The Moving picture world (October 1920)

1230 MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 30. 1920 Associated Exhibitors Secure Rights to "The Devil, " Starring George Arliss This Drama Adapted from the Celebrated Statu 'Piny , Marks the Star's First Appearance in Motion Pictures. Production Will Be Distributed Through Pathe Taylor Praises Technical Men for "Movies' " Advance The most appreciable development in the motion picture industry has been the growth towards stability and beauty in studio sets, according to William D. Taylor, Realart producer. "The improvement along these lines has been a physical change, easy for the public to grasp and understand. Its importance became noticeable long before recognition of the more subtle betterments in acting and screen technique," he said in a recent interview. "Ten years ago I hesitated before going into moving pictures, because at that time I considered the screen a cheap and tawdry form of art," he stated. "This impression arose from the flimsy canvas settings which swayed with the wind and the manifestly fake properties and other makeshifts. I believe my opinion was reflected by the majority of Americans. "When I became actively connected with the industry, however, I could see its possibilities. To the public, the development of scenic beauty had its effect first. The change from canvas to all wood sets spelled an increase in quality. When this became evident, a better class of people began to attend the cinema. Thus the picture clientele was developed to its present high standard. "When I look over the sets of 'The Witching Hour,' which I am doing for Realart, I marvel that we could have progressed so far in such a few years. It all seems so far distant from my first picture when the villain put his hand against the wall, making the whole house sway. "When we give credit for the development of the movies, the technical men must be remembered first of all. Surely 'as the sets have gone, so have the pictures.'" C onstance Talmadge Picks Casl for "Mama's Affair" Constance Talmadge, who recently returned from a three months' vacation in Spain. England. Switzerland and France, is now at wor ; and is going to have a splendid opportunity to wear many of the beautiful clothes she has just brought back from Lavin, Worth, Mme. Grult, and other fashionable coutourieres, in this next picture, "Mama's Affair." "Mama's Affair" has been adapted for screen purposes from Rachel Barton Butler's well known Harvard prize contest play, by John Emerson and Anita Loos, and will be directed by Victor Fleming, who has directed Douglas Fairbanks. A prominent cast has been engaged, including Effie Shannon. Kenneth Harlan. Katherine Kaelred, George LaGuerre and Gertrude LeBrandt, who, with the exception of Kenneth Harlan, will be seen in the same roles which they enacted on the speaking stage. The name of "Mama's Affair" will be changed later on to one more befitting a starring vehicle for Constance. Selznick Signs Teddy Sampson For a principal role in Owen Moore's forthcoming Selznick picture, "Lend Me Your Wife," now under way at the Selznick Fort Lee studios, Myron Selznick announces he has engaged Teddy Sampson, the well known stage and screen comedienne. "Lend Me Your Wife" was written and is being directed by Victor Heerman, from a scenario prepared by Sarah Y. Mason. Miss Sampson's most recent screen work has been in two-reel comedies, although her early experience was in screen dramas. Other members of the cast include Vivia Ogden, Katherine Perry, Walter Walker and Edgar Nelson. ASSOCIATED EXHIBITORS, INC., announces the acquisition of George Arliss in "The Devil" for distribution through Pathe. Mr. Arliss has been working at the studio in Fort Lee for the past month, and it is expected the film will be completed in five or six weeks. The Arliss starring vehicle is being produced by Harry Leonhardt and Andrew Callaghan. James Young is directing the production. Mr. Arliss, whose decision to appear in pictures will come as a surprise to the motion picture and theatrical professions, will make his cinema debut in a role he played with striking success on the stage. As a film star Mr. Arliss has long been desired by the producers, and Associated Exhibitors are proud of having him make his first appearance in a film sponsored by them. The scenario has been prepared by Edmund Goulding. Sylvia Breamer will appear in a feature role. Lucy Cotton plays the part of the wife. Edmund Lowe is the artist and Roland Bottomley has the part of his gay friend. Mrs. Arliss will be seen for the first time on the screen as the mother. W ell Known Players These players have been starred and featured in many feature films and are well known for their work on the speaking stage. "The Devil" enjoys the distinction WILLIAM FARNUM, the Fox star, turns once more to the sort of role he loves so well and is now playing in a romance of a two-gun fighter of the old west, entitled "Drag Harlan," written by Charles Alden Seltzer. This picture is replete with rapid action of the hair-raising variety and is said to be remarkable for its scenic beauty and typical western atmosphere. The exterior scenes were taken on and around Midland Ranch, on Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California. Midland Ranch has rolling plains surrounded by magnificent mountains which furnish a background rarely equalled for effectiveness in motion pictures. "Drag Harlan" will mark Farnum's first appearance in a western picture since "The Orphan." and its announcement has met with hearty approval by exhibitors all over the country. Preceding this film his most recent starring vehicle was Justin Hunt McCarthy's. "If I Were King." Universal Files Answer to Harry Levey's Suit Answer has just been filed on behalf of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company to the action brought against it in the New York Supreme Court by Harry Levey to recover $20,000 for an alleged breach of contract. The answer, sworn to by R. H. Cochrane, vice-president, makes a general denial of the allegations on which Levey bases his suit and prays the court to dismiss the suit. Levey alleged that he was discharged without just cause from his position as general manager of the corporation's in of having had presentations in two different productions on Broadway simultaneously. Written by the eminent Hungarian novelist, short story writer and dramatist, Ferenoz Molnar, it is a play that from the time of its introduction has held a high place among the works for the stage. Mr. Arliss' first appearance on the screen will be nothing in the way of an experiment. He is one of the most finished artists of the theatre and a lifelong application to the study of his art is said to have equipped him to master the technique of the screen in a comparatively short time. He has brought to the studio the practice of rehearsals and with Mr. Young has spent long hours in adapting himself to a form of acting which his native talents and skill have equipped him to perform. Arliss is starring now in New York in Booth Tarkington's "Poldekin." At present the company is working on scenes in a lavish set more than a hundred feet long and seventy-five feet wide. It represents a hall in the home of the Devil. The scene was designed by a well-known architect and furnished by one of New York's leading interior decorators. The set will be the background for a revel given by the "evil genius" of the characters in Molnar's play. The dances are to be performed by Russian ballet artists who have been rehearsing with Mr. Young for a week. dustrial department, for which he was engaged on April 1, 1919, at a salary of $200 a week and 5 per cent, of all the cash receipts from all contracts procured for the department by him. and that 5 per cent, of these sales during the period of his employment amounted to $20,000, for which he asked the court to award him judgment. BEATRICE BEE MONSON Now leading woman in Mermaid ComedUs and to be seen supporting Lloyd Hamilton in "April Fool."' Farnum, Fox Star, Returns to Westerns in Stirring Drama of "Drag Harlan