The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

February 14, 1920 Ethel Clayton Begins on New Play. Ethel Clayton began work on a new picture that is expected to be a fitting successor to "The Thirteenth Commandment" and "The Young Mrs. Winthrop," two of her latest Paramount Artcraft pictures. The new picture is a screen adaptation of "The Ladder," a short story by Harold Vickers which was published in Snappy Stories. Miss Clayton has just completed "A Lady in Love," under the direction of Walter Edwards, who is taking a well-earned vacation. The new picture will be directed by Tom Forman. Mabel Normand to Star in "The Slim Princess" CLOSELY following the announcement that Goldwyn Pictures Corporation has purchased "The Slim Princess," the stage success by George Ade and Henry Blossom, comes the news that it is being used as a starring vehicle for Mabel Normand, who recently returned to Goldwyn's Culver City Studios. Miss Normand has started work under the direction of Victor Schertzinger, in the title role made famous on the stage by Elsie Janis. The cast tci support the Goldwyn comedienne has not been completed, but thus far Tully Marshall, Hugh Thompson, Russ Powell and Harry Laramie have been named. The story is rich in opportunity for humorous characterizations in addition to that of the central figure, the young Turkish princess whose problems in life are seriously complicated because she does not fulfil her country's standard of beauty that demands plumpness above all things. The Ade-Blossom play may be expected to come through on the screen as a combination of farce and comedy against a colorful Oriental background. The script calls for a number of elaborate sets and some scenes of a spectacular nature requiring many players. Ruth Roland Names Cast for Her Next Pathe Serial RUTH ROLAND has completed the selection of the cast for her next Pathe serial, "Broadway Bab," work on which is progressing rapidly at the Astra studios in Glendale. The cast contains a number of faces familiar to followers of Miss Roland's Pathe serials. The leading man is Herbert Heyes, who played the male lead with Miss Roland in her current Pathe serial, "The Adventures of Ruth"; Thomas G. Lingham, who played the role of "the Hound' in "The Adventures of Ruth," is again seen in the heavy role. The juvenile heavy is Jack Rollens ; comedy, Fred Burns and William Gillis; character, Gilbert Holmes. George Marshall is directing, and Al Cawood is chief cameraman, having officiated in the same capacity in Miss Roland's previous serial. Art Director Frank Ormston, of the Lew Cody Company, which is also producing on the Astra lot, has been loaned to Miss Roland for this serial. The story of the serial is by Johnston McCulley and ran in the All Story Magazine. The scenario is by Frances Guihan, supervised by Gilson Willetts, manager of the scenario department of Pathe Exchange, Inc. THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD THE various activities of Fox Film Corporation in and about New York City were completely moved by January 31 to the new Fox building in West Fifty-fifth street. The New York Exchange, however, remains at 130 West Forty-sixth street, where it now occupies the entire tenth floor. Satisfaction was expressed by the heads of departments over their new quarters, which afford much needed relief from the crowded conditions that prevailed in the old building — the rapidly growing business of the corporation having long ago made the offices in P"orty-sixth street too small. The new building was opened for business without ceremony, Mr. Fox iiiiiiilillllllllllllllllllillilliiliiliiliiiiiliiliiliiililiiliilliiiiiiiiii^^ I Power Proud of Exclusive | I Equipment in Fox Studio | TAKE the Capitol Theatre for | instance. Reams of adver g = tising copy have been writ | I ten around it by producers who 1 I wanted to get across the fact | 1 their films had been booked by 1 I this temple of the silent drama. 1 1 .-Vnd of course the new Fox stu 1 1 dio will likewise be the mecca of I 1 the advertising men of the various g i companies who have equipped this i 1 mammoth plant with everything 1 i from window glass for the sky g I lights to roller skates for the office 1 i boys. I g Nicholas Power Company is es g I pecially proud of the fact that ten g 1 Cameragraphs have been sold to g 1 Fox Film Corporation for use in g I this $2,500,000 plant, and that the g g studio will be equipped exclusively = 1 with the Power's machines. g i Two of the ten Cameragraphs 1 I are of the 6B type and will be in g I stalled in Mr. Fox's private pro | g jection room, where, with the as g 1 sistance of these machines, he will | g see his stars entertain as they en 1 g tertain for millions. 1 1 Will C. Smith, general manager g g of Nicholas Power Company, con g g siders it quite a feather in his or | g ganization's cap to be exclusively 1 I represented in this production 1 g center which stands as the most g g up-to-date illustration of the phe g I nomenal growth of the industry, i llIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH having in mind an elaborate celebration at a later date. Moving in the midst of its most flourishing season. Fox Film Corporation finds it necessary to devote undivided attention to the actual business at hand; therefore, exercises that have been discussed for some time have been postponed until some time in May. At the time of the formal opening, the public will have an opportunity to inspect the building which embodies many new ideas in the production of motion pictures. Arrangements Please Directors. The business officers were the first to make themselves at home in the building, and the various Fox companies now working in the East are being installed as rapidly as the state of the interior work in the various other Fox studios in New York permit. Directors were enthusiastic in their praise of the arrangements. Twenty companies can act simultaneously on the stage floor on the third story, and the ample supply of dressing rooms, the large carpenter shops, wardrobe room, scene loft and other appurtenances afford every facility for the making of big features. Besides well-appointed dressing rooms, there are rest rooms for the women and a gymnasium for the men. Similar rooms are provided for the other employes, also a restaurant which furnishes to all workers wholesome food at reasonable prices. Fox News has been well cared for. There are extensive offices for the administrative branches and splendid darkrooms and quarters for the staff of cameramen daily engaged in filming important news events for the screen. Laboratory a Feature. Another feature is the large laboratory that has been already put in operation. This branch boasts the very latest in film devices and will enable the organization to turn out 3,000,000 feet of film a week — having, in addition, several secret processes that will be a revelation to the industry. Exhibitors have referred with pleasure to the comfort of the projection rooms, which are built along the lines of the best Broadway motion picture theatres. The floors are sloped, the seats are upholstered, and the length of the rooms admits of long shots and consequent big images that display the pictures to the best advantage. Music is played at each showing. In conjunction with the projection rooms are numerous vaults for film storage, large enough to contain the output of Fox Films for generations. The scenario department, besides having comfortable offices, is equipped with a library of 2,000 volumes, including works of reference and popular novels. The newest works will be constantly added, and there will be at all times a .complete supply of periodicals in every language. To assist all departments in facilitating business, there is a telegraph office in the new building, from which messages can be sent directly, and where they can be received from out of town. Washburn Working on New Picture. Bryant Washburn has started work on "The Sins of St. Anthony," a Saturday Evening Post story by Charles Collins, according to word from the Lasky studio at Hollywood. The scenario was written by Elmer Harris and James Cruze is directing. This picture is said to afford Mr. Washburn a role considerably different from those which he has previously appeared in, and is one which suits him exceedingly well. Bennett Writing for Hank Mann. I'rederick Bennett, author of "The Radium Mystery," "The Lost Express" and several comedies, will co-operate with Hank Mann in writing stories for his series of fun films. Film Corporation Moves Into Its New Building; Has Many Features