Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

496 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 1, 1923 Enrico Guazzoni Arrives with Print of Big Film “Messalina” Signor Enrico Guazzoni, prominent Italian director, arrived in c New York November 9. He m brought with him a print of his latest production, “Messalina,” which is regarded as one of the most sensational European films of the year. Signor Guazzoni will best be remembered for his magnificent production of “Quo Vadis,” one of the first elaborate spectacles to be made. It was released in this country during 1913 and is yet being shown. Signor Guazzoni has placed himself under the management of Ferdinand Y. Luporini, who is well known in the film business, with headquarters in the Straus Building. When questioned regarding conditions in Europe, Signor Guazzoni said: “The situation in the Ruhr has brought about an unsettled condition and it is the hope of everyone that the United States will intervene in order to help to bring about a settlement. In Italy there have been no more strikes since the advent of Mussolini to power. Everyone is working and happy. "I came to the United States to attend to the sale of ‘Messalina’ after the re-editing and titling to answer the requirements of the American market. I have many plans regarding future pro ductions but do not care to discuss them at this time. American pictures in Italy are well liked, particularh’ from the technical point of view. Conditions in Italy as to the production of motion pictures are on the way to improvement. after a period of stagnation which has been beneficial to the industry because it served to eliminate the spurious elements.” The production of “Messalina,” following such films as “Cleopatra” and “Julius Caesar,” .was regarded with great interest by the King and Queen and others of the royal family, as well as the officials of the Italian government. They understood the far reaching advantages of publicity to be derived from the faithful reproduction of the Roman era. They were constant visitors during the construction of the settings and the filming of the scenes and extended all possible co-operation, including the use of the Italian cavalry. The story of “Messalina” is laid in. the year of 12 A. D. at the time when the Roman Empire was at its height. Messalina was a woman of rare beauty but of easy virtue, wTho lived in the Imperial Palace with her husband Claude, who wras nephew to Emperor Caligula and a consul. Caligula was a great tyrant and Messalina took advantage of the hatred of his people to make her husband Emperor. Her friend and companion was an Egyptian princess, until they both fell in love with a young slave, famous as a chariot driver. The jealousy between the two, the plot to outwfit each other and the hate of the princess for a young girl, a slave, wfith whom the driver w’as in love, brought about intrigue and drama which reached the climax in the death of the princess and Messalina. The settings are tremendous and perfect as to detail, it is said. Exact reproductions of the arena, the forum and the rostrum wrere constructed of cement. The exactness of the atmosphere created may be judged by the fact that the minister of public instruction had all pupils taken to the forum so that they could obtain a proper impression of the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Historical societ:es and foreign students gave lessons there. The largest scene required the services of ten thousand extras. The fights of the gladiators and the uprising of the mobs have been pictured realistically, it is stated. The picture has been purchased by the Pathe Company of Uondon for England at a big price. It is not to be released until 1924. ENRICO GUAZZONI Picture Is Heavily Booked “Pioneer Trail s,” Vitagraph Film, was booked in sixty houses for showings in fourteen days in Cleveland, Ohio, beginning October 29. Similar bookings for simultaneous showings in groups of motion picture theatres have been arranged for Toledo and Columbus territories. Special adColumbus territories. Ovation Given Young Fox December Releases Douglas Fairbanks Include 15 Big Films The ordeal of having his hand shaken by hundreds of people who pressed forward Sunday evening in the mezzanine of the Rivoli Theatre to congratulate him upon his performance in his first motion picture was almost too much for Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. For the truth is, young Doug is a regular, honest-to-goodness American boy and had a good book back at the Algonquin Hotel, which he had left right in the most exciting part, to be dragged over to the Rivoli to see just how New York people were going to like his first Paramount starring picture, “Stephen Steps Out.” Never was a first-night theatre audience more enthusiastic than was the throng that w’ent to the Rivoli to see this young new star in his first screen appearance. Applause was frequent and spontaneous. The World critic said: “It is one of the very truest and best cinema comedies of the year, and it proves that the boy is a natural actor of fine pantomimic ability.” “He has a Fairbanks way with him,” said the Tribune. "The impression that he made on the Rivoli audience yesterday was a most favorable one,” said Robert E. Sherwood in the Herald. Although young Fairbanks will not be fourteen for another month, he has much poise. There are fifteen pictures on the December release program of Fox Film Corporation. This list consists of four special productions, starring respectively, Tom Mix, John Gilbert, Dustin Farnum and Charles Jones; two Imperial Comedies, three Sunshine and two Educationals. "The Net” is the first of the December specials. It will be released on the second of the month. It is a J. Gordon Edwards production, the story having been taken from a stage play by Maravene Thompson. The cast includes : Roscoe, Raymond Bloomer. Byron Douglas and Claire De Uorez. “You Can’t Get Away With It,” is set down for release on December 9. Written by Gouverneur Morris, the picture is a Rowland V. Uee production. The cast is headed by Percy Marmont and Betty Bouton. “Hoodman Blind” is posted for release on December 16. It is the work of Sir Henry Arthur Jones and Wilson Barrett. The lead is played by David Butler. Gladys Hulette is in a dual role. Frank Campeau and Marc McDermott have character roles. “Gentle Julia” will be released December 23. Taken from the novel by Booth Tarkington. this story has been transferred to the screen under the direction of Rowland V. Uee. The title role is played by Bessie Love. "Ken tucky Days,” starring Dustin Farnum, is put down for December 2. The story was written by John Lynch. “Cupid’s Fireman,” a Charles Jones release, is also booked for distribution December 2. It is founded on “Andy McGee’s Chorus Girl” by Richard Harding Davis. “The Wolf Man,” starring John Gilbert, will be released December 9. Frederick and Fanny Hatton wrote the story. Norma Shearer heads the supporting cast. On December 16 a Tom Mix picture with the temporary title “Eyes of the Forest” will be released. The author is Shannon Fife. "The Income Tax Collector,” a Sunshine comedy, will be released December 2; “The Riding Master,” December 16, and "Spring Fever,” December 30. Imperial Comedy, "Monks A La Mode.” is listed for December 23. and the Educationals are: “Johnny’s Swordfish,” December 9 and "The Canadian Alps,” December 23. Purchases Rights to “The Bandolero” Goldwvn Pictures Corporation has bought the picture rights to “The Bandolero.” a novel by Paul Gwvnne. Tom Terriss has been engaged to direct it. Work Progressing Rapidly on New Pick ford Production More than one-third of “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall, Mary Pickford’s forthcoming screen production, has been filmed, according to W. W. Kerrigan, business manager for the Mary Pickford company. Over 300 scenes have been shot. The gigantic gates to Rutland Castle have been duplicated on a stretch of land about forty miles from the Pickford-Fairbanks studio and this ’location is to be used next, according to present The cast for this screen version cf Charles Major s novel of the same name, includes Allan Forrest, Claire Eamse, Marc McDermott, Anders Randolph, Wilfred Lucas, Eric Mayne, Estelle Taylor, Lottie Pickford Forrest and Malcolm Waite.