Moving Picture World (Aug 1920)

August 14, 1920 '!'].'!£ MOVING PICTURE WORLD 891 Big Features with Prominent Fox Stars in List of Coming Pictures ASIDE from the Fox special attractions the productions for the new year include the work of notable stars. An imposing schedule has been prepared for William Farnum, Pearl White and Tom Mix. In the Farnum series there will be six big features added to the special “If I Were King.’’ They are headed by “The Scuttlers,” by Clyde C. Westover, and “Drag Harlan” from the book by Charles Alden Seltzer; both directed by J. Gordon Edwards. “The Scuttlers” is a big strong story of the sea and shows Farnum in that rugged type that has made him so popular throughout the world. One of the chief scenes in this picture is a fight in the hold of a sinking ship. “Drag Harlan” is another story of extraordinary force. During the year Mix will be seen in seven features, headed by “The Untamed,” from the book by Max Brand; others will be “The Texan,” by James B. Hendryx and “Prairie Flowers” by the same author. Realize Power of Pearl White. “The Untamed” is said not only to be a big Mix story in itself, but it has a cast that is exceptional. Pauline Starke, who has appeared as a star, is his leading woman. George Siegman, the famous “heavy,” is also with him. He has played in “The Birth of a Nation,” “Hearts of the World,” and other big screen attractions. P, M. McCullough, too, is in the cast. Exhibitors seem to recognize that Pearl White in Fox film star features will be a big box office asset. They keep asking when the series will , be released. Aside from the special “The White Moll,” seven powerful dramatic stories have been selected for Miss White. Among th'ese is “The Thief,” Henri Bernstein’s play, which was a, big success in New York, London and Paris. She will be seen in “Tiger’s Cub,” from, the book by George Goodchild. Tfiis is a story of Alaska with many Pearl White thrills.,, She will be seen also in “The Mountain Woman,” from the book called “A Pagan of the Hills” by Charles Neville Buck. Shirley Mason Busy. Shirley Mason is one of the most attractive stars in pictures, portraying convincingly the sweet, unspoiled girl. Such roles she makes fascinating by her method of handling them — by her winsome personality and by being wholesomely different. Her first release for the new year will be -a superb production of “Merely Mary Ann,” the big stage success from the pen of Israel Zangwill. This is a typical Shirley Mason story, and has been given exceptional staging; to such an extent that the beauty of the scenic effects, it is said, will vie with dhe cleverness of the tale. Edward J. Le Saint, who has made many box office winners for Fox, directed the picture. Following “Merely Mary Ann” will come “Chin Toy,” by Pearl Doles Bell — a story located in Chinatown and supplying Miss Mason with a role daintier and more appealing, perhaps, than any she has enacted. Miss Mason is scheduled for seven pictures. Four Big Walsh Pictures. Another popular Fox star with a large following is George Walsh. Thus far he is listed for four 1920-21 pictures. The first will be “From Now On,” by Frank L. Packard, author of “The Miracle Man.” It is a typical Walsh story, full of pep. It has in it deeds of both daring and clever ness, the sort which bring applause. Then there will be “Number 17,” a story of love, intrigue and mystery from the novel by Louis Tracy. Also “The Plunger,” written by Thomas F. Fallon and directed by Dell Henderson. William Russell, who has added to his splendid following since he came under the Fox banner, is on the new schedule for seven pictures. Strong Group of Stars. His first fall picture will be “The Man Who Dared,” written by Julius G. Furthman and directed by Emmett J. Flynn. The title in itself is valuable exploitation. Then will come “The Challenge of the Law,”. by E. Lloyd Sheldon, directed by Scott Dunlap. Still another Russell picture will be “The Iron Rider,” from the pen of the noted Frank L. Packard. Packard has written some very big thrilling stories, and he lives up to his reputation with “The Iron Rider.” A strong group of new Fox stars is that including Buck Jones, Eileen Percy and Louise Lovely— and other new ones may be looked for. Buck Jones has already proved his quality as a drawing card in drama of the open west, of courage and daring, stunts and romance. Miss Percy and Miss Lovely are well known to theatre patrons by their work as leading women in Fox productions. They will make their first stellar appearance early in the season. These three stars will give to the public a total of twenty-six pictures during the year. Starts Serial Program. Eileen Percy’s first production, “Her Honor the Mayor,” will be released in September, and her second, “Tfie Husband Hunter,” in October. rL,ouis Lovely’s first appearance will be in “The Little Grey Mouse,” in October. Buck J6nes will be seen in stories furnished by authors of high reputation. His first picture will be “Sunset Sprague,” a Clyde C,. Westover story of the West; his second “The Rangers,” another Western production, as the title implies. A distinct departure in the Fox Film Corporation policy is the inauguration of a serial program, the first production being “Bride 13,” in fifteen episodes. the coming year. It is said to contain all the sensational and spectacular features of a three-ring circus, the dash and splendor of a musical comedy, with many beautiful girls, and wit and humor of the best comedians. Many additions to the large force of prominent comedy stars will do much during the new year to enhance the drawing power of this brand of Fox entertainments. Midgets Are Featured. Among these are the famous troupe of Singer Midgets, assembled from all parts of the world, and who have won distinction in this country by their work in vaudeville houses. Included in this troupe is a large menagerie, which supplies the Midgets with material for many laugh-provoking situations. Another important acquisition is Clyde Cook, the noted British entertainer, who before he joined the Fox organization was the principal comedian at the New York Hippodrome for a season. There will be twenty-six new Fox Sunshine Comedies issued during the year. New Cartoon Comedy Each Week. The celebrated Mutt and Jeff Animated Cartoons, created by Captain Bud Fisher and screened by William Fox present comedy in its most grotesque vein. These wellknown cartoons are enjoyed daily by millions of newspaper readers throughout the country, and are viewed nightly at the theatres in animated form. Steady improvement in the process of manufacture has accompanied the screen career qf elongated Mutt and sawed-off Jeff;.,.,: they frequently draw an audience where the featured film is n<|t a magnet; and Capt. Fisher ptpfffises ever|>. more irresistible work by this funny pair, than they , have heretofore accomplished. There will be a new Mutt and Jeff Comedy for every week in the year. / Fox News will be one year old on October . 11, 1920. In the face of opposition, established for from six to ten years, in tfi’e nine months of its existence it is said to have become firmly established all over the world on a plane with any and every other news reel. The reason for this marveloifs growth in so short a period of time can only be, due to actual worth, in point of news Astudy was made of the serial market -and AYflue, photography and general make-up, the demand for episode pictures and as a of Fo* News itself. result the first serial to be made under the News Exceeds Expectations. Fox banner Avaji filmed. ,c . t— xt , . , • that box News has come, up to, and perhaps gone a little beyond exhibitors’ expectations is indicated by the manner in which it has become recognized as an essential part of the program of practically all theatres of note. Starting out with a news reel personnel that was unexcelled anywhere in the industry, innovations have been put into effect, week after week. A news reel is essentially a screen newspaper and, with this in view the Fox News Department was organized on a newspaper plan. There is a managing editor, a night city editor, a feature editor and innumerable camera reporters. Practically every corner of the earth has its Fox News correspondent, and Fox News offices encircle the globe. ■ ;. ; 7 • W-m Used Battleship Fleet. Richard Stanton directed “Bride 13,” with an all-star cast headed by Marguerite Clayton and John O’Brien. The story was written by E. Lloyd Sheldon and the scenario by Edward Sedgwick. The picture was made with the co-operation of the United States Navy, an entire fleet of warships and aircraft being engaged for several months in the undertaking. “Bride 13” is only the first of Fox Film Corporation’s serials. A second is now in course of production and others will follow — so that one episode of a serial will be released every week in the year. Fox Comedies Very Popular. Fox Sunshine Comedies occupy a unique position in the film comedy field because of their lavish settings, pretty girls and strong directorial staff, headed by Hampton Del Ruth. “Skirts,” announced as the first sixreel comedy produced by any company, is offered as establishing a precedent and fixes a new standard in extravagant comedy for Big Plans Under Way. Comprehensive plans are under way to strengthen still further every department and every feature of Fox News, and for the coming year this news reel holds out to exhibitors the promise that its past year progressiveness, from every standpoint, will not only be duplicated, but excelled.