Moving Picture World (Dec 1920)

598 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 4, 1920 Fox Announces “Blind Wives” Based on Edward Knoblock’s “My Lady's Dress” Again Adopts Episode Form as Used in “While New York Sleeps ” to Show Milady’s W onderjul Finery and the Human Cost and Tragedy Which Makes It Possible HAVING so successfully shown varying strata of life in “While New York Sleeps,” William Fox has again invaded life in the high and low places, producing another picture different in theme and treatment, but described as just as dramatic and forceful, with another appeal. This is “Blind Wives,” a picturization in * episodes from Edward Knoblock’s play of two continents, “My Lady’s Dress.” Produced several years ago on the speaking stage, American and European critics hailed this play as one of the strongest expositions of the eternal feminine and her frivolities and frailities and its consequent prosperity formed the foundation of the fame of this brilliant author. To Mr. Fox the play of “My Lady’s Dress” appealed as a great opportunity for the drama, and he decided to again use the episode form, as he had done in “While New York Sleeps.” Charles J. Brabin, in preparing this story for the screen, is said to have shown the same bold lines of character drawing, subtle and swift development of plot and situations and striking denouement as in the former picture, but with a new and fascinating phase of life. Mr. Fox has taken from “While New York Sleeps” the same trio of artists and transplanted them to the cast for the Knoblock story, but with different opportunities for a newer display and a still farther reaching into novelty. These are Estelle Taylor, Mark McDermott and Harry Sothern. In continuing the art of these players into another picture an increased interest comes with a new test of their versatility and a new shade to their screen personalities. For in “Blind Wives” Miss Taylor, Mr. McDermott and Mr. Sothern, by the same method have created three new roles which, it is claimed, will excel their former work. It is worthy of thoughtful attention in the development of picture production the success that has come to this method of presenting the same players in diversified roles, giving great and wider fields for the scope and many-sidedness of their talent. Theme of Play It is the foibles, the frivolities, the frailties, the slavery to fashion, the following of the butterfly existence, the surrender to vanity, this is the theme of Mr. Knoblock’s play. He tosses his frail bit of feminity into a gilded and rainbow-colored world where selfishness rules and where the thought is only of today. Once in this velvet tangle of ease and luxury the character develops that side of the texture which shows only the bright designs and the colors of the weaving, until the author deftly turns his fabric and shows the rough side and all of that portion of humanity which has had to suffer so that others might have luxury. Dress is reason for this remarkable story — woman’s dress — just how hard, how cruel and tragic is the making of that which appears to be wholly beautiful. To produce such a picture, to give it the setting of luxury, the touch of fashion and spendthrift splendor, it is claimed that never before has there been such prodigality by a producer in clothes as in “Blind Wives,” There was assembled at the studio a prominent modiste’s loveliest models, adorned in the most elaborate and costliest that fashion dictated. This was just one of the scenes. Just as realistic is shown the other side of the weaving, making a story of power and pathos. It is the cost — not in money, but human cost — that makes the drama of the story. In each of the episodes there is a different story, each dealing with that human cost of the gown or its adorement. Each episode is a story in itself — the three linking into a narrative told in scenes of thrill and sensational situations. McDonald Leads for Viola Dana Francis McDonald, the popular leading man, has been engaged by Bayard Veiller, director of productions at Metro’s West Coast studios in Hollywood, to play opposite Viola Dana in her next starring vehicle, “Sorrentina.” Filming of this picture has been started at the studios, with Dallas M. Fitzgerald directing the popular little Metro star. Trinity Engages JFales to Direct Traverse Pictures R. Ellis Wales, for the past year and a half director of production service with the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation and formerly associated with D. W. Griffith and Famous Players-Lasky as a technical expert in production supervision and design, has been engaged by Trinity Productions, Inc., as supervisor of production for the Madlaine Traverse Photoplays. This announcement by H. Lyon Smith, president of Trinity Productions, Inc., which will make during 1921 a series of four elaborate feature films, starring Madlaine Traverse, follows closely upon the news that this star was to resume her activities on the screen in vehicles especially selected for her. No Effort Spared The engagement of Mr. Wales confirms previous reports to the effect that no effort was to be spared nor detail neglected to make each Madlaine Traverse Photoplay a special production of the highest entertainment and box office quality. Mr. Wales’ entrance into motion pictures dates back to the early Kalem days and embraces years of association and experience with many of the most notable figures in the realm of the motion picture industry. ESTELLE TAYLOR IS SAYING: "NO, I CAN SEE PERFECTLY WELL An unusual .picture taken from the new Fox production, " Blind Wives” TEN IN « TEN OUT? Which Will Voir Bel