The Moving picture world (December 1920)

900 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 18, 1920 William Farnum's Newest Fox Feature Is "The Scuttlers, " Tale of the Sea DECEMBER 12 is the date set for the release of the next William Farnum screen production under the William Fox banner. The new entertainment is an original story by Clyde C. Westover entitled "The Scuttlers." Once again Mr. Farnum returns in a photoplay of the kind in which he is always effective — that of a rugged tale of the sea. In this type of picture he is now seen for the first time since his memorable success in "Wings of the Morning," a picturization of the well-read Louis Tracy book of the same name. "The Scuttlers" is described as an absorbing deep sea mystery drama of dynamic power, in which Mr. Farnum portrays the character of a special investigator of Lloyds who allows himself to be shanghaied aboard an outgoing ship. The skipper has long been under suspicion of scuttling his vessels for the purpose of collecting the insurance not alone on the hulls but "fake" cargoes. Mr. Farnum is by plot and circumstance enabled to show his histrionic powers to the best advantage. The "Investigator" is said to be the most daring type that he has yet attempted for the screen. The megaphone was handled by the veteran J. Gordon Edwards and "The Scuttlers" marks his forty-second production for William Fox. In the cast that supports Mr. Farnum are Jackie Saunders, Hershel Mayal, G. Raymond Nye, Arthur Millett and Harry Spingler. McCormick Resigns from Toledo's Rivoli to Manage the Los Angeles Ambassador S BARRETT McCORMICK, who has been manager of the Rivoli Theatre, • Toledo, since its opening last summer, has resigned his position to take over the management of the new Ambassador Theatre in Los Angeles, which will be opened in February. The Ambassador, while primarily First National, will show the foremost productions from the leading studios. It will seat 600 and will be provided with all the facilities for elaborate production. Before leaving for Los Angeles, Mr. McCormick will come to New York to arrange for the engagement of the theatre's staff and other details. The theatre itself is connected with the New Ambassador Hotel, and is being built by the same company which is erecting the Ambassador in New York. The theatre will have an admission charge of two dollars and give but two performances daily. Mr. McCormick will also have charge of the Kinema Theatre, one of the largest picture theatres on the coast, with a seating capacity of about 2,500. Later he will also take over the management of a new picture house now being erected in Merchantile Place, to be completed in the early summer. These theatres are all included in the western circuit controlled by Sol Lesser of First National. Harold Franklin Wendt, who has been working with McCormick on publicity, has taken over entire charge of the exploitation and advertising of the Rivoli presentations. Metro Will Show Exciting Tenement Fire in Production of "A Message from Mars A TWO-STORY brick tenement will be built by Metro on Recreation Field, near Astoria, Long Island, and then set on fire and burned to the ground in one of the night scenes of "A Message from Mars," the forthcoming Maxwell Karger Production starring Bert Lytell. Most of the action concerning the tenement takes place in an armory in the Bronx, where, a set reproducing five London streets is now under course of construction. The fire scene, which shows the destruction of the tenement required the building of a duplicate set to reproduce the tenement out of doors. A. Rosenstock, manager of exteriors, obtained the site. Slum characters of all descriptions trample over each other in mad confusion as fire breaks out. The film was adapted by Arthur Zellner and Arthur Maude from Richard Ganthoney's well-known stage play. Robert Goldblatt, of the Tarrytown, N. Y,. Music Hall, will probably close the Music Hall on January 1. Jane Novak Is Signed by Marshall Neilan With the production of "Not a Drum Was Heard," two popular screen artists return to the Marshall Neilan fold. Jane Novak, who met with considerable success as a result of her characterization in "The River's End," Mr. Neilan's first independent production released through First National a little over a year ago, has just signed with this producer. Charles West, who played the part of the dope fiend in "The River's End" also returns to the Neilan studio in "Not a Drum Was Heard." In the new picture, Mr. West is given the type of a character in which he excels, namely: a part that strangely resembles his portrayal in "The River's End." In "Not a Drum Was Heard," an adaptation of the Ben Ames Williams story which appeared in Collier's and prepared for the screen by Marion Fairfax, Miss Novak plays the leading feminine role opposite James Kirkwood. The story is a Western drama and discloses her in a difficult part that demands much of her histrionic versatility. Tom Gallery, who has also come to the front ranks during the past year and who appears in Mr. Neilan's "Dinty," just released, has been re-engaged for the production. Other prominent members of the cast are Hardee Kirkland, James Mason and Robert De Vilbis. Louise Lovely Presented by Fox in Starring Role In_ a drama of matrimonial misdeals, Louise Lovely will proceed to further advance her rapidly increasing popularity under the management of William Fox. "Partners of Fate" is the title and December 12 release date of Miss Lovely's next attraction. The photoplay is based on a story by Stephen Chalmers. Variety of Location Bernard Durning directed the screen presentation from a scenario by Robert Dillicn. The photography is credited to Glen McWilliams. As the story runs its five-reel length by land and sea, there was required a variety of location that adds diversity to the scenic equipment. Some of the elaborate exteriors are declared to represent the finest execution and to provide attractiveness for the dramatic scenes that lend "punch" to the offering. The plot discloses a story of misadventure in marriage and subsequent adventure afloat and ashore that leads to the untangling of two ill advised alliances. DOWN WITH THE SOUR SUNDAY PERPETUAL MOTION The long-haired youth dashed into the room and hugged his bobbedhaired wife. '^Rejoice with me," he thrilled, "I've sold the scenario!" "My hero," she cried, tears of joy spotting his frayed linen. "Where shall we go? To Palm Beach or Havana?" "Be patient," he admonished her. "It takes time. I have yet to select other titles and other names for the characters before I re-sell it to other companies and we make our fortune." "I can wait," came the brave answer. "I am the greatest little waiter you ever saw. Haven't I already waited a full, lean year while you bent your blond locks over the Corona and evolved your masterpiece?" That is the way it happens, according to William C. Lengell, in the New York Evening Post. Sell a scenario once and your fortune is made, he says humorously, because it can be re-sold a hundred times. How come? Because star, director, president, vice-president, general manager, ofTice boy and fdm editor all take a whack at it, until it is no longer recognizable by its author. Then he can sell the original to another company, and so on, ad infinitum, and his fortune is made. That's perpetual motion in motion pictures!