The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

January 3, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD , 71 'Everywoman* Included in List of Artcraft Releases for December 28 Begin Work on "Blind Youth." The scenario of "Blind Youth," the second production of National Theatres, Inc., which will be released through Select, was completed last week by Katherine Reed and turned over to the West Coast Studios, where work on production has been started by Al Green, who is directing it. Mr. Green has just completed Monte Katterjohn's "Silks and Petticoats," an all-star production, featuring House Peters, and came direct from the Garson studios to direct for Harry Rapf. Beatrice Joy has been engaged by Mr. Rapf to play one of the stellar roles. Wistaria to Film Big Broadway Stage Plays BURTON KING, director-general of Wistaria Productions, announces that the policy of the company for the coming year will embrace the filming of a number of famous books and Broadway successes. The first vehicle will be "Why Women Win," a play by Will Murphy. Lloyd Lonergan has prepared the continuity. Anne Luther, who recently completed "The Lurking Peril" for Wistaria is featured and the following cast assembled: Claire Whitney, Ethel Hallor, Baby Ivy Ward, Charles Gerard, E. J. Radclif¥e, Albert Hart and J. W. Johnston. The Wistaria Company recently held its annual election, and Mr. Frank F. Gallagher was elected President of the company. Burton King, vice-president and director-general, and Thomas de Vassey, secretary and treasurer. Fox Gets Flood Pictures. To James B. Buchanan, Fox News cameraman, is due credit for having added an interesting chapter to the romance of news gathering for the motion picture screen. Those who view records of news events on the screen, like those who read the stories in the daily newspapers, rarely comprehend the perseverance, pluck and energy 4isplayed by the cameraman or reporter in getting the pictures or news for his organization. When Chattachoochee River rose to the height of thirty-one feet six inches, the greatest in its history, and flooded West Point, Ga., Mr. Buchanan was in Atlanta. Naturally train service to West Point was abandoned, but Buchanan found that one train was to be sent as close to the stricken city as possible — the Red Cross train carrying doctors, nurses, food, blankets and other supplies needed by a stricken people. Movical Comedy Makes Its Bow. The new "Wizard of Oz" and Movie Girls' Review, Hopp Hadley's new-idea combination of pretty girls, music and pictures which he calls movical comedy, has completed rehearsals and will open at Keith's Lincoln Theatre in New York during the Holidays. The whole performance occupies the time of a seven reel feature and is arranged to play motion picture theatres. The picture is a short five reel subject, complete in itself, but when used in the movical comedy it fades from the screen at intervals and the action is taken up on the stage by means of musical numbers. GEORGE H. MELFORD'S super-special "Everywoman," which has already been accorded an enthusiastic reception in pre-release showings in several cities; Billie Burke in "Wanted — a Husband," and Charles Ray in "Red Hot Dollars" form the trio of releases on the Paramount-Artcraft schedule for December 28. Walter Browne's modern morality play, "Everywoman," has been transferred to the screen under the direction of Mr. Melford in such a skillful manner as to elicit the highest praise from newspaper critics not only in New York where it was shown at the Rivoli Theatre, but in Boston, Columbus, Chicago and other cities. Will M. Ritchey wrote the scenario. Violet Heming plays the title role and is featured in the production along with Theordore Roberts and Wanda Hawley. • Crane is Leading Man. "Wanted — a Husband," the Billie Burke picture, is based upon Samuel Hopkins Adams' story, "Enter D'Arcy," which, when published in serial form in Collier's Weekly, attracted much attention. Clara Beranger prepared the scenario and Lawrence Window directed. Miss Burke's leading man is James L. Crane. The latest Thomas H. Ince production starring Charles Ray, "Red Hot Dollars," is another of those delightful country boy stories. Julien Josephson is the author and Jerome Storm directed. Gladys George is Ray's leading woman and Charles Hill Mailes, William Conklin and Mollie McConnell are in the cast. Many Wish To Be Joan in Goldwyn's "Branding Iron" THEY certainly started something over at the Goldwyn oflfices when they announced a contest, open to all, for a girl to play the part of Joan in Katherine Newlin Burt's "The Branding Iron." Photographs have been pouring in from applicants for the part and a number of young women have called in person. The committee to select the successful candidate comprises Samuel Goldwyn, Rex Beach and George Mooser.' If the avalanche of photographs keeps up they may have to lay off their usual work for a few days and devote themselves to passing on them. It has been decided to set a time limit to the contest and the last day of the year has been chosen as the closing day. In order to instire fairness to applicants wherever they may live, this means that the photograph must be mailed before midnight of December 31. Just when the decision will be made is not promised, but as everything is in readiness to put the picture into production, except an actress to play the leading role, it can be said that the committee will make its choice as soon as possible. Reginald Barker is to direct the production of the play, which will be one of the most elaborate ever made by the Goldwyn company. "Beckoning Roads" Will Please Women "Beckoning Roads," the RobertsonCole Superior picture, which is a be liday release, will please especially woman patrons as it gives Bessie Barriscale opportunity to run the whole gamut of the modistes art from the sort of gown which is worn by the girl on a farm in the Canadian Northwest to the most filmly and delicate creation seen in a New York ballroom. Advanced reports of the picture carried the statement that in ^'Beckoning Roads," Miss Barriscale wears five evening gowns, four afternoon frocks, three street dresses, three suits and four evening wraps. Historical Films a Necessity. A recent statement of the National Board of Review decrying the lack of film dramas based on American history, calls on leading producers to fill the demand which it says is heavy throughout the country for this kind of picture. A conclusive proof of this fact is the success with which "The Lost Battalion" is meeting in every territory where it is being shown. Although based on one of the n;ost heroic episodes of the great war, "The Lost Battalion" is not merely a war picture but is romance, adventure, real American humor and a living historical record. W. H. Productions Company, which is distributing this feature on the state rights market, asserts that it is daily receiving reports from every section of the country showing record-breaking performances and successful box office returns. "A Gamble in Souls" Scheduled. "A Gamble in Souls," a Thomas H. Ince production featuring Dorothy Dalton and William Desmond, will be released by Triangle January 25. This is the fourth issue released by Triangle under the new system. The first, "The Flame of the Yukon" starring Dorothy Dalton was released November 23. "Betty of Greystone" with Dorothy Gish was available December 14. "The Clodhopper" with Charles Ray will be released January 4. "A Gamble in Souls" was written by Lanier Barlett. Walter Edwards directed the production which was supervised by Thomas H. Ince. The play is the story of a girl from the Barbary Coast and a minister who couldn't understand each other until fate tossed them together on a deserted island. Sends Film of Peace Delegates. A fine bit of news enterprise was displayed by the Paris representative of Fox News when he took motion pictures of the American peace delegates leaving France and despatched his film on the same ship on which the delegates sailed. The peace cominissioners, I'^rank L. Polk, asistant secretary of state; General Tasker H. Bliss and Henry White, formerly Ambassador to France, left Paris on December 10 and sailed from Brest on the transport America the following day. In its release No. 23, shown December 24, Fox News gave not only views of the departure of the diplomats, but also pictures of their arrival in New York on December 20.