Moving Picture World (Jul 1921)

July 23, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 427 Universal Schedules Nine Special Productions for the Fall Season Production has progressed so fast at Universal City since the return of Irving Thalberg, production manager, to the coast following his conference with Mr. Laemmle, that it is now possible to announce definitely the first nine Universal Special Attractions of the Fall season. These nine are the September and October releases and comprise releases of all the six Special Attraction starts, Frank Mayo, Gladys Walton, Hoot Gibson, Marie Prevost, Miss du Pont and Herbert Rawlinson. It was the intention at first to release the productions of these stars in one-two-three-order. The fact that Herbert Rawlinson was playing opposite Priscilla Dean in her Jewel picture, “Conflict,” made it necessary to hold off his first production until the Dean picture is finished ; so that his first Universal Special Attraction will be the ninth in order of release. Mayo Picture First To Frank Mayo, who has made a record the past year as a Universal Special Attraction star, falls the honor of opening the season on September 4. His offering will be “The Shark Master,” written and directed by Fred LeRoy Granville. Two leading women, May Collins and Doris Deane, support him, while the scenes were mostly made at Catalina. The story is one of romance and temptation on a desert island, and offers a big opportunity for beautiful scenery and striking atmosphere. First Walton Picture Gladys Walton’s first picture on the new schedule will be the ninth she has made in her short experience which started with a small part in “La La Lucille.” The name under which the new picture will be released is “High Heels,” formerly called “Christine of the Young Heart,” by Louise B. Clancy. This picture was directed by Lee Kohlmar just before he went to Europe. In the cast will be found William Worthington, Frederick Vogeding, George Hackathorn and the De Briac twins. The story concerns a young girl who was made over from a careless young egotist into a sympathetic maternal young thing by the loss of her money and the discovery of her heart. Gibson in "Action” Hoot Gibson, who is making his first appearance in five-reelers, will be seen first in a feature crammed with all the speed and daring for which this star has acquired a reputation. Its original title was “The Mascotte of the Three Stars,” by J. Allen Dunn, the noted adventure writer. For moving picture purposes the feature will be called “Action.” The company was placed in charge of Jack Ford, who has a cast including Clara Horton, Francis Ford, J. Farrell McDonald, William Robert Daly, Jim Corey and Dorothea Wolbert. The fourth picture introduces another of the new Universal attraction stars — Marie Prevost, in “Touch Me Not.” This is a story written especially for her by Percival Wilde. Its working title was “The Butterfly.” Everything possible has been done to give Miss Prevost an auspicious start as a dramatic star. She has been surrounded by a cast which includes Clyde Fillmore, Lionel Belmore, George Fisher and Marie Crisp. For director Mr. Thalberg assigned King Baggot. This former Universal star has made but two pictures as a director, but each has been such a huge success that Mr. Thalberg has great confidence in him. “Rage of Paris” “The Rage of Paris” is the title of the fifth production, which will introduce the new star, Miss Du Pont. Her work in “Foolish Wives,” which earned her a starring contract, will be continued in this production which has also a Parisian setting. Du Vernet Rabell wrote it under the title of “The White Peacock Feather.” Miss Du Pont is being supported by Jack Perrin, Eleanor Hickock, Ramsey Wallace, Leo White and J. J. Lance, and is being directed by Jack Conway. Frank Mayo comes into the limelight for the second time in the fall schedule with William Harper Dean’s story, “The Reverend Meddler,” in which he will be directed by William Worthington. Mayo appears as a two-fisted circuit rider in the southern mountains. He is supported by Lillian Rich. The story appeared originally in The Country Gentleman. Directed by Kirkland Gladys Walton’s second fall picture will be “The Ark Angel,” by Hamilton Thompson, a vigorous drama of the west coast fishing industry. David Kirkland held the megaphone, and prominent in the cast are Jack' Mower, William Welsh, Rex Rosselli, Anna Hernandez, Frances Hatton, C. B. Murphy, Alida B. Jones and the Countess Decella. Hoot Gibson is the star of the eighth fall production, a Peter B. Kyne story called “The Sheriff of Cinnebar.” In addition to two leading women in Molly Malone and Mary Philbin, Gibson is supported by Arthur Hoyt, Joe Girard, Charles Newton, Jim Corey, Mack Wright, Joe Harris, Joel Day, Richard Cummings and William Merril McCormick, a wonderful cast. Reaves Eason directed. The ninth production of the fall will star Herbert Rawlinson, whose earlier appearance was delayed by his work with Priscilla Dean in “Conflict.” The story chosen is “The Black Bag,” a famous novel by Louis Joseph Vance. This production will start next week, and so far no cast or director has been chosen. Lottie Pick ford Is Playing Lead in Playgoers Picture Lottie Pickford, sister of Mary Pickford, has returned to the screen and is playing the leading part in “They Shall Pay,” a Playgoers Picture production scheduled for release on August 7. There had been rumors that Lottie Pickford, who has not appeared on the screen for some time, had said farewell to pictures. However, Miss Pickford spent the great part of her time studying under some of the most prominent dramatic teachers of the world. While sojourning in France she was offered attractive contracts by French picture concerns and it is understood that a big German film concern made energtic efforts to secure her for some of their productions, but she preferred to return to this country. The story on which “They Shall Pay’’ is based is said to be an exceedingly strong and dramatic one and to give Miss Pickford ample and various chances to show her ability as an emotional actress. It is the story of a young girl whose father is unjustly thrown into prison because of the intrigues of a clique, composed of some of his enemies. His daughter, played by Miss Pickford, swears revenge when she realizes the victory her father’s enemies have scored and vows that “They Shall Pay” for their deed. New York ’s Capitol Theatre to Play “The Journey’s End tt “The Journey’s End,” considered by many one of the greatest pictures ever produced, is to play the Capitol Theatre, New York iCty, the week beginning July 17. Officials of the theatre, chief among them Samuel Rothapfel, are highly enthusiastic about the picture and expect to achieve great results with it. ONE OF THE MOST SPLENDID SETS EVER USED IN A MOTION PICTURE An ultra striking scene in Ambrosio’s great screen spectacle made from Sardou’s play, "Theodora,” distributed by Goldwyn. Perhaps the Italians aren’t coming to the front! “The Journey’s End,” as has been noted before, is the first serious drama ever created without a single subtitle, so that it really represents a striking novelty in the art of picture making, and it presents a series of scenes that are charming to the eye. The cast is a splendid one. Mabel Baffin in the leading feminine role leaves little to be desired. It is said that, her work in “The Journey’s End ’ surpasses any of her successes in the past. Anther prominent member is Wyndham Standing, who has been seen in support of practically every female star of importance. Numbered among his greatest successes are “The Isle of Conquest,” in which he played opposite Norma Talmadge, and “Rose of the World,” which he made with Elsie Ferguson. Mr. Standing will also be remembered for his remarkable work in “Eearthbound.” Another featured member of cast is George Bancroft, a “find” of Hugo Baffin’s.