The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

564 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 24, 1920 Goldwyn Adds *'Stop Thief* to List of Stage Successes Bought STILL another popular play added to the steadily growing list of stage successes secured by Goldwyn for reproduction on the screen is "Stop Thief," the celebrated mystery-farce, sponsored by Cohan & Harris in 1913. The acquisition of the motion picture rights to this play has just been announced by Goldwyn, making the fourth important buy since the first of the year, the others being "Madame X," "Milestones" and "Officer 666." In common with "Officer 666," "Stop Thief" shares distinction of being one of Cohan & Harris's outstanding successes at the Gaiety Theatre, New York, where it was first presented in the fall of 1913. It ran for a full year and then became an equally popular road attraction with two companies touring the country. Since being released for stock, "Stop Thief" has been a strong favorite with the foremost organizations of the United States and Canada. Good for Screen Use. When presented at the Gaiety, the mystery-farce was hailed as a remarkably novel bit of stage-craft in several respects. It set a new mark for swiftness of movement and surprising developments. One house provides the scene for the action in each of the three acts, and the incidents all occur during the actual playing time of the piece. The author, Carlyle Moore, succeeded in cramming an unprecedented amount of action into a brief period. It is figured that "Stop Thief" carries just the sort of plot substance that may be developed into the most effective kind of screen entertainment. Particular pains will be taken in the preparation of the continuity in order to present the many complications at their full value and to preserve the element of mystery up to the conclusion. The play is logical in its construction and a skilled adapter, following the lead of the author, will find plenty of material for a photoplay as gripping as the stage production. Lined Burglar." Her pictures are displayed in all the local periodicals. The South American likes breezy western pictures, but have tired of the blood and thunder variety of film. For his clean and brisk action in his Universal pictures, Harry Carey is "going big" in all photoplay houses. Monroe Salisbury is well liked for his work in "The Savage" and in "The Desire of the Moth." Universal Players Popular in South America and Cuba UNIVERSAL favorites are not without honor in other countries. From Cuba comes the news of a popularity contest in which many prominent American screen stars were contestants. Eddie Polo was the winner. Priscilla Dean and Dorothy Philips took second and third place respectively among the stars of the fair .sex. All Universal export records are being broken by the South American bookings on "Elmo the Mighty," featuring Elmo Lincoln. Dorothy Phillips, because of her emotional acting, appeals to the Spaniard. In "The Right to Happiness," she is taking Porto Rico by storm, as the picture is booking a larger amount of business than any other single production put out by Universal. "The Heart of Humanity" is also enjoying a large popularity. In Argentina, Priscilla Dean made a big hit with her portrayal in "The Silk "Her Nearly Husband." "Her Nearly Husband," the rip-roaring Supreme Comedy, is the RobertsonCole offering for fun and frolic for the current week. The story is from the pen of Frank Roland Conklin, one of the best laugh-producing writers of the day. Teddy Sampson and Harry Depp are featured. Scott Sidney directed the chaser of blues and Bert Wright was in charge of the camera. W. Scott Darling prepared the story for the screen. Officials of Robertson-Cole announce that so successfully have first-run exhibitors taken this class or refined comedy that extra prints are made necessary each week. Flynn Series Brings in Inquiries. Almost the entire country is awaiting the release of the William J. Flynn detective series through Republic, according to word received from the Republic offices in Forty-sixth street. The Flynn series are in two reels each and eight releases in all. Each one presents William J. Flynn in an introductory manner and has Herbert Rawlinson in the principal role, as a llnited States secret service man. The first release is announced as "The Silkless Banknote." and the second is "Outlaws of the Deeps." A Melting Pot of Goldwyn Drama Seen in These Views from Six Separate Releases. Above are: Madge Kennedy in "Two Cents Worth of Humaneness"; Mabel Normand in "Pinto"; Will Rogers in "Water, Water, Everywhere!"; below are Johnny Jones in "Edgar," Tarkington's first comedv; Jack Picktord in "The Little Shepherd ot Kingdom Come," and Naomi Childers in "The Street Called Straight."