Moving Picture World (May-Jun 1925)

992 MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 27, 1925 “Lady Windermere’s Fan” Is Lubitsch ’s New Warner Film OSCAR WILDE’S masterpiece, “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” one of the greatest light comedies ever written, is to be the next Ernst Lubitsch production for Warner Bros. Mr. Lubitsch had expected to use a colorful operetta, but his latest offering, “Kiss Me Again,” has proved such a spontaneous success, and the picture possibilities in “’Lady Windermere’s Fan” are so great, that Warner decided he should make one more comedy. Following "The Marriage Circle” and “Kiss Me Again,” the Wilde classic will be the third comedy produced by Mr. Lubitsch, but each of the three is of a distinct type. “Lady Windermere’s Fan” had its first presentation at St. James’ Theatre, London, February 20, 1892, and proved an outstanding success from the start. Two years later, on February 5, 1894, it had its New York premiere at the old Palmer’s Theatre. The American production was in the hands of a remarkable cast, numbering among its principals Maurice jBarrymore, father of John, Lionel and Ethel, as Lord Darlington, E. M. Holland as Lord Augustus Lorton, and Julia Arthur in the role of Lady Windermere. Others in the first American cast were: Edward Bell, Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Fanny Jackson, Marie Henderson, Rose Barrington, J. G. Saville, Walden Ramsay, Edward S. Abeles, Guido Marburg, Emily Seward and Ann Urhart. There have been many revivals of “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” both in the United States and England, in every case the original triumph being repeated. The play was been described by a famous critic as “an admirable specimen of light comedy, abounding vivacious dialogue and dexterous situations.” It was only after great difficulties that the Warners succeeded in procuring the screen rights to this masterpiece, for the executors of Oscar Wilde’s estate were violently opposed to a transfer of the play to the films. Consent was obtained only when the executors learned that “Lady Windermere’s Fan” would be placed in the hands of Ernst Lubitsch, whose “The Marriage Circle” had been highly acclaimed in London as well as throughout the United States. Most of the former Lubitsch productions have been based on original stories, or adaptations of stories not widely known. In choosing a work which is world celebrated, the producer is, therefore, launching upon an entirely new venture. Hal B. Wallis, in charge of Warner Bros, publicity at the studios in California, who is in New York in conference with Watt Parker, general supervisor of advertising and publicity, brought east reports of remarkable activity production at the Warner plant. “Eight of the forty productions on the 1925-26 schedule already are finished,” said Mr. Wallis yesterday. “Five others are now in work and will be completed within a week or ten days. This means that by July 1 practically one-third of the attractions on the coming year’s program will be ready, and September 1 should see the production schedule 50 per cent done. CLARA BOW Who will be seen in the B. P. Schulberg productions, “My Lady’s Lips” (seen to good advantage here) and “The Plastic Age” “This is a record which, I believe, probably was never before approached by any producing organization, particularly when the number of special features and the magnitude of many of the productions are considered.” Mr. Wallis said production work on these three has been finished within the last few days : “The Man on the Box,” starring Syd Chaplin, “Bobbed Hair,” with Marie Prevost and Kenneth Harlan, and “Three Weeks in Paris,” one of the Matt Moore starring vehicles, with Dorothy Devore in the leading woman’s role. Previously, work had ended on the following five : “The Golden Cocoon,” (Helene Chadwick) ; “Rose of the World, (Patsy Ruth Miller) ; “Below the Line” (Rin-Tin-Tin), “The Limited Mail” (Monte Blue), and “The Wife Who Wasn’t Wanted” (Irene Rich). Gasnier’s Second Production “The Other Woman’s Story,” by Peggy Gaddis, will be filmed under the direction of Gasnier, as his second production, next season for B. P. Schulberg. An announcement from the producer to this effect added that work would begin as soon as Gasnier has completed work on “Parisian Love,” which is now well under way. “The Other Woman's Story” is the co-respondent’s side of a famous divorce case, the story of which was inspired by an actuality. John Goodrich is preparing the adaption. ‘‘My Lady’s Lips” Ready The tenth and last B. P. Schulberg Production for the current year, “My Lady's Lips,” is ready for release, the master print having been received this week in New York by J. G. Bachmann, general manager of distribution. The picture is from an original screen story written by John Goodrich. Clara Bow, Frank Keenan, Alyce Mills, and William Powell are the principals of the cast. The police of Baltimore estimated that 200,000 moving picture fans gathered in the Maryland capital, before the Baltimore Theatre, to welcome Tom Mix (center), the famous William Fox star. One-Third Warner’s Product to Be Completed by July 1