be followed out. Advance word from California, where the picture is being made, says that all settings will follow faithfully the descriptions of the scenes as given by Pinero. One of the most beautiful reproductions of an English baronial estate in California is being used, while the interiors are entirely in keeping. Circuit Announces Lehrman’s Next Marking an achievement in two-reel comedy production, “The Kick in High Life,” Henry Lehrman’s second independent production to be distributed through Associated First National Pictures, Inc., is declared by pre-reviewers to be one of the greatest laugh-getters ever put in two reels of celluloid. Abandoning his effort to draw the elusive laugh as a result of satire on romance and the present-day film, Mr. Lehrman has brought forth a picture that is built only for laughing purposes and stops at no clean ends to get the applause of the audience. “The Kick in High Life” follows Mr. Yehrman’s success, “A Twilight Baby,” his initial production be distributed by First National Exhibitors’ Circuit. EDWARD JOSE, who has just completed the production of “The Riddle: ' Woman,” with Geraldine Farrar, the first Associated Exhibitors picture for distribution through Pathe, has joined the ranks of director-producers. Delighted with the success attending his efforts with “The Riddle: Woman,” the Associated Exhibitors, immediately following his completion of the picture, engaged the director to make an Edward Jose Special. Mr. Jose is to begin work shortly on his special. He has not yet announced the story from which he will produce, but he has purchased the rights to a well-known literary work and is now engaged in the selection of a cast. An all-star aggregation of players will be selected for the first Edward Jose Production. The director of “The Riddle: Woman” will continue to work in the old Thanhouser studio in New Rochelle, where he produced the great Farrar vehicle. Edward Jose has every right to be producer in his own right, for he has made a number of the outstanding features of the past few years. His work with Norma Talmadge helped largely to establish her fame. Four of Anita Stewart’s best pictures including “The Yellow Typhoon” were directed by Mr. Jose. One of the motives which impelled the Associated Exhibitors to sign Mr. Jose for a production of his own is the belief of its entire membership that the public today demands productions as well as stars. Meighan Off to the Coast Following the completion of “The Frontier of the Stars” under the direction of Charles Maigne, Thomas Meighan, star in Paramount productions left Monday, August 2, for the Lasky studio, Hollywood, to commence work on “Easy Street.” Mr. Meighan has been a consistent transcontinental traveler for the year, having made “The Prince Chap” at Hollywood; “Civilian Clothes” in the east, then “Conrad in Quest of His Youth” in the west. In the last year, independent producers who have depended upon their own skill, good stories, and strong casts to make high class pictures, have proved that the public doesn’t miss stars if they are given good entertainment. Mr. Jose knows story value, and has an insight into the box office merit of pictures that gives him added prestige from the exhibitors’ viewpoint. Finston Resigns from Capitol Word comes from the Caoitol Theatre that Nat Finston, the conductor of the orchestra who has been with the theatre since the symphonic orchestra was introduced at the Capitol, has resigned his position to assume the musical direction of Goldwyn presentations throughout the country. He will proceed immediately to Chicago to take charge of the presentation of the Goldwyn release “Earthbound” at the Playhouse. Ray Working on Interiors Charles Ray is busily engaged in shooting the first interior scenes for his initial release for Associated First National Pictures, “Forty-five Minutes from Broadway.” This stage success from the pen of George M. Cohan is ideal for the star, and Director Joseph De Grass is confident that it will be the most successful production ever released from the Ray studio. Mere Maids As Mermaids Taking a Dip in the Old Pool. These Fox Sunshine beauties have evidently got the Indian sign on the warm weather. Xo. dear reader, the girl to the right centre is not the original “September Morn. She s tne 1492 model. Not saying of course that she couldn't be a modern one. Edward Jose to Make Special Production for Associated to be Released by Pathe